Thread: 18 Volt driver

Originally Posted by perthnovice

what would be your pick as the best driver to buy main reason for purchase is installation of a flat pack kitchen my needs are
a light cause I am half blind
at least two batteries
would be good to get 2 drivers 2 batteries in one package deal

most importantly I want to purchase from a seller on this forum

t.i.a.
Neil

18v is simply too much for assembling flat-pack. Sometimes too much grunