I need an impact driver and my 14.4v cordless drill/driver (DW) sounds like it’s on it’s last legs. Checking specs, the 12v impact drivers seem to have plenty of torque and the 14.4v drill gets me through most holes until I get to big spade bits/hole saws. I appreciate the lighter batteries when working overhead. I figure I’ll buy a new drill and impact driver at the same time.
I work renovations in NYC and often carry my tools several blocks, or on the subway/trains, so common batteries save me some weight.
My choices as I see them:
Both 14.4v (max interchangability)
12v impact, 18v drill (best of both worlds?)
Originally I thought only of Bosch, but I’ll consider others as long as both tools share the same charger.
Thanks for your advice,
Jim
The awful thing is that beauty is mysterious as well as terrible. God and the devil are fighting there, and the battlefield is the heart of man.
– Fyodor Dostoyevski
Replies
If you go with Bosch you can justify the radio/cd/charger/outlet combo they're now selling.
often carry my tools several blocks, or on the subway/trains, That's difficult for me to imagine. I complain when I have to park my trailer more than 50 yds from the house. Ok, I meant 50 feet.
In your case, I think a common brand and common voltage makes sense, even if one or two tools are a compromise, cuz then you would only need to tote one charger and fewer batteries.
All I know, I learned from Luka.
That's difficult for me to imagine. I complain when I have to park my trailer more than 50 yds from the house. Ok, I meant 50 feet.
That's working in NYC. My boss always says, "It's all about logisitcs". We get a differential that's roughly equivalent what it costs to feed a mule ..lol
The awful thing is that beauty is mysterious as well as terrible. God and the devil are fighting there, and the battlefield is the heart of man.- Fyodor Dostoyevski
I'd recommend a 12v impact and a corded drill.
Drilling eats batteries faster than driving screws, and none of the cordless drills I am aware of are fast enough (2,500-3,000rpm is ideal for holes smaller than 1/4").Our quarrel with the world is an echo of the endless quarrel within us. - Eric Hoffer
My Makita 12V. is 2 years old and has been used steadily and hard....I had to replace the original batteries last year, but the Makita batteries are a step up from yellow and others.
Maybe your old drill is about dead but are the batteries still good? If the batteries are the real problem would a new tool with new batteries fix your old drill? You'll have two chargers too.
Go to makita.com and click on the cordless tool section. Currently, until the end of December I think, when you buy their new 14.4 impact driver you will get a new drill for free on a mail in rebate. Such a deal.