Archived from the Tools In Action forum (Power Tools). This thread is read-only.
What do all of you think of multiple speeds on impact drivers? Is this something everyone or no one needs?
At first I couldn’t really care about the speeds, but after using the Milwaukee, I love the speed selector. Most of the time I am in 3 speed, but on occasion, I do drop it down to 1 or 2.
Ive found with my makita impact driver and my milwaukee impact driver that finding certain trigger finger postions will give me about 5 consistant speeds. knowing this personally i feel that variable speed is more of a diy or construction paced feature.Possibly handy for work were you either dont know your tool well enough or you dont have the time to check all of your work. also if you have to check to see if you stripped a screw or if youve sunk a screw too deep .
I think it could go either way, and voted as such. I will say that the speed / power setting is nice with an 18v impactor because you can dial it donw so to speak and really limit the torque and impacts in the item allowing you to almost use it like a 12v (My Milwaukee Fuel Impact has the three settings). This is really nice when doing fine work when you are lazy and dont fell like getting a different tool.
I feel the same way Chris. It’s really not an absolutly nessesary feature, but if it adds functionality than why the hell not?
I have to admit, having that speed selector is really nice. Especially when doing delicate work. What it boils down to is I no longer have a 12v impactor. Although that new one from Milwaukee looks awful nice!
For example, when I’m using this for work, I fasten into plastic and metal on automobiles where over torquing would be bad a bad thing. When I install say a tonneau cover onto a truck bed with several bolts nuts. I would be able to accurately torque the each of the small screws with mode 1 to the same spec, and all bolts with mode 2. Impacts and rotations of 1600in/lbs can be slowed to roughly 40% on mode 1, and 65-70% on mode 2 giving the user more accuracy.
For example, when I’m using this for work, I fasten into plastic and metal on automobiles where over torquing would be bad a bad thing. When I install say a tonneau cover onto a truck bed with several bolts nuts. I would be able to accurately torque the each of the small screws with mode 1 to the same spec, and all bolts with mode 2. Impacts and rotations of 1600in/lbs can be slowed to roughly 40% on mode 1, and 65-70% on mode 2 giving the user more accuracy.
A great attachment would be one that you could set to an exact torque for specific tasks and these would be fantastic for impact wrenches and impact drivers. 🙂
An impact torque wrench? That would be awesome.
I know my question is why nobody makes one?
I don’t know why they don’t make one, but I sure wish they did. Man, that would be a God send for certain applications.
Just curious but is that what the Milwaukee no-hub toold does? I cannot figure out why anyone would want one other than for specific tasks such as a set torque rating
With impact drivers replacing drills drivers the speed settings are a compromise on not having a clutch.
It’ll be interesting to see what the next 5 years holds.
Yeah that’s true,plus it makes me think I have to ask my Wife for more tool money to prepare!
Zorotools.com a 40% off EVERYTHING +Free Shipping sale on cyber Monday last year. The free shipping included lift gate delivery if needed. I got $400 worth of Proto stuff for under $250. If they do it again this year I will max out my credit card in a heartbeat, lol. There were people ordering $3,000 items and getting them for $1800 including lift gate service. You can’t beat that. They have an enormous selection of stuff too. They’re affiliated with Grainger only cheaper prices.
I have to go with the brushless DeWalt with 3 speeds.
I am still alittle uneasy on the brushless tools. I will wait alittle yet!
crazyandy wrote:
I am still alittle uneasy on the brushless tools. I will wait alittle yet!
The brusless tools are nice and you should have no reservations about investing in them. The technology has been around for years, it’s just only been recently adapted to power tools. The only thing about them is that they are not as great an improvement over the brushed models as they would like you to believe.
Yup Conductor is right on both counts. Wayne Burgess swear by his 4 pole Metabo tools but I’ve got two brush less 18v and they are really nice tools. I wouldn’t shy away from them but clearly brushed tools are still doing pretty well. Look at Makita’s new hammer drill. Torques and speed stats are pretty darn impressive and its got brushes (4 pole design)
Yes i have to say the same about my impact. Will still drive anything i throw at it with the brushed technology.
I will probably end up getting brushless stuff one of these days because it does seem awesome!
Hopefully DeWalt will release there brushless drill/ driver soon.
I am sure they will soon to keep milwaukee on their toes
Yeah i agree