cordless impact

[phil harold]

I am looking to buy a cordless impact
18 volt would be preferred
any experienced recommendations are welcomed
thanks

[Ethan Spronk]

My families farm has used and severely abused Dewalt impacts for years and have had really good luck with them. We have burned a few motors out but they were getting heavy use in a grain bin for over half a day. I have not personally owned a milwaukee impact but their tools are also very highly recommended (we have a few of their battery grease guns around). Dewalt sells two different impact models. We use both on our farm depending on the job we are doing there is significant torque and weight differences between the two. I posted a link from northern tools for the larger impact.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200401307_200401307?cm_mmc=Google-pla-_-Power%20Tools-_-Drills%20%2B%20Accessories-_-335941&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=335941&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=335941&gclid=Cj0KEQjw1s-gBRCKwOKQ1sWonvsBEiQA8qALFTAt870vk7Neq-Warpojls7Fs6Hji3jBOqfsoaeaxz0aAtyS8P8HAQ

[Cary Falk]

I vote for Bosch or Makita.

[Stan Krupowies]

I have a Makita that has given me nothing short of great service!

[Mike Henderson]

I have the smaller DeWalt 18V and it's given good service but I haven't used it as much as Ethan.

Mike

[Von Bickley]

I recently went with the Bosch. Haven't used it enough to comment on it yet. I got the combo set from Lowes with the impact driver & drill for about $200 minus 10% for my military discount.

[Matt Meiser]

The whole Milwaukee M18 line is great. I do currently have a problem with my hammer drill but I've hot a number of the tools and really like them. Get the Fuel version of the impact which has more finesse.

[Scott Brandstetter]

I'm not sure about the above suggestions but I will tell you the Ridgid one I have is absolutely awesome. I got it in a kit with a reg cord drill and the radio (never thought I'd use the radio but actually do). When I go mine I also register each item and each battery (3) for lifetime replacement. Not sure how to beat this deal.

[Jason Roehl]

Are you looking for an impact driver or an impact wrench? I ask because you didn't specify, and both can be cordless.

[Earl Rumans]

I am a big fan of the Milwaukee M12 and M18 Fuel tools. The M18 Fuel impact has more then enough power to handle about anything you can throw at it. I never use my air impact anymore, since getting the Milwaukee, as I haven't run into anything the Fuel wont handle. The battery's last forever and recharge quickly. It also has a 5 year warranty. http://www.milwaukeetool.com/power-tools/cordless/2763-22

[Matt Meiser]

Are you looking for an impact driver or an impact wrench? I ask because you didn't specify, and both can be cordless.

Love my M18 impact wrench too. Especially when my wife called and says she had a flat!

[Mike Henderson]

Love my M18 impact wrench too. Especially when my wife called and says she had a flat!
Yeah, I had a flat and it was impossible to get the lug nuts off with the tool that came with the car. I don't know if the tire company puts the lug nuts on super tight or age and corrosion locks them on, but they were TIGHT. Impossible to get off except with an impact tool.

Mike

[phil harold]

Are you looking for an impact driver or an impact wrench? I ask because you didn't specify, and both can be cordless.
Impact driver
my Makita 18v NiMH cordless drills for over for over ten (14)years looking at replacement batteries and wonder about going impact
the guys at work use them
I think they are slower than my makita, but more precise at stopping at your preferred depth...

[phil harold]

Yeah, I had a flat and it was impossible to get the lug nuts off with the tool that came with the car. I don't know if the tire company puts the lug nuts on super tight or age and corrosion locks them on, but they were TIGHT. Impossible to get off except with an impact tool.

MikeFirst accessory that goes in any vehicle I buy is a four way lug nut wrench

[Michael W. Clark]

I have the Milwaukee and have been very pleased. You may consider a drill and driver kit. Sometimes they are the same price as the driver only with charger and batteries.

