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Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: Silver Bullet on October 20, 2020, 11:58:46 AM

Title: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: Silver Bullet on October 20, 2020, 11:58:46 AM
Milwaukee, Makita, DeWalt, Bauer ... in that order.  And not even close, even though the Milwaukee was much cheaper than the Makita and DeWalt.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jxZAKk_nSk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jxZAKk_nSk)

Bauer (Harbor Freight) was by far the cheapest, and it was the only one to include the battery.  Aside from the fact that it quit working  =D, it might be a reasonable choice if you only needed it a few times a year, and weren't doing anything as demanding as the tests in the video.

Otherwise, based on this video I didn't see any reason to not buy the Milwaukee, unless maybe you already had batteries for one of the other brands.
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: Hawkmoon on October 20, 2020, 02:40:11 PM
He talks too fast. If he's a friend, tell him to lay off the speed before making videos.

I prefer the AvE channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/arduinoversusevil
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: K Frame on October 20, 2020, 03:13:38 PM
Interesting review.

I've been thinking about getting an impact driver, but I'm really considering a corded one.
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: charby on October 20, 2020, 03:18:07 PM
I'm still trying why I need an cordless small body sized impact driver?
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: K Frame on October 20, 2020, 03:19:36 PM
I'm still trying why I need an cordless small body sized impact driver?

If you were a carpenter/handyman full time I think it would be one hell of a great tool to have.

Joe Homeowner? Not so much.
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: dogmush on October 20, 2020, 03:20:50 PM
It's kinda useless to watch a single tool cordless tool reviews.  I must have watched 100 before I bought new tools this summer.  The problem is you aren't buying A cordless tool.  You are buying into an ecosystem.  So Milwaukee might have the better 1/4" driver, Hitachi might have the better drill, DeWalt may have better, cheaper batteries, and so on*.

So you need to really consider which tool gets used the most in your life, and what features work for you, then buy the tool set with those weighted.  Milwaukee makes good tools, no doubt, but I found that the price got pretty out of hand quickly when you needed 4 or 5 tools and the batteries to support them.  YMMofcourseV.


*All claims are for illustrative purposes.  I have no idea who's drill is better this week.
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: dogmush on October 20, 2020, 03:22:44 PM
I'm still trying why I need an cordless small body sized impact driver?

Mine is probably my most used cordless tool.  I love it.  I use it for everything from hanging outdoor motion sensor LEDs to pulling valve covers and intake manifolds off.  It speeds any project that has more then 4 or 5 fasteners.

Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: K Frame on October 20, 2020, 03:29:19 PM
" You are buying into an ecosystem."

WHY DO YOU HATE CAPITALISM AND INNOVATION, YOU GODLESS COMMIE!!!???!!!  :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

You are 100% right.

As it stands right now I have a grand total of ONE cordless tool... A Hitachi 18 volt cordless drill.

All of my other tools are either person powered or cord powered.

To be 100% honest, there really aren't that many situations in which a cordless tool is going to be very advantageous to me. A LITTLE more convenient, maybe, but a true advantage? No.

My Hitachi drill is a different story, though. A drill/screwdriver is used so much that going cordless really makes sense.

I bought the same drill that Castle Key bought (he bought his, I really liked it and my corded drill had crapped out, so I bought one a few months later).

That has come in handy a number of times when I've been helping him with projects, most recently earlier this year when I helped him build his greenhouse and the base on which it sits. We drove a TON of screws to tie everything together.

Having two drills and not having to worry about dragging cords from the garage while being able to charge batteries that could be used in either drill was a real advantage, especially when we had one drill set up to drill pilot holes and the other set up to drive the fasteners.

We could have done that with two totally different drills/battery systems, but it was marginally easier given the compatibility.
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: Kingcreek on October 20, 2020, 03:44:00 PM
You are really buying into a battery platform. Milwaukee has declared war on the cord and has over 200 tools using the M18 batt system
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: tokugawa on October 20, 2020, 03:48:16 PM
They are not just impact drivers- since the torque is modulated by pressure and trigger, they can be used to drive small sensitive screws.

And the advent of hex shank drill bits means they can drill also. I use mine a lot for little household chores where all I need to get out is the driver, a drill bit, and a screwdriver bit.
 
