Makita BTD142HW 18-Volt Compact Lithium-Ion Cordless Impact Driver Kit

I have a number of projects through our house and some woodworking. By far the most used tool is a cordless drill / screwdriver. I own a 18V with a conventional battery, a good artist, but heavy and slightly warped hand. A 14.4 V with a traditional battery, which was much less used for the purchase of the 18 volts, but still saw some use in short-term projects, simply because it is easier than 18V and DeWalt 7.2 V "stick-style" used for smaller and / or more sensitive projects. Over the past year, DIY programs and reviews tools, I had noticed more attention to influence motorists to daily use in a wide range of applications and projects. Especially in driving screws. Since this is a lot of what I use my drill / drivers for my interest was awakened by a general consensus that the impact drivers were more effective and less likely to bite jump out of screw heads. It was my quest for yet another new tool arsenal. I hit the shelves of local stores and check the current crop.

From the very first time I took this one I was in love. You see, I've been cursed with wide palms and short fingers and not a single power tool I have ever met or spent really felt comfortable in my hand. Mind you, I could still get a firm grip, and it was never a safety problem, but especially with a heavier gear my 18V, I long-projects inevitably ended with fatigue and chronic pain in my wrist. When I wrapped my hand around this child I had to have it. I am not exaggerating when I say that I have never had a tool that feels so natural and balanced in your hand! The store I encountered it first at my local Home Depot and they had the previous generation, which were identical spec, size and shape, except for the color and the fact that it came with 3.0Ah batteries instead of 1, 5 in this batch (and if I do not fault in the charger this is a bit more advanced). I liked the weight and balance on this player, with 15 minutes charging time, I was willing to sacrifice travel time for lower weight and better balance.

After a month of use I am very happy with the service and my purchase. It is an impressive job of driving screws of all types and sizes. Much better than anything I've used and the benefits of lithium-ion hold their charge while sitting on the shelf is very handy. I will continue to drag my 18 V or 14.4 V when the pilot holes are necessary, but since this is only for the convenience of not having to change bits, and I still use the DeWalt for tight spaces and more delicate tasks.

If you need more driving time, I recommend getting the previous generation model. My only regret is that right now here at Amazon, instead I saw the kit with drilled delivered to almost the same price as this kit. At the time I bought it was that the combo kit $ 70 more, and I chose to save money. Otherwise, I definitely do not regret my purchase.

DEWALT DC720KA Cordless 18-Volt Compact Drill/Driver

As a matter of full transparency, I use this exercise as a DIY homeowner on small projects. This drill was my upgrade to the world of pro-grade power tools from Cheapo 14.4V Black & Decker drill. I upgraded mainly because I was frustrated about having to drill holes for lag screws all the time because of lack of power. In addition, my former so-called variable speed drill only had two speeds, ie 400 or 800 revolutions per minute, there's nothing in between, so I was constantly stripping screw heads. After some serious research on Makita, Milwaukee, Hitachi, and Dewalt, I chose the Dewalt. Why? Because of the power and design of the tool. Dewalt uses its own measurement of torque (unit watts out), while most other companies list a maximum torque in ft-lbs. In my opinion the best I equate UWO to the amp rating of the audio receiver. The recipients list many companies have their amp rating with only one channel driven. Seldom that companies list amp rating with all channels driven. UWO, for me, Dewalt real world continuous torque, just as all channels driven into an amplifier. So for this exercise, even if Dewalt lists it at 410 UWO, I think this probably corresponds to nearly maximum torque of 450 ft lbs if not more. In addition, I really like the fact that DeWalt uses all Metal Gear and it has solid magnetic building in its engine.

Regardless of the cause. Although most companies have wholeheartedly taken Lion Technology Dewalt chosen to slowly move into it and therefore still has a large number of tools with NiCd batteries, I really debated on the Ni v Lions thing. But really, for my purposes, I doubt that I will use the drill so much that I will use up two batteries. I really like to have a back-up battery stops charging issues. Of course there is a weight problem, but again, for me is a difference in weight of 6-8 grams is not a game breaker.

The next drill was DC720KA Hitachi DS18DSAL. Really solid construction drill with good power. Unfortunately, from a purely superficially, Hitachi looks like a toy with green trim. So I went with the Dewalt. When it comes to real performance, very happy so far. Unable to drill 2 "long - 1 / 8" dia. screws, studs without a pilot, no problem. This parasite has power. Really like the LED light. The extra heft of NiCd drill gives really good balance. Trigger felt right and was able to modulate the speed very accurately (true variable speed!). I hope this review helps, as other studies that just seems to spout from Dewalt sucks or "it is not lithium, so it sucks" comment.

Makita LCT300W 18-Volt Compact Lithium-Ion Cordless 3-Piece Combo Kit

I have used this kit heavily to finish a basement. I did some shopping around originally to upgrade my old 9.6 volt battery. I had narrowed down the Dewalt DC720KA, Milwaukee compact 18V or BDF142 when I came across this kit. I have never used an impact driver before this, but I discovered all the pros now do their screwing with them. I'm glad I decided to give it a try!

Impact Driver: I will never drive screws with a drill again! Considerably less pressure is required to keep some contact with Phillips screw head. I ran 3 "wood screws all week and not only deprived of the head. It can install a fastener in tight spaces where a drill or a hammer / nail just can not go. Superior torque will bury the screw (head and all), so deep woods that you want to go. I want this more than any other tool in the kit. It is a bit expensive!