[Earl Rumans]

Impact driver
my Makita 18v NiMH cordless drills for over for over ten (14)years looking at replacement batteries and wonder about going impact
the guys at work use them
I think they are slower than my makita, but more precise at stopping at your preferred depth...
Since you want a impact driver then this is what you should check out. http://www.milwaukeetool.com/power-tools/cordless/2653-22ct You should also check out the M12 Fuel Impact driver as it is smaller and has enough power for most jobs. http://www.milwaukeetool.com/power-tools/cordless/2453-22

[Jason Roehl]

First accessory that goes in any vehicle I buy is a four way lug nut wrench

I helped a lady once with a tire change at her house. I thought I was going to break my 4-way (or part of me--I'm fairly strong and stubborn), so I went to get my compressor and impact wrench. Even with the impact wrench at full power (rated 500 ft-lbs), and the pressure set beyond the recommended, I still had to sit on a couple of the lug nuts for a couple MINUTES with the impact wrench before they finally broke loose.

I got the Bosch 18V impact driver and drill set about 6 months ago. Every time I use it I kick myself for not getting it sooner.

[Richard McComas]

I am a big fan of the Milwaukee M12 and M18 Fuel tools. The M18 Fuel impact has more then enough power to handle about anything you can throw at it. I never use my air impact anymore, since getting the Milwaukee, as I haven't run into anything the Fuel wont handle. The battery's last forever and recharge quickly. It also has a 5 year warranty. http://www.milwaukeetool.com/power-tools/cordless/2763-22

+1 +1 +1 +1 +1

[John Sanford]

Go Brushless, either Milwaukee Fuel (M18 or M12), DeWalt XR 20Max, or Bosch EC. I have a Bosh 12v Impact driver, and have just recently acquired the DeWalt XR 20Max. The XR is an absolute beast of power, but light and handy, and by all accounts the Milwaukee M18 Fuel is as well. I got the XR because my Bosch 12v wasn't up to some of the jobs I called upon it to do, the XR has easily handled everything thus far I've thrown at it.

The Brushless motored tools are more expensive than the comparable brushed motors, but they ARE more powerful for the same voltage, and will run significantly longer on a charge.

[Clint Baxter]

One comment not mentioned so far is the ergonomics of the tool. I've had and used Dewalt impacts and have and use both Milwaukee and Makita models. The Makita is the most comfortable to use with its smaller handle. I've been using it since Makita introduced their Lithium Ion tools still grab their brushless tool whenever it's available. Having said that, the Milwaukee has the most power and runtime if that is a higher priority, but I've never really found that I've needed more of either when using my impacts. I do carry the Milwaukee M12 Fuel in my tool bag and find it will generally handle most jobs. It is a nice compact tool, but still has a larger handle that that on the Makita 18V.

I would stick with the industrial brands though. I've known several people who've gotten some of the cheaper brands of cordless impacts out there. They work well initially, but generally the batteries head south much sooner than that in your quality tools.

Regardless of what you get, I'm sure you'll be happy with the new acquisition.

Clint

[Bill Huber]

You state you want an 18v., have you looked or use one of the new 12v. drivers?

I have the Milwaukee M12 and love the little thing, it will drive lag screws into 4x4 like mad, now I am sure it will not be as powerful as an 18v. but the size is sure nice.

[Steve Rozmiarek]

My families farm has used and severely abused Dewalt impacts for years and have had really good luck with them. We have burned a few motors out but they were getting heavy use in a grain bin for over half a day. I have not personally owned a milwaukee impact but their tools are also very highly recommended (we have a few of their battery grease guns around). Dewalt sells two different impact models. We use both on our farm depending on the job we are doing there is significant torque and weight differences between the two. I posted a link from northern tools for the larger impact.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200401307_200401307?cm_mmc=Google-pla-_-Power%20Tools-_-Drills%20%2B%20Accessories-_-335941&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=335941&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=335941&gclid=Cj0KEQjw1s-gBRCKwOKQ1sWonvsBEiQA8qALFTAt870vk7Neq-Warpojls7Fs6Hji3jBOqfsoaeaxz0aAtyS8P8HAQ

I can agree with this almost word for word. We also have several milwaukee tools here though, and the dewalts have proven to be a lot tougher under pretty heavy use. Pretty tough to beat the old reliable 18 volt dewalt, although the "prettier" tools can be enticing, I stick with what works. Killed a dewalt once when I dropped it off the roof of the house, from about 20 feet, on concrete.

