Popularity of impact drivers

[jnug]

So I was wondering about a comment I saw posted here a couple weeks ago.

I read a comment from a poster who wrote that not too long ago the suppliers could hardly give impact drivers away. Now they seem quite popular. I like mine.

But I was wondering if their new found popularity is based in the newer cabinetry screw types and people having interest in using them for cabinetry or maybe the auto clutch systems available on the latest brushless models or maybe some other reason.

 

[sae]

I can only assume whoever writes off an impact driver is unfamiliar with the concept or only builds in sheet goods. For any application where you're asked to drive anything bigger than a drywall screw, impact tools are a huge benefit, especially from a safety and RSI standpoint.

 

[jnug]

I don't know what I would do without mine. But I have to admit, I waited to get one until I could get the features I wanted. Thought the features of the newer impacts might have something to do with the guy's comment.

 

[flair woodworks]

I bought an impact driver years ago and used it quite a bit for renovation-type projects.  However, I haven't needed it since.  I use very few metal fasteners in my woodwork, and those that I do are on the smaller side and easily driven with a cordless drill or manual screwdriver.

 

[Northernlight]

It's wonderfull to be able to drive large screws  (and small) without wearing out your small limbs

 

[Tanker3000]

I sold my dewalt impact driver and drill to buy festool drills, and while I'm very happy with my pdc, I miss my impact a lot, especially in a construction setting. I always feel that driving massive or lots of large screws just labours battery's and is quite frankly tiring.

If festool did and 18v Impact only tool Id buy it immediately with no hesitation, I keep pondering on a ti 15 but I want 18v so all my battery's are interchangeable with out loss of performance.

Chris

 

[jonny round boy]

If festool did an 18v Impact only tool Id buy it immediately with no hesitation, I keep pondering on a ti 15 but I want 18v so all my battery's are interchangeable with out loss of performance.

Don't buy a Ti15. If the many rumours are correct, what you're asking for will be available in the future. How far away it is though, I have no idea.

 

[Locks14]

I have a Makita 10.8v Impact driver for most tasks. It's great, really good power and lightweight.  I have a Ryobi 18v also and was considering upgrading it to a brushless Makita 18v to match my combo drill, but when I actually thought about how often I need the 18v over the 10.8v, I realised I very rarely used it...

 

[Birdhunter]

I use my TI15 to drive lag screws. Never tried it in the pure drill mode. Prior to the TI15, I used a ratchet wrench to seat the larger lag screws that my drill couldn't drive into the wood even with predrilling.

 

[DB10]

I can't remember the last time I used my Makita 18v impact either, for every day use I always keep a 10.8v impact and drill in with my, must have hand tools.

 

[TheTrooper]

I use one almost every day for screwing subfloor, cement board and bench construction.  Such a time saver.

 

[SittingElf]

I confess that the only remaining non-Festool cordless tool I own is my Makita 18V Impact.  I've had it for years, and while it doesn't get a ton of usage, it is amazingly useful when it IS needed.

That being said, I am still hopeful for a Festool Ti18 to replace it at some point.  It would be nice to finally have a single battery system and charger for everything. Well....except for my few Ryobi cordless garden tools.

Hmmm.... Hey Festool, how about making a 18V hedge trimmer, edge trimmer, and leaf blower!

Cheers,
Frank

 

[jaguar36]

I can only assume whoever writes off an impact driver is unfamiliar with the concept or only builds in sheet goods. For any application where you're asked to drive anything bigger than a drywall screw, impact tools are a huge benefit, especially from a safety and RSI standpoint.

I agree, I use my 12V Bosch on a daily basis.  Its small, lightweight, has great control and can drive a massive screw if need be (albiet slowly).  I'll use the 18V one if I'm driving lots of big screws though, or more frequently when I can't find the little guy.

 

[leakyroof]

I confess that the only remaining non-Festool cordless tool I own is my Makita 18V Impact.  I've had it for years, and while it doesn't get a ton of usage, it is amazingly useful when it IS needed.

That being said, I am still hopeful for a Festool Ti18 to replace it at some point.  It would be nice to finally have a single battery system and charger for everything. Well....except for my few Ryobi cordless garden tools.

Hmmm.... Hey Festool, how about making a 18V hedge trimmer, edge trimmer, and leaf blower!

Cheers,
Frank

  There you go Frank, you can help start the new business division,  FESTRIM...... ;D

 

[Kev]

I confess that the only remaining non-Festool cordless tool I own is my Makita 18V Impact.  I've had it for years, and while it doesn't get a ton of usage, it is amazingly useful when it IS needed.

That being said, I am still hopeful for a Festool Ti18 to replace it at some point.  It would be nice to finally have a single battery system and charger for everything. Well....except for my few Ryobi cordless garden tools.

Hmmm.... Hey Festool, how about making a 18V hedge trimmer, edge trimmer, and leaf blower!

Cheers,
Frank

  There you go Frank, you can help start the new business division,  FESTRIM...... ;D

Exactly what had me looking at Metabo ... along with cordless angle grinder and recipro. (To me a recipro is more for gardening)

 

[Sparktrician]

If I'm driving a number of large lag screws or tightening carriage bolts (as in deck construction), I use my older 1/2" square drive Milwaukee electric impact driver.  It also has plenty of torque to loosen/tighten lug nuts on the truck or car.  I've had a Bosch impact driver for a ton of years, but seldom use it in favor of the Festool C 12 drill/driver or the CXS.  I've found that the Ti 15 tends to over-drive screws in certain materials, but if I set the clutch right on the C 12 or CXS, I'm golden. 

 

[Stone Message]

With my arthritic wrists I cannot manage without an impact driver. I will be delighted to see Festool firmly embrace this type of tool.

Peter

 

[rst]

I realize that most users on this forum are mostly wood butchers but i work with all kinds of materials and situations.  I do a lot of commercial door repair/replacements and impacts have made my job SO much easier.  I use 12 and 18V Milwaukee cordless systems.  The 12V impacts remove screw from steel doors and frames that my have been there for 30 years.  I the old days (I am 62 after all) I would have to drill out most hinge screws.  Now most all screws break loose and drilling is only occasional.  The 12V impact does not create enough torque to break screws in most situations and the 18V works for the really tough jobs.  Would not live without either.

 

[Julian Tracy]

Aside from a hitachi unit I had years ago, I've found the 10.8/12volt impacts to be just as loud as their larger brothers, but not as powerful.  The last Bosch one I had was near pointless.

And these days, at least in Makita's case, the 18 volt LXT impacts are pretty tiny, especially with the slim pack batts.

I had a 14.4 Mak impact years and years ago, and I'd used that one until it got too hot to hold - any other driver would have been toasted.  I think Makita has impact drivers down - they've been making them longer than any other brand.

Currently I have their 3 power level brushless impact and the ability to lower the impact power is great for making it a true multi purpose tool.

The sound only bothers you when you aren't the one using it.

Centrofix is highly overrated imo - has just as much play as any other quick release, but I will say that I do notice the difference in my Festool C12 Nicad drill in terms of precision speed/trigger control.  Very smooth and quite a different feel from any other cordless drill I own.

JT

 

[sae]

And these days, at least in Makita's case, the 18 volt LXT impacts are pretty tiny, especially with the slim pack batts.

Makita's new unit is tiny, and the most powerful one they've made yet. It's NAINA for now though.