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Makita BTD141 Cordless Impact Driver

Stan | Posted in Tools for Home Building on January 26, 2009 07:48am

I am considering purchasing a cordless impact driver.  Although I pulled the July 2008 issue off the shelf and re-reviewed the article I cannot justify the cost of  Panasonic driver when I am planning on just using it around the house.  With that said I am leaning toward the Makita BTD141.  I want to hear from you the day to day pros.   How do you all like this cordless impact driver?

Do any of you see any reason why I should consider the Hitachi WH14DL over the Makita?

(FYI…I am a die hard Bosch tool fan; however, I think this time Bosch may be beat in this tool category.)

Thanks everyone!!

“Projects beget projects and projects beget the need to buy new tools and that is what the cycle of life is all about.”

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Replies

  1. DonCanDo | Jan 26, 2009 01:45pm | #1

    I looked carefully at the Makita impact driver and drill and I ALMOST bought them, but I decided to to give the Ryobi impact driver a try first.  The work I do doesn't require a lot of use of the impact driver, but I've been very happy with it so far.

    For less than 1/2 the price you can get the Ryobi impact driver, 2 nicad batteries and charger.  The batteries are the weak link and being nicads, they don't hold a long-term charge, but for use around the house, I think you'll be happy... just remember to charge up the batteries ahead of time.

    If price were not as much of an issue (and I do have to worry about tools getting stolen out of my van), I would have bought the Makita.

  2. Henley | Jan 26, 2009 03:46pm | #2

    I have the Makita.

    I bought the two piece impact/hammer drill combo.
    The impact is a work horse. I use it almost exclusively
    day in and out.
    Light, compact,and plenty of torque.

  3. mackzully | Jan 26, 2009 06:33pm | #3

    I bought the impact/hammer drill combo because I needed the hammer drill, and the combo was cheaper than the drill alone!

    I have been using the impact a lot, and I love it except for the reverse switch. It's a tiny bit too small and requires too much travel for me so I can't knock it back and forth without having to change my grip. I love the switch on my Bosches, they're perfect for my hands. But other than that, I don't think you can go wrong with it, it's a damn tough tool (I've already dropped it repeatedly from 8-10ft) and the 3.0ah batteries last forever.

    Z

  4. User avater
    xxPaulCPxx | Jan 26, 2009 08:31pm | #4

    I'm a fan of the Ryobi as well.  It's really a good good driver.  It's not the lightest, nor the most compact - but it is VERY durable.  I've bounced it off concrete more times than is funny, all I have to do is replaced the bent bit and keep right on working.

    No kidding, it's a really good tool!

    Tu stultus es
    Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
    Also a CRX fanatic!

    Look, just send me to my drawer.  This whole talking-to-you thing is like double punishment.

    1. Stan | Jan 26, 2009 09:21pm | #5

      What model number is the Ryobi?

      How is your project going?

      Thanks!

       "Projects beget projects and projects beget the need to buy new tools and that is what the cycle of life is all about."

      1. User avater
        xxPaulCPxx | Jan 26, 2009 11:17pm | #6

        I would get this set to get the LiIon batteries:

        http://www.cporyobi.com/products/zrp813.html

        Then purchace this individually:

        http://www.cporyobi.com/products/zrp230.html

        With this, you've spent under $200:  Now you have an 18v impact driver with 2 high capacity batteries and charger.  You also have an OK flashlight and basic 3/8" drill if you need it.  Most other cordless tools can be had at HD that will use these batteries for $19 to $69 - easy adds if you need something particular, like a trim router for instance.

        By project, do you mean my house, which goes by the working title of "Our Lady of Perpetual Reconstruction"?  ;)

        Tu stultus esRebuilding my home in Cypress, CAAlso a CRX fanatic!

        Look, just send me to my drawer.  This whole talking-to-you thing is like double punishment.

        1. Stan | Jan 26, 2009 11:44pm | #7

          Yeah...that is one!  LOL!!!

          Thanks.

           "Projects beget projects and projects beget the need to buy new tools and that is what the cycle of life is all about."

        2. alwaysoverbudget | Jan 27, 2009 05:57am | #11

          anyone tried the new ryobi impact thats green. seems it would be better but ryobi sometimes regress. .YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'TMOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THEDUCT TAPE.

          1. User avater
            xxPaulCPxx | Jan 27, 2009 06:50am | #12

            The drill is the exact same basic one, at least it was originally.  The impact looked exactly the same too, just a different color.

            What was different - and may be of interest to the poster here - is that 18v LiIon Green Impact/Drill combo had a smaller version of the LiIon batteries.  I would say that would be a positive in some cases, as doing any overhead work gets tiring with any extra weight.  I didn't see it listed on any web site though, so i didn't mention it.

            Tu stultus esRebuilding my home in Cypress, CAAlso a CRX fanatic!

            Look, just send me to my drawer.  This whole talking-to-you thing is like double punishment.

