Which power tools do I need for upcoming jobs?

[SteveKelly]

I've got some jobs need doing round my old (1920s) bungalow, some more urgent than others, but I'm not too clear on what I need in the short & medium/long term.

The items in the mix are (cordless):
- impact driver
- drill driver
- combi drill

Here's what I've got to do, with rough timescales:
- replace a single rotten floorboard - I have the tools to get the rotten one up, but I want some sort of driver to screw the new board down - needs to be done now
- screw down a few loose floorboards (under carpet) - v short term
- put up a roller blind into a pvc window frame - small screws, low number, into plastic - in the v. short term
- board out my loft - short/medium term
- replace skirting/door frames round most of house (this might just be nails n hammer job?) - long term

Plus any other odd jobs that crop up, as they do with such an old place ...

So I was excited about getting an impact driver, but I'm not sure if that's overkill for the smaller jobs, like small screws into plastic, and as I understand it, you can't turn off the 'impact' part of it (thus making it a handy small normal screwdriver) on most of the non-top-dollar models...
which btw, why don't they have that function?! ... if they did, it would suit most if not all of my needs, I think.

And a combi drill might suit all, but doesn't work in the same way as an impact driver for driving long screws into wood... it's not (anywhere near) as easy...is that right?

I need tools for the small and bigger jobs, but not sure if one tool fits all?

Given my needs, what would you advise I need to get, and when?
I expect the ideal combination would be an impact driver and a combi drill? ... but I'll struggle to get both of those right away, as I want at least semi-decent kit.

Thanks in advance.
And please excuse my ignorance/anything I've understood wrong so far.

Cheers.
Steve.

 

[phatboy]

A drill driver should suit you fine for now.

Makita do a kit of a decent drill driver and impact driver for about £140, if thats not stretching your budget too far? Add £10 for a nice set of driver bits that fit both, and a few quite for drill bits if you need them.

Since getting my Makita drill driver, I barely use my larger cordless drill.

 

[SteveKelly]

thanks for the reply.

funny you should say that, that was the last thing I was looking up last night, a Makita kit!

I did see some cheaper ones, in the low 100s, but they were all 10.8v.
I can go a little bit higher on that, so am I better off getting 18v, right?

And if I can afford it, would a better combination be:
- drill driver + impact driver...
or
- combi drill + impact driver ?

A combi drill does what a drill driver can do PLUS masonry drilling with hammer action, is that right?

Thanks.[/u]

 

[Belboz]

A combi drill does what a drill driver can do PLUS masonry drilling with hammer action, is that right?

Steve - be aware of the limitations when using the 'smaller' cordless drills in masonry. All of them will quote a maximum drill depth in masonry so take heed.

Fine for some lighter jobs but some of them may struggle when drilling through concrete lintels etc.

Can't see anything that problematic on your list but just thought I would let you know that even a hammer action drill driver will not always be able to tackle the really tough jobs.

Personally, I have a selection of cordless drills/drivers but I use my ancient (and I mean ancient) B&D corded drill for heavy stuff.

Just my tuppence worth....

 

[SteveKelly]

A combi drill does what a drill driver can do PLUS masonry drilling with hammer action, is that right?

Steve - be aware of the limitations when using the 'smaller' cordless drills in masonry. All of them will quote a maximum drill depth in masonry so take heed.

Fine for some lighter jobs but some of them may struggle when drilling through concrete lintels etc.

Can't see anything that problematic on your list but just thought I would let you know that even a hammer action drill driver will not always be able to tackle the really tough jobs.

Personally, I have a selection of cordless drills/drivers but I use my ancient (and I mean ancient) B&D corded drill for heavy stuff.

Just my tuppence worth....

heeded, thanks dude!

I've got a knackered old cheap corded drill, though it still works, so I'll just keep that (instead of my original intention of luzzing it) for anything the cordless can't do.

 

[Belboz]

Good idea that. Never thought I would need my old B&D when cordless became the 'norm' but it has come in handy on numerous occasions.

Whatever you decide to buy, I suggest you shop around. Don't be tempted to necessarily go straight for the sheds or even the bigger online sites. My experience is that there are significant savings to be made by using some of the smaller online retailers.

I cannot mention them here but I have saved shedloads of cash by shopping around and using one or two of the smaller online specialist retailers.

My advice is to look at what kit you want then put the make and model number into a search engine.

It will take time to go through all the hits but I can assure you that it will save you a significant amount by doing so.

Not trying to teach you how to suck eggs though!!

 

[SteveKelly]

hmmm, my reply seems to have vanished!
oh well, not typing that all out again!

Yes, thanks mate, one thing I am experienced in is online research/followed by best buys by part number search. Cheers though.

I am thinking of ordering this kit with a deal on at the mo:
http://www.screwfix.com/p/makita-dlx2020sy-18v-li-ion-twin-pack-combi-drill-impact-driver/45732#

Not many left though, none for delivery, so will be researching that in a minute, then putting order in for collection, if any are left!

Seems like a decent deal though, no?!

They're only weak batteries, I know, but just for my irregular infrequent home DIY, that should be enough for me, especially as there are 2 of 'em

 

[skotl]

That drill is on at £110 at screwfix right now, and I've seen it on sale at £99 in the past.

