Impact Driver

[srmumz]

I currently do not own any of the Festool drivers. I have several Makita Impact drivers in the shop and they get a ton of use. I would like to see Festool develop one that uses the same battery as the TDK 12.

 

[Eli]

I'd like a Festool impact driver. I'd like it if the C12 had a magic green impact switch.

 

[graphex]

I have to third that request!

I've got a Dewalt impact driver and it is one of my favorite tools. I'm kind of a weakling and end up stripping the heads off screws more often than not if I'm using a regular drill to drive them. When I started using the impact driver, I was amazed how easy it was to drive a simple screw through some wood. The only thing I've done wrong was drive something too far and either snap off the head or chop the wood in half.

I think the Festool take on the impact driver (and the reason I'd have to buy one) ought to incorporate a maximum torque setting. Wouldn't mind seeing it be a dedicated impact driver, but perhaps combo impact/hammer would be handy when rocks and stuff are involved.

 

[semenza]

I'd like a Festool impact driver. I'd like it if the C12 had a magic green impact switch.

I would like one too, but I don't care if the switch is magic

Seth

 

[pteubel]

I got my first impact driver a couple years ago (Makita 14.4v) and have since become so enamored with them they've replaced one of my C12 drills. In fact, Makita now has a switchable model that goes from drill to hammer drill to impact driver with the flip of a switch. It's on my short list.

 

[robtonya]

graphex, your post cracked me up, your not suppose to drive it until the wood cracks in half. Well at least i got a good laugh in today ;D

 

[John Langevin]

Graphex, you're only supposed to use "wood splitting' mode with a Timberlock to split logs for firewood.

 

[graphex]

Since when are festoolians supposed to be told what a tool is supposed to do?

My neighbor was actually watching me when I was screwing the 2x4 I split to my shed. ;D Maybe I could have saved face by using it as firewood, but as it was CCA treated I was pretty much screwed. (ugh... no pun intended!)

 

[Terp]

I got my first impact driver a couple years ago (Makita 14.4v) and have since become so enamored with them they've replaced one of my C12 drills. In fact, Makita now has a switchable model that goes from drill to hammer drill to impact driver with the flip of a switch. It's on my short list.

  Makita battery drills have always been good.  I did burn through a 14.4 volt, though it had been used to bore desk top grommets in an emergency.  I've thrown out many Black & Decker/Dewalts.
  I got my first Makita in 1985, a right angle 7.2 volt drill.  I still own it & have only replaced the batteries twice now.  It holds a charge a long time too.  I love that tool.  As for the 14.4 volts, I own two others.  One is older than the one I burned up & the other was bought to replace it. 
  I use a pneumatic screw gun & drill at the bench for a lot as well.  My air powered screw gun will drive a 4" #12 deck screw to China without bogging.    I love that tool as well.  With the right touch, it even sets small #4 hardware screws, with no slippage.
  Either way, Makita is the only battery drill I trust.  Although I told that to Timmy regarding the Bosch jig saw & well my Trion arrives this week.  ;D

 

[dirtydeeds]

the request for a festool impact and for li-ion batteries is a constant feature here, which i agree with

BUT there is a lot of resistance in germany and the continental's (not just by festool)

make one, id buy it in a shot, when and if i kill my makita

 

[mhch]

Festool parent company, Protool,  markets impact drivers .... this can
be a source of internal resistance and it recently announced
Li-ion drills and impact drivers ...
http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=2797.0

 

[merklebob]

yes i want one too.  however i would like to see one with a clutch.  the only clutch impact drive was a dewalt that has been discountnued .  im tired of breaking off screws.

 

[The Woodentop]

Sadly, the Germans are not known for their flexibility! A sweeping statement I know but their history is littered with examples of 'we know best'. I won't go into it further as I don't wish to a) ruffle any feathers or b) be overtly political.

I too would be keen on an impact model and the modern batteries. I'm scratching my head as to why they don't do it........unless it's my theory above.

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

yes i want one too.  however i would like to see one with a clutch.  the only clutch impact drive was a dewalt that has been discountnued .  im tired of breaking off screws.

The Panasonic 14v Lithium Ion impact driver has a really neat digital clutch. It has three speed settings, and within each speed setting I think you have 15 different clutch settings. Plus, once you've engaged the clutch, if you release the trigger and pull it again I think it will rotate the screw another 1/4 revolution. I don't own the Panasonic (I own the Makita LXT), but my company has one in our shop and it seems like a really nice tool.  ;D

 

[Forrest Anderson]

yes i want one too.  however i would like to see one with a clutch.  the only clutch impact drive was a dewalt that has been discountnued .  im tired of breaking off screws.

As Tom mentioned, Panasonic sell Impact Drivers with clutches, although they are electronic rather than the twist collar found on drills. I bought the EY7202GQW 12V impact driver because it had a clutch, and it comes with 2 x 3.5Ah NiMH batteries, belt hook and LED light.

To quote the website:

-------
Advanced Digital Clutch Technology
Have you ever experienced trouble like damaging the material or snapping the head off a screw and had to redo the work? New digital clutch technology automatically stops before over tightening even when the switch is still being pulled. Clutch operation is digitally controlled to match working conditions using a sensor and microcomputer. You set the digital clutch stage (16 stages) and press the tighten button, which will stop after the screw has been tightened about one-half rotation. This makes fine flush alignment quick and easy to do, even at high power. Better yet, the new digital clutch eliminates the need for the user to perform fine speed control, and thereby reduces mistakes from over tightening.

