18 volt impact driver

[POKEE]

Heading to the states and looking to buy impact driver 1/4 for decks etc. Loooking at Makita~Milwaukee~Dewalt with lithium ion bat. Any opinions ? What should I buy ?

[MoneyMaker]

I bought the heavy duty Hitachi set. So far so good. Installed lots of metal roofs in the whiteshell. Drilled hundreds of screws, no issues.

[StupidSheet]

I use these at work daily and we have Bosch. They are very rugged and hold up to the abuse really well but the ergonomics of them aren't good. Just doesn't feel good to hold. Have used the Makitas and Dewalts and they fell real comfortable but not sure on the durability as didn't use them for long. Guys I work with say the Makitas hold up well,

Never tried the Hitachi as mentioned above but have used their grinders before and it was the only brand that would hold up to our abuse so I'm sure they are good.

I have the Milwaukee at home for my personal use and love it. Ergo is decent and does what I ask it to do no problem.

Basically it comes down a lot to personal preference and price. Pick them up and see how they feel in your hand. If I was to buy another tomorrow it would be Milwaukee, Makita, and Hitachi in that order.

[MB_Quader]

Definately Milwaukee
Have had Milwaukee, Bosch and Dewalt. The Bosch was excellent but not comfortable to use. The Dewalt was also great but doesn't feel as strong as the Milwaukee.
The Milwaukee warranty can't be beat

[camoman]

Rigid.. lifetime warranty including batteries..

[TJ500]

a buddy bought the Rigid kit with drill and driver... good warranty but the units have fallen apart on more than one occasion... he's not happy... they don't seem to stand up like the others... I have the Dewalt and I am completely satisfied...

[ProComp]

bought my Bosch on sale at Meynards. No complaints

[bbertram]

I have a Dewalt kit, every tool works great and is strong. Batteries still hold a great charge after 6 years of use. I've dropped my drill many times, over worked it a few times...still works like new!

Lots of good drills out there. http://www.popularmechanics.com/home...-tools/4292657

[pizalm]

I had a Bosch cordless set for 5 years. Held up to a ton of abuse. I bought a dewalt 20v set 3 months ago and it's nice, feels great and has good power.

My brother and lots of guys at work have makita and no issues. Not to mention the huge amount of other cordless tools makita makes.

[lixster]

I had a 12 volt Milwaukee and a 18 volt Dewalt. Stripped the gears on both. I now have a 18 volt Ridgid. Its light, powerful and feels good in the hands but I am on my second set of batteries and can only get 5 minutes out of them. They say the batteries are lifetime warranty but its a pain to get them replaced. Can't go to store for that. Need to go to warranty outlet.

[Pharic.270]

I'm a Red Seal journeyman Sheet Metal worker.... When I was in the field, the only thing I would use is the Makita impact. I have an 18v impact with both 1.5 and 3.0 amp batteries that has lasted me 5+ years. It's light and I've used it on anything from 1/2" sheet metal screws, 6" deck screws, concrete anchors, 3/4" bolts, you name it and this thing has done it. I only had to send the impact in once, and that was my own fault for dropping it 15 feet, landing on the bit. It just bent the arbor a little, it was still usable, but a 4" bit would wobble about a 1/4 of an inch.

[POKEE]

Saw a Hitachi for $159 at Menards ? 18 v . Still shopping though. Gonna check out Fleet farm and Tool Crib next.

[jordanyan]

I know it's prob a lil overkill but snap on has a 3/8 I'm pact thats fantastic makes my life easier at work that's for sure I love it

[bowkill]

A lot of the bin builders I deal with say Makita is the best. The new lithium with the bigger batteries.

[HRL]

Makita all the way...but I actually have a Mastercrap Lion that performs pretty well and the price was very good. Not sure about longevity but it works well anyhow.

[four_420_twenty]

mastercraft is also lifetime warranty i believe

[lowandslow]

Originally Posted by camoman

Rigid.. lifetime warranty including batteries..

yup. take em up to accurate and swap for new batteries every year. cant beat that! I run all ridgid cordless stuff for that reason. Good quality and forever warranty.

[lowandslow]

Originally Posted by lixster

I had a 12 volt Milwaukee and a 18 volt Dewalt. Stripped the gears on both. I now have a 18 volt Ridgid. Its light, powerful and feels good in the hands but I am on my second set of batteries and can only get 5 minutes out of them. They say the batteries are lifetime warranty but its a pain to get them replaced. Can't go to store for that. Need to go to warranty outlet.

U just walk in to accurate on the north end of rte 90 and they exchange em. How hard is that?

[POKEE]

Picked up a Makita combo for $279 . Impact driver and a hammer drill,2-18 volt lithium batteries [large 3.0] and charger. Tool Crib in Fargo.

[POKEE]

Also filled out rebate form to receive free circular saw.