Best place to buy Makita 18V tools

[wavinwayne]

Nice!!! Hopefully not for your cars but for other work. I don't think I ever use my impact driver for car maintenance, repairs

Doubt I would have much use for it on my cars, unless I got creative/destructive. Anyways, I've got the gold plated Icon ratchet for my auto work. To be 100% honest, I'll probably have to create work to get my money's worth out of this impact driver. I used it today to drive some hex head wood screws into wall studs for mounting our living room TV on the wall. It handled that task with ease.

 

[Lenny5160]

I use hex impacts with socket adapters for automotive all the time.

 

[wavinwayne]

I use hex impacts with socket adapters for automotive all the time.

I can see myself removing screws/bolts with the impact, but I'll stick to the hand ratchet for reinstalling, at least until I get a good feel for the power of the impact. It'll definitely come in handy when working on OPE.

 

[Lenny5160]

I can see myself removing screws/bolts with the impact, but I'll stick to the hand ratchet for reinstalling, at least until I get a good feel for the power of the impact. It'll definitely come in handy when working on OPE.

That's one thing I like about the hex impacts rather than an impact wrench. It's going to be dependent on the fasteners being used, but generally speaking they aren't going to have the power to really tear stuff up, especially if you don't sit on the trigger while it impacts. And if it DOES have that kind of power, the 1/4" hex adapter is likely to snap before you rip the head off the bolt or pull the threads out.

 

[wavinwayne]

That's one thing I like about the hex impacts rather than an impact wrench. It's going to be dependent on the fasteners being used, but generally speaking they aren't going to have the power to really tear stuff up, especially if you don't sit on the trigger while it impacts. And if it DOES have that kind of power, the 1/4" hex adapter is likely to snap before you rip the head off the bolt or pull the threads out.

I used it today to take the muffler off my chainsaw to clean the spark arrestor screen. Then when reassembling, I used it to snug up the mounting bolts, just enough to engage the impact driver's "whatever you call it when it makes the machine gun sound". Then I checked the tightness with a hand ratchet and the bolts still needed to be fully tightened. So I'm getting a better idea of how much power the driver has.

 

[cptbarkey]

I can see myself removing screws/bolts with the impact, but I'll stick to the hand ratchet for reinstalling, at least until I get a good feel for the power of the impact. It'll definitely come in handy when working on OPE.

Tom Doby on YT has been one of my favorite channels lately, he works on OPE. Here he is using a hex impact driver with an adapter, it’s pretty much all he uses. It has just enough power and impact to not strip stuff and effortlessly removes bolts.

I still like using my manual 1/4 tekton ratchet set, going somewhat slowly so I can remember how things go back.

 

[UncleDave]

Tom Doby on YT has been one of my favorite channels lately, he works on OPE. Here he is using a hex impact driver with an adapter, it’s pretty much all he uses. It has just enough power and impact to not strip stuff and effortlessly removes bolts.

I still like using my manual 1/4 tekton ratchet set, going somewhat slowly so I can remember how things go back.

View attachment 249536

For small engine work and light auto disassembly and reassembly these tools are mind bending.

Most makita vs something else tests are all about the max power and speed of something - classic deck builder/ framer type work.

Anything involving modulation changes the deal.

What everyone of these guys says every time is that the Makita trigger and ergonomics are the best - and when doing stuff like tightening clamps you are never using full torque but something you want to modulate in this domain Maktia absolutely rules.

 

[Kira]

modulate

Speed control?

 

[UncleDave]

Speed control?

Yes as in a variable speed trigger.

As in get a nut started slow, ramp it up to get it down the bolt, then slow all the way down and tighten to it gently.

 

[Kira]

Right.
I just got my first, compact-ish DeWalt 1/4" driver for use with automotive small stuff in mind.
It was kit with a homeowner's drill/driver/hammer drill (with 2 batteries and charger).
I sure will report if its variable speed operation is bad in any way.

I saw a small Milwaukee branded driver at the outlet too.

 

[UncleDave]

Right.
I just got my first, compact-ish DeWalt 1/4" driver for use with automotive small stuff in mind.
It was kit with a homeowner's drill/driver/hammer drill (with 2 batteries and charger).
I sure will report if its variable speed operation is bad in any way.

I saw a small Milwaukee branded driver at the outlet too.

Im sure it will be fine.
I wore out my first and only Dewalt battery drill and saw making a deck and a shed.
I have a Dewalt mitre saw with lots of miles on it.

 

[gasman556]

I was gifted my first Makita tools/batteries from a good friend. I was likely going to to Rigid/Makita/or worse. I have zero regret and love my makita stuff (aside from the cost). I am still on original batteries around 7-10 years depending on which battery pack and rotate them religiously and only use the smart charger thing after use. My 3 and 5 Ah batteries are still going strong best I can tell, but know I'm on borrowed time. I got a makita impact driver and it's been a big help with rotating tires, sinking lag screws, changing flat tires on the side of the road, etc while also giving me a reason to up my 1/2" drive sockets.

Amazon and home depot have been the primary places I have bought my teal stuff from. They aren't on sale near as often as any of the alternatives, but I try to be smart on buying stuff when they do go on sale. I even bought a makita backpack blower that is 4 stroke! Sounds kinda cool compared to the one it replaced - not as high pitched of a whine when wide open.

EDIT: I have only had to return stuff to HD one time because some jack@ss swapped batteries in the "open box" I bought. This was sold "as new" and definitely wasn't. Speed of returns is the only edge I'll give to HD for that one time I had to use it.