Replies

1. 
   mudman | Sep 10, 2004 01:09am | #1

   I have a cheep 12 v. Hitachi ( $120 I believe, maybe less) and I LOVE it I hardly ever use my 18 v. drill/driver now. It is amazing, everyone should have one. The bits dont slip, the screw heads dont strip, it is faster and easier on the wrist. I mainly do remodeling and use it for every thing from driving lags to assembling appliances.

   Mike

   please excuse my spelling.
2. 
   nikkiwood | Sep 10, 2004 06:37am | #2

   These impact drivers have become all the rage -- for the reasons noted by Mike.

   I have the big 15.6 Panasonic which is terrific; but I have also worked with a Makita 12 volt model which is smaller, lighter, more compact, and not notably less powerful than its more cumbersome cousin.

   I would say Mike got an extraordinary deal ($140) on the Hitachi. Most in this class are more than $200.

   If you already have cordless tools, I would look into buying an impact driver of the same brand -- since the batteries would be interchangeable. Sears and Ryobi are about the only brands I would personally avoid.

   If were starting from scratch, I think I would buy the Makita, since I believe they were first in this market -- and hopefully, have perfected the tool. They certainly got it right with the one I used for 3-4 months.

3. 
   bill_1010 | Sep 10, 2004 03:41pm | #3

   Ive got a makita 12v with nimh batteries.  On the construction site ill reach for it before my panasonic when driving screws.  Simply put it wont cam out your screws or bog down until its out of power.  From tapcons to long screws it does its job so much better then a cordless drill driver.   Its very light and compact getting into tighter spots then a drill driver. 

   Impacts have great control over driving fasterners, ive rarely broken the heads off with an impact. The downside is that they are loud and get hot after repeated driving.  (repeated meaning constant use like tapons or lots of trim screws)

   Id buy my makita again to replace it if it comes to that.  Just like id replace my panasonic drill if it ever comes to that.  

   If i were buying a unit to consolidate my tooling, id look at the Panasonic multi-driver.  It has interchangeable chucks, one being a regular drill chuck the other being in impact chuck.   The only downside is that its based on a drill configuration.  Meaning its larger and not as compact as a dedicated impact unit thats very compact.

1. 
   nikkiwood | Sep 10, 2004 04:17pm | #6

   That's the same Panasonic impact driver I have, but as you say, it is big and clunky compared to the 12 v models.

   I bought it only because I have regular Panasonic drills, and at the time, this was the only impact driver available from Pan. However, they now have a 12v in the same configuration as the Makita, which I would probably buy now -- but only because of battery compatibility.

4. 
   Jeff | Sep 10, 2004 04:01pm | #4

   I've been using a Panasonic Drill for years.

   My Partner keeps an air impact driver and compressor in his truck for doing alot of driving.

   About a year ago, I bought the Makita 12V inpact driver to use for the times we didn't want to bother with the compressor (got a great price at a demo).

   My partner was so impressed with it, he bought one also about 6 months ago.

   We almost never need the air driver now.

   Probably one of the best inventions and investments to come along in years.

   Jeff

5. 
   JerryPacMan | Sep 10, 2004 04:16pm | #5

   I recently picked up a Panasonic 12 volt impact driver.  It is excellent for driving screws.  It is a bit pricey, but worth it.  Panasonic just came out with a new more powerful 12 volt driver.  I am a big fan of Panasonic cordless tools but I have heard good things about the Hitachi 12 volt impact driver.

    

   Life is what happens to you when you're making other plans .

6. 
   McCaber | Aug 20, 2019 09:32pm | #7

   I recommend the Milwaukee M12 system, I have the impact along with the hammer drill, light easy on on the arm and has decent run time with the heavy duty battery