[Dan Rude]

I have both the M18 and M12 regular and fuels, the advantage of the fuels is they have 2 settings on the M12 and 3 on the M18. This is the feature I really like plus they run forever on a charge. The M18 fuel although heavier is more compact than the M12 fuel. I keep the old M12 in my car for those dumpster find dissemble needs. HD was running a free 4 Amp Hour battery with the purchase of the fuel kit. Dan

[Andy Compton]

I'm a big fan of Bosch. Their 12v system will do 98% of what a woodworker will need. If you want 18v check out their new "Socket Ready" tools.

[Don Sundberg]

I have been happy with my Makita 18v brushless impact driver. Once you have owned an impact driver, you will never want to run large screws any other way. Small screws sometimes warrant the more precise touch of a drill or by hand. Get one that has several power modes so you are not trying to drive a 5/8" #6 screw with the same power as a 4" #14.

[Mike Heidrick]

I have been using my Makita a ton the past two months. Love it. LXT 18V Makita with 3.0ah batteries. Also use my 12V Bosch impact a ton and the 12V screw guns.

If I was buying today I'd probably buy a 20V Dewalt vs the Makita.

[Sam Murdoch]

The MILWAUKEE Fuels - excellent tools and good customer service. They have an online system for sending in tools for repair that is faster and cheaper than going through a local service shop. I use my 18v fuels every day and they are the best I have owned, even better than my 6 year stint with Panasonics.

Sorry I wrote Bosch in the 1st edition - I had a flat spot this morning :confused:

[Steve Rozmiarek]

I think this thread illustrates that they relatively new category of impact driver is fantastic, and we all really like the ones we have.

[Jason Roehl]

I have been happy with my Makita 18v brushless impact driver. Once you have owned an impact driver, you will never want to run large screws any other way. Small screws sometimes warrant the more precise touch of a drill or by hand. Get one that has several power modes so you are not trying to drive a 5/8" #6 screw with the same power as a 4" #14.

I can't say I've had any trouble running small screws with my 18V impact. You just have to have a light touch on the trigger and watch the screw. I will say that I was used to holding a drill/driver loosely so that when a screw was tight, my loose grip would allow the driver to swing instead of over-torquing the screw. I never found any use for the torque setting clutches--driving screws into wood results in too wide a variety of torques.

[Jim Finn]

When looking for a tool to buy I look at what the Pros, that use the tool all day long every day, are using. Sheet metal workers drive in screws and bolts all day long and most use Makita impact drivers for the past 15 years that I know of. I still have some Makitas I bought when I retired in 2000.

[Ole Anderson]

I have the 18v Lithium combo set by PC and really like it. Batteries are kind of small, but nice and light. My son got me a full size Lithium battery pack for my birthday which is better for larger projects, like a deck.

[Wayne Jolly]

Just my 2 cents here. I have used two different impact drivers. I own a "little" Hitachi, and my son has a Makita, both 18V Lion. I'm sorry but I don't know the specific model numbers. Anyway, I love my Hitachi and use it frequently in my woodworking. It seems a little light to be driving a lot of . . . say . . . 3" deck screws or some longish screws into very hard woods, but it does it. And the battery seems to last FOREVER.

One day I was at my son's place doing a little woodworking and used his Makita. It seemed to have a lot more power and I had to be much more careful when driving screws so as not to strip them, screw them way down into the wood, or even break the screws. But if I was driving those long 3" screws the Makita would be a clear choice.

When my son bought me my Hitachi as a present I wondered what the heck was going through his brain. I would never use the *&^%%$& thing. But I tried it and liked it and now I would say that an impact driver is getting very close to being a must-have tool. It will do a lot besides driving screws, but there are also some things that it doesn't do well. Driving small screws like #4's and #6's, and drilling into steel comes to mind.

So from MY experience, I would say get one. But try to get one with power to match what you intend to do with it.


Wayne

[Vince Shriver]

Anyone familiar with the Panasonic?

[John Sanford]

Panasonic makes some great tools, and probably the best batteries in the cordless segment. This is in part because they are, to my knowledge, the only cordless tool maker that makes their own batteries. Their tools have always been highly rated, but have more limited distribution than the Big 4 (Makita, DeWalt, Bosch, Milwaukee), generally cost a bit more, and are not updated as frequently.