Also, for mechanical work -they are handy with a 1/4" socket to 1/4" hex adapter, it makes short work of running a bunch of small bolts and nuts.

A set of six inch driver bits really enhances the utility because a screw close to a parallel surface can be run in, as the angle changes for the better.

 As an aside, after going through Makita 9V system, Hitachi 12 volt system, Dewalt 18Volt system, and now  Dewalt 20 volt, I have never destroyed a tool- the battery has always been the weak link, and the reason to upgrade.  The L ion batteries are huge improvement, as the packs seem to stay charged sitting for a very long time.
 
 For a while I debated making a 120v to 12volt transformer plug in for the dewalt cordless, just out of reluctance to toss a perfectly good motor and chuck.  Too much effort, I had work to do.

Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: Perd Hapley on October 20, 2020, 03:57:09 PM
He talks too fast. If he's a friend, tell him to lay off the speed before making videos.

I prefer the AvE channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/arduinoversusevil

Youtube lets you slow down or speed up the video.
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: charby on October 20, 2020, 03:59:44 PM
Mine is probably my most used cordless tool.  I love it.  I use it for everything from hanging outdoor motion sensor LEDs to pulling valve covers and intake manifolds off.  It speeds any project that has more then 4 or 5 fasteners.



I do all that with my cordless drill, damn thing still will break off 1/4-20 bolts.
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: Ben on October 20, 2020, 04:01:31 PM

 As an aside, after going through Makita 9V system, Hitachi 12 volt system, Dewalt 18Volt system, and now  Dewalt 20 volt, I have never destroyed a tool- the battery has always been the weak link, and the reason to upgrade.  The L ion batteries are huge improvement, as the packs seem to stay charged sitting for a very long time.


Which I find both sad and wasteful. I just finally upgraded to the DeWalt 20v stuff and now have a bunch of 18v tools in great shape that will be sitting around, all because it's hard to get good 18v batteries for them anymore.

It's almost the opposite of SLR camera lenses and bodies, where your keeping all the lenses and just upgrading one body.
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: Ben on October 20, 2020, 04:03:54 PM
I took the advice here and switched to the impact driver for construction screws. It was good advice, wish I'd learned it sooner. I also just used it instead of a cordless drill for removing and reinstalling the oil pan shield on my truck while doing an oil change. The compact tool is much handier for tight spaces like that.
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: dogmush on October 20, 2020, 04:04:21 PM
I do all that with my cordless drill, damn thing still will break off 1/4-20 bolts.

You can, and the world won't end.  For driving fasteners (and pulling out stuck bolts/nuts) an impact works better and is less likely to strip and/or break the fastener.  Especially loosening stuck stuff.

That said if you don't think you need one, you probably don't.  I really like mine, though.
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: charby on October 20, 2020, 04:09:39 PM
You can, and the world won't end.  For driving fasteners (and pulling out stuck bolts/nuts) an impact works better and is less likely to strip and/or break the fastener.  Especially loosening stuck stuff.

That said if you don't think you need one, you probably don't.  I really like mine, though.

I use sockets and wrenches a bunch, old school I guess. :)

...and for any big stuff I just fire up the air compressor and bust out the air tools.

Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: dogmush on October 20, 2020, 04:12:51 PM
It's a shame, I have a big compressor set up and some really nice air tools, but I don't fire them up anymore unless I am doing suspension work.  Don't need all the ugga-uggas for stuff in engine bays or around the house.  My poor Snap-On's sit lonely and unused.   =D

I think the last three times I fired up the air compressor was to beaddblast something, or run a nail gun.
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: Nick1911 on October 20, 2020, 04:19:40 PM
I'm with dogmush on this one.  My 1/4 impact driver is night and day compared to my cordless drills for driving screws.  Can I run 3-1/2 deck screws with my cordless drill all day?  Sure, and it works for that.  But the impact... is clearly the correct tool for the job.

I've also got the 1/2 inch cordless impact.  With that, I rarely fire up the compressor anymore doing automotive work.  And bonus, I can take it to the junkyard with me.  =)
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: Silver Bullet on October 20, 2020, 04:28:29 PM
Quote
I've also got the 1/2 inch cordless impact.  With that, I rarely fire up the compressor anymore doing automotive work.

