what you guys think? http://www.boschtools.com/products/tools/pages/boschproductdetail.aspx?pid=26618-01
new bosch impact driver/drill in one tool
- Thread starter wintu
- Start date
Forrest Anderson
Member
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2007
- Messages
- 1,072
wintu said:
(For future reference, wintu is referring to the 26618 Bosch 18V Lithium-ion Impact Drill/Driver shown below)
I don't have this Bosch, so can't give you any real-world experience with it. Like most people, I have a dedicated impact driver, which is the 12V 3.5Ah Panasonic EY7202 with digital clutch, and I am very pleased with it.
Panasonic have had a combined machine in their product line for some time. The 15.6V NiMH version is the EY6535 but it only has one non-impact speed (0-650rpm) compared to two with the Bosch, and has a lower impact torque (1128 in-lb). On the other and, it comes with a keyless chuck for non-impact work, and a 1/2" square drive and 1/4" hex chuck for normal and impact work.
Panasonic are phasing out their NiMH line in favour of LiIon cordless tools, and the newer 14.4V LiIon model is the EY7542, which is much more comparable to the Bosch. It has two non-impact speeds (0-700 and 0-2350rpm), and an impact torque of 1239 in-lb.
The EY7542 manual and the Bosch manual are both available online for comparing the two models. There's also a comparison page for the NiMH and LiIon Panasonic models.
Panasonic's range of cordless power tools is very highly regarded, but like Festool, many people have never heard of them. They have a much lower market profile than Bosch, DeWalt, Makita etc.
Protool, Festool's sister company, also makes a combined LiIon impact/non-impact driver - the 14.4V IDC and the 18V IWC models. See my post of September 2009 for photos and details, where you'll see that the IWC has a much higher impact torque rating (2655 in lb) than the Bosch (1500 in lb). However this is just for pure interest as far as you're concerned, as I'm afraid that Protool is not available in the USA.
Forrest
I've never used that specific model from Bosch but I've not been a fan of their cordless products before. They don't seem to have as much power as other comparable models, the fit and finish isn't as good as their tools typically are and they lack the durablity of a typical Bosch products.
For heavy duty applications I'd prefer Milwaukee and maybe Makita for shop
use. I've always wanted to try the panasonic lineup, but I've never seen them in person. I have an 18v li ion Milwaukee and I don't ever fnd the need for multiple modes. The trigger is sensitive enough to allow fine control. I've used it for everything from 1.25" x 12" lag bolts for timber framing to trim head finishing screws. It might be worth looking at a single speed impact driver for when you need the power and a smaller 12v driver for general useage. The little guys are far more user friendly. I rarely bring my 18v equipment out anymore.
For heavy duty applications I'd prefer Milwaukee and maybe Makita for shop
use. I've always wanted to try the panasonic lineup, but I've never seen them in person. I have an 18v li ion Milwaukee and I don't ever fnd the need for multiple modes. The trigger is sensitive enough to allow fine control. I've used it for everything from 1.25" x 12" lag bolts for timber framing to trim head finishing screws. It might be worth looking at a single speed impact driver for when you need the power and a smaller 12v driver for general useage. The little guys are far more user friendly. I rarely bring my 18v equipment out anymore.
I couldn't agree more, Panasonic cordless drill and impact drivers are in the same class as Protool/Festool. I have the EY6535, from 12 inch lag screws to electrical wall cover I have yet to find a job that it couldn't handle. The only complaint I have is that it is a little heavy when you are doing overhead work like drywall hanging. I am looking at the next generation EYC142B to solve this problem.
Bruce
Michael Kellough
Member
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2007
- Messages
- 7,100
Cordless impact drivers have come a long way since being introduced in the mid '80s.
However, I'm disappointed in the gaudy decorative embellishments they almost all have.
Maybe it's appropriate that Hitachi that started this trend too.
This is the first ever cordless 1/4" hex impact driver introduced around 1985.
It is only 9.6v so the impact function kicks in much sooner than today's drivers
(which means it gets noisy sooner). The ergonomics are great!
However, I'm disappointed in the gaudy decorative embellishments they almost all have.
Maybe it's appropriate that Hitachi that started this trend too.
This is the first ever cordless 1/4" hex impact driver introduced around 1985.
It is only 9.6v so the impact function kicks in much sooner than today's drivers
(which means it gets noisy sooner). The ergonomics are great!
hi wintu, i have only used the makita impact driver/drill model.
personally i dont like them.
my thoughts on them are....
a stand alone drill works perfect.
a stand alone driver works perfect.
when you try and integrate 2 tools into 1 casing.
quality suffers.
at first i thought they would be a great hit on construction sites, but having used the makita quite a lot and having talked to other tradies.
most of them said they would never buy it again.
i would never buy one, based on my own experiences.
but i am sure there are plenty of people who love it.
regards, justin.
personally i dont like them.
my thoughts on them are....
a stand alone drill works perfect.
a stand alone driver works perfect.
when you try and integrate 2 tools into 1 casing.
quality suffers.
at first i thought they would be a great hit on construction sites, but having used the makita quite a lot and having talked to other tradies.
most of them said they would never buy it again.
i would never buy one, based on my own experiences.
but i am sure there are plenty of people who love it.
regards, justin.
Similar threads