[jonathan eagle]

Go Brushless, either Milwaukee Fuel (M18 or M12), DeWalt XR 20Max, or Bosch EC. I have a Bosh 12v Impact driver, and have just recently acquired the DeWalt XR 20Max. The XR is an absolute beast of power, but light and handy, and by all accounts the Milwaukee M18 Fuel is as well. I got the XR because my Bosch 12v wasn't up to some of the jobs I called upon it to do, the XR has easily handled everything thus far I've thrown at it.

The Brushless motored tools are more expensive than the comparable brushed motors, but they ARE more powerful for the same voltage, and will run significantly longer on a charge.

I resisted getting a cordless impact tool for quite some time.
I recently bought the Dewalt DCF895D2. Very nice tool but pricey.
Brushless are a newer development, but you get a lot more battery life. Wouldn't buy one without it based upon the battery life. It's like getting twice the capacity battery.

[Sam Murdoch]

Anyone familiar with the Panasonic?

I used Pansaonics exclusively and very happily for 6 to 8 years but had to give up on them after I could no longer (find to) purchase a drill or a driver with 2 batteries in a kit.They started packaging everything so that you needed to buy extra tools in order to get a 2nd battery - a real deal breaker for me. Bad marketing !!! I bought the Milwaukee M18 Fuel instead. Very happy.

[Ira Matheny]

I have a medium sized construction business, building wineries. We have tried a number of brands and tools. We have found the Milwaukee M-18 line of tools to consistently give us the best service, always performing without fail.
The other brands just don't hold up to the demands of getting the job done on time.

[phil harold]

I went Milwaukee 18V hammerdrill and impact driver
got the light too
I am Happy
I just bought the 7 1/4 fuel saw
awesome!

[Peter Kelly]

https://www.us.hilti.com/cordless-systems/drills%2c-impact-drivers-%26-wrenches/r4924

-or-

https://www.us.hilti.com/cordless-systems/drills%2c-impact-drivers-%26-wrenches/r4832

[Warren Wilson]

"carpe lingum" -- thanks for the laugh

I've built countless projects and two houses with a deWalt 18-volt impact driver. I also use it all the time with an adaptor with my socket set to do mechanical kinds of work. If you haven't used one before, you are going to be very very impressed: first thing I did with mine was drive a 6" lag bolt through a 4x4 and back again, no pilot hole, no hesitation. Mind you, the bolt was burning hot by the time it came out!

I imagine you will be happy with any quality brand.

[roger wiegand]

I just bought the new Bosch 18V brushless and used it to build a new screen porch. the larger batter pack lasted pretty much all day and it drove everything from the Azek screws to big lag bolts without complaining. I would say that it is loud (ear protection a good idea) and takes bit drivers with a longer shank than most of the ones I own. It made swapping my snow tires a breeze. It's the only one I've used, so I can't compare. The rest of my cordless tools are Bosch, so I stayed with the interchangeable battery packs. Had bad luck with batteries on the one Dewalt drill I bought, I guess that's not typical given their popularity, but it put me off.

[johnny means]

I've been using the Dewalt "20v" line up for a couple of years now and am very happy with it. I based my decision on their continued support and sale of the previous 18v line up. I've worked with all the major brands and haven't really seen any real difference between similarly speced tools. The only real difference was in ergonomics. Some designs allow for smaller grips. I new I would be growing my collection, so I ended up with the Dewalts because they had the broadest lineup at the time.

[John TenEyck]

I bought the Milwaukee M18 compact drill/hammer drill and impact driver kit, with two 2 HC batteries and charger about 2 months ago, a recon kit from CPO, for $193 delivered. They looked and smelled brand new, as did the batteries and charger. I've drilled a bunch of holes up to an inch in 2 x's and 4 x 4's using spade bits and the drill hardly noticed. I drilled a few 1/4"holes in concrete in hammer drill mode - same thing. But it's the impact driver that really impressed me. I've driven 6" GRK structural screws with it into PT lumber and it drove them all the way in with no pre-drilling and started to pull the heads into the wood until I let go of the trigger. I could tell the tool was working to do it but it never faltered. The impact driver is actually shorter nose to back side than my 12V Hitachi. I like that little tool, very light and easy to handle, but not even close to the Milwaukee in capability. The Milwaukee Fuel tools have slightly higher performance but I couldn't justify the price difference for my hobbiest needs. The impact driver will drive 3" screws about all day long on two batteries.

