Impact Driver

I've spent all this week using the Protool drill/driver.  I expect it is NAINA but think you should lobby for it if that is the case.  I have three other Festool drills now largely gathering dust.  It's not really an impact driver but I find it far more effective than my old Makita impact driver - maybe the Makita is just knackered?  I've also been using some fancy 140mm fixings (expensive here in France) that the manufacturer claims need a lot less power to drive in - the screw technology seems just as important as the driver technology.
 
richard.selwyn said:
I've spent all this week using the Protool drill/driver.  I expect it is NAINA but think you should lobby for it if that is the case.  I have three other Festool drills now largely gathering dust.  It's not really an impact driver but I find it far more effective than my old Makita impact driver - maybe the Makita is just knackered?  I've also been using some fancy 140mm fixings (expensive here in France) that the manufacturer claims need a lot less power to drive in - the screw technology seems just as important as the driver technology.
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Richard, I've heard several people comment on the quality of the Protool drills and they agreed with your sentiments that they are better than Festool's offerings. You are right the Protool isn't available in North America, too bad. I can't see Tooltechnic importing the Protool line here in the foreseeable future but you never know. I understand they have a nice impact too.
 
Maybe some day, I should would like to buy just one more cricular saw that would last me the rest of my life.

What about an impact the isn't so dang loud, thats why I cant use mine, they are annoying.
 
As I stated before, I love my impact and for fasteners only I reach for it more than my T15.  They do one heck of a good job, but I don't understand how if something is loud you would let that prevent you from using it?  What about the TS saws or routers and even some of he sanders are louder than the impacts.  I can understand if you have your head in a cabinet or something like that which would make it ten times worse.  Besides that, I don't get it.  I expect loud things when a residental remodel is going on or if i'm at a jobsite or just plain old building something.
 
WarnerConstCo. said:
Maybe some day, I should would like to buy just one more cricular saw that would last me the rest of my life.

What about an impact the isn't so dang loud, thats why I cant use mine, they are annoying.
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I remember reading a post here about a quieter impact, might have been a Protool.

ForumMFG said:
As I stated before, I love my impact and for fasteners only I reach for it more than my T15.  They do one heck of a good job, but I don't understand how if something is loud you would let that prevent you from using it?  What about the TS saws or routers and even some of he sanders are louder than the impacts.  I can understand if you have your head in a cabinet or something like that which would make it ten times worse.  Besides that, I don't get it.  I expect loud things when a residental remodel is going on or if i'm at a jobsite or just plain old building something.
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I do remodeling and I've got a cordless drill in my hands on and off all day long. The impacts are too loud for me to use for long without hearing protection. The way I tend to drive fasteners I'd have to wear hearing protection almost all day long if I used an impact driver (and I have on occasions). Wearing hearing protection all day gets old fast.
 
Found the thread I was referring to, it happened to be about the C12, here's a link to the part about the quieter impacts, here. Turns out the Protool is an impact wrench.
 
Brice,

Now I understand.  I don't do that type of work so wearing ear protection all day would get old.
 
Take it from someone who knows.  Hearing loss happens even if you don't think it is.  Anyone who works with power tools should wear hearing protection.  Always.  For those who attended the recent class at Festool, I situated my seat because I have 40% hearing loss in one ear.  I positioned myself to hear better - my good ear towards the speakers.  Enough of a sermon.  Ask me about eye protection and I'll tell you that I have a permanent rust spot in one cornea and that eye can't have corrective lenses made for it.  Hint.  Hint.

