Why do people so badly want a Festool impact driver?

[Jiggy Joiner]

[member=19439]Paul G[/member] Yes I get that, sometimes we have to get around a situation the best we can but, nowadays the tools are much better designed and often for specific purposes.
When I first started out, I had a set of chisels from college, a hammer, a pump screwdriver, a Diston hand saw from my grandfather, a couple of planes, a few hand tools and a cheap electric drill and somehow got the work done.

I simply couldn’t function like that now, given the type of work we do. We have various machinery, and a lot of power tools, and I do me a lot. One of my sons and other people that work for me, take it for granted, as that’s what they’ve grown up with. I don’t though, as I remember the good old days, and in honesty, they weren't so good most of the time from a work point of view  [big grin]

So for me, impact drivers? It’s a big “yes please” and As long as it’s a decent offering with good performance and durability, I don’t mind what manufacturer it comes from  [thumbs up]

 

[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]

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.

Totally - impacts are so much easier to use for big fixings. Never gonna dispute that just that, they're not as essential as some make out..
But if all you're doing is driving big screws all day... Well that's exactly the times I've considered buying an impact

 

[Doug S]

When I first started out, I had a set of chisels from college, a hammer, a pump screwdriver, a Diston hand saw from my grandfather, a couple of planes, a few hand tools and a cheap electric drill and somehow got the work done.

Lol, I remember those days, imagine some of the youths of today trying to work on site without a mitre saw, track saw or any cordless tools  [scared]

 

[Distinctive Interiors]

I can remember the first battery drill I ever owned. It was a Black & Decker that had a permanently mounted battery in it and when flat, you had to plug the complete drill onto its charger and wait whilst it recharged....! That must have been in the late 70's if I remember correctly.

Prior to that, it was ratchet & Yankee screwdrivers....and cutting mitres with a Nobex saw.

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

[member=22067]mrB[/member] Yes, it’s like anything, all about what an individual actually needs for their situations regarding tool use.
I thought of this thread today, there were three of us on a job, and we had all cordless brushless, four impact drivers with different bits in, two four mode drills, two drivers and an 18 volt SDS drill. Also a 36 volt reciprocating saw, a 36 volt mitre saw, an 18 volt grinder and two 18 volt circular saw, and a 110 volt table saw.

We could of possibly got the job done minus the said tools tools but, would probably of worked through the night, and tomorrow  [scared] [big grin]

[member=34680]Doug S[/member]

Too true Doug mate, I was explaining to them how we used to work, and what with, and they looked a little shocked! Haha!

I remember saving hard to buy my first cordless drill/driver and that tool made my life so much more comfortable when working. When I finally moved up the ranks and owned mitre saws, electric planers and circular saws, it was a real turning point.
I can only imagine how hard those poor tradesmen must of worked 100 plus years ago, and some still turned out top class work.  [thumbs up]

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

I can remember the first battery drill I ever owned. It was a Black & Decker that had a permanently mounted battery in it and when flat, you had to plug the complete drill onto its charger and wait whilst it recharged....! That must have been in the late 70's if I remember correctly.

Prior to that, it was ratchet & Yankee screwdrivers....and cutting mitres with a Nobex saw.

Wow! Yes I remember those drills very well.
I remember buying a cheap Black & Decker hammer drill, and thought my then boss would be impressed.
When I showed him, he said take that paperweight back, get a refund and put it towards a decent drill.
It was great advice as usual, and I never bought another cheap and cheerful tool to this day.