Makita impact screwdriver, review...

[newshound]

Following some discussion here, I bought one of these in December but have only just got round to using it:

Makita 6935FDZ 14.4v Cordless Impact Driver

(bought this cheap NiCad one because I already have several Makita 14.4 and 18 volt NiCad batteries).

Making some picket-style gates using sawn/treated timber. Very impressed! It felt a bit odd the first couple of times I used it, when the vibration kicks in it's as if you have inadvertently left a combi in the impact position, or the bit is experiencing cam-out.

There's obviously some smart electronic and mechanical control gear in there, it drives in at high speed until some torque level is reached, then it slows down and the impact mode kicks in. Also *very* effective at removing well-rusted screws.

I was slightly worried whether I would break screws (being cheap I use Quicksilver rather than Spax or Turbo gold), but I did get proper "impact" bits and I didn't break anything.

Whilst I don't think it is quite as essential a tool as a combi drill-driver, you would not need to be doing much fencing / flooring / decking before it would pay for itself in time saved.

[polygonum]

I am not at all convinced that it is worth going for impact bits. Most of mine have been fine - the worst I have had failed on a relatively low speed/power conventional drill/driver.

[PeterC]

For stainless screws it's worth having pilot holes - even then, I had some screwless heads left over using just a Lidl 14.4V drill-driver.

[David Lang]

Quite common to put 2,000 deck screws and 150 6 x 100 framing screws in a deck. Can't imagine doing that without an impact driver (or two).

[cl]

I have to say that after having a couple of impact drivers I still hate them. I *much* prefer my big, powerful, 12 volt Metabo which drives screws just as hard and fast and in a nuch more controllable fashion.

[Tim Watts]

I am impressed with my mate's Makita for putting big screws in, but I hate the noise - particularly on ceiling joists! And it eats bits like a bastard.

I prefer my little Bosch 10.8V for anything up to 5mm self driving wood screws (eg ScrewTite).

However, I am deeply impressed by his Makita battery hammer drill - it's amazingly well balanced - I can hammer drill 8mm holes into brick with one hand at awkward angles - I reckon it's actually more effective than my blue Bosch mains hammer drill.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Many earlier hammer drills were all noise and no trousers. ;-)

[cl]

I use my 12 volt Metabo for screws up to 8mm (coach screws with hex heads), it manages them quite happily.

I have a 10.8 volt pair of drill/driver and impact driver, I very rarely use the impact driver, the drill/driver is what I use for almost everything except when I need the big Metabo.

[Tim Watts]

Well, it's not SDS but it is reasonably good by mains drill standards (it's 8 years old). That's why I was particularly interested in the extra power the Makita was exhibiting :)

[www.GymRatZ.co.uk]

I'd have to suggest otherwise. :)

While the builders were busy on-site doing the new roof they had lots of their kit in the garage. I needed to fire a couple of screws into something (don't remember what now) so grabbed their Makita impact driver and a random #2 bit from my stash. Tip shattered within a few seconds. Never had that happen with any bit on a regular driver before.

[David Lang]

Makita stuff in general punches well above it's weight.