Hi gang,
I went to Builders Trade in Worcester MA last week and most of the guys at the show were using this little cordless impact driver as their tool of choice for all kinds of fasteners. I have to say… I’m smitten. Didn’t get the name, rank serial number on that little bugger though. Anyone have any recs??
Brian
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makita 12v
little more $, the panasonic.
bobl Volo, non valeo
Baloney detecter
What kind of cordless do you have now? I had a lot of 14.4 volt Milwalkee batteries, so I got that kind of driver. Works great.Quality repairs for your home.
Aaron the HandymanVancouver, Canada
I have the Makita 12v. I love it but don't use it exclusively. The three best things about these tools are the size, weight, (honestly they're like a toy), and the torque they give.
I hear the Panasonic has more options but it's $100 more. They're worth it I think.
I was at the show as well, I spent the day with Jed Dixon in the stairbuilding seminars. I think the idea of lightening up the tool and the size is great, but after an hour of listening to that crunching hammerdrill-like noise I was ready to take those things and throw them through the plate glass window.
I wouldnt want to hear that all day.
Interesting. That's the one (it's funny, Jed's seminar is what got me thinking about it!). I actually own the Panasonic 15.5 and love it... the only problem is I can't carry it on my belt all day without killing my shoulders and low back (I only way 150 as it is, so every bit counts). I thought I saw Mike Guertin using a Bosch version of the same tool. Was I imagining that... is Makita the only mfr right now?
I took the first part of that workshop. Jed is kind of a legend among high end builders in MA... I was glad to get a chance to meet him. I'd actually seen Mike out in the field before. I'm doing a lot of "construction recruiting" now for many of his builder clients, and have seen some of his installs around the city. Mind blowing work. He did a job over near Harvard Square on Craige Street that is among the most interesting jobs I've ever seen.
Brian_____________________________HomeBase__________________________ LLC
In answer to your question - No, Makita is not the only manufacturer.
Bosch, Panasonic, Milwaukee, DeWalt, Hitachi, pretty much everyone is making one now. Panasonic is on their second generation in fact. Also saw that Ridgid has a right angle impact out.
As stated by others, the power to weight ration is awesome. Go get one today, you will not regret it.
Well, in regards to the seminar, I really enjoyed listening to Jed Dixon. He seems like he would be great to work with. I think they take the mystery out of the process.
I was kind of surprised they did use any of the new stair tools like a borebuster. I expected it because Gary Katz used them in his article about stairs last month in JLC. Jed Dixon advised on the article. Although the laser plumb bob worked great compared to a baluster level.... I have a few tools to pick up, if I can get a stair to build.
It may be just me with the auditory problem. I usually turn my drill clutch up so I dont have to hear that one either.
Did you feel like you learned anything?
-zen
yea, zen, but my skills are remedial enough that I probably wouldn't attempt anything complicated at this point. I mean, it was more a primer to know how to brain out the math, and what problems to watch for (esp finished floor heights). Liked the way he used the story pole.
I'm going to track down one of those makitas. didn't realize they were so pricey, but what the hey.
Are you heading to JLC in Providence for March?
Brian_____________________________HomeBase__________________________ LLC
I have a pretty strong skill set, but I have only done one stair. A few months ago I started looking into stair books and info. I just stumbled across the BT show. For the 100 bucks I didnt think I could beat it. At lunch I watched the concrete guy, but I wish I could have seen his lecture.
There is a taunton book called "Stairs"... your library might have it. It doesnt have a lot, except articles of other peoples stairs, but I did find the first 20 pgs or so pretty explanatory. Once you see the info written a few different ways the mystery is gone. Then its just the doing. I dont know if Ill ever land a stair job, but maybe. Up here the word on the street is that stairs are pretty much done in house.
Im not sure about JLC, I looked over the paperwork, and didnt see a whole lot that I could justify. Im sure that the demos are good, but affording all these things gets complicated. I would like to see Gary Katz. Tools are bad enough, my tool list is backing up. Maybe Ill be out of the hole by then, or maybe Ill be to busy. lol
zen
edit: what is your business?
Edited 2/7/2005 9:02 pm ET by zendo
Part time remodeler... full-time construction recruiter. I help local residential builders recruit and retain Leads, Supers, PMs, Managers and even Presidents around New England. I used to run HomeBase Kitchen & Bath, but now only do side work and tinker mightily with my own 165 year old clunker :).
As far as stairs, I've got to rebuild my back porch, and will make that my first go at it.
Right after I take my next TPO and grab that Makita, of course!
Brian_____________________________HomeBase__________________________ LLC
I had the Makita 12 v. there. The 12 v. has so much power, that I can't imagine needing anything bigger.
Andy
Andy Engel
Senior editor, Fine Woodworking magazine
Other people can talk about how to expand the destiny of mankind. I just want to talk about how to fix a motorcycle. I think that what I have to say has more lasting value. --Robert M. Pirsig
I have a Pan 15.6v, but had a chance to run the Makita 12v for 3-4 months.Would agree with you when it comes to driving regular screws. But if you have occasion to drive more than a few lag screws, that is where the bigger machine outshines the 12v. On a daily basis, however, I would rather carry the lighter, more compact 12v.
You're probably right. I've never driven big lags with the Makita. OTH, a $30 pneumatic impact driver will sink most anything any of us would ever need.
AndyAndy Engel
Senior editor, Fine Woodworking magazine
Other people can talk about how to expand the destiny of mankind. I just want to talk about how to fix a motorcycle. I think that what I have to say has more lasting value. --Robert M. Pirsig
I agree on the lightweight being good for everyday use. I have a 12 volt Panasonic that I have had for about a year and it gets used all the time. Have a few of the 12 volt drills as well, but, mostly use the impact. Have twist and spade bits with 1/4 quick release chucks.
Really like the looks of their second generation 12 volts - 2 speed/power settings, belt clip, led light, and 3.5 amp hour batteries.
I use my DeWalt 12-volt impact for (among other things) changing over tires (3 vehicles, 4 tires, 5 lugs, twice a year, spun on and spun off = 240 times). It does everything but the first/last quarter turn - I use a breaker bar or torque wrench for that.
But the impact wrench, a 5-gallon bucket and earmuff make the job go a lot nicer.
Maybe a torquer model would avoid all manual tools? Without gorilling them on too tight like the tire shop does.
Versus $10/tire at the tire shop, it (and rims for the winter tires) saves $240 / year if you need to rationalize the purchase.David Thomas Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska
If I was buying another one today this is the one I would get from Amazon with free shipping.
View Image
Makita 6932FDWDEX 14.4V Impact Driver Kit with L.E.D. Light and "FREE" 6337D Driver-Drill
$388.00Not sure if that link will work for you or not?
I agree with Andy that 12V is enough power, but I hate to buy the 12V for the same price without also getting the drill.
I have the 18 volt Dewalt and it out drives and other normal driver on the job site. The impact Drivers also have a longer battery live per charge aas they use less effort to drive fastners.