You're still talking about an impact driver and not an impact wrench, correct?
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: Nick1911 on October 20, 2020, 04:33:09 PM
You're still talking about an impact driver and not an impact wrench, correct?

I suppose it's an impact wrench: https://www.dewalt.com/products/power-tools/impact-drivers-and-wrenches/20v-max-xr-high-torque-12-in-impact-wrench-with-detent-pin-anvil-tool-only/dcf899b

I'm not sure where the line is drawn between an impact wrench and an impact driver.
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: K Frame on October 20, 2020, 04:41:52 PM
OK, what's the difference between an impact driver and a hammer drill?

Is the impact driver a rotary hammer motion, while the hammer drill is linear along the length of the bit?
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: Silver Bullet on October 20, 2020, 05:04:32 PM
Quote
I'm not sure where the line is drawn between an impact wrench and an impact driver.

I don't have either  :P but to me the difference is that an impact driver has a chuck that can accept drill bits or driver bits.  The impact wrench has a square drive made for fitting sockets.  I believe the impact wrenches typically have a lot more torque than the impact driver.  Some of the high end impact wrenches have upwards of 1000 ft-lb of torque, such as this little beast that was king of the hill for several years, maybe still is.  

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M18-FUEL-ONE-KEY-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless-1-2-in-Impact-Wrench-with-Friction-Ring-Tool-Only-2863-20/303651964 (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M18-FUEL-ONE-KEY-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless-1-2-in-Impact-Wrench-with-Friction-Ring-Tool-Only-2863-20/303651964)

As I understand it, this device is approaching, if not exceeding, air tool wrench performance.
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: Silver Bullet on October 20, 2020, 05:07:07 PM
OK, what's the difference between an impact driver and a hammer drill?

Is the impact driver a rotary hammer motion, while the hammer drill is linear along the length of the bit?

I don't know, but I have a vague recollection that a hammer drill is used for drilling holes in concrete, if that helps.
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: K Frame on October 20, 2020, 05:31:58 PM
"I don't know, but I have a vague recollection that a hammer drill is used for drilling holes in concrete, if that helps."

I have a hammer drill and have used it to drill quite a few holes in concrete and brick over the years. Good piece of kit that I got for absolutely free...

It definitely has a straight line hammer effect along the length of the bit, which is what helps it cut through stone and concrete, etc.

I'm assuming that an impact driver's force is imparted in the rotating motion (otherwise it probably wouldn't be all that good at breaking loose lug nuts, etc.), but I don't know that for sure...
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: Silver Bullet on October 20, 2020, 05:38:46 PM
Quote
I'm assuming that an impact driver's force is imparted in the rotating motion

That sounds right to me, and I think we can see that in the Project Farm video I linked in the OP.
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: Nick1911 on October 20, 2020, 06:48:28 PM
So what's the difference between a hammer drill and a rotary hammer?  ???
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: Ben on October 20, 2020, 06:56:58 PM
So what's the difference between a hammer drill and a rotary hammer?  ???

I'm no expert, but in these parts the terms are used interchangeably for the same tool (we say roto-hammer instead of rotary hammer).
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: Silver Bullet on October 20, 2020, 07:46:25 PM
I'm inspired to buy my first impact driver.

I hate these threads where I end up buying something I didn't know I "needed."  Who started this, anyway?    [ar15]
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: Jim147 on October 20, 2020, 08:07:31 PM
I just had a friend stop buy that works at a tire shop. He stopped in to pull the driveshaft out of his truck. We might have been drinking when we twisted it in half.

He had his Dewalt impact driver with him that he uses all day six days a week.

I have another friend with a tire shop here in town. I know he went to using two impact drivers instead of having air hoses everywhere. I'll stop in and ask him what he has and how he likes them. I think he bought two brands to compare.
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: dogmush on October 21, 2020, 04:32:44 AM
OK, what's the difference between an impact driver and a hammer drill?

Is the impact driver a rotary hammer motion, while the hammer drill is linear along the length of the bit?

Yes.