  5. fingers | Jan 27, 2009 05:27am | #8

    I've got the Makita . . . the blue one with the higher amp-hour batteries. I like it alot. I bought it in a larger set and am very happy with all the tools. I use them more than I thought I would, especially the sawzall, circular saw, and 4 1/2" angle grinder.

    After saying that, I have a Ryobi 18v drill which is in a different location, so I already had the batteries and charger and figured why not try the impact driver. It's not quite as nice as the Makita and who knows how long it will last, but for the price I'd buy it again in a heartbeat.

    1. arcflash | Jan 27, 2009 05:50am | #10

      You can't beat that Ryobi for the money. I've been seeing more and more of them on jobsites. I may skip the Lithium Impact and just get the Ryobi. I've used it before, and it is good.

  6. Biff_Loman | Jan 27, 2009 05:34am | #9

    I have two. Great little tools.

  7. oldhand | Jan 27, 2009 01:50pm | #13

    I can recommend the makita BTD141, it is a great tool. For less money I've seen lately seen some deals on the older 12 V mh 2.6 V makita, which is an outstanding tool. I have both and weighing the cost versus the use you describe suspect the 12 V would easily meet your needs.

    .
  8. User avater
    FatRoman | Jan 27, 2009 03:36pm | #14

    I've had that Makita for close to 3 years now. It's been fantastic.

    You might try a combo set to get more for your money. Individual tools are pricier.

    CPOMakita has a couple of reconditioned combo sets available here:
    http://www.cpomakita.com/reconditioned_tools/cordless_tools/combo_kits/

    'Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it' ~ Chinese proverb

    View Image

  9. Sasquatch | Jan 27, 2009 09:07pm | #15

    If you just use it at home and rarely, it may make sense to go for a corded version, which might be less expensive, more powerful, and will last a lifetime.  I am moving away from cordless tools that I don't use a lot.  The time spent getting an extension cord and plugging in is really not more than frequent recharging.  I think corded tools are also much more eco-friendly.

    I have a number of cordless tools now that have outlived their batteries.  Because of the unreasonably high cost of the batteries, they will end up in the scrap heap eventually.

    I also have a number of corded tools, some used professionally, and some used only at home, which are working like new even after nearly 30 years.

    How can you understand God if you can't understand people?  How can you understand people if you can't understand yourself?
  10. User avater
    xxPaulCPxx | Feb 02, 2009 07:56pm | #16

    Just an FYI...

    Was just in HD yesterday and noticed that the Rigid LiIon 18v drill, two batts and charger, now came with a coupon for a free Impact driver, all for $229.

    Tu stultus es
    Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
    Also a CRX fanatic!

    Look, just send me to my drawer.  This whole talking-to-you thing is like double punishment.

    1. User avater
      hubcap | Feb 02, 2009 08:16pm | #17

      I have the makita and the hitachi

      hardly ever use the hitachiNo Tag

    2. Stan | Feb 03, 2009 10:53pm | #20

      Oh really??  I will have to see about visiting our "real" HD tomorrow and see if the same deal is up my way.

      Thanks Paul!!"Projects beget projects and projects beget the need to buy new tools and that is what the cycle of life is all about."

      1. User avater
        xxPaulCPxx | Feb 04, 2009 12:25am | #22

        FYI, the 6.5" circ saw that goes with that same Rigid set (sold seperately) is a variation of the "Fuego" corded model.  The Fuego is known to be a very, very good saw.

        Keep all receipts and UPC symbols, you need them to get the lifetime warranty - it covers the batteries too!

        Tu stultus esRebuilding my home in Cypress, CAAlso a CRX fanatic!

        Look, just send me to my drawer.  This whole talking-to-you thing is like double punishment.

        1. Stan | Feb 04, 2009 08:27pm | #23

          Thank you sir.

          Just might need to make a trek to HD tonight.

          Best,

           "Projects beget projects and projects beget the need to buy new tools and that is what the cycle of life is all about."

  11. mike_maines | Feb 02, 2009 08:18pm | #18

    Stan, I was lucky enough to be the guy reviewing those impact drivers in the July issue and let me tell you--they were all great tools.  It was really hard to choose a favorite--basically a tie between the Makita and the Panasonic, but the others were all good tools.  The big ones were just too bulky for what I need. 

    My day-to-day ID is an old Makita NMH.  I don't think you can go wrong with Makita.  If it makes you feel any better the Panasonic comes in a nice case but the case isn't well balanced.

     

     

    1. Stan | Feb 03, 2009 10:51pm | #19

      I was supprised that the article only included the smallest impact driver made by Bosch and it did not include their18V ID...http://www.boschtools.com/products/tools/pages/boschproductdetail.aspx?pid=23618.

      Thanks.

       "Projects beget projects and projects beget the need to buy new tools and that is what the cycle of life is all about."

      1. mike_maines | Feb 03, 2009 11:17pm | #21

        We tested several drivers that didn't make it into the article.  The magazine wanted to try a different sort of tool test, partly because there are SO many different types of impact drivers out there now.  My/our very favorites were the only ones that made the final list.  The Bosch just missed the cut, but it is a good solid-feeling tool.

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