Popularity of impact drivers

[Cheese]

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.

A bit of history. Cordless impact drivers descended from cordless impact wrenches which descended from corded impact wrenches which descended from pneumatic impact wrenches. So, most pneumatic impact wrenches used in the automotive trades were always capable of producing from 350-600 ft lbs of torque.

When Milwaukee, Dewalt and Makita came out with their early corded versions, they produced 275-400 ft lbs of torque, which was a nice alternative when compressed air wasn't available.

Then came the cordless revolution/version and the manufacturers assumed that the cordless version had to match the corded version in power, which for the most part they were able to achieve. The only problem was they weren't any smaller in size, they were just cordless.

At some point, someone realized 2 things: that if you could down-size a cordless impact wrench, it would be a lot easier to use on the job, and that it didn't take 300 ft lbs of torque to drive 3/8" lag bolts into a ledger board for a deck.
Hence, the small, compact impact driver of today with 80-150 ft lbs of torque.

I believe it was the decking crews and garage door installers that really got this cordless impact driver phenomenon off the ground.

 

[flair woodworks]

Cheese,

Nice run-down/analysis.

 

[fin]

ive got one but ive not used it for agesssssss. like 2 cordless drills ago. its an old style dewalt that took the nicd batteries.

the noise did my head in. it munched through bits. its not a massive amount quicker than a cordless imo.

now i have a 18v dewalt xr drill and a festool little drill. the 10.8v one.

my mate at work drives everything with his impacter and the noise is annoying like haha

 

[Cheese]

Cheese,

Nice run-down/analysis.

Thanks Chris, I have to relive that story everytime I grab my cordless impact wrench. Check out the picture below, basically a corded impact wrench head on a cordless handle. Better yet, the cordless impact weighs more than the corded impact with the cord attached, and it's clumsier to use because of the battery on the end. Although it does work well for changing tires and pulling crankshaft damper bolts & flywheels.

[attachthumb=1]

 

[fdengel]

I like using mine for driving Tapcons, for screws that are tough to get in, and for screws that other tools/drills damage the heads on (not sure what the science behind it is, but the impact driver doesn't seem to damage the heads of the screws as easily).

That last point is particularly of interest when REMOVING old screws, as I had a situation once where I was removing screws from a box that had taken on some water damage, and a drill was stripping the heads on the screws long before they came out, and they were almost impossible to get out by hand (or at least extremely hard), but the impact driver pulled them right out without issue.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

I had the Ti15 but didn't hold on to it in the transition to 18V. Too heavy and too limited for what you get. Not bad - but not too much on the competition either.

As an allrounder the Bosch GDX impact has set the bar for me: lightweight, great ergonomics, handles small tasks well and strong enough for my needs. I have similar great experience with newer Hitachi impacts.

Festool could do with an 18V version of the Bosch. I would buy it. I don't care it Festool thinks an Impact is "limited" in the way it would fit into the programme - an Impact for me is an addition and not a replacement so I would not care if it is a one or two trick pony.  When you need that extra trick...

 

[VW mick]

I've just sold my Panasonic impact

T18+3 5.2ah  is on the way ....can't wait

 

[demographic]

I got one (14.4 volt Hitachi cordless impact screwdriver) thinking it wouldn't get much use.
Hardly a day goes by at work where I don't use it.

I now just use my combi cordless drill for drilling holes and the rattle gun for drivins screws, and bolts in.

Tried a Metabo one recently and wasn't blown away by the pulse mode thing at all. Not needed it so far but some people seem to have no trigger control so possibly its for them?

Anyway, my 14.4 Hitachi started playing up recently and I've just recently gone out and bought5 a couple more. Just the same manufacturer but 18 volt this time with 5 amp hour batteries, really pleased with them so far.

 

[Trans former]

I must say I have not tried a festool one, but generally I can't stand all the noise.

 

[jonny round boy]

I must say I have not tried a festool one, but generally I can't stand all the noise.

Same here. I was working on a kitchen fit with two other fitters recently, and both of them had 10.8v Makita impacts. Total overkill for 30mm screws, and a right racket!

 

[DB10]

I must say I have not tried a festool one, but generally I can't stand all the noise.

Same here. I was working on a kitchen fit with two other fitters recently, and both of them had 10.8v Makita impacts. Total overkill for 30mm screws, and a right racket!

The work you describe would have been far more enjoyable for them, if they were using a CXS and you would still be able to hear the radio!

 

[Northernlight]

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.

That's so true. The 10.8v impacts are quite spectacular. But I also find that for most tasks I use my 10.8v drill over my 18v also because of the weight saving.

 

[polarsea1]

My 18V Bosch only gets used when I'm hanging cabinets or sinking lag bolts. The little Bosch 10.6V pocket driver has more miles on it than all my other cordless tools combined.

 

[Mr Heavy]

Another 10.8 Bosch user here. Not oodles of power compared with pneumatics but the thing is tiny and extremely useful. Screwing 4by4s when I'd forgotten to pilot hole, dismantling all manner of things, removing chewed or part worn-headed screws,....

On balance I'd say unscrewing more than screwing.
I've had some bits split. The Wera diamond-coated golds in their green-ringed torsiony-adapter seem fine, if a little expensive.

 

[demographic]

The work you describe would have been far more enjoyable for them, if they were using a CXS and you would still be able to hear the radio!

Err, NO.

There's too much noise on building sites anyway without every idiot and his pet poodle bringing a massive radio to deafen everyone.

Plasterers and painters seem to be the worst offenders for that.

 

[benwheeler]

Music is good for productivity!

 

[demographic]

Music is good for productivity!

Clearly you have never been subjected to Radio 1 turned upto eleven.

 

[Doug S]

I loved my 18v Makita impact a few years ago, used it for everything. Hardly use it now, realised for what I do a normal drill driver is quicker and much quieter.

 

[SittingElf]

I use my Makita 18V impact primarily for lag bolts. Everything else with CXS, T18, PDC, or BHC. If Festool finally introduces an 18V Impact driver, the Makita will retire. [tongue]

Frank

 

[Gary in Texas]

I have the T18 set, c15 set and the CXS....

I still enjoy the ease my little 12V DeWalt impact and driver set offer, really great at driving screws and no strain on the wrist.  I also have the DeWalt 20V set, have found the impact quite powerful.