Quote from:  Nick1911
So what's the difference between a hammer drill and a rotary hammer

A hammer drill normally has a way to disable the hammer function and just be a drill.  A rotary hammer just does that one thing. They also tend to be bigger and more powerful,  as well as come in spline shaft varieties.  (SDS+ and the like)
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: K Frame on October 21, 2020, 07:14:26 AM
"A hammer drill normally has a way to disable the hammer function and just be a drill. "

My hammer drill has exactly that... Turn off, and it's a drill. Turn to 1, and you hammer drill. Turn to 2 and you REALLY hammer drill. It's distinctly uncomfortable to use on setting 2 for much more than a couple of minutes because of the vibration.

Still, can't complain about an all metal body 1/2" hammer drill for free.

I was working on an old contract and we had an upright cabinet in the one conference room that hadn't been opened for years. The facility guy said let's open it (it was locked). We picked the lock and it was full of tools with absolutely no indication of ownership.

So, we split them up. I got the hammer drill and a nice fish tape. Someone else took a nice half inch socket set with the ratchet, someone else took some electrical testing equipment, etc.

That drill has more than paid for itself over the years.  :rofl:
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: Silver Bullet on October 21, 2020, 11:25:01 AM
Here's a short video explaining drill vs impact driver vs impact wrench vs hammer drill:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAMHGe_LWzc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAMHGe_LWzc)

First video I've seen by that guy, he is to the point.  I've seen too many videos where someone takes 20 minutes to say something that could have been said in 4.
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: charby on March 25, 2022, 02:06:26 PM
I'm with dogmush on this one.  My 1/4 impact driver is night and day compared to my cordless drills for driving screws.  Can I run 3-1/2 deck screws with my cordless drill all day?  Sure, and it works for that.  But the impact... is clearly the correct tool for the job.

I've also got the 1/2 inch cordless impact.  With that, I rarely fire up the compressor anymore doing automotive work.  And bonus, I can take it to the junkyard with me.  =)

Thread necro

After recently replacing the front axle in my truck due to combination of a spun wheel bearing, busted hub and ABS sensor cable. I retract anything I inferred about not needed a cordless impact driver.

I am going to be buying a 1/4" or 3/8" and 1/2" cordless impact driver. I'm in the Dewalt camp, so I'll probably stick with them. Yeah, I get mud on my tires.  ;)

I guess I need to buy more impact sockets too.
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: Boomhauer on March 25, 2022, 02:38:38 PM
Thread necro

After recently replacing the front axle in my truck due to combination of a spun wheel bearing, busted hub and ABS sensor cable. I retract anything I inferred about not needed a cordless impact driver.

I am going to be buying a 1/4" or 3/8" and 1/2" cordless impact driver. I'm in the Dewalt camp, so I'll probably stick with them. Yeah, I get mud on my tires.  ;)

I guess I need to buy more impact sockets too.

Start with a 3/8” mid torque. Milwaukee, DeWalt and Makita all offer good ones. Get complete no skip impact socket sets up to 24mm and 1” (if you need SAE). Get a set of complete universal impact sockets also.



Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: charby on March 25, 2022, 02:52:57 PM
Start with a 3/8” mid torque. Milwaukee, DeWalt and Makita all offer good ones. Get complete no skip impact socket sets up to 24mm and 1” (if you need SAE). Get a set of complete universal impact sockets also.

I have air tools, so I got the 1/2" impact sockets covered.
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: Kingcreek on March 25, 2022, 02:56:36 PM
I cheaped out and bought harbor fright impact sockets and have actually been very happy with them.
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: Ben on March 25, 2022, 03:32:08 PM
I cheaped out and bought harbor fright impact sockets and have actually been very happy with them.

I ended up with the HF Icon impact sockets. Not exactly cheaping out in normal HF style, but I have been very impressed with the handful of Icon tools I bought there.
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: Boomhauer on March 25, 2022, 04:00:34 PM
I have air tools, so I got the 1/2" impact sockets covered.

I’m talking about 3/8 impact sockets. For car/light truck use 3/8 is usually what you need and what fits in places better and with the modern 3/8 cordless impacts will often even take off tires. Although if you didn’t want to buy new sockets the mid torques all come in 1/2” drive as well.



Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: Boomhauer on March 25, 2022, 04:22:26 PM
I ended up with the HF Icon impact sockets. Not exactly cheaping out in normal HF style, but I have been very impressed with the handful of Icon tools I bought there.

Icon is an awesome brand. The tools are very good quality and the Icon line of toolboxes out of Snap On. One of our senior mechanics instead of spending $20,000 with Snap On got an Icon box for $6600 with hutch, side locker and side box
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: charby on March 25, 2022, 04:24:14 PM
I’m talking about 3/8 impact sockets. For car/light truck use 3/8 is usually what you need and what fits in places better and with the modern 3/8 cordless impacts will often even take off tires. Although if you didn’t want to buy new sockets the mid torques all come in 1/2” drive as well.

I figured I'd be buying 3/8" impact sockets to match what I have in 3/8" standard sockets. Deeps and shallows.

I've had good luck with Kolbalt (B)Lowes brand for cheap sockets, so I'll probably get a set next time I'm in the big city.
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: Bogie on March 25, 2022, 05:52:05 PM
HF's "regular" impact sockets are pretty darn good.
 
I use the hell out of one of these, along with the 3/8" electric ratchet... Fast battery installs mean more money.
 
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/power-torque-tools/power-torque-3-8-inch-drive-impact-wrench/ptt1/ptt0003?q=3%2F8%22+impact&pos=7

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/power-torque-tools/power-torque-3-8-inch-drive-ratchet/ptt1/ptt0002?q=3%2F8%22+power+torque+ratchet&pos=3

Works great on most "normal" torqued things. It ain't gonna do lug nuts. 2nd link is the ratchet, and it uses the same batteries. They last a good long time. They tend to have 10mm sockets on 'em when they go back in the box.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/power-torque-tools/power-torque-8-piece-3-8-inch-drive-standard-6-point-metric-socket-set/ptt0/gm8465?q=10mm+socket+set&pos=8

This extra deep tends to stay on the impact gun - I run into battery tie-downs that are too long for a regular deep. And nasty and rusted that take forever with a regular ratchet... A little buzz with the impact, and I can deal with the rest of the stuff. And... I keep a 10mm ratchet wrench in my shirt pocket, because a lot of customers who think they are going to need a battery or alternator have been taking the lead off the negative terminal at night, and don't bother to retighten it... 30 seconds and a little lecture about cutoff switches, they have a fixed car, and are happy. I also have a few foot-long extensions with 10, 12 and 13mm sockets semi-permanently on 'em, also to deal with the low battery hold downs.
 
Yeah, I'm weird. But I'm fast.
 
That said, I'd probably go with Milwaukee.
 
And most of the time, if I have to deal with a stubborn rim that some "tech" put on with their Milwaukee, I'll just use a four-way, support the outside leg on a jack, and gently, yet forcibly, use my 6' cheater pipe to break it free.
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: tokugawa on March 25, 2022, 11:22:21 PM
"gently, yet forcibly, use my 6' cheater pipe to break it free."

 Don't force it, use a bigger hammer.
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: French G. on March 26, 2022, 10:10:00 AM
I'm with dogmush on this one.  My 1/4 impact driver is night and day compared to my cordless drills for driving screws.  Can I run 3-1/2 deck screws with my cordless drill all day?  Sure, and it works for that.  But the impact... is clearly the correct tool for the job.

I've also got the 1/2 inch cordless impact.  With that, I rarely fire up the compressor anymore doing automotive work.  And bonus, I can take it to the junkyard with me.  =)

My dad is old and crippled but still drives all his big trucks. M18 impact wrench is in each one of them as his lug wrench. I had occasion to test this operation since you only run over 6" steel objects in borrowed trucks. Gf was mightily impressed with said lug wrench. Well yeah sure, if you have $700 to dump into a tool and several big batteries it makes a great lug wrench. Runs the lugs on the Budd wheels on his Mack truck which is impressive for a battery tool., 1/2" air doesn't touch them.
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: bedlamite on March 26, 2022, 09:49:39 PM

 Don't force it, use a bigger hammer.

If you look close enough, every tool is a hammer.
Title: Re: Project Farm Impact Driver Test
Post by: French G. on March 27, 2022, 12:18:58 PM
If you look close enough, every tool is a hammer.

Shhh, don't give up all my secrets.