On Mon, 09 Jul 2007 20:05:25 -0400, Jim Bailey wrote:

I admit to being a bit of a slave to new tools. I like new tools. I actually
look for excuses to buy new tools. Now I've been reading about how great
these new impact drivers are, and I'm sure I'm not the only one curious. A
few questions for those in the know:

I can easily see one of these in my hand when I'm reaching over my head
trying to drive a long screw, hanging a cabinet. But how about the casework
itself ? I was reading on Woodweb, that several shops have gone exclusive
for them - they use them for assembly and every other aspect around the
shop.

Can you drill with them ? I mean pilots, c-sink etc ? Do they spin fast
enough ?

Is it really a one tool do all ?

What's the down side ?

Preferred brand (and battery type) ? I was just looking around my garage and
I see my 15.6 Panasonic batteries and charger, my Dewalt 18 XRP, batteries
and charger, my makita batteries and charger - how many different batteries
and chargers can a man stand without going insane ?

jim in fl
(maybe I should forget this and just go get a Domino)

I've had mine for several years. It is great. I've used it to hang
cabinets and to build cabinets. Takes a few screws to get the feel of it,
but I don't have any issue with over-driving screws. I've got the Makita
and also a Makita drill. Same voltage, same charger, almost the same
battery (2.0 AH vs 2.4 AH) so they are inter-changeable.

Don't know about other brands.

A few cautions:

They are loud, wear hearing protection.
I've broken both screws and drivers, so buy good quality on both.
They can drill, and switch to impact once the torque goes up.
They do a poor job of drilling, so I just have a drill with counter sink
handy.

D. G. Adams