Following some discussion here, I bought one of these in December but
have only just got round to using it:

Makita 6935FDZ 14.4v Cordless Impact Driver

(bought this cheap NiCad one because I already have several Makita 14.4
and 18 volt NiCad batteries).

Making some picket-style gates using sawn/treated timber. Very
impressed! It felt a bit odd the first couple of times I used it, when
the vibration kicks in it's as if you have inadvertently left a combi in
the impact position, or the bit is experiencing cam-out.

There's obviously some smart electronic and mechanical control gear in
there, it drives in at high speed until some torque level is reached,
then it slows down and the impact mode kicks in. Also *very* effective
at removing well-rusted screws.

I was slightly worried whether I would break screws (being cheap I use
Quicksilver rather than Spax or Turbo gold), but I did get proper
"impact" bits and I didn't break anything.

Whilst I don't think it is quite as essential a tool as a combi
drill-driver, you would not need to be doing much fencing / flooring /
decking before it would pay for itself in time saved.

On 06/03/2016 20:20, newshound wrote:
I was slightly worried whether I would break screws (being cheap I use
Quicksilver rather than Spax or Turbo gold), but I did get proper
"impact" bits and I didn't break anything.

I am not at all convinced that it is worth going for impact bits. Most
of mine have been fine - the worst I have had failed on a relatively low
speed/power conventional drill/driver.

--
Rod

On 06/03/2016 21:15, polygonum wrote:
On 06/03/2016 20:20, newshound wrote:
I was slightly worried whether I would break screws (being cheap I use
Quicksilver rather than Spax or Turbo gold), but I did get proper
"impact" bits and I didn't break anything.

I am not at all convinced that it is worth going for impact bits. Most
of mine have been fine - the worst I have had failed on a relatively low
speed/power conventional drill/driver.

I'd have to suggest otherwise.


While the builders were busy on-site doing the new roof they had lots of
their kit in the garage. I needed to fire a couple of screws into
something (don't remember what now) so grabbed their Makita impact
driver and a random #2 bit from my stash.
Tip shattered within a few seconds. Never had that happen with any bit
on a regular driver before.

On 07/03/2016 15:57, www.GymRatZ.co.uk wrote:
On 06/03/2016 21:15, polygonum wrote:
On 06/03/2016 20:20, newshound wrote:
I was slightly worried whether I would break screws (being cheap I use
Quicksilver rather than Spax or Turbo gold), but I did get proper
"impact" bits and I didn't break anything.

I am not at all convinced that it is worth going for impact bits. Most
of mine have been fine - the worst I have had failed on a relatively low
speed/power conventional drill/driver.

I'd have to suggest otherwise.


While the builders were busy on-site doing the new roof they had lots of
their kit in the garage. I needed to fire a couple of screws into
something (don't remember what now) so grabbed their Makita impact
driver and a random #2 bit from my stash.
Tip shattered within a few seconds. Never had that happen with any bit
on a regular driver before.

I just buy DeWalt ones in boxes of 20 for about £6. They usually last
for a deck and a bit.

--
Dave - The Medway Handyman

On 3/7/2016 5:07 PM, David Lang wrote:
On 07/03/2016 15:57, www.GymRatZ.co.uk wrote:
On 06/03/2016 21:15, polygonum wrote:
On 06/03/2016 20:20, newshound wrote:
I was slightly worried whether I would break screws (being cheap I use
Quicksilver rather than Spax or Turbo gold), but I did get proper
"impact" bits and I didn't break anything.

I am not at all convinced that it is worth going for impact bits. Most
of mine have been fine - the worst I have had failed on a relatively low
speed/power conventional drill/driver.

I'd have to suggest otherwise.


While the builders were busy on-site doing the new roof they had lots of
their kit in the garage. I needed to fire a couple of screws into
something (don't remember what now) so grabbed their Makita impact
driver and a random #2 bit from my stash.
Tip shattered within a few seconds. Never had that happen with any bit
on a regular driver before.

I just buy DeWalt ones in boxes of 20 for about £6. They usually last
for a deck and a bit.

