I currently have a smaller sized cordless drill (12v) but it works well in most cases. I have had trouble with it when Im trying to drive into harder woods. I do drill a pilot hole but I would like to look into getting an impact driver (if necessary- if will help). I was looking at the Makita impact driver drill (14.4v) and it seems to be stronger. Is this even necessary for wood working? I am just wondering because sometimes I try to force the screw in so much that my hand slips or the screw is stripped. Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.
Bigger pilot holes and a lube such as wax. As for the impact driver, it will certainly do the job but not with as much control as with the cordless drill. I have the 12 volt Makita impact driver and it will effortlessly drive a 3" #8 screw all the way through a 3" thick piece of maple. Way too much potential power with potential of broken screws or going too far in. It is how ever a great secondary tool to for the tough jobs.
I use the Makita 14.4V impact driver. The recommendations below are the right way to go. Square-drive screws will make the difference. The problems with the impact driver in this situation are:
- Yes, it is quite a bit stronger than a 12V cordless (non-impact).
- There is NO CLUTCH on the impact driver, it's ON or OFF.
- In soft woods, screw heads will simply be driven below the surface
- >>>I currently have a smaller sized cordless drill (12v) but it works well
Disclaimer: McFeely's sells Makita impact drivers, so take this advise with a grain of salt.
I have used Makita Impact drivers extensively to drive Square Drive Screws (Robertson Recess) in both hardwoods and softwoods. I put down a lot of IPE decking using a 12v model, installing #10 x 3-1/2 screws in predrilled holes (necessary in IPE). The 12v model is ideal for just about every woodworking project except decking, and I make that that exception is due primarily to the fact that a 12v will require battery charging too frequently for my taste. I even used an impact driver to snug the nuts on 1/2" bolts, but then needed to finish the job with a big wrench.
Impact drivers are generally variable speed, so even though they do not have a clutch, you have relatively precise control over the amount of torque applied. The biggest advantage of an impact driver is that screws require almost no axial pressure to drive. You can practically hold the driver with two fingers and drive screws in many instances.At the end of the day, that is a real advantage.
Are impact drivers perfect for every application? No. I would not use one to drive solid brass screws when installing hinges on a box, for instance. But in circumstances requiring that you drive lots of screws, they really make life easier.
BTW: there is a great special going on now: Buy a Makita 12v or 14.4v impact driver and get a driver / drill of the same voltage for free! (applies to certain models only, of course).
Hmm... I'm sure your wife would just love a rebar and concrete herb garden. I know my mom would just be thrilled. Then again, she wasn't too cool when I set the cobblestones surrounding the cherry tree in mortar... She made me hammer it out. Ouch.
A quickie. Makita makes a couple of quarter inch 14.4 volt impact drivers. The newer model is the 6935 and has true variable speed, full torque at all speeds. Costal is selling it, with the 14.4 volt dirll head at $209.
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the other hand, at other places, you could pay more and get the older 6932 model (which Makita does not claim to have "true" variable speed). For example at McFeely's, $249.95.
Your choice. But I like the greater control full torque at low rpm's gives with the new model.
Your right. The difference is that in setting a long screw best practice is to slow as the screw head approaches the surface. With the newer model, each hammer blow will have full force. The better control makes it easier to set the screw flush and makes the absence of a clutch less noticeable.
Impact drivers have significantly greater torque than their drill/driver cousins. At 14 volts the drill/drivers have around
300-400 inch/lbs versus the 1400 for the 6935 impact driver.
On 18 May 2005 22:08:25 -0700, the inscrutable Ray snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com spake:
And you remove the need to really bear down on the head to keep the screwdriver blade in the slots. I could drive a 3" screw with that Bosch Impactor with thumb and forefinger. I'm SOLD on that technology and the Bosch implementation of it.
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The performance is really impressive. While standing on a ladder, with arm fully extended above my head, I drove a 3.5 inchers into the wall. No way I would have had the leverage with a drill/driver to have done it.
Sometimes I think Makita is just dumping its inventory of drills by bundling them with an impact driver. It is as if they know the market is going to switch to impact drivers. And the market for drill/drivers will shrink. Since getting an impact driver, my drill/driver is virtually unused.
FWIW, what is unique about Bosch's implementation?
On 19 May 2005 14:16:31 -0700, the inscrutable Ray snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com spake:
I compared that with working bent over, assembling a framing wall on the ground. What a difference!
I'm sure the bulk of new sales will be the impact drivers and suspect you're right about Makita's scheme (and I like it, too.) There are a lot of us screwers out here.
I really haven't tried any of the others but was impressed with the full Bosch line at their tool truck a few weeks ago. I had heard of their reputation but hadn't handled any charged tools until then; theirs or the other expensive lines like Milwaukee/DeWalt/Panasonic. As to uniqueness, I liked the little aimable LED illuminator in the base. Bosch tools are more ergonomically built than most of the tools I own, including lots of really nice user-friendly gadgets and just a good, solid feel to them. The Bosch Impactor I tried fit my hand better than the 18v DeWalt drill driver I had previously tried.
Looking at the array of impact drivers at
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, I feel that the Hibachi WH12DMR is simply hideous.
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