It's getting to be time to replace my old cordless Craftsman
drill/driver, and I think I've narrowed my choices to two or three.
I'll be using this primarily for driving square-drive wood screws, but
it may see the occasional drill bit or socket.
My choices include
1.) a Makita 12V impact driver (6914),
2.) a Panasonic 12V 3/8" drill/driver (EY6405FQKW),
3.) or possibly a Bosch 9.6V impact driver (23609-RT).
All come with two, 2.0 amp-hr, NiCad batteries.
Price (both drivers are reconditioned) is close enough to be
negligible, in the $100ish range.
My thoughts so far: I've heard that an impact driver is great for
driving screws - fast, lots of torque, and easy on the wrist, while
being light and maneuverable. I've also heard that Panasonic makes the
best batteries around, and I've seen several good reviews of their
drills. Price and weight (all of these claim 3.5-4.0 lbs) are probably
more important to me than the run time of higher-voltage tools.
My main questions: Since the impact drivers apparently don't have an
adjustable clutch, is it harder to prevent over-tightening? It seems
like I'd have less control over that. Also, I know impact drivers
aren't meant to drill holes, but will it work acceptably for occasional
use? (I might eventually get a keyless chuck on a 1/4" hex shank to
use standard bits).
What are your thoughts? Other pros/cons I haven't thought of? Has
anyone used any of these specific models? Should I hold out and pay
$200 for a Panasonic NiMH or Makita Li-Ion drill?
TIA,
Andy

"Andy" wrote in message
ps.com...
It's getting to be time to replace my old cordless Craftsman
drill/driver, and I think I've narrowed my choices to two or three.
I'll be using this primarily for driving square-drive wood screws, but
it may see the occasional drill bit or socket.

My thoughts so far: I've heard that an impact driver is great for
driving screws - fast, lots of torque, and easy on the wrist, while
being light and maneuverable.

Hey Andy - any of the guns you're looking at are going to drive screws just
fine. Remember - you can drive a screw by hand, so you don't need an impact
driver to run screws in. I would suggest you don't let that attribute be a
consideration - at least not as you have described your needs. Just go with
the drill you like the most and let yourself be happy with that.

We all have our reasons for why we bought what we did, and we all have our
reasons for why we will or will not buy them again. Generally these come
down to preferences since the bigger names are all pretty much serviceable
guns. I'd rather see a guy just go out and buy what he wants than to see
him post questions asking for advice. It puts you in the position of
worrying too much about a decision that does not have enough consequence.
Hell - go buy it and have fun with it.

Oh - and remember... it is permissible to fondle a new tool right after you
bring it home.

--

-Mike-

"Andy" wrote in message
ps.com...
It's getting to be time to replace my old cordless Craftsman
drill/driver, and I think I've narrowed my choices to two or three.
I'll be using this primarily for driving square-drive wood screws, but
it may see the occasional drill bit or socket.
My choices include
1.) a Makita 12V impact driver (6914),
2.) a Panasonic 12V 3/8" drill/driver (EY6405FQKW),
3.) or possibly a Bosch 9.6V impact driver (23609-RT).
Snip

All good choices, the Panasonic being the top choice IMHO.

My main questions: Since the impact drivers apparently don't have an
adjustable clutch, is it harder to prevent over-tightening?

YES. You have to pay attention! With a clutch as you well know the driver
rarely will break or over tighten a screw.

It seems
like I'd have less control over that.

That is correct. This especially is more noticed when assembling furniture
where you want the screw to stop at a specific depth. An impact is much
like using a corded drill, plenty of power but requires close attention to
prevent over tightening.


Also, I know impact drivers
aren't meant to drill holes, but will it work acceptably for occasional
use?

Absolutely, they work great as high speed drills. I like to use mine for
pilot holes.


(I might eventually get a keyless chuck on a 1/4" hex shank to
use standard bits).
What are your thoughts? Other pros/cons I haven't thought of? Has
anyone used any of these specific models? Should I hold out and pay
$200 for a Panasonic NiMH or Makita Li-Ion drill?

I would not get an impact driver expecting to replace a drill or drill
driver. If you only get one, get the drill drriver. An impact is a great
second/back up tool. The 12 volt impact will out perform the highest
voltage battery drill drivers.