John

[joe milana]

I keep the old M12 in my car for those dumpster find dissemble needs. Dan

Line of the day!

[Larry Edgerton]

I buy at least 4 at a time of whatever brand so I have the same batteries and charger. I had Hilti's, problems with expensive batteries drove me to Makita's, and those served me well for about 5 years and the batteries started failing so I just switched to Milwaukee's.

I have several M18 Fuel brushless models, but as the charger charges both M12 and M18 I bought a couple of M12 tools. They are relatively new so I can not comment on durability but I am impressed with how long a battery lasts. I drove ten pounds of #9 3 1/8" GRK screws the other day on one charge, something the Makita's could never do. They have already taken a couple of falls with no issues, and I feel the ergonomics are good. One little issue, on the M18 impact the reversing switch is a little hard to operate in an odd position when still on the screw, but not a deal breaker.

I like the M12 1/2" hammer drill I picked up, has a lot of power for its size, drilled some 1/2" holes in concrete with it and it did well. Its no Hilti, but for what it costs it shouldn't be. I also have the M12 right angle, not much use yet, but seems like it will be good. Its much better than the 9V Makita it was replacing.

Next, the power grease gun. My tractor will love it........

[Ole Anderson]

If you expect to get much more than 5 years out of anyone's battery you are kidding yourself.

[phil harold]

I think this thread illustrates that they relatively new category of impact driver is fantastic, and we all really like the ones we have.
I am new to this impact thing, they always sound like they are stripping out the heads
Which they seem to do if they are not torx head

[Edward Oleen]

As far as impact drivers go, I can highly recommend the DeWalt 12Max impact driver. I bought mine as part of a kit: the Impact driver ( with a push-in" hex chuck), a "conventional" 12v drill/driver (with a Jacobs chuck), two 12v batteries and a charger.

The reason I bought it was simply that I tried it in the tool store: they had a set-up with the impact driver, a magnetic driver adaptor to fit a 3/8" lag bolt, and a nice piece of 4x4 DF. (They replace it every few days, as it gets too chewed up.)

I tried it: it sank the lag bolt to the head very quickly. It did make a bit of a racket doing so, but the "hard part" was getting a "ding" in the wood to get the screw started. I was reluctant to slam the point into the wood hard enough. The salesman finally convinced me to "put some muscle behind it" and I did. Once I had a ding it was just a few seconds to drive the lag screw.

To cap it all off, SWMBO, after covering her ears (it makes a bit of a racket at full throttle) instantly gave the nod to buy the kit.

Now it is the first thing I reach for.

I've tried the 20Max equivalent and haven't found a need for it. Maybe for large diameter holes in concrete, but I have no trouble drilling the holes for the lead anchors (3/8") for setting 1/4" lags in concrete. I found the extra weight of the 20Max unit not worth it. When I need something really heavy I use an 18v Nicad powered DeWalt drill/drive/impact driver.

[Cody Pierce]

As far as impact drivers go, I can highly recommend the DeWalt 12Max impact driver. I bought mine as part of a kit: the Impact driver ( with a push-in" hex chuck), a "conventional" 12v drill/driver (with a Jacobs chuck), two 12v batteries and a charger.

The reason I bought it was simply that I tried it in the tool store: they had a set-up with the impact driver, a magnetic driver adaptor to fit a 3/8" lag bolt, and a nice piece of 4x4 DF. (They replace it every few days, as it gets too chewed up.)

I tried it: it sank the lag bolt to the head very quickly. It did make a bit of a racket doing so, but the "hard part" was getting a "ding" in the wood to get the screw started. I was reluctant to slam the point into the wood hard enough. The salesman finally convinced me to "put some muscle behind it" and I did. Once I had a ding it was just a few seconds to drive the lag screw.

