Cordless variable speed impact screwdriver? Does it exist?

[Sam Shank]

I recently used a friend's Makita, similar to TDO20DSEW. It's just a small light cordless LiIon driver. It is, however, not variable speed.

I really liked it for driving and removing screws. Even though it's advertised and sold as a cordless screwdriver, it's not. It does not have variable speed which makes it impossible to use on things like light switches and electrical outlets where you need a little more control.

I searched Amazon and google and didn't find anything.

Thanks - Sam

[Gary Sutherland]

Sam, Amazon lists this Panasonic: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000IVDH24/ref=asc_df_B000IVDH24890699?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=googlecom09c9-20&linkCode=asn&creative=380341&creativeASIN=B000IVDH24

Never used it, but I've liked other Panasonic drivers.

Gary

[Sam Shank]

That is more of a drill in my opinion.

I was talking more of the screwdriver kind. Small - lightweight.

Kind of like all the cordless drivers you'd see 25 years ago - but with impact.

http://www.amazon.com/Makita-MAKTD020DSEW-Lithium-Cordless-Screwdriver/dp/B0027JZZ02/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1251144932&sr=8-1

[Jason Beam]

Sam, Amazon lists this Panasonic: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000IVDH24/ref=asc_df_B000IVDH24890699?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=googlecom09c9-20&linkCode=asn&creative=380341&creativeASIN=B000IVDH24

Never used it, but I've liked other Panasonic drivers.

Gary

I have, and love, this very driver. It came in a kit with both a drill and the driver (and maybe a flashlight? i forget). Anyway - it's a fantastic driver. The variable speed isn't quite as gradual as a regular drill and takes a little finesse to get used to feather touching it - but you CAN get it to do under 20 rpm without too much trouble.

It's a fantastic kit - It's so good, I don't think i'd even mind how much new batteries will cost when they finally go - they've been good for 3 years so far, tho, so we'll see :D

[Philip Rodriquez]

impact driver for a light switch :eek:... You know the impact is for torque... right?

[Leo Graywacz]

Both of these claim to be variable speed impact drivers. Niether are screwdiver style but the smaller Makita is very small (2nd link).

http://coastaltool.com/a/makita/6935fdwdex.htm

http://coastaltool.com/a/makita/td090dw.htm

[Paul Nienaber]

I have the TD090. I use it regularly to install plugs and switches. I got it at home depot on clearance for $74.

[Philip Johnson]

I think you need two tools the impact drivers are good for removing screws only you never want to hammer them back in with them. Then get a battery drill or screw driver with a clutch to install the screws.

[Eiji Fuller]

Most impact drivers well the ones I have used have almost an infinite variable speed. It's called the trigger. Pull just a little and it turns slow. pull a little more and it spins a little faster and so on and so on and so on. With the infinite variability also comes the variability of a working clutch. the lighter you depress the trigger the less power is going to the motor and the less torque and strength of the impacts is also less.

I find using an impact driver on the smallest screws very easy. Just take it easy on the trigger guys. Its not that complicated. :eek:

I use a Makita 18v lion impact and have used the dewalt and panasonics. the Dewalts are complete junk and do not have the ability take it easy on fasteners. The panasonics are nice but not as nice as the Makita.

[Rich Engelhardt]

Hello,

It does not have variable speed which makes it impossible to use on things like light switches and electrical outlets where you need a little more control.

Impact = overkill for stuff like that.
Not only that, but even the lightest of them are too heavy.
Clutch type drivers are pretty useless also due to the huge variation of torque needed.

The absolute best "cordless screwdriver" I've found for screws on switches, outlets & doorknobs, is the low end Black and Decker AS600.
You can pick one up for under $20.00. Half that amount on certain sales.

It's a 130 RPM, under 20 inch pound of torque straight line driver that uses 4 AA batteries.

FWIW - I also have 4 other cordless screwdrivers & 4 cordless drill/drivers.

Crack the plastic on a few outlet covers & you'll quickly wish for a much slower/lower torque tool.
Or crossthread a doorknob screw & ruin a lockset.

[Robert Chapman]

Check the Bosch PS40-2A. It's a 12volt lithium, variable speed impact driver.

