Combi Drill/Impact driver kit recomendations

jogdish

Hi,
I do some DIY, enjoy it, and have seen the limitations of my cheap B&D. Would like to spend some money for a tool that will last and also handle most things I will throw at it.


I was thinking one of those drill/driver kits, my budget is around €300, any recommendations?

antiskeptic

I'm around builders alot and they either have Makita or DeWalt. Current builder kitted his company out with DeWalt and regrets it. Reckons that apart from the compound chop saw, it's not as good as Makita anymore.


The impact drivers (in those drill/impact kits are great for heavier duty stuff (stud walls / 4"×2" work) but if that doesn't form a significant amount of your work, better invest your money in a good battery drill/screwdriver. It'll do the heavier stuff too for the odd time you need it.

Not your mix (the impact driver is for big screws not masonary), add a cheap corded rotary hammer drill /kango from screwfix or the like (the battery ones don't like hammer action use except occasional work and are pretty weak) and your good to go.

I wouldn't bother with halfway house quality. Get a good battery drill and you can lean on it when needed. And it will last.

Have a hitachi (or whatever their rebrand is) myself and its holding up well, as did the last hitachi I had, so another to consider if there'll a good deal on it.

antiskeptic

antiskeptic wrote: »

Have a hitachi (or whatever their rebrand is) myself and its holding up well, as did the last hitachi I had, so another to consider if there'll a good deal on it.

The last Hitachi's I had didn't stand up too well and I don't abuse tools. A failed controller on one and a shagged motor on the other. No abuse, just drilling <10mm holes in sheet metal, running a spade or centrepoint bit when making some wooden projects, occasionally a small wire wheel or driving 3-4" screws and that kind of thing. They weren't in the lower end of the range either at about 175 per drill/driver 'bare', batteries and charger were extra. I won't buy from Hitachi (Hi-Koki now) again.

Last time I went with Panasonic. Smashing quality, top end pro grade tools around the workshop and farm. Very popular in industrial assembly plants and the likes and their impact drivers are also highly rated. Also added a couple of small Metabo PowerMaxx for quick/handy use and based on the quality of those tools gladly recommend Metabo also.

Lumen

Ryobi get good reviews on here, maybe do a forum search for ryobi drill.

FWIW, my Makita DTS141 "oil pulse driver" is an amazing thing, easily my favourite tool. Small, powerful, quiet. It is ridiculously expensive, but I hardly ever touch my combi drill. I guess it depends on what you intend to do, my projects are mostly outdoors, rough internal refurb and drilling blocks, so if I'm not using the driver I'm using an SDS drill.

Anyway, what I don't really understand about drills is: if I'm using an SDS for masonry and some kind of "screwgun" (in my case the impulse driver) for putting screws in, the drill is for pilot holes, so why do I need a massive heavy combi drill with hammer action? Is there some lighter, smaller drill which is ideally suited to pilot holes?

Lumen

Lumen wrote: »

Is there some lighter, smaller drill which is ideally suited to pilot holes?

That's exactly what I got the Metabo PowerMaxx BS ones to do. Small, light, plenty powerful enough for what they're intended to do. No need to drive a tack with a sledgehammer

I use the ryobi stuff (home use ) and think they are good value for money,
The cheaper ryobi stuff is nearly all brushed motors.
They sell them body only too so you can buy one 4ah battery and get whatever you want.
The SDS drill is about 80/90 and is fine for 6/8mm masonry holes .its not the same hammer as a hilti but thats in a different category/price range.
I've used it on site a few times and the lads were impressed for the money.
Wouldn't bother with the impact driver unless you were driving screws all the time, the cordless drill is more versatile .

I've the cordless drill,the sds drill,a ripsaw and a torch.
the torch is absolutely fantastic

https://www.sotel.de/en/Werkzeug-Garten/Werkstatt-Ausstattung/Ryobi-R18ALF-0-One-Plus-Folding-Area-Light-18-V-Body-Only.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw27jnBRBuEiwAdjQXDC26k9X4ZM7IdFkrX4BV-m9IoI2MEF-5BqBFiXPfove48zdG0rdwkBoC_fkQAvD_BwE&cur=0

got if for 40e in homebase

Lumen

Here's a nice video explaining the impact driver mechanism and pros/cons vs conventional drill/driver.

It reminded me that a major advantage of the impact driver is the safety+convenience element, i.e. that you can use it one handed leaning off the top of a ladder without getting thrown off by a torque reaction.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2JRhT4tvaM

Gen.Zhukov

The OP is gas. Starts numerous threads looking for advice, suggestions or help.
Lots of people reply on all of the threads giving advice, suggestions and help.

People spend their time typing, researching, looking for links etc and he just fecks off and says nothing. No individual thanks, no general 'cheers guys', just fecks off!

I think he thinks robots are answering his threads.

Gen.Zhukov

Gen.Zhukov wrote: »

The OP is gas. Starts numerous threads looking for advice, suggestions or help.
Lots of people reply on all of the threads giving advice, suggestions and help.

People spend their time typing, researching, looking for links etc and he just fecks off and says nothing. No individual thanks, no general 'cheers guys', just fecks off!

I think he thinks robots are answering his threads.

Ah don't be too harsh. Folks forget to acknowledge they've had good advice sometimes. Busy life and all that. Doesn't mean they don't appreciate it. And in fairness, he's taken the advice onboard that he was given at the start of the month. Decent drill/driver set instead of just another sheite drill to add to his B&D. And a decent enough budget too. So give credit where it's due and assume he's grateful for good advice well received.

