Recommend/What to look for in an impact driver?

[balzac.thegreat]

The "A-HA" moment thread finally put me over the edge on my decision to get myself a an impact driver.

What should I be looking for in one? Accessories? Brands? Any guidance appreciated.

Cheers!

[poolhound]

Glad you started this thread I will be interested in the answers. I'm not really sure what the difference is between these and conventional drill drivers. I always thought of impact drivers as tools for automechanics.

Just showing my ignorance here.......


Jon

[Popeye]

I've got one of the least expensive units out there, the 18V Ryobi and it's worked as well as any of my friends more expensive units. That said, I'd go at least 18V, the more compact the better (I'm talking from the back of the head to the chuck) More compact = tighter spaces. Also I think if I had any other 18V cordless tools I'd go with what I already had batteries for. That's the main reason I have the Ryobi. Pat

[poolhound]

Popeye,

That was my thinking too. I have an collection of 18v Ryobi one tools 4 batteries and 2 chargers so adding a Ryobi impact driver would make sense.

How does it compareto the Ryobi Drill Driver? I hove found that to perform well, does the ID use more battery juice?

Jon

[Uncle Cracker]

I got the Bosch 10.8V Li-Ion unit when Lowes had an online pricing error... Took the ad to my corner brick-and-mortar, and they honored the price (think it was something like $39!). Anyway, this little gem packs a wallop, and I use it all the time. Came packed with a bonus belt-clip holster that comes in very handy, especially since there is no bit storage built into the unit.

[os1kne]

If you have 18v Ryobi batteries, then I don't think that you can go wrong with the Ryobi. I have the 18v Dewalt, only because it was part of a multiple tool kit that my wife got me a couple of years ago. I've used the Ryobi and I think that it's a great impact driver, especially for the price.

[BigguyZ]

I'll throw another vote in for the Ryobi- especially if that's the drill you have. If you had a Makita or a Rigid or any other type of drill, I'd say get that brand impact driver. The ability to share batteries among tools is highly underrated.

[Thalermade]

I just recently purchased the Bosch 10.8V Li-Ion unit. While I have an older 18volt Bosch combo set, the price of the 18 volt ID was just too high. The more I thoought about it, the more I realized the use I was planning for the ID in the shop and small projects, the smaller unit would be better. Very happy with the decision.

hope this has an impact on your decision
Russ

[messmaker]

I think all of them must be pretty good. I have the Craftsman and have used the Dewalt and would recommend either althouth the trigger on the Dewalt is a little hard to get used to.The Makita is generally thought to be the best of the kind with the Ryobi being the best deal.

[leehljp]

. . .I'm not really sure what the difference is between these and conventional drill drivers. . .

Jon

IMO, The difference for driving screws in the two is like the difference in - :

1. A 2 wheel drive and 4 wheel drive vehicle in a muddy situation. Imagine a person who has driven only a 2 wheel drive car on highways and in cities asking the question - Why does anyone need a 4 wheel drive car? What does it accomplish?

2. A Nikon versus a "Brownie" in taking unusual shots from weird locations in strange lighting situations;

3. A billboard sign and subliminal advertising. Naaa - not a good analogy! But it is that much difference. That is why it is an "Ah Ha!" tool!

[LinuxRandal]

I have the Ridgid 14.4 and love it. While the sitting battery lasts longer then my experience with the Ryobi, it has been great for around the house projects. If your only doing projects in the shop, I would lean towards the Bosch 10.8 (MUCH smaller).

I still normally only grab my drill, when going somewhere (fewer tools to carry, multiple batteries, can use large drill bits) but do miss it. One example, I took my Panasonic Drill to work, and while I predrilled (stainless, into drywall then studs), the semispecial screws (weird head size, square drive phillips combo head), stripped the first couple of times. I didn't screw them in completely and used the partially stripped one, to thread the holes for a good one. I later brought back the impact driver for one other area they wanted to do something, and it just drove them in.

I really should pick up the Bosch for the portable bag.

[poolhound]

IMO, The difference for driving screws in the two is like the difference in - :

1. A 2 wheel drive and 4 wheel drive vehicle in a muddy situation. Imagine a person who has driven only a 2 wheel drive car on highways and in cities asking the question - Why does anyone need a 4 wheel drive car? What does it accomplish?

2. A Nikon versus a "Brownie" in taking unusual shots from weird locations in strange lighting situations;

3. A billboard sign and subliminal advertising. Naaa - not a good analogy! But it is that much difference. That is why it is an "Ah Ha!" tool!

Does anybody know where I could get a time machine as only 3 weeks ago I built 7 4'x8' stage platforms 3 smaller ones and 4 large scenery flats for a play my wife's school is staging that opens tonight. They were built mostly from 2x4s and ply, at a rough guess they took approx 500-600 drywall screws of varying sizes from 1 1/2 to 3". I cant tell you how may bits got striped during this exercise

[gsmittle]

Does anybody know where I could get a time machine as only 3 weeks ago I built 7 4'x8' stage platforms 3 smaller ones and 4 large scenery flats for a play my wife's school is staging that opens tonight. They were built mostly from 2x4s and ply, at a rough guess they took approx 500-600 drywall screws of varying sizes from 1 1/2 to 3". I cant tell you how may bits got striped during this exercise

BTDT. I feel for ya, brother--especially when you try to take those stripped screws out....

g.

[balzac.thegreat]

I guess I should stick with my 19volt C-Man C3 line and get their impact driver. It's actually onsale right now for 69.99.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...=impact+driver

[jseklund]

You'll love the impact driver- just as stated by everyone on the board here who has one.

As for the comment about their being useful for automechanics- I had this same misconception when I started. What I didn't realize was that I was thinking of an IMPACT WRENCH, not an IMPACT DRIVER. They are different tools completely. The impact WRENCH has a 3/8 or 1/2 inch socket that it spins- so you put sockets on it to loosen bolts, etc.- Very high torque and great for automotive use. The impact DRIVER has a connector that you slide a hex-style drill bit into- more similar to a drill. The driver is usually much lower torque than the wrench. The wrench is way better at loosening rusted bolts, and the driver is WAY better at driving screws into wood without stripping the screw head, reducing the chances of splitting the wood, sinking the head flush to the surface of the wood, or countersinking without a countersinking hole already drilled. Keep in mind- the countersink/split issues can still occur- but I've gotten away with these maneuvers much more often with a driver than I would with a drill.

I personally have a 14.4 V Dewalt and LOVE it. It is much shorter than a drill, so I can get it into tight spots. I have driven anywhere between 80-120 2.5 inch screws into 2X4's, etc on ONE battery charge, and I have used the driver with a socket attachment to loosen plenty of lug nuts (not its intended use...shame on me). I highly recommend it. The 14.4 is a lot lighter than a drill too.

When I was renovating my house, one of the contractors had the 18V Ryobi. The torque on that thing was impressive - slightly better than my Dewalt- But then again my Dewalt is a smaller tool. The wabble in the bit was a bit more noticable on the Ryobi, but only really noticable with long extension bits (1 ft or so) that magnified the wobble. The Ryobi may have been abused by the contractor too, so that may be part of the reason for the wobble (although- lug nut removal with the Dewalt didn't damage it). For a large price difference, I wouldn't hesitate to go with the Ryobi. I love the Dewalt though. An 18V may be pretty sweet...I already have 18V tools that I could have shared batteries with, but with two 14.4V batteries and a few chargers, it takes me longer to kill the battery than to charge the second. I have the Ni-Cd version too- not Li.