[Russ Kay]

I've got both the Makita 18v LiIon impact driver (with the small battery) and the Makita drill/driver that uses the same batteries. And I hardly ever reach for the drill/driver; the impact driver does it all. And it's smaller and lighter, if noisier. As Eiji said, speed and torque control is all in the trigger. It's a great little tool. As a nice plus, if you need longer run times between the relatively fast recharges, the bigger Makita LiIon battery fits too.

[Chris Harry]

Most impact drivers well the ones I have used have almost an infinite variable speed. It's called the trigger. Pull just a little and it turns slow. pull a little more and it spins a little faster and so on and so on and so on.


Agreed! Im wondering if whats really being asked is varible amount of driving force? i.e. a clutch.

Bosch PS40 if you want impact with "variable" speed via the trigger.

Bosch PS20 if you want variable speed with a clutch, but no impact.

I have both, and they are both great. I would use the PS20 for electrical switches, switchplates, etc. I use the PS40 to drive a few longer screws when framing smaller things (medicine cabinet recess, etc)

[Sam Shank]

I guess I did a fairly poor job of explaining what I was looking for.

I used the little makita that I mentioned above last week and really liked it. The only thing I didn't like about it was that the trigger made the tool ON or OFF. No variable speed - only one speed - maximum.

I want this same tool - only with a variable speed trigger.

Yes, I know impact is for driving those 3 inch screws into oak. Yes, I know that a forceful driver will crack a light switch.

What I want is one (small and light) tool that will do it all. I think that if the makita I linked to above had a variable speed trigger I could leave my drill at home for most jobs.

I'll have to look for that little makita VS linked above. The price tag is a little high - I can wait until clearance though.

Thanks - Sam

[Joe Jensen]

I have a Panasonic Impact Driver, prior model with NiMH batteries. Mine is the version with the electronic clutch. It has a variable speed trigger.

I also have the Bosch 12V mini impact driver. It is my go to driver, but it labors on larger screws. If driving more than a few, or longer screws, I then reach for the Panasonic. I'd say it drives screws 5X faster than the Bosch.

[Mort Stevens]

I bought one of these last week - http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=311390-70-DC827KL&lpage=none It will do exactly what you want - it's variable speed control is very good - and it's pretty small/well balanced. It works just like a drill and the hammering motion doesn't kick in until torque starts to build up.... driving screws or drilling pilot holes it's hard to ask anything better!

[Karl Brogger]

Third one from the top is the best tool I've found for putting on plates:

http://www.service.kleintools.com/Marketing/Catalog_Imagery/85077_icon.jpg

www.kleintools.com (http://www.kleintools.com)

[Sam Shank]

Well- it's not really the plates that I need the driver for ;) every now and then you need some really long 8-32s for different reasons - your wrist can get tired.

Thanks all.

[Kevin Groenke]

I recently picked up the Makita 10.8v driver/impact kit. This is nice set, the tools are comfortable and the impact is surprisingly torquey for such a small drill the battery life is acceptable for occassional around the home/shop tasks. The vs on the drill/driver is easily modulated and it has 2 speed ranges. There are the requisite X#of clutch settings, but the highest isn't quite high enough IMO.
http://www.toollaunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/makitatd290.jpg

We've had a couple of the the Milwaukee 12v drill/drivers at work for about a year. These are very similar to the Makita, but I think have a bit more torque. After using both I think I would go with the Milwaukee in the future. Milwauke makes some other cool and unique tools that use the same battery.
http://www.acetoolonline.com/v/vspfiles/photos/MIL-2222-24-2T.jpg

Both the Makita and Milwaukee are available in versions with conventional keyless chucks. A 1/4" quick release is nice at times, but it's also nice to be able to throw anything into a drill chuck. If I buy any additional drill/drivers, they will have conventional chucks.

http://allprotools.com/images/cache/all-pro-tools-407ff2cabc4d8819a3e3a361b8c5f5aa.jpghttp://www.dynamitetoolco.com/v/vspfiles/photos/MIL-2410-22-2T.jpg

Small tools are fine and dandy and impact drivers are useful for some tasks, but if I'm drilling more than a few holes or driving dozens of screws, I'm still going to reach for one of the many Panasonic 15.6v, 1/2" drill/drivers with 3.5ah NiMH batteries in the shop. After 10+ years and handling/using every other manufacturers drills the Panasonics are still my favorites. At ~$200 for the kit, I also think it's a better value than either of the mini-drivers mentioned above.

http://panasonictool.com/imdir/EY6432GQKW.jpg

-kg