Please don't just read. Please Leave your opinion.

[leehljp]

I have two Ryobi 18V impact drivers and love them. (One in US, One in Japan). It took a little getting used to in driving screw with a light touch but I managed to do it with out much problem. About as much difference as getting used to the dash of a new car at the most.

Like Brian (Holbren) said, I just use a light touch. I relied heavily on the clutch with my drill/drivers but with the impact driver, I have to rely on the speed and trigger pressure. I too can and have used the impact driver for pocket screws without driving the screw all the way through. I can also use the impact driver to drive screws that a Drill/Driver can only dream about.

Except for drilling, I use the ID. Jigs and other things too.

I use both drill/driver and IDs, but mostly the ID. The cordless Drill Driver is more versatile, but the ID is SOOO effecient in what it does, that to me it is well worth the extra money to have both.

[lcm1947]

Hank. I don't think you are getting the picture. You're supposed to be telling me why I shouldn't buy the ID not how great it is. See what you did, I am now wondering if I should buy the darn thing again. Boy, decisions, decisions. Seriously, you build jigs with it?

[leehljp]

Mac,

One thing mentioned above - about the impact drivers that I think many people are not aware of - It does not torq out your hands on frozen bolts and nuts, like Drill Drivers do.

When I bought my 14.4 Porter Cable Drill/Driver 6 years ago, one of the first things I did was take the seat out of my pickup to fix something. Can't remember what. But I do remember the first nut I tried to get off. The torq twisted my hand around so fast I couldn't believe it. I came away with a severe sprain. That PC is heavy for a 14 volt and powerful.

Having said that, most 12 volt IDs are close to half the weight but have twice the torq. And 18V IDs have even more torq and still lighter in weight than most corresponding Drill Drivers. But because of the way IDs work, they do not pass the torq on to your hands like DDs do.

Hey, even if you don't need it, it is still a good toy to have! Impress your neighbors!

[lcm1947]

Yeah Hank I actually am aware of that fact but that really isn't what worries me it's whether or not I should or could use it with small delicate type stuff. I'm thinking it would ruin stuff by driving the screws in too much or damaging the project. I read in some magazine I believe it was that you don't use ID's for like cabinet hinges and such. The torque is too great. Don't know if it's true but that's what got me wondering about them.

[Wood_workur]

I have a 12v makita cordless drill, and it sutes my needs. I really see no need for an inpact driver, beauce I have been able to drive everything with my cordless.

You really don't need one. Unless you are working with ipe or 3" maple.

[lcm1947]

Well gentlemen, I have finally made a decision. I don't need one. I thank everybody for their input and advice. It helped me a lot to decide. I appreciate you taking the time to reply.

[jp_spins]

I agree that you don't need one, but that never stopped from buying tools. Most of the tools that I have accumulated are because I stumbled onto a deal. Keep your eyes open for a really good deal, the Ryobi 18v went on sale for $29 last year, if you can get a deal like that you almost have to get one.

[lcm1947]

Yes. Oh yes I hear that jp. I rely on this forum so much for the deals and steals.

[buddyrough]

Have a Dewalt 9.6

Loring mentioned a B&D 9.6 and I have the 9.6 Dewalt with an extra battery all going on 4 years and I do more stuff than you're planning. No need to spend more than $40 to $50.

[leehljp]

I'm thinking it would ruin stuff by driving the screws in too much or damaging the project. I read in some magazine I believe it was that you don't use ID's for like cabinet hinges and such. The torque is too great. Don't know if it's true but that's what got me wondering about them.

I am glad I didn't read that article. This past spring I replaced the hinges on 20 doors with two hinges each when I refinished the kitchen cabinets and replaced all hardware. I used the 18V impact driver on the whole thing and did not strip a single screw. No I am not making that up either. I knew I was coming back to Japan; My daughter is living in the house, and I knew it had to be done right and I did not want any doors falling off while LOML and I are overseas.

And as I said, I did it all with the impact driver. I filled in all of the former holes with pegs and glue and redrilled tiny pilot holes. Then I used the impact driver to drive the screws - 20 doors, 40 hinges, 80 screws, none stripped.

I will say that I grew up with mechanicing and machinery. When dad was in the field, I was fixing machines. We did not have time to fix something twice. "Touch" was a necessity. I grew up with that, so it is natural for me to judge the force of a machine and adjust my technique to it. This is called the school of hard knocks . It might be that using an impact driver to drive small screws are hard for some people, such as the writer of the article. But it is not a problem with the impact driver itself as much as it is the experience of the user.

Another reason I like the Impact Driver so much is that it is so much lighter, compact and easy to handle than Drill Drivers. Drill drivers are generally a good 2 to 3 inches longer and harder to get into tight spaces than the IDs. When I go down to smaller Drill Drivers the size of the IDs, the smaller DDs have too little power.

IDs might not be beneficial to everyone, but I certainly have found my tool of choice.

[cabinetman]

I've been using a 9.6V Bosch since the mid 80's that has driven any screw I want. It's a VSR, and still using the same batteries. Has a clutch and can overdrive if adjusted. LOML bought me a PC 14.4 VSR drill/hammerdrill, that is the cat's meow. I only use the hammerdrill for masonry drilling. To answer your question, your choice is to handle your choices and see what feels comfortable to use. The larger they are the more bulky and heavy they get. Check the battery re-charge, some of the cheapo's have a 3hr recharge time.



"I'M NEVER WRONG - BUT I'M NOT ALWAYS RIGHT"

[vaking]

Asking if you need a tool is like asking if you should get married. The answer seems obvious. If you are not sure - you certainly don't. When the time comes you will not need to ask. Yes, I know - this goes against conventional wisdom that every new project needs a new power tool.

[lcm1947]

Leehljp you are no help at all. I really want one bad but trying to talk myself out of it - I guess. You know the money thing. I initially thought that they'd be ideal since they were so much smaller and handier but that articule sure made me have second thoughts and is the reason I posted here. Now with your post I'm back to wondering. I may just keep an eye open for a really really really good deal and buy one of the darn things if the occasion arises. I guess if nothing else it would come in handy on certain jobs.