If he comes asking a 3rd time without any thanks, we'll all let him have it!

K.Flyer

I have to recommend either Hitachi or Milwaukee, both I have a very long time, both have worked hard, both still reliable, with the exception of one of the Hitachi batteries.

jogdish

I would like to take this opportunity to offer a massive thanks to the thread, the site and all the posters....oh wait they are playing the music I better make this quick.

Much appreciated, yes I havedasked plenty, I've also learned plenty and also do offer advice to others here when I can (not in DIY yet).

Honestly was not aware people waited on a thanks.

Dtp1979

K.Flyer wrote: »

I have to recommend either Hitachi or Milwaukee, both I have a very long time, both have worked hard, both still reliable, with the exception of one of the Hitachi batteries.

Milwaukee for me too. I have the m18 6 battery charger. All my tools now, use these batteries, even the vacuum.

Gen.Zhukov

jogdish wrote: »

I would like to take this opportunity to offer a massive thanks to the thread, the site and all the posters....oh wait they are playing the music I better make this quick.

Much appreciated, yes I havedasked plenty, I've also learned plenty and also do offer advice to others here when I can (not in DIY yet).

Honestly was not aware people waited on a thanks.

I don't give a flying about thanks. There is hardly one acknowledgement in any of your threads to any of the people that try and help. It's just basic manners.

K.Flyer

K.Flyer wrote: »

I have to recommend either Hitachi or Milwaukee, both I have a very long time, both have worked hard, both still reliable, with the exception of one of the Hitachi batteries.

Add that to my two failures then on a pair of Hitachi 18v drills. The motor I was able to replace myself for €45, the controller wasn't readily available so the drill was scrapped.

EDIT: I like the Milwaukee gear, at least the older range of stuff. I have an older AEG which had a Milwaukee equivalent and it just keeps going. I replaced the motor in it which cost less than a tenner as it was just worn out. Still working fine now, so I'd put that in the 'money well spent' category.

K.Flyer

There are a lot of regular posters, some are experts in their field, who freely give their time, experience and share knowledge on the site over a wide variety of subjects.
I think it is only courteous for posters looking for advice or help to at least acknowledge the contributions.

K.Flyer

JayZeus wrote: »

Add that to my two failures then on a pair of Hitachi 18v drills. The motor I was able to replace myself for €45, the controller wasn't readily available so the drill was scrapped.

I suppose like a lot of things, you can be unlucky and get a bad one. Mine has given me great service, as has the Milwaukee, can't complain at all.
In my regular hire shop most of the power tools are Hitachi and have been for donkeys years.

K.Flyer

JayZeus wrote: »

EDIT: I like the Milwaukee gear, at least the older range of stuff. I have an older AEG which had a Milwaukee equivalent and it just keeps going. I replaced the motor in it which cost less than a tenner as it was just worn out. Still working fine now, so I'd put that in the 'money well spent' category.

Yes, the old AEGs and Atlas Copco units were very good. When my Atlas gave up I replaced it with the Milwaukee.

K.Flyer

K.Flyer wrote: »

I suppose like a lot of things, you can be unlucky and get a bad one. Mine has given me great service, as has the Milwaukee, can't complain at all.
In my regular hire shop most of the power tools are Hitachi and have been for donkeys years.

I'm with you there.

I have a 9" Hitachi angle grinder which I've run the bollix off and at 15 years+ and rarely a shot of compressed air or wipe of a rag, it's caked in crud, looks nasty AF and shows no sign of stopping.

I think it comes down to the kind of tool in some instances. There's a lot of stuff inside a modern cordless drill that can be a bit more sensitive than in older kit, or more basic mechanical power tools. Motors/brushes, I'm okay with those failing. Speed/switching controllers, charging controllers, battery circuit controllers failing, well, that stuff just pisses me off no end and will turn cold on a brand in a heart beat. If I can't get it fixed or at least find the parts on a tool that's barely 3 years old, I'm done with them.

dodzy

This

https://www.amazon.co.uk/DEWALT-DCK266P2T-GB-Impact-Driver-Brushless/dp/B0716NHPFY

jogdish

Pulled the trigger, got DeWalt DCD 795 with 2 2Ah batt. No real use yet, but overall very impressed. Got it in B&Q and got a DeWalt Impact driver DCF 887 separately.

dodzy

jogdish wrote: »

Pulled the trigger, got DeWalt DCD 795 with 2 2Ah batt. No real use yet, but overall very impressed. Got it in B&Q and got a DeWalt Impact driver DCF 887 separately.

Great choice, you will not be dissapointed. The 887 is a little beast.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

K.Flyer wrote: »

There are a lot of regular posters, some are experts in their field, who freely give their time, experience and share knowledge on the site over a wide variety of subjects.
I think it is only courteous for posters looking for advice or help to at least acknowledge the contributions.

Somebody píss in your cornflakes? Who are you to lecture others on their behavior? If the OP doesn't want to say thanks within the time frame you assigned to him, then so be it.

Gen.Zhukov

Hallie Clever Dew wrote: »

Somebody píss in your cornflakes? Who are you to lecture others on their behavior? If the OP doesn't want to say thanks within the time frame you assigned to him, then so be it.

^Your one and only post in DIY. Are you just cruising around looking for a row?

Who are you to lecture people on the content of their posts or for voicing a common view on basic manners (within a thread/forum that you have sfa to do with)?

Someone piss in your cornflakes?