Why do people so badly want a Festool impact driver?

[greg mann]

Yeah, can't say I bother with any of the clutches or torque settings on drill drivers but with a little finesse it's not really needed when setting screws....

One task I really like using the screw clutch setting on my driver is with pocket screws and plywood. Too much force has made a mess of things and it happens quick.

Agree. Those square shoulder screws don’t give you much warning and once they are in the pocket you can’t see ‘em.  [doh]

 

[demographic]

One task I really like using the screw clutch setting on my driver is with pocket screws and plywood. Too much force has made a mess of things and it happens quick.

Ahh, I can't say I ever use pocket screws but understand what you mean.
For one reason or another they seem to be used far more in the States than in the UK.

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

I think when you’re using these tools day in and day out, you get the feel for the torque.
When we are fixing delicate material with brick or concrete screws, we finish the final torquing one impact at a time until the head is seated nicely and firmly into the countersunk recess.
Our impacts have lots of settings, various torque, various speed, impacts etc. There’s a helper mode, and one where a self tapping screw is started fast to drill the surface, then slowed down to whatever pre set to finish fastening the fixing.
I don’t always use the settings, simply because in many applications I don’t need too.
I also have a few 4 function cordless drills, these have a drill function, speed drill function, impact and hammer, and are very versatile, and I’d imagine for somebody who is doing maintenance, or just needs a handy drill in the workshop, these would be a godsend.
What many do not realise is, although an impact driver is efficient at putting screws in, an equivalent non impact driver will usually have more torque, and can really cause your wrist some problems if a clutch isn’t set right.
I love impact drivers in all their guises, they are almost certainly one of our most used tools for every day jobs.

 

[Bob D.]

"...There’s a helper mode, and one where a self tapping screw is started fast to drill the surface, then slowed down to whatever pre set to finish fastening the fixing..."

Who makes this? I have never heard of a drill/driver with this capability but am interested in knowing more.

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

Hi Bob, Makita, in the UK the models are DTD 170 and DTD 171.
Great tool and something Makita excels in. IIRC, Makita invented/developed the first cordless drill/drivers. In my opinion they make the best drill/driver/impacts, just as Fein make the best multi tool.

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

Just to add, I think the “helper mode is referred to as “assist mode” I’ve just been told by my son.

 

[Sanderxpander]

Your son seems incredibly smart for his age.

 

[elfick]

"...There’s a helper mode, and one where a self tapping screw is started fast to drill the surface, then slowed down to whatever pre set to finish fastening the fixing..."

Who makes this? I have never heard of a drill/driver with this capability but am interested in knowing more.

[member=60461]Bob D.[/member] IIRC, the Milwaukee Surge also has this.

 

[AlexThePalex]

There’s a helper mode, and one where a self tapping screw is started fast to drill the surface, then slowed down to whatever pre set to finish fastening the fixing.

What does that do, the helper mode?

I also have a few 4 function cordless drills, these have a drill function, speed drill function, impact and hammer, and are very versatile, and I’d imagine for somebody who is doing maintenance, or just needs a handy drill in the workshop, these would be a godsend.

Can you please name the make and model of those 4 function drills you mention? I am curious now, never heard of such a thing before.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

Your son seems incredibly smart for his age.

He is 31  [big grin]

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

[member=5277]Alex[/member] Hi Alex, the help or assist mode, basically stops screws stripping or cross threading.
This is how Makita explain it.

New impact mode (A-mode): helps to eliminate "screw cam-out" and "cross threading“ by driving at low speed until the start of tightening
T-mode: Tightening mode for self-drilling screw
Electronic 4-stage impact power selection.
Brushless motor Electric brake
Variable speed control by trigger Forward / reverse rotation
LED job light
Compact overall length of 117mm

The four function mode drills I have are the Makita DTP141, I have had mine a few years, they used to do a non brushless version which I think was the DTP140. I was about to buy some when I’d heard a brushless model was available and bought the brushless instead.
Apparently, they have only just become available in some countries but I think those may be non European countries. I’d imagine they are available in Holland though.
Very handy tool in my opinion.

This is the spec on them:

Easier mode selection and higher durability of the selection mechanism obtained by changing the selection mechanism from lever to change ring style
Single LED job light with pre-glow/afterglow functions
Battery fuel gauge
Ergonomically designed handle with rubberised soft grip fits your hand perfectly to provide maximum control and comfort.
More compact and lightweight design achieved by using BLDC motor and electronic clutch mechanism. Compared to model BTP140: • 14mm shorter in overall length. • 4mm smaller in motor housing diameter. • 0.1kg lighter in weight.
4 Operation modes for Ultimate Versatility. • Impact driver. • Percussion drill. • Drill (2 Speed). • Screwdriver able to drive Teks screw.
Electronic Clutch Mechanism: • Features expanded Clutch torque range 1.5-8.0Nm for wide range of applications. • Adjusts rotational speed preset torque in order to prevent over tightening. • Able to drive Teks screw at 1900rpm in high speed mode.

 

[Sanderxpander]

Your son seems incredibly smart for his age.

He is 31  [big grin]

He photographs incredibly well then!

All kidding aside, your grandchild looks super cute. I have a 2,5 year old son myself.

As for the Makita, that's very interesting, I wasn't aware of a machine like that and have often wondered why there wasn't one. The only annoying part, except for it being a little expensive, is that it only has a hexagonal bit holder. I guess that makes sense for the impact driver part but all but a few of my drill bits (and the ones you see in shops everywhere) are round, not hexagonal. Do you just buy everything with a hex mount then?