Power Mode Switching
High torque delivers for faster tightening but makes it harder to leave a clean finish. With this tool, you can switch between three torque levels, hard mode, medium mode and soft mode. Hard mode offers approximately 1,060 in.lbs of torque for fastening large diameter bolt and nuts and lag bolts. Soft mode gives you approximately 530 in.lbs to reduce material surface damage and avoid stripping screw heads.
-------------

I am very pleased with it and would highly recommend it. It also seems that I'm not the only person who likes it - out of the 13 Amazon reviews, 12 reviewers give it 5/5, and one gives it 4/5.

Driving a slotted screw at low speed can be a bit tricky with this driver, so for more delicate tasks, Panasonic also do a versatile EY6535GQW "Multi Drill and Driver", which is a 3-in-1 machine.

It comes with a 1/2" square drive for sockets, to which you can attach a 1/4" hex chuck for screwdriver bits, or a keyless drill chuck for drill bits. It can be switched from drill/driver mode to impact mode, so can be use for low-speed screwdriving and drilling, or for impact driving.

The photo above shows the driver fitted with the keyless drill chuck. This is attached to the 1/2" drive, which is why it has such a long "nose".

Forrest

 

[Blouis79]

the request for a festool impact and for li-ion batteries is a constant feature here, which i agree with

BUT there is a lot of resistance in germany and the continental's (not just by festool)

make one, id buy it in a shot, when and if i kill my makita

But Bosch makes Li-Ion power tools and it's German. I have an old Bosch cordless impact drill/driver which works great. It doesn't have a clutch (hate the noise anyway). It does have the bare motor spindle with hex recess which is advertised as new on the Festool C12 and my drill is 20 years old.

Resistance could be cost-based, since Li-ion batteries for electronic gear are way expensive.

BTW I'd prefer electronic torque control to a horrible mechanical noise. Electronic control could be properly calibrated in N.m, which is how engineers specify applicable torque for fasteners.

I think some posters are talking about a "pulse mode" setting for pulsed drive, as opposed to mechanical impact for use on masonary.

 

[graphex]

I think some posters are talking about a "pulse mode" setting for pulsed drive, as opposed to mechanical impact for use on masonary.

There is definitely a difference between a hammer drill for masonry and an impact driver for driving screws. They both use a mechanical striking action, but a hammer drill for masonry punches the bit in a more forward motion to chip out masonry, while an impact driver punches more rotationally to drive a screw easily without much pressure from the operator. I thought the motion was about the same until I tried to use my impact driver to drill into masonry... Yep, they're both noisy!

On the OT lithium debate, I would imagine that there is a significant cost not only in battery development, but in charger development, battery recovery and liability. It takes quite a bit more to explode an NiMH battery than it does to blow up a Li-ion/Li-poly. The charger has to be quite a bit smarter, and there has to be more circuitry on the tool as well as the battery regarding limiting its discharge (both the amount and rate). There are also more rules on disposal, and the manufacturers are responsible for more or less of that process depending upon the country or state (in the US).

Personally, I'm not too big on Lithium-based batteries. This is probably because I don't work with my tools all day. I don't remember the last time I wore down a battery all the way. I like cheaper batteries so I can buy more of 'em and always have them charged. That being said, lithium batteries are a good choice for tools that need high current and larger capacity. I don't have a Festool drill, but I can't complain about the NiMH drills I have with regard to battery capacity at all. Now for a cordless saw, that is a different matter...

 

[robtonya]

It seems to me that I find more information on batterys from radio controlled vehicles, ( I own two radio controlled hellicopters, but don't ask me how to fly them, I'm not good yet.) They seem to push batterys harder than any tools I have seen. Just my opinion though.

 

[Steve Jones]

But Bosch makes Li-Ion power tools and it's German.

Just cause his last name sounds german, does not make the products german....

Robert Bosch Tool Corporation is composed of industry-leading brands, including Bosch, Skil, Dremel, RotoZip, Vermont American and Gilmour.  and is based in
Mount Prospect, IL.

First manufacturing plant was opened in 1912 in Springfield Massachusetts

Research and development, manufacturing, and sales are based here in the states and have been since 1912 - yes they are owned by a german company - but the tool manufacture we know as Bosch is as American as those other brands listed above.

 

[Terp]

  Thank you, I forgot they are based here.  Robert Bosch was a German immigrant though, right?  Also I'm sure the Bosch family sold out a while ago. 
  I love my Beisemeyer Table Saw fence, & once met Mr. Beisemeyer.  He used to travel around demonstrating the fence.  Eventually they became the rage, & Delta now owns the brand.  I noticed the last one I bought no longer has the made in america label.  Another quality brand absorbed by the Delta plague. 
  I believe the Bosch jigsaw design goes back to the original company designs.  It is the industry leader for jigsaws & I think they also make the Trion, is this right?  I just bought the Trion PS300 & side by side with my Bosch barrel grip it seems that they are cousins.
  BTW, I bought a Bosch reciprocating saw last year, like a sawzall.  It too is a real quality tool, I love.