So, unless you desperately need an impact driver (which, from the jobs you listed, doesn't sound likely?) I would think you could get a better deal on the drill side.

 

[SteveKelly]

oh, really? guess I've misunderstood what the benefits of impact driver were then. I thought the whole idea of the impact driver was to make non-simple screwing jobs a whole lot easier/quicker (aka, including jobs like screwing down floorboards or loft-boards).

If I thought that I wouldn't benefit from having an ID then yes, I would be looking at drills only.

 

[skotl]

Impact drivers are great for motor mechanics to remove rusted, seized or just plain obstinate bolts.

I never baulk at the chance to buy a new tool, or even a different version of a tool that I already have, but have never concluded that I'd need an impact driver for household tasks. A decent drill, like the Makita you list, with screw/drill/hammer options and variable torque would do great.

Using an impact driver to, for example, attempt to remove a stuck screw is more likely to strip the screw head.

Wikipedia's take on impact drivers; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impact_driver

Here's an impact driver in use on a motor, on youtube;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Z6C-HoWx7c

And to give a balanced view, some people do like an impact driver for DIY, as evidenced by this chap, but he is driving coach bolts rather than screws.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFYtZJ4FOh0

So, some may disagree with me, but I don't see that you need to spend an extra £110 on one...

 

[SteveKelly]

No, thanks for that boss! Much appreciated.

I'm all up for balanced well-reasoned opinions.
And on reflection, I think you're probably right, I'm sure I don't need an ID right now (as much as I bloody want one!! )

I think I'll be best just spending on a little more and getting a decent single combi drill/driver (e.g. a bit more than £100-130 range...but less than the £230 that the kit costs).

So then my next questions would be:
- what sort of torque should I be looking for to make easy work of stuff like screwing down floor/loft boards? and,
- without an impact driver, does that mean I will have to mess about with drilling pilot holes (...for stuff like screwing down floor/loft boards...)?
- Battery...is it worth paying extra for 4Ah over 3Ah (for my intended usage)?
- Brushless technology - approve? or not worth the extra?

I'm looking at the
DHP453:
Max. drilling capacity in masonry 13mm, wood 36mm, steel 13mm. Max. torque 42Nm hard / 27Nm soft. Overall length 245mm. Weight 2kg.
http://www.screwfix.com/p/makita-dh...dless-combi-drill-w-101pc-accessory-kit/20547

and the BHP459 (brushless):
Max. drilling capacity in masonry 13mm, wood 38mm, steel 13mm. Max. torque 45Nm hard / 25Nm soft. Overall length 206mm. Weight 1.7kg.
http://www.screwfix.com/p/makita-bh...ll/84278#product_additional_details_container

So the 459 has the higher 'hard torque', and the 453 has the higher 'soft torque'... does this make any meaningful difference for driving? (...I assume you use the 'soft' setting for driving, and 'hard' for drilling...)

I like the look of the 459.
Is there any significance to it being white in colour though? doesn't indicate an old model, does it? Just that on a quick google, everywhere else shows it in blue (including the Makita UK site).

Cheers guys...sorry for my epic posts...I'm a fan of detail!!

 

[skotl]

No worries.

I have Makita 14.4V nicad drills and love them. Going with 18V li-on drills should do pretty much everything you'd like.

Rather that spending £230 on the drill + impact kit, I'd heartily recommend getting a twin drill kit for much the same money. I have two matching drills and 4 batteries.
Having two drills is a massive faff-saver; you can leave the drill bit in one and the screw bit in the other; drill / screw / drill / screw / drill / screw, without constantly having to change bits.

Having four batteries means that, even with my 14.4V units, I never run out of juice. If I'm at it all day (ooh-err) then every time I swap a battery over, I also put a different one in the charger.

As for heavy hammer drilling, the Makitas (and similar) are great for most jobs but sometimes you can't beat a mains-powered drill for sheer power, so I have a £30 B&Q special that is used for nothing else apart from hammer-drilling (when the cordless units are not suitable).

Finally, re pilot holes. Firstly, with two cordless drills this is not as much of a pain; one for pilots, one for screwdriving.
But it also comes down to your screws - Screwfix turbo golds are great at self-piloting and are very easy to drive home with the cordless drills.



To summarise; two cordless 18V drills with two (or ideally four) batteries, a £30 corded hammer drill, and bumper packs of turbo gold screws from Screwfix

 

[skotl]

On a different note, re your skirting boards job, this is an excellent reason to invest in a sliding compound mitre saw

One of these boys would be just the job!

http://www.screwfix.com/p/evolution-rage3-s-210mm-sliding-compound-mitre-saw-240v/60839

(p.s. I don't work for Screwfix!)

 

[SteveKelly]

(p.s. I don't work for Screwfix!)

you sure about that?!

What I read from your last posts is "you should buy the BHP459, and do it NOW" ... so on that note, I will go bargain-hunting!

Thanks for help, chaps.
Steve.

 

[cajar]

that's just a toy, buy the DHP458 instead and you wont need another cordless drill