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

Your son seems incredibly smart for his age.

He is 31  [big grin]

He photographs incredibly well then!

All kidding aside, your grandchild looks super cute. I have a 2,5 year old son myself.

That's lovely, cherish every moment, time goes fast and they grow quickly.
Yes the little guy in my avatar is one of my grandsons, he's a real cutie. I have four of children, all grown up now, 11 grandchildren, and I'm about to become a great grandpa at 60!  [scared] I love them dearly, and can give them back to their parents when the noise starts haha!
All the best to you and your family  [thumbs up]

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

Your son seems incredibly smart for his age.

He is 31  [big grin]

He photographs incredibly well then!

All kidding aside, your grandchild looks super cute. I have a 2,5 year old son myself.

As for the Makita, that's very interesting, I wasn't aware of a machine like that and have often wondered why there wasn't one. The only annoying part, except for it being a little expensive, is that it only has a hexagonal bit holder. I guess that makes sense for the impact driver part but all but a few of my drill bits (and the ones you see in shops everywhere) are round, not hexagonal. Do you just buy everything with a hex mount then?

That’s a good point about the hex fitting, with our impact drivers, they are only used for screw fixing and removing, so the hex is fine. With the four mode drills, we often use them for normal drilling as they have a fast speed option. So we have a few hex fitting drill bits etc but, more conveniently, we have keyless chucks that have a hex fitting. So we can use any bits we want up to a certain size.
The only drawback with adding the chucks is, it extends the overall length. Not normally a problem for us though.

Although we have a lot of drills in various types, the four mode is probably the most versatile in it’s class.
And the DTS170 and 171 impact driver are probably the best I’ve ever used, and I’ve used a few.

 

[mrboult]

I'm not at all desperate for an impact driver, I hate their loud noise. But if a festool one had been available over the last 3 years I would definitely have bought it, as some projects would have been easier with one.

I'm only in the Festool 18v battery platform, and as much as I respect Makita, I never could quite justify the £200+ it would take to buy an impact, batteries and charger, to then have a tool that needs it's own batteries and charger every time I take it!

I like the fact that my T18 SYS1 goes on every job, and that has a charger and two batteries in it. .  so the BHC (or theoretical impact driver) can just be thrown in another tool box on it's own. Having a whole new tool box with batteries and charger just for an impact driver. . . well I never bought one.
Assuming this festool impact finally arrives, and it's 'bare' price is similar to the T18/C18/PDC then I'll pick one up the next time I have a decent paying project that could do with one.

I disagree with the sentiments that an impact driver can do things a drill can not do. They're easier sure, but I can drive any screw faster with a drill than with an impact. But be careful, decades of doing this has given me some muscular problems in my forearms  [tongue]

 

[demographic]

Nah, sorry. A BHC isn't an impact driver. Its just not.

Its a drill that does masonry, the impacts go in the other direction than an impact drivers.

 

[mrboult]

Nah, sorry. A BHC isn't an impact driver. Its just not.

Its a drill that does masonry, the impacts go in the other direction than an impact drivers.

Was that for me? I think you miss-read or miss-interpreted what I said.
If you're suggesting I think my BHC is for hammer drilling screws into wood, then I'm almost offended.

And it's not the other direction (that's reverse) it's another plane of movement. [tongue]

 

[demographic]

Nah, sorry. A BHC isn't an impact driver. Its just not.

Its a drill that does masonry, the impacts go in the other direction than an impact drivers.

Was that for me? I think you miss-read or miss-interpreted what I said.
If you're suggesting I think my BHC is for hammer drilling screws into wood, then I'm almost offended.

And it's not the other direction (that's reverse) it's another plane of movement. [tongue]

Aye, sorry about that, I saw the part where you said theoretical impact driver and mentioned the BHC and thought you were thinking they were interchangable.

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

I'm not at all desperate for an impact driver, I hate their loud noise. But if a festool one had been available over the last 3 years I would definitely have bought it, as some projects would have been easier with one.

I'm only in the Festool 18v battery platform, and as much as I respect Makita, I never could quite justify the £200+ it would take to buy an impact, batteries and charger, to then have a tool that needs it's own batteries and charger every time I take it!

I like the fact that my T18 SYS1 goes on every job, and that has a charger and two batteries in it. .  so the BHC (or theoretical impact driver) can just be thrown in another tool box on it's own. Having a whole new tool box with batteries and charger just for an impact driver. . . well I never bought one.
Assuming this festool impact finally arrives, and it's 'bare' price is similar to the T18/C18/PDC then I'll pick one up the next time I have a decent paying project that could do with one.

I disagree with the sentiments that an impact driver can do things a drill can not do. They're easier sure, but I can drive any screw faster with a drill than with an impact. But be careful, decades of doing this has given me some muscular problems in my forearms  [tongue]

An impact driver can do what a drill can’t though, impact! And that can make a noticeable difference when fixing all day, especially with brick and concrete.

 

[Paul G]

An impact driver can do what a drill can’t though, impact! And that can make a noticeable difference when fixing all day, especially with brick and concrete.

On a few occasions out of necessity/desperation I have switched my M18 drill/driver to hammer mode to drive a stubborn lag and it worked surprisingly well. I know not ideal but sometimes just gotta make things work.