I’ve got some work coming up that could really use an impact driver, so I’m about to take the plunge. Everyone seems to love them and about the only negative thing I’ve heard about them is that they can be annoyingly loud, especially if several are being used simultaneously. Kinda like being at a woodpeckers convention.
Anyway, the new McFeeley’s catalog came and I saw the Makita 18V Li-ion multi-purpose unit that is supposed to be a drill, driver, hammer-drill, and impact driver. Their price was $399. Quite steep, but if it really will replace all that stuff, not necessarily out of the question. I believe the weight was 3.9 lbs.
Am I nuts to even consider this, or will a plain impact driver take care of my tool lust for now at a lower weight?
Replies
Give ur arm and pocket a break..get the 14V combo-drill/driver and lite;Theyve had it at around $200. Ive never said boy I wish i had 4 more volts. I only wish they put the neat led lite on the drill besides the driver.
Take the plunge. But I agree with previous post. Buy the 14v impact combo kit. The 14 has driven any screw I have ever threw at it. Light too!
I have had this set for about a year only problem was I had to replace the chuck on the drill/ driver. NOt under warranty. Bummer.
One more vote for the 14 volt kit. And I'll add that the flourescent light kicks ####! That sucker will give a nice bright even broad light in a pitch dark room - hand as heck.Plus - spare batteries only run you about $45 or so, and I've worked my impact so hard it's hot to the touch, but it still keeps going and going.The other reason I stay with the Makita 14.4 system is the blower that they have for it.I love that blower! Great for cleaning off the saws, cleaning off driveways and decks - hardly ever have to sweep anymore.Highly reccomended if you see one - I'd replace mine in a minute if I lost it. That's the only reason I stay tied to the 14volt Makita's - otherwise I use Bosch 18volt.Long as I have an audience - anyone here need an extra new Makita 14.4 volt drill body? Not the HD version that is in the above mentioned kit, but a lighter 3/8" chuck version - cheap!JT
"Long as I have an audience - anyone here need an extra new Makita 14.4 volt drill body? Not the HD version that is in the above mentioned kit, but a lighter 3/8" chuck version - cheap!"I don't need another one. I think I'm up to 5 or 6 now. AND I usually grab the impact driver now.What might one expect to pay for the 14.4 blower?TFB (Bill)
Not sure, as they seem a bit rare, even on Ebay.I got into that 14 volt platform with a blower/drill kit with two batteries and a case $55 shipped on Ebay - heckuva a deal.Then the impact kits (no free light at that time). haven't used my 9.6 volt stuff yet - shame of that is that I have the 9.6 volt stapler - handy as well.If you can find one of those blowers, I'd grab it. If mine got stolen, I'd probably pay upwards of $70 to replace it - it's that handy, especially when you are cutting up or routing mdf or melamine sheet goods - instant clean surface!JT
Cool, I'll be on the look out.
TFB (Bill)
Scored the Makita Blower on Ebay - $41 plus shipping. Looking forward to trying it out.TFB (Bill)
You'll love it!It is one of my handiest tools, and the only reason I stay with the 14.4 Mak platform.I use it for blowing the sawdust from a client's driveway, car or deck. For blowing off the tablesaw or miter saw before storage, for clearing off sheets of MDF when cutting down with an edge guide, for camping - air mattresses, etc., and even for some major stoking of camp fires.Funny thing was, when I first got it, I was thinking it would be handy to use it as a simple vac (it comes with a bag...), but it's useless for that. Makes a helluva a blower though.JT
I have had the Makita 14.4V 4-mode driver for a month now, model BTP130. I decided to go with 14.4 because the torque is very slightly less than 18V, 100 ft lb compared to 107 for the 18V. Weight is less, cost is less, didn't have any existing 18V tools to match to.
The driver is a little bit more bulky than Makita's impact-only unit, but still smaller and lighter than the same series driver/drill. I've been using a 12V Hitachi impact for the past 2 yrs and the batteries were starting to tire, so decided on something new. While I've come to love impact's screw driving abilities, spinning larger diameter spade bits and the like is a chore because the added torque makes the impact mecahnism kick in and so the bit speed drops right off. The multi-mode unit solves this nicely, you just switch the slide selector across to drill and start drilling; no torque slowdowns since you've gone away from impact and back to conventional cordless drill. At first the selector was stiff and notchy, but I found the trick is to trigger it slightly as you shift, then everything moves fine.
The light is a nice feature although I like the hook-mounted one on the Hitachi better; the Makita light is a bit obscured because it's mounted under the drill's nose. Having it trigger-actuated is handy (Hitachi is switched on and off separately). Having hammer mode is mildly useful provided you're doing small diameter holes, say 1/4" or less. I installed ten aluminum threshholds a week ago and drilling the plugs into concrete was OK with this unit but wouldn't want to go much bigger than that - time saved per hole with an SDS drill would make it worth running a cord.
For full versatility, you'll need a keyless chuck attachment so you can use your non-hex shank bits as well. Makita makes one for about $40.
Them Makita Chuck adapter's sell for about $25 at Home Depot or Amazon - they are super handy for impacts.It's all metal and smooth, which is a bit confusing at first - you kindof wonder how it'll be abler to tighten up with no tooth to it - but the impact action combined with you just holding it tightens it up just fine and allows for secure drilling with just the impact.Handy accessory.JT
What do you guys think about the Makita 12 V set?
Just thinking thatr sometimes small is nice for tight quarters. I will not have a battery sharing issue, have a Bosch 18V as my primary drill, mostly corded otherwise.
large scale weekend warrior work mostly.
The 14.4 kit is the one that comes as a combo with the light. To my knowledge, the 12volt version only that comes as a 3 piece setup.Plus, I wouldn't imagine they are that different in terms of size. I'd bet the body is the exact same size and the only diff is the battery - and that diff is proabably negligible...JT
From Amazon, for what it's worth, as I am killing time waking up.
They do sell just the 2 12v drills http://www.amazon.com/Makita-6980FDWDEX-12-Volt-Cordless-Impact/dp/B0009Q4KTM/ref=sr_1_23/104-2827563-5756700?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1175699179&sr=1-23 Impact driver 6-3/8-inches and 3.7 pounds; drill 9-9/16-inch and 4.4 pounds. $197
Amazon has the 14.4v kit for about $10 more, and it includes a light. http://www.amazon.com/Makita-6935FDWDEX-14-4-Volt-Cordless-Fluorescent/dp/B000ASE2YM/ref=sr_1_2/104-2827563-5756700?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1175699810&sr=1-2 Impact driver 6-3/8-inches and 3.7 pounds; drill 9-9/16 inches and 4.6 pounds. $209
Edited 4/4/2007 11:13 am ET by RickD
Edited 4/4/2007 11:18 am ET by RickD