Lives: Good combination of power and speed. Enough to drive a 1 1 / 4 "self feed bit by 3 1 / 2" of pressure-treated wood to the high torgue setting. 5 / 8 "Self Feed Bit eat by studs in a flash of the high speed. It's easy as a cordless tool should be, and has the best power / weight ratio of any wireless long. It comes with a quality chuck and lots of torque . I think the drill is slightly better than the compact 18-volt Milwaukee and just a shade behind Dewalt DC720KA both fine products.

Light: four practical head angle adjustments from 0 degrees to about 110 degrees and a ribbon for hanging. Not a primary reason to buy this kit, but it has come in really handy for me.

Kit positive: Nice compact case, there is room for tools. The batteries can be recharged in 15 minutes. These tools have serious power. The combo of the drill and impact driver is unmatched in this price range. You would spend twice as much to get the equivalent from another manufacturer. All three tools are a pleasure to use. LED light on the drill and impact driver is useful when working in dark corners.

Kit negative: Playtime may not be enough for heavy users. Not a problem for me, makes fast charging for it. I can use the power to run all day on two full battery charges. Most of the blacks on these tools is rubber, except for those raised Makita logo, which is color. I have attached themselves to the impact driver in some tight spots that have caused some of this paint scraping. You can buy belt clips for these tools of e-bay, there is only a minor inconvenience.

Total: Given what you get for the price, this is a five-star kits.

DEWALT DCD760KL 18-Volt 1/2-Inch Cordless Compact Lithium-Ion Drill/Driver Kit

I was happy to try this drill / screwdriver out. I was not disappointed. I thrive with a weight of a 18V drill / driver. The battery duration. Although I did not know that Li-Ion battery pack just finished turning the drill instead of slowing down as a Ni-Cad battery does. This was my first Li-Ion drill. It does however not a problem, just pop the second battery in and continue.

The only thing that caused me a problem in the first place was the brake drill. If I did not pull the pieces, which means narrow drill at a high connection setup after a couple of times to use the drill / screwdriver bit should fall off. The emergency brake stopped the drill so well that Chuck would open and the pieces would be solved. I expect that when the brake is a small, one can not turn off the engine so quickly, it will not be a problem. I will not have this facility has changed. It's nice to get it to stop as quickly.

We go through a lot of cordless drills and had a lot of problems with NiCad batteries in Milwaukee 18V drill and gearboxes in Makita (partly from operator abuse) and with lithium-ion, we decided to give DeWalt drills a try. Very glad we did because they have much power and 3-speed gearboxes. The hammer action is good enough for a 3 / 8 "hole and the torque is good enough for even a 6" hole, so if it is one of the new types with deep grooves (Big Hawg and Blue Boar TCT).

Chuck is difficult to unload first, but it is better than any other drill chuck I have used. Battery is the largest of any of our exercises and also weighs more, but provides plenty of power and lasts and lasts. Charge time is good, and with long battery life, I get all day with only the original battery and rarely need to use parts.

Side handle can be tightened in any position that Bosch and Makita drills that I like, but DeWalt does not include a deep stake as Makita or a way to fix later.

Buy this exercise if you want the most powerful 18 V drill round. Also have 2-year battery warranty.

DEWALT DCD775KL 1/2-Inch 18-Volt Cordless Compact Lithium-Ion Hammer-Drill Kit

I was fortunate to catch this gem when it was on the Amazon Deal of the Day ... for an amazing $ 134 ($ 159 - $ 25 marketing to spend $ 100on Dewalt tools) that the price is unusual for a 18-volt hammer drill, complete W / 2 batteries, charger and a carrying case. I did not think twice when I saw the shop and I have not regretted my purchase.

Now, on the drill itself. The importance of this compact drill and battery weighs about the same if not less than my full size DCD970 Dewalt hammer drill without battery! The compact size makes it ideal to get into smaller spaces without compromising approach.

Edit / selection tool for two-speed "transmission" is very easy / easy. My DCD970 has a 3-speed gearbox and top gear is noticeably faster, but the gear lever to change speeds tend to catch and it takes a lot of fun and energy trying to change speeds. The DCD775 the gear selector is a big improvement, sooo much easier to select another gear. And no one has DCD970 is the switch does not become bad over time, occurred the same way when it was new.

LED light drilling is also an added plus to illuminate areas not well lit. By no means is it a substitute for an ordinary flashlight / shop light, but it comes in handy.

The lithium batteries are awesome! No delay or pull, drill held at 100% until the battery is almost completely emptied ... Unlike NiCd batteries that show signs of a weak battery by gradually losing power. Not the case with this battery, it is full throttle until it reaches its full of useful links and then turns off to protect the battery to fully discharge (very bad for long battery life).

30-minute charger! Cool! With my old wireless 18V B & D drill, if my battery dies I will have to wait for hours (6 hours light) for a full charge and even with that it does not last more than 1-2 hours of constant use. DEWALT lithium batteries easily last twice as long and live up to demands for a 30-minute charge. I am a believer!

Possible improvements:
- It would have been nice if the drill came with a bit holder
- The block to the bit holder (in front of the drill battery) popped out every time I took a piece out. I had to bend the locking flange and use a screwdriver to push it all the way to ensure this. So far so good ...

All in all, I love this exercise and I'm super glad I bought it. I'm a fan of DeWalt, but if you're not, but are in the market for a new cordless drill, I recommend this exercise, or any reputable fire drill with a lithium battery.