DeWalt 18v four tool set for $199

The Dude said:
sd said:
my wife doesn't allow me to use power tools.
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Your wife calls me the human power tool.
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The rest of us just call you a tool.

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The thing I like about that set is that it comes with a flashlight. When your battery runs to low in your tool you can put it in the flashlight set to ON for a couple hours to drain it completely. It makes your batteries last longer and hold charge better if you drain them completely before charging.

 
That's a pretty solid buy IMO, I have a Bosch cordless drill right now that has a 1-hour charger with it and it's awesome. I don't know if I need to buy this, but there is a good chance I will. Then when I bring it out my wife will be like, "When did you get that?!" and I'll say, "Oh this? I've had this for years?!"

 
I've never held an impact driver or wrench in my hands.

I know I'm probably missing out and it makes me sad...but I can't justify buying one because I can't think of a project I'd use it on where it would be necessary and I couldn't just use my drill driver or socket wrench.

Dear Abby, please help.

~ Impactless with Indecision

 
BIGREDIOWAN said:
That's a pretty solid buy IMO, I have a Bosch cordless drill right now that has a 1-hour charger with it and it's awesome. I don't know if I need to buy this, but there is a good chance I will. Then when I bring it out my wife will be like, "When did you get that?!" and I'll say, "Oh this? I've had this for years?!"
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Perhaps you should buy her some battery powered tools as well.
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Conga3 said:
I've never held an impact driver or wrench in my hands.

I know I'm probably missing out and it makes me sad...but I can't justify buying one because I can't think of a project I'd use it on where it would be necessary and I couldn't just use my drill driver or socket wrench.

Dear Abby, please help.

~ Impactless with Indecision
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You ever built one of those wood swingsets for kids? I have, an impact gun would've been awesome for the anchors that are in the ground. Took forever with a socket wrench to get those lag bolts secured all the way.

 
Conga3 said:
I've never held an impact driver or wrench in my hands.

I know I'm probably missing out and it makes me sad...but I can't justify buying one because I can't think of a project I'd use it on where it would be necessary and I couldn't just use my drill driver or socket wrench.

Dear Abby, please help.

~ Impactless with Indecision
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You can probably get by using your drill driver or socket wrench but if you regularly drive 3" or longer fasteners the impact is a godsend. It's also a lot shorter than most drill drivers which can be pretty handy at times.

 
carlfense said:
Conga3 said:
I've never held an impact driver or wrench in my hands.

I know I'm probably missing out and it makes me sad...but I can't justify buying one because I can't think of a project I'd use it on where it would be necessary and I couldn't just use my drill driver or socket wrench.

Dear Abby, please help.

~ Impactless with Indecision
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You can probably get by using your drill driver or socket wrench but if you regularly drive 3" or longer fasteners the impact is a godsend. It's also a lot shorter than most drill drivers which can be pretty handy at times.
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So, let's say I'm building a deck.

I could totally see using an impact driver/wrench on the lag screws that secure the ledger board to the house. I remember those taking forever to ratchet on.

But what about the regular screws you use on the decking? Any advantage to using an impact driver instead of a good drill driver?

 
Conga3 said:
So, let's say I'm building a deck.

I could totally see using an impact driver/wrench on the lag screws that secure the ledger board to the house. I remember those taking forever to ratchet on.

But what about the regular screws you use on the decking? Any advantage to using an impact driver instead of a good drill driver?
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I'd definitely use the impact for deck screws. (Both the lags that you probably used in the ledger board and the ~3" screws that you used on the decking.) The impact drives screws faster than even a good drill driver. Additionally, the impact driver bit is closer to where you grip the gun so there is a lot more stability when starting the fastener.

Basically, if you are going to just own one or the other you have to go with the drill driver because you can use it to drill holes and drive fasteners. That said, if I'm just driving screws and don't need a drill I'll grab the impact every time. (Also, if you find yourself using spade bits frequently the impact really makes the chips fly without torquing your wrist when the bit inevitably sticks.)

Edit: Here's what Popular Mechanics says:

An impact driver looks similar to a drill/driver but for one noticeable distinction—instead of a keyless chuck, it has a collet that accepts hex-shanked driver bits. This tool is specially engineered to do one job: drive screws, which it does faster and easier than any other tool. Impact drivers can drive long, large fasteners—including fat lag screws—that would stall the very best drill/driver.
The impact driver uses both bit rotation and concussive blows to power-drive screws through the thickest, densest woods. The result of this combo is raw, unadulterated power. In fact, impact drivers typically deliver two to three times more turning force (torque) than the average drill/driver. How powerful? During a recent Popular Mechanics tool test, one 18-volt impact driver drove an astonishing 138 3-inch lag screws on a single charge. Despite its brute strength, an impact driver is easy and comfortable to use because the concussive action transfers much of that high-energy torque directly to the screw, not to your wrist or forearm. (An impact driver does not have a slip clutch, but the concussive action allows you to drive screws with great control and precision.)

So, if you’re planning projects that require driving a ton of screws, or a lot of very large or long screws, then consider an impact driver. For example, impact drivers are ideal for building decks, installing tile backer board, and screwing down plywood subfloors. If you’re not planning to work on such projects, you might want to stick with the versatility of the cordless drill/driver. However, the gap between these two useful tools might be closing: Some manufacturers now offer drill chucks and other hole-drilling accessories for use in an impact driver.
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http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/reviews/power-tools/cordless-drill-driver-vs-impact-driver-which-do-you-need-14583956

 
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