Comments on: Makita’s 18V Compact Li-Ion Impact Driver: Small Tool, Big Power http://toolmonger.com/2007/03/30/makitas-18v-compact-li-ion-impact-driver-small-tool-big-power/ All tools. All the time. Your source for news, information, and reviews of hand tools, power tools, and tools of all kinds. Sat, 19 Jul 2008 03:34:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: Makita 18V Li-Ion impact driver: snub-nosed wonder | Do it Yourself http://toolmonger.com/2007/03/30/makitas-18v-compact-li-ion-impact-driver-small-tool-big-power/#comment-179768 Fri, 14 Dec 2007 16:19:56 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/03/30/makitas-18v-compact-li-ion-impact-driver-small-tool-big-power/#comment-179768 [...] Toolmonger’s review of that tool. [...] […] Toolmonger’s review of that tool. […]

]]> by: Ryan C http://toolmonger.com/2007/03/30/makitas-18v-compact-li-ion-impact-driver-small-tool-big-power/#comment-52360 Tue, 17 Apr 2007 16:24:34 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/03/30/makitas-18v-compact-li-ion-impact-driver-small-tool-big-power/#comment-52360 I'm in the market for one of these impact wrenches. I will be using it mainly for automotive use, removing rusted suspension bolts etc. Would I be better off with a impact "wrench," or an impact "driver" like the above with an adapter for 3/8 sockets? Would it make a difference - I'm guessing the wrench similar to Makita's 6933FDWE will be better for torquing my old bolts out...but the driver may prove more useful around the house. I’m in the market for one of these impact wrenches. I will be using it mainly for automotive use, removing rusted suspension bolts etc. Would I be better off with a impact “wrench,” or an impact “driver” like the above with an adapter for 3/8 sockets?

Would it make a difference - I’m guessing the wrench similar to Makita’s 6933FDWE will be better for torquing my old bolts out…but the driver may prove more useful around the house.

]]> by: Bob http://toolmonger.com/2007/03/30/makitas-18v-compact-li-ion-impact-driver-small-tool-big-power/#comment-43782 Sun, 01 Apr 2007 17:35:17 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/03/30/makitas-18v-compact-li-ion-impact-driver-small-tool-big-power/#comment-43782 Actually this tool (BTD140) weighs 3.3 pounds, according to the Makita website. Actually this tool (BTD140) weighs 3.3 pounds, according to the Makita website.

]]> by: Mike R http://toolmonger.com/2007/03/30/makitas-18v-compact-li-ion-impact-driver-small-tool-big-power/#comment-42688 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 19:34:37 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/03/30/makitas-18v-compact-li-ion-impact-driver-small-tool-big-power/#comment-42688 I have this and love it. Got it with a combo kit, and I use it more than any other too that came with the kit. I've got some drill bit that fit in it, and now I hardly ever touch the drill driver. I did a bunch of projects with this and a friend's Bosch Litheon PS20 and came away really really liking the PS20, but unable to find a compelling reason to buy one already owning the Makita. Makita vs the Bosch PS20 (granted this isn't a fair comparison) - The Makita obviously has tons more power. It can drive drywall screws right through a stack of 2x4s. As in the screw head bores a tunnel through the boards. - The Bosch is lighter, but not so much lighter that I was wishing I had it instead of the Makita. The Makita is very light for its size and power. - The belt loop and bit holders on the Makita are a big plus over the Bosch - The Bosch has an adjustable chuck, but the Makita has a great trigger that is easy to control, so I never felt the need for a chuck - The Makita is significantly shorter than the Bosch from front to back. I was able to get it into some tight quarters that the Bosch couldn't get to - The LED light on the Makita is -alot- brighter. It also comes on and stays on for ~30 seconds with a light tap of the trigger - very handy. The bosch light is only on when the tool is running. I can't say enough good things about this tool. I had 14v and 18v NiMH Makita drills until recently, and the 18v was kind of heavy and the 14v was sometimes not powerfull enough. This thing seems as light or lighter than the 14v drill and has way more power than the 18v drill. I have this and love it. Got it with a combo kit, and I use it more than any other too that came with the kit. I’ve got some drill bit that fit in it, and now I hardly ever touch the drill driver.

I did a bunch of projects with this and a friend’s Bosch Litheon PS20 and came away really really liking the PS20, but unable to find a compelling reason to buy one already owning the Makita.

Makita vs the Bosch PS20 (granted this isn’t a fair comparison)

- The Makita obviously has tons more power. It can drive drywall screws right through a stack of 2×4s. As in the screw head bores a tunnel through the boards.
- The Bosch is lighter, but not so much lighter that I was wishing I had it instead of the Makita. The Makita is very light for its size and power.
- The belt loop and bit holders on the Makita are a big plus over the Bosch
- The Bosch has an adjustable chuck, but the Makita has a great trigger that is easy to control, so I never felt the need for a chuck
- The Makita is significantly shorter than the Bosch from front to back. I was able to get it into some tight quarters that the Bosch couldn’t get to
- The LED light on the Makita is -alot- brighter. It also comes on and stays on for ~30 seconds with a light tap of the trigger - very handy. The bosch light is only on when the tool is running.

I can’t say enough good things about this tool. I had 14v and 18v NiMH Makita drills until recently, and the 18v was kind of heavy and the 14v was sometimes not powerfull enough. This thing seems as light or lighter than the 14v drill and has way more power than the 18v drill.

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