Looking for good 1/2" corded impact driver...

**newman** · 05-28-2007, 11:10 PM

My Hitachi drove its last lag today. What do you guys recommend that's good for, say, 1/2" x 6 lag screws and such?

**littlebluetruck** · 05-28-2007, 11:45 PM

I don't generally use an impact driver for lags that size. I use an impact wrench and/or ratchet/socket. I would like to find something more powerful though, as I haven't been that impressed with the impact wrench lately.

I've used the Makita corded impact for a few years and it's pretty good, but it gets hot even driving deck screws. I think 1/2x6 would just be pushing it a bit too far.

Something like this Milwaukee is more like it.... 300 ft/lbs against the Makita's 88.5...

**PaliBob** · 05-29-2007, 02:00 AM

My corded impact tool is a 35 year old Ingersol Rand 2000 B.P.M. 1/2" socket wrench that I bought new for $20. I used it for sill bolting, but the only thing I use it for now is for 1/2" lags. It still works like new but then I don't really do production.

Until last week my general purpose impact driver was the original Makita 12V which was fine with 1/4 lags but struggled with 3/8 unless they were predrilled. The other problem was breaking smaller screws with too much torque.

My new driver is the Panasonic 14.4V impact driver. It is slightly smaller than the 12V Makita, weighs 3.1 pounds, and has a switchable Led work light and three switchable torque levels

Andy Beasley did a review of this driver and the companion 1/2" drill (JLC May 2007 p129) He found this tool easily drove 7 inch gutter screws into a stack of framing lumber then switched to 6 inch long 3/8 inch lags. No problem.

He reported the impact-driver costs about $340 and the drill-driver about $320.

But here is the good news. Amazon has a combo kit at $359 for both. Sweet

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-14-4.../dp/B000OWLRPG

**Woodtick** · 05-29-2007, 06:24 AM

Bob,
A couple of things to note on the Panasonic combo. I got mine from Coastal for about the same $. But, it only comes with 2 batteries. You really need at least one more when using 2 tools. I haven't found a source for just the battery yet and I'm sure it will be pricey when I do. The combo comes with 2 individual cases. You can carve up one of them to make both tools fit but it's not a very elegant solution for a product of this quality. Panasonic dropped the ball on this one. Great tools though...I highly recommend.I'd get the individual kits if I had it to do over.

As for the corded impact, I'd vote for the Milwaukee also.

Rich

**tom dickey** · 05-29-2007, 07:43 AM

the milwaukee is a fine tool my lead uses his a great deal even for changing tires on his truck very nice.I still have my 20 year old black and decker industrial model and it is still going strong but i do belive you can not buy it anymore so Milwaukee it is.

**newman** · 05-29-2007, 10:10 AM

I was kind of leaning towards the Milwaukee 1/2" over the Dewalt anyway. I don't need another cordless 1/4" impact as of now - I've got several. Thanks guys.

**Toolwhore** · 05-29-2007, 10:58 AM

I have a Craftsman 1/2" impact that was given to me 12 years ago that still works great. It was 4 years old before I got it and my boss at the time, who gave it to me because he had just purchased a new Dewalt, has mentioned several times that he wish he had just kept the Craftsman.
They sell at Sears for $130, and they also carry the Ingersol-Rand and a few others in the $200 price range.

**gburnet** · 05-29-2007, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by Toolwhore

I have a Craftsman 1/2" impact that was given to me 12 years ago that still works great. It was 4 years old before I got it and my boss at the time, who gave it to me because he had just purchased a new Dewalt, has mentioned several times that he wish he had just kept the Craftsman.
They sell at Sears for $130, and they also carry the Ingersol-Rand and a few others in the $200 price range.

I have the same model. It was made by B&D, & Craftsman (Sears) private labeled it. Mine must be pushing 20 years old & is still going strong. Do you know who makes the current ones for Sears, Tom?

**PaliBob** · 05-29-2007, 11:20 AM

Rich,
I don't agree that you need three batteries for the Panasonic Combo. Unless maybe there are two on the crew, each using one of the tools on a big deck.

The included Panasonic 50 minute charger should be adequate for an individual drilling with one and driving with the other. I have not tried it yet but I expect the battery to last at least half of a day.

The Li-Ion review of Tool Kits in the April 207 JLC lists eight manufacturers of Kits that include recip saws,circular saw, drills and a light. All with two batteries.

The Panasonic batteries besides being made by the primary source of all the Ni-Cad tool batteries is a very sophisticated Lithium-Ion design. The battery besides the primary power pins has an eight pin connector to communicate on board diagnostics to the tool and to the charger.

At over a hundred bucks for a battery I think Panasonic made a smart marketing decision by removing the second battery from the Impact driver and from the drill kits, they are able to offer the combo kit with two batteries for a price just slightly higher than the price for one kit.

My only criticism is that Panasonic did not choose to design a new case to hold both tools. The existing case has plenty of extra storage space but in no way IMO can be modified to carry both tools. I will probably throw away the second case rather than lug it around.

Are you lisenting Panasonic: Design a new case for the Combo.

**Toolwhore** · 05-29-2007, 11:22 AM

Greg,

I'm not sure, but I need to go to Sears sometime this week and I'll look into it.
I put those plans in the mail Sat. morning, so you should get them any day now.

**littlebluetruck** · 05-29-2007, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by PaliBob

My only criticism is that Panasonic did not choose to design a new case to hold both tools. The existing case has plenty of extra storage space but in no way IMO can be modified to carry both tools. I will probably throw away the second case rather than lug it around.

Are you lisenting Panasonic: Design a new case for the Combo.

Bob: It can be modified - some of us have done it. Here's some pics.... and a third...

**jdsmith** · 05-29-2007, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by newman

I was kind of leaning towards the Milwaukee 1/2" over the Dewalt anyway. I don't need another cordless 1/4" impact as of now - I've got several. Thanks guys.

Not that you asked, but if you're looking for a cordless 1/2" impact the Milwaukee V28 model is excellent. I bought one a month ago and I've used it like a corded model and I've been happy with it. Used mostly for bolting bracing on steel roof trusses, along with running a bridge reamer and a few hundred 1/2" and 5/8" bolts on steel trailers. I've had good experience with the Craftsman corded model as well, but I've gotten leary of their newer products.

Jeremy

**Toolwhore** · 05-29-2007, 01:36 PM

littleblue,

I wish you would remove that inverted skilsaw set-up you have in your album, as, even though I have a pretty strong stomach, I loose sleep worrying about you, every time I see that picture. ;)

**littlebluetruck** · 05-29-2007, 02:18 PM

As you wish, Tom.

**PaliBob** · 05-29-2007, 11:57 PM

Originally Posted by littlebluetruck

Bob: It can be modified - some of us have done it. Here's some pics.... and a third...

Thanks to Aaron, very innovative and good workmanship.

Panasonic: Are you listening?

Thread: Looking for good 1/2" corded impact driver...

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