Replies

1. 
   Mitremike | Oct 27, 2004 05:50am | #1

   Ahhhh--what Imerc said. Only with a little Mn. twang :-)

2. 
   AaronRosenthal | Oct 27, 2004 06:19am | #2

   Take your 14.4 batteries and get the Mil. impact driver w/o batteries (I assume they are still good).

   My Milwaukee 14.4 impacter is a joy, and you already have the charger and motive power.

   Quality repairs for your home.

   Aaron the Handyman
   Vancouver, Canada

3. 
   rasconc | Oct 27, 2004 06:45am | #3

   I have had a Makita 12 volt, DeWalt 12 volt and just bought a DW14.4.  Unless you have some need for brute force beyond the 80 some lbfts the 12 volts or 96 lbfts the 14.4s provide go with the smaller.  I think you will get tired of holding the 18 volt pretty quick.  The 12 v has enough grunt to put good sized auger bits through old joists with ease.

4. 
   nikkiwood | Oct 27, 2004 07:05am | #4

   I own a Panasonic 15.6v, but have had a lot of experience with a Makita 12v impact driver.

   The Makita is light, compact, and has the guts to drive 3" dw screws without a pilot hole. Makita was first into the cordless impact market with this small configuration, but now, there are many others.

   The Pan 15.6 is better for heavy fasteners, such as lags, but it weighs a lot more than the Makita.

   For screws, I think a 12v will do the job, and once you try an impact, you'll never want to drive screws any other way. But be warned, they do make a fearsome clatter.

5. 
   slykarma | Oct 27, 2004 07:28am | #5

   I got the Hitachi 12V impact driver and I love it. At 3 lb it is almost half the weight of 18V drills and also much shorter, great for tight spots. Twice the torque of 18V drill to boot. According to Taunton's 2005 tool guide it has slightly more torque than the DeWalt or Makita.  I tried them all in the shop and liked the hand feel of the Hitachi best - the balance point is right at the trigger. The battery is twice as wide as it is tall so it sits upright and would be unlikely to fall over. Can't get over the tiny size / huge power ratio.

   Wally

   Lignum est bonum.
6. 
   EricGunnerson | Oct 27, 2004 07:40am | #6

   I have the Makita 12V, and it has more than enough torque for everything I've thrown at it - enough even to tear up one of my phillips-head bits. Just today I was driving 4" screws into 30-year-old doug fir studs without any trouble.

   The only reason I'd go bigger was if I already had a 14.4v drill so that I could share batteries.

7. 
   mikerooney | Oct 27, 2004 10:59am | #7

   Mak 6952 - 110 volt.

   $189.99  @ amazon.

   edit: I've got a 12V Makita + two drills (six batteries, three chargers)

   EC $375. - if you're interested. N. Arlington, Va.

   Our quarrel with the world is an echo of the endless quarrel within us.  - Eric Hoffer

   
   

   ---

   Edited 10/27/2004 5:27 am ET by Mike Rooney

8. 
   Shoeman | Oct 27, 2004 04:37pm | #8

   I think 12 volt is sufficiant for most applications. 

   I like my Panasonic - don't have much experience with others - Do know that the newest Panasonic 12 volt has two torque settings, belt hook, LED light, and 3.5 amp hour Nickle Metal Hydride batterys.  Think you should at least give it a look before buying anthing.

   No mater what brand - get yourself an impact driver - it will be the tool of choice

1. 
   mitch | Oct 27, 2004 06:00pm | #9

   i'm constantly amazed at what my little 12v makita will do- i hardly ever use the regular drill/driver anymore.  if i were shopping for one today i'd go with makita or panasonic based on their better batteries.

   m

9. 
   darcey | Oct 27, 2004 06:50pm | #10

   I used both the Dewalt and Makita 12v side by side on a daily basis when I was doing exterior trim (Azek).  Not much difference between the two, but the dewalt had a little more torque, and the makita held a charge longer.

1. 
   m2akita | Oct 29, 2004 02:43am | #11

   Hey thanks all!!!!  Well Im definately not getting the 18v dewalt impact.  Been using my 18v Dewalt drill/driver the last few days and I dont want to be hauling that much weight around with me all the time ( actually dont mind the weight that much when Im using it, but hang it on my tool belt and everything starts slipping down).

   Fouind out that its the batteries on my milwaukee that are bad ( thanks to Batteries Plus).  Guess its time to go impact driver shopping, maybe lowes will have one on the clearance rack (  yeah right!!!).

   m2akita

1. 
   toolbear | Oct 29, 2004 02:56pm | #13

   Today over at Home Depot a contractor drew my attention to a kit deal

   from DeWalt - the 14.4 impact driver, the 14.4 drill/driver and a bag

   for about $220. Wish I had seen that last year when I paid about 200 for the Makita 12.

   Temping, but I have the Makita 12v impact driver and like it a lot.

   My 12v DW drill has been moved to shop duty.

   As you discovered, lugging 18v around is a chore - and the batteries cost.

10. 
    Shep | Oct 29, 2004 03:35am | #12

      One vote for the Milwaukee 14.4 impact driver.

      I've had it about 4 months and like it a lot.( I'd say I love it, but others here might get the wrong idea about me)

      I also have the Milwaukee job site radio, so I can power the radio with the batteries if needed.

      Whatever model you finally decide on, you won't regret getting an impact driver.