Peter
 
Hey Brice,

I found some pretty cool ear protection.  ESP 3,  They are custom fit small ear insert, kinda look like a hearing aid.  Very high quality digital sound.  You can adjust the level from normal to super sensitive to improve hearing kinda like the bionic man.  Then they cut out automatically and give you full protection when any sound reaches 85db.  If they work for S.W.A.T....they oughta work for the worksite!  And hey are only $2400.00  Or you could just use the drill.  lol
 
wnagle said:
Hey Brice,

I found some pretty cool ear protection.  ESP 3,  They are custom fit small ear insert, kinda look like a hearing aid.  Very high quality digital sound.  You can adjust the level from normal to super sensitive to improve hearing kinda like the bionic man.  Then they cut out automatically and give you full protection when any sound reaches 85db.  If they work for S.W.A.T....they oughta work for the worksite!  And hey are only $2400.00  Or you could just use the drill.  lol
Click to expand...

Wayne
here is what I went with... well mine is an earlier model http://www.shure.com/stellent/groups/public/@gms_gmi_web_ug/documents/web_resource/us_pro_scl3_en_ug.pdf  I went with the custom fit (bottom left of second page)  from a local company on the list.  Total was less than $900.  It gives a -42 Db.  and is you forget it is on..  they were made for musicians playing on stage.  they have a 2 yr no question exchange warranty.  http://www.shure.com/ProAudio/Products/PersonalMonitorSystems/index.htm
Craig
 
Not to drift too far off topic but, good hearing protection is an investment in your future. I want to be able to hear my cell phone ring when I'm 50 so I use headphone style hearing protection all the time. I'm not fan of ear plugs because they can cause ear infections if you get the plugs dirty and if you're on a jobsite they will get dirty. The key is get something comfortable so you'll wear them all the time. I prefer smaller lighter headphones, they offer less protection but are more comfortable. The lighter duty headphones are generally fine for most hand held power tools. If you're working with particularly noisy equipment hearing protection with a higher db rating would certainly be a better choice. I have a pair of Peltor Tac 6, not bad for when I need to be able to hear what's going on around the jobsite. 

Like I said whatever you decide on make sure it's comfortable enough to wear everyday. 
 
Brice
you are right about needing to pay attention to in the ear type protection.  If you are using nondisposable type in ear protection, care for them and your ears like they are hearing aids.  I use mine between 15 -20 hours a week, mainly for protection from Hilti hammers, Tilesaws and Grinders.  Two of the reasons I chose custom fit is the complete seal to the ear channel (dust has a much harder time entering)  and comfort-you just don't notice them.  The cost is prohibitive and other options are a hassle to turn into a habit---- until  you you are needing to go in for a hearing aid.

Craig

 
What kind do you use Chairmon?

I overheard someone talk about how woodcraft came out with (or just started selling) head phones that did not require batteries that will basically do the same thing as brices but it will only dampen the hgh DB when a tool is in use.
 
Charimon,

Thanks, I'm going to check those out.  I'm looking for something I can use double duty, in the woodshop and on the shooting range.  The ones I looked at online that are 2400.00 are custom fit to your ear like a hearing aid and are made to be worn all day.  I'd hate to spend that kind of money and not like them.  Right now in the shop, I use radio muffs and since its tuned to the same Chanel as the shop radio, It compels me to put them on when I'm sawing.  I have to admit I don't usually put them on using an impact driver...maybe I should.

Brice,

Also, after I get the T-15 drill, I'm going to use it a while and see how I like it for driving as well as drilling.  If I find myself using the impact driver a lot I'm going to get a panasonic impact that has the brushless motor.  I think it would be  a good combination with the T-15.  I don't remember the inch pound rating but my rigid impact is rated at 1400 inch pounds and works very well.  I've had it about 3 years now and the batteries are failing.  I'll soon be trying out rigid's lifetime warranty and see how they are to deal with.
 
Charimon,

Thanks, I saved the site.  Some day I'm going to order the good stuff.
 
Dave
the Sleves are $150 per pair + shipping  and you can get the earset for $160 off ebay.  plus the local audiologist visit $75 to $100.  mine were more expensive because the headphones were more $$  I think Shure has some earsets that have a mic that you can use to hold conversations or use with your phone as well.  you would have to check their site
Craig
 
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