I paid about $200 for my Makita impact about 2 years ago however it included
a free drill/driver. Lithium Ion is the latest great thing however I have
read that It may not be worth the extra cost in some scenarios.
Money being no object, I would go with the Panasonic over any other brand.

Though you are viewing the 12V Makita, I have the 14V model 6333D which I
purchased many years ago and let me say, this thing kicks ass for a 14 volt.
The batteries have lasted about 6 years and I just had them refurbished at a
local battery shop a few months ago. Basically what I'm saying is, I love
this thing and that would be my first choice.


"Andy" wrote in message
ps.com...
It's getting to be time to replace my old cordless Craftsman
drill/driver, and I think I've narrowed my choices to two or three.
I'll be using this primarily for driving square-drive wood screws, but
it may see the occasional drill bit or socket.
My choices include
1.) a Makita 12V impact driver (6914),
2.) a Panasonic 12V 3/8" drill/driver (EY6405FQKW),
3.) or possibly a Bosch 9.6V impact driver (23609-RT).
All come with two, 2.0 amp-hr, NiCad batteries.
Price (both drivers are reconditioned) is close enough to be
negligible, in the $100ish range.
My thoughts so far: I've heard that an impact driver is great for
driving screws - fast, lots of torque, and easy on the wrist, while
being light and maneuverable. I've also heard that Panasonic makes the
best batteries around, and I've seen several good reviews of their
drills. Price and weight (all of these claim 3.5-4.0 lbs) are probably
more important to me than the run time of higher-voltage tools.
My main questions: Since the impact drivers apparently don't have an
adjustable clutch, is it harder to prevent over-tightening? It seems
like I'd have less control over that. Also, I know impact drivers
aren't meant to drill holes, but will it work acceptably for occasional
use? (I might eventually get a keyless chuck on a 1/4" hex shank to
use standard bits).
What are your thoughts? Other pros/cons I haven't thought of? Has
anyone used any of these specific models? Should I hold out and pay
$200 for a Panasonic NiMH or Makita Li-Ion drill?
TIA,
Andy

"Mike Marlow" wrote in message
...


Oh - and remember... it is permissible to fondle a new tool right after
you
bring it home.

Can just hear the wife: Honey, are you down there fondling your tool again?

Leon wrote:
That is correct. This especially is more noticed when assembling furniture
where you want the screw to stop at a specific depth. An impact is much
like using a corded drill, plenty of power but requires close attention to
prevent over tightening.
....
Money being no object, I would go with the Panasonic over any other brand.

Thanks Leon - that's exactly the kind of advice I was looking for!

And Mike, thanks for your reply also - I'm just as tired as the next
guy of many identical posts asking which bandsaw to buy, or which
router is best. And for most tool purchases, I peruse the archives
here, other reviews online, etc., and then make my decision. However,
I've never used a cordless impact driver before, so I was really
looking for info like Leon's above. Also, this will probably be my
last tool purchase for a while (LOML is cutting hrs at work to go back
to school) so I want it to be a good one.

As far as tool-fondling, I'm definitely not opposed, but as a power
tool, this purchase certainly won't see the fondling of, say, a
Matsumura chisel or a Knight plane. Heck, those still get fondled!
(Only occasionally and very lightly, though, and they ARE used more
than they're fondled...)

Thanks again,
Andy

Makita makes a great "kit" with a drill,driver and a light
with two batteries and a charger for just under $300.

The 14.4 on the left is the one I have and it is excellent
but the 12v would also be excellent...


http://www.makita.com/promo_0107_impact.htm

http://www.makita.com/menu.php?pg=pr...&tag=6980FDWDE

Look here for $219 and you get Both:

http://www.7corners.com/7c_store/fin...=313059938&cat


Andy wrote:

It's getting to be time to replace my old cordless Craftsman
drill/driver, and I think I've narrowed my choices to two or three.
I'll be using this primarily for driving square-drive wood screws, but
it may see the occasional drill bit or socket.
My choices include
1.) a Makita 12V impact driver (6914),

I've had Panasonics and they're top notch. I'm not sure if it's their
charger or battery technology but their batteries seem to last forever.
(as opposed to a lot of other tools where the batties are useless after
about a year).

I would not get impact. I would also avoid the "bigger is better"
marketing hype when it comes to voltage. 12V will do just about
everything and more is not better because it'll weigh more and be
bulkier.

Yea, they're spendy but worth it.