Presumably that's for PZ2, is that what you use for decking? I tend to
use 10's and 12's for fencing and gates, which are PZ3. Cheapest I've
spotted is about £2-50 for five (25 mm).

On 07/03/2016 21:04, newshound wrote:
On 3/7/2016 5:07 PM, David Lang wrote:
On 07/03/2016 15:57, www.GymRatZ.co.uk wrote:
On 06/03/2016 21:15, polygonum wrote:
On 06/03/2016 20:20, newshound wrote:
I was slightly worried whether I would break screws (being cheap I use
Quicksilver rather than Spax or Turbo gold), but I did get proper
"impact" bits and I didn't break anything.

I am not at all convinced that it is worth going for impact bits. Most
of mine have been fine - the worst I have had failed on a relatively
low
speed/power conventional drill/driver.

I'd have to suggest otherwise.


While the builders were busy on-site doing the new roof they had lots of
their kit in the garage. I needed to fire a couple of screws into
something (don't remember what now) so grabbed their Makita impact
driver and a random #2 bit from my stash.
Tip shattered within a few seconds. Never had that happen with any bit
on a regular driver before.

I just buy DeWalt ones in boxes of 20 for about £6. They usually last
for a deck and a bit.

Presumably that's for PZ2, is that what you use for decking? I tend to
use 10's and 12's for fencing and gates, which are PZ3. Cheapest I've
spotted is about £2-50 for five (25 mm).

The 6mm x 100mm screws I use for framing are PZ2.
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Scre...k+Screw/p70228


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman

On 07/03/2016 15:57, www.GymRatZ.co.uk wrote:
On 06/03/2016 21:15, polygonum wrote:
On 06/03/2016 20:20, newshound wrote:
I was slightly worried whether I would break screws (being cheap I use
Quicksilver rather than Spax or Turbo gold), but I did get proper
"impact" bits and I didn't break anything.

I am not at all convinced that it is worth going for impact bits. Most
of mine have been fine - the worst I have had failed on a relatively low
speed/power conventional drill/driver.

I'd have to suggest otherwise.


While the builders were busy on-site doing the new roof they had lots of
their kit in the garage. I needed to fire a couple of screws into
something (don't remember what now) so grabbed their Makita impact
driver and a random #2 bit from my stash.
Tip shattered within a few seconds. Never had that happen with any bit
on a regular driver before.

The very worst impact driver bit failure I had was a genuine Makita
impact-specific PZ3 bit. One "tooth" simply broke off in what I'd call a
brittle fracture.

Other bits have failed but often after my carelessness.

--
Rod

On Sun, 6 Mar 2016 20:20:16 +0000, newshound wrote:

I was slightly worried whether I would break screws (being cheap I use
Quicksilver rather than Spax or Turbo gold), but I did get proper
"impact" bits and I didn't break anything.

For stainless screws it's worth having pilot holes - even then, I had some
screwless heads left over using just a Lidl 14.4V drill-driver.
--
Peter.
The gods will stay away
whilst religions hold sway

On 06/03/2016 20:20, newshound wrote:
Following some discussion here, I bought one of these in December but
have only just got round to using it:

Makita 6935FDZ 14.4v Cordless Impact Driver

(bought this cheap NiCad one because I already have several Makita 14.4
and 18 volt NiCad batteries).

Making some picket-style gates using sawn/treated timber. Very
impressed! It felt a bit odd the first couple of times I used it, when
the vibration kicks in it's as if you have inadvertently left a combi in
the impact position, or the bit is experiencing cam-out.

There's obviously some smart electronic and mechanical control gear in
there, it drives in at high speed until some torque level is reached,
then it slows down and the impact mode kicks in. Also *very* effective
at removing well-rusted screws.

I was slightly worried whether I would break screws (being cheap I use
Quicksilver rather than Spax or Turbo gold), but I did get proper
"impact" bits and I didn't break anything.

Whilst I don't think it is quite as essential a tool as a combi
drill-driver, you would not need to be doing much fencing / flooring /
decking before it would pay for itself in time saved.

Quite common to put 2,000 deck screws and 150 6 x 100 framing screws in
a deck. Can't imagine doing that without an impact driver (or two).

--
Dave - The Medway Handyman

David Lang wrote:
On 06/03/2016 20:20, newshound wrote:
Following some discussion here, I bought one of these in December but
have only just got round to using it:

Makita 6935FDZ 14.4v Cordless Impact Driver

(bought this cheap NiCad one because I already have several Makita 14.4
and 18 volt NiCad batteries).

Making some picket-style gates using sawn/treated timber. Very
impressed! It felt a bit odd the first couple of times I used it, when
the vibration kicks in it's as if you have inadvertently left a combi in
the impact position, or the bit is experiencing cam-out.

There's obviously some smart electronic and mechanical control gear in
there, it drives in at high speed until some torque level is reached,
then it slows down and the impact mode kicks in. Also *very* effective
at removing well-rusted screws.

I was slightly worried whether I would break screws (being cheap I use
Quicksilver rather than Spax or Turbo gold), but I did get proper
"impact" bits and I didn't break anything.

Whilst I don't think it is quite as essential a tool as a combi
drill-driver, you would not need to be doing much fencing / flooring /
decking before it would pay for itself in time saved.

Quite common to put 2,000 deck screws and 150 6 x 100 framing screws in
a deck. Can't imagine doing that without an impact driver (or two).

I have to say that after having a couple of impact drivers I still
hate them. I *much* prefer my big, powerful, 12 volt Metabo which
drives screws just as hard and fast and in a nuch more controllable
fashion.

--
Chris Green
·

On 07/03/16 11:04, wrote:

I have to say that after having a couple of impact drivers I still
hate them. I *much* prefer my big, powerful, 12 volt Metabo which
drives screws just as hard and fast and in a nuch more controllable
fashion.


I am impressed with my mate's Makita for putting big screws in, but I
hate the noise - particularly on ceiling joists! And it eats bits like a
*******.

I prefer my little Bosch 10.8V for anything up to 5mm self driving wood
screws (eg ScrewTite).

However, I am deeply impressed by his Makita battery hammer drill - it's
amazingly well balanced - I can hammer drill 8mm holes into brick with
one hand at awkward angles - I reckon it's actually more effective than
my blue Bosch mains hammer drill.

In article ,
Tim Watts wrote:
However, I am deeply impressed by his Makita battery hammer drill - it's
amazingly well balanced - I can hammer drill 8mm holes into brick with
one hand at awkward angles - I reckon it's actually more effective than
my blue Bosch mains hammer drill.

Many earlier hammer drills were all noise and no trousers. ;-)

--
*Xerox and Wurlitzer will merge to market reproductive organs.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On 07/03/16 13:17, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
Tim Watts wrote:
However, I am deeply impressed by his Makita battery hammer drill - it's
amazingly well balanced - I can hammer drill 8mm holes into brick with
one hand at awkward angles - I reckon it's actually more effective than
my blue Bosch mains hammer drill.

Many earlier hammer drills were all noise and no trousers. ;-)


Well, it's not SDS but it is reasonably good by mains drill standards
(it's 8 years old). That's why I was particularly interested in the
extra power the Makita was exhibiting

Tim Watts wrote:
On 07/03/16 11:04, wrote:

I have to say that after having a couple of impact drivers I still
hate them. I *much* prefer my big, powerful, 12 volt Metabo which
drives screws just as hard and fast and in a nuch more controllable
fashion.


I am impressed with my mate's Makita for putting big screws in, but I
hate the noise - particularly on ceiling joists! And it eats bits like a
*******.

I prefer my little Bosch 10.8V for anything up to 5mm self driving wood
screws (eg ScrewTite).

I use my 12 volt Metabo for screws up to 8mm (coach screws with hex
heads), it manages them quite happily.

I have a 10.8 volt pair of drill/driver and impact driver, I very
rarely use the impact driver, the drill/driver is what I use for
almost everything except when I need the big Metabo.

--
Chris Green
·