To cap it all off, SWMBO, after covering her ears (it makes a bit of a racket at full throttle) instantly gave the nod to buy the kit.

Now it is the first thing I reach for.

I've tried the 20Max equivalent and haven't found a need for it. Maybe for large diameter holes in concrete, but I have no trouble drilling the holes for the lead anchors (3/8") for setting 1/4" lags in concrete. I found the extra weight of the 20Max unit not worth it. When I need something really heavy I use an 18v Nicad powered DeWalt drill/drive/impact driver.

Amen. I am in love wiith my 12v Dewalts. The only thing I'd note is for big projects they aren't the fasted when driving things like 3" deck screws. That said, the last time I was driving 3" screws was to sister up floor joists and my 18v or corded 1/2" drill wouldn't fit in the clearances I was working with. They are also light enough that caring them on a belt of a pocket is actually practical.

Do consider that I am a weekend warrior and not a production construction worker.

[joseph f merz]

Anyone familiar with the Panasonic?

They were "the one " in a 'tools of the trade' impact review . I have had there products and they have seemly been better then the compitition . My 1st lithium ion tool was a panosonic impact . cost more then most others .did not realize what i had or why it performed so well till i understood it was brushless . The nicad I impact i had previously was not even close to it in performance .i used up two batteries a year roughly . i think this panosonic 14v brushless is about 7yrs old .the 3 batteries i own are starting to maybe show some wear . this tool mostly shoves 3" screws but often 6" and 5/16" constr lags . for me brushless is a no-brainer .the initial extra cost is nothing compared to not needing to replace as many batteries ,more power relative to weight ,smaller size ,less need to change batteries when working .
i also have makita brushless .it is the small model which definitely not as powerful as the panosonic 14v . i tool salesmen said he compared several brushless impacts.milwaukee had more power then the makita [the newer stronger model] and wasn't as fast as the milwaukee . bosch came 3rd . he blew my question regarding dewalt off - didn't seem to like dewalt . said [claims] milwaukee pays for there speed with motor failure . but he was biased to makita .
but milwaukee just came out with a 9ah battery -wow now that will really work all day .
anyhow in regards to panosonic - they have been excellent for me . but tough to match the milwaukee fuel line-up of tools right now .

[Larry Edgerton]

I am new to this impact thing, they always sound like they are stripping out the heads
Which they seem to do if they are not torx head

I find that to be quite the opposite Phil. Heads that would strip with a drill-driver will come out with the impact but there is a little finesse required. I was using short bursts on the trigger on the Makita/Hiltis, but with the new Milwaukees I just set it to the lowest power of the three modes. In low power mode it will take out straight screws with no drama, something the old ones would not do gracefully.

[joseph f merz]

I came in with a response earlier regarding panosonic .i found the review .tools of the trade and JLC ran one on brushless impact in 2013 .the panosonic 18v did put the most 3 1/2" lags in . but it was not the fastest nor did it have the most torque .milwaukee got both of those titles . milwaukee sure has the line-up right now . but the OP ask what was the best which is a pretty lame question without any more info regarding what he likes ,uses it for ,wants to spend . for someone in a wood shop like previously stated here the M12 fuel are amazing .used some at a show .the driver had seemly more hump then my 18v makita . smaller package ,lighter , though i agree with a previous comment that the handle could be a bit smaller . Cordless tools have come a LONG way fast .

[Phil Thien]

I'm just going to mention the Ryobi will work with two different 18v battery sizes and the batteries work with probably more 18v tools than any other line and they have nearly five out of five stars at homedepot.com.

Just sayin'.

[Marc Timmy Smith]

The Milwaukee fuel seems to be very popular at the moment. I use the Makita XHP and love it. No problems whatsoever with it. I think it depends mostly on your budget as to which one will be the best. Here is a page that reviews drill/drivers with a comparison chart. http://www.thediyhubby.com/cordless-drill-reviews/ This will give you a good idea of how they stack up against each other and what the prices are. Another thing to take into account is that a lot of stores have excellent deals on impact combo kits. You get two tools for almost the same price as one. Maybe get two tools and save some cash.