Drill VS Impact wrench
 

http://ecorenovator.org/forum/attach...1&d=1392229991

When I moved into my house just over two years ago I purchased a Dewalt drill and impact wrench combo kit that was on sale. I use the drill all the time for drilling and to drive screws. About two weeks ago I used the impact wrench to drive some deck screws in to a bracket I made to help seal and keep the new bathroom vent in place. Do I feel stupid having waited this long to use it.

The impact wrench worked so well and took so much less work to set the screw through the three boards (2 were pre drilled) that I have now used the impact wrench 4 other times.

The moral of the story is if you have an impact wrench use it. If you do not have one try one out and you will realize why a drill is called a drill and not a screw driver.

DEWALT DCK265L 18-Volt Compact Lithium-Ion Drill/Impact Combo Kit - amazon.com

I got two of these PORTER-CABLE 1 18-Volt 1/4 Drive Cordless Impact Driver for my solar project.
Shop PORTER-CABLE 1 18-Volt 1/4 Drive Cordless Impact Driver at Lowes.com
It drove lots of 5” lag bolts into the trusses easily. It was a life saver.
I agree these are great tools. (I got this on closeout + 10% off it was a great deal.)

Porter-Cable PCL180IDK-2 1/4-Inch Hex Lithium Impact Driver Kit - amazon.com

http://ecorenovator.org/forum/attach...1&d=1383763089

Count me in as another who agrees. I have the white Makita 18V lithium model and absolutely love it. I use my drill as a drill and my impact for driving in everything screw related. So much more control, so much easier and faster. The only downside is its noisy (all impacts are) which really isn't a big deal when you consider all the benefits.

Makita LXDT04CW 18-Volt Compact Lithium-Ion Cordless Impact Driver Kit - amazon.com

http://ecorenovator.org/forum/attach...1&d=1383763050

I use the makita impact drill at work every day. I love it.

I have a 1/2" 19V craftsman impact that i use around the house and the garage. Works awesome.

Count me in too. Got a Nextec drill and compact impact driver last xmas. Love them both so much I just bought the bigger impact driver.

Craftsman 30285 Compact Lithium-ion Drill/driver and Impact Driver Combo Kit

http://ecorenovator.org/forum/attach...1&d=1392230339

The more tools the better, but except for small jobs, air drive or corded is used.

All things being equal my 18V drill will drive screws much faster than my 18V impact. That said though the impact is used when I have a helper that has normal human wrists... My mother uses an impact to drill, drive and assemble. For someone that can't handle a big, powerful screwdriver the impact is a perfect tool for them.

I have rigid brand and it works great but too loud so I don't use it

Even the Makita 12v Max impact does a darn good job. I had the drill/quick release impact combo that I loved, but when I found the dedicated 3/8" impact, I had to have it! Long story short... I fully agree.

Guess I better buy an impact driver.

I don't think you'll regret it.

I've got 2 sets of Makita stuff. Not the Home Depot versions with plastic gears but the ones with metal gears. Used for very heavy work for years. Great stuff.

Did makita change colors on all their power tools? I used to love all the turquoise power tools. The new ones that look like basketball shoes just don't seem as tough as the old ones to me.

I'm not sure but I can still buy my cordless tools in the normal colours. Perhaps they are separating the homeowner version from the professional versions OR different voltages/ah? Your guess is as good as mine.

Love my impact driver !!

Actually, they have less control than a drill. The best control with driving anything is a drill in first gear. That is what I use for sheetrock screws or anytime I want a screw perfectly flush.

However, impact drivers are as good as everyone says. I even use mine when working on my vehicles. Removing rusted or stuck bolts is so much easier since air powered tools are not available.

If control is critical get it close with a power tool and torque to spec with a hand screwdriver.

http://lumberjocks.com/assets/pictur...ews/322145.jpg

I do appliance repair and use my Rigid Impact driver every day. I love the power and speed it offers along with the led light for working in dark spaces. Lifetime warranty (including 18V battery) sold me on this brand.

Back when I did appliance repair I found the 12v impact more than strong enough for driving screws. Couldn't see spending more for a heavier more powerful tool.

True story! Impact drivers do work very well for anything screw related. I always try to buy a combo kit that has a drill and a compact driver. It's cheaper than buying the tools separate and that way you cover most of the applications.

Strong enough? Yes. Fast enough? Not remotely. An 18v is about 3x faster than a 12v driver. The new gen5x Ridgid impact also has a speed transmission for even more control over speed and torque :)

Pretty tools for sure. I can not compete with you guys. Since I, at 70, don't get to construct projects that often, thus, tools sit there in the man cave, Harbor Freights tools do the job for me.

How bad was it about stripping small appliance screws? What about size/weight?
For big projects I agree, the 18v is the way to go.

Heres an update on my Nextec set from Craftsmen, almost three years in and thousands of screws driven and I'm still pleased as can be. I have mostly been driving 2.5" and 3" deck screws and this impact driver has no problem. I did nearly overheat it once and had to let it rest for a while. That said I would call this a homeowners tool as it is not up to daily torture tests of a contractor. The battery just does not last long enough. The charger can keep up and charges faster than I drain the other battery most of the time. I am about to replace a battery that is failing. Probably from the time I nearly overheated it building a deck. I had 5 batteries in rotation that day.

Run for your life, it's Godzukie on a rampage!
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Found him at the local indoor flea market for $20, including drill motor, case, 2 batteries, and super charger. Got home, plugged in charger, no lighty up. Both batteries dead as hammers. Rigged up a battery to a power supply, it took a charge. Plugged into drill motor, works like magic. Cha Ching!

Rather than buying a whole new charger, I rigged up a satellite power inserter (19VDC unregulated) to the factory charger terminals. Takes longer than 30 minutes to charge, but it beats paying way too much for a new charger.

After using it for awhile, one of the batteries tried to self-destruct on the charger. Got toasty and warped the latches, measured 13 Volts between terminals. It is most likely the cause of the dead charger. No big deal, batteries start at $20 for this drill on amazon. An OEM high-capacity battery is around $100. This bad boy will drill holes through castle walls and log cabins if you need it to. With the torque clutch engaged, it acts just like an impact driver, and will twist your wrist off if you let it. Good all-around work doer if all you have is one holster on the tool belt.

BTW, Godzilla is the corded equivalent of this one. Too much drill for many jobs.
http://www.catskillhouse.us/blog/wp-...mmer-drill.jpg