Buying Makita Cordless Drill - Do I need the Impact Driver?

I'm a plumber by trade also, all I use is the impact drill. Fits in tight spots, faster drilling, and gets screws all the way in on the first try.

 

I bought the makita hammer drill and impact 18v set approx 6 years ago and use them installing patient lifts in hospitals. Took 5 years of everyday use to kill one battery out of the original two. I have purchased many other Makita tools and not have regretted any of them. They last better than any other tool brand i have seen on many construction sites.

 

I didn't read the other post but yes the impact driver is the Bee's knees. I wouldn't be without one & I am just a home owner.
Matter a fact I'm thinking of getting a second smaller one just cause.

 

There's also this Makita set for $199 with both the dril/driver + impact driver.

I just got this set and it's awesome. Replaced my Dewalt.

https://www.google.com/shopping/product/12670746423746694788?lsf=seller:8740,store:16301213160329307081&q=home+depot+makita+drill&hl=en-us&mid=syrjdvt4k|dm_mtid_8903tb925190_pcrid_50645156379_pkw__pmt__product_206110233_slid_&lsft=gclid:CNu767Ca1s4CFQkfhgodUvMOGg&prds=oid:963551898080104654&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiH3PewmtbOAhVE7SYKHX7oCdkQrRIIIg

 

Exactly! Love it. Now I just need to man up and drop the $50 for the right angle impact attachment for my rigid multi tool. Haha. I've had my eye on that thing for a couple years.

 

I'm a big fan of Makitas peripherals, as well. The blower, the USB charger, the circular/Recip saws... Nice system. And the newer lithium batteries rock compared to the big old NiCd batteries.

 

Buy. The. Impact. You won't regret it.

 

which one?

I love rigid, that's all I use at work and home.

 

FYI the guy at Home Depot told me to watch the ads for prices next week (Labor Day weekend), The Makitas will likely go on sale for $30-off. So, if you buy it now, you can take your receipt in next week and get $30 back.

 

Any idea what actual manufacturer makes the Rigid drill/driver?

Any major manufacturer batteries compatible with Rigid?

 

^^^ Oh right, I forgot about that. You can get money back if there's a sale a few days later. Yeah, I'm going to keep an eye on that. I'd rather buy before the weekend anyway. I have better things to do Labor Day weekend than being in HD. Haha.

Anyway, set of both tools it is. I'm going to swing by Lowes to take a look at the Hitachi stuff, but so far I think Makita it is. I'll give the Rigid stuff another look. The warranty thing is important, but then again, the Makita stuff has 3 year warranty. Not lifetime, but a good amount of time nonetheless. Oh, I think Hitachi is 5 years BTW.

 

The head pops off this multi tool and you can get other attachments for it. One of them is the right angle impact driver. Here it is with the multi tool head on and the jig saw attachment beside it. you can also get either a 12v or 18v base for it. super versatile system. Also has a recip saw attachment.

 

Not sure about the batteries, but ridgid, Milwaukee, ryobi, and craftsman tools are made by TTI.

 

I've got 20v dewalt stuff that has worked really well for me. My advice would be to spring for the bigger capacity batteries no matter which brand you choose. The extra run time is way worth it.

 

This^
I use RYobi tools and the new lithium batteries are worth the 100 bucks.

 

@kiteboarder

Buy this kit and you will never ever regret it. I use the impact driver more than the drill. You cant go wrong with Makita, and you will hand this set down to your kids to use and it will never let them down either.
I have a set just like this and have never regretted spending the extra money on the Makita set.

 

Ha, this became an impact fan thread I think. I am in HVAC and I still use my 7 year old 18v dewalt impact. I have all the new 20v stuff, but I figured I'd wait till the 18v dies out. Always get a kit when choosing whatever brand you want to buy. Its the best deal you will find as far as getting the tool, batteries, charger, case, etc. You'll realize where they get you when a battery or charger dies out on you and realize it cost almost as much as the total kit did. I believe most of the big names out there work just fine. I will say that my dewalt has driven a lot of screws over that 7 years. I couldn't live without my impact. Changed the game completely.

 

^^^^ x2 on Ridgid. Must buy from Home Depot, not Amazon. Registration was pretty easy, did it online. Only had them a few months, but so far no hiccups using them on my home reno.

 

So this thread got me reading up on 18 vs 20v. In the dewalt brand when they came out with the "20v max" system, they did so because the "new" lithium batteries wouldn't fit the older 18v tools.

Here's the interesting thing- they're actually the same power as the 18v tools (for the most part). 20v is the maximum charge held when fully charged on the lithium battery, but with the very first pull of the trigger, they drop down to being on par with the older 18v tools as far as working power.

So, it was marketing (and avoiding upsetting existing customers) that led to this 20v designation. They didn't call the new batteries 18v because they didn't want 60 million people buying replacemeant batteries that won't fit their existing 18v tools. So, they called them 20v max, even though they're not really any more powerful.

I could be wrong, but this is what I'm gathering. Yes, the the lithium has a lot going for it over the older 18v NiCd's, but "more power" isn't really what you're getting. Lesson learned- don't think you're necessarily getting a more powerful tool just because it's a 20v and your old tool is 18v.

Am I wrong?

 

Get the impact. I have Milwaukee, but you can't go wrong with ridgid, Dewalt or Makita. They all work and last. Especially if you're a diy kind of guy working on your home and your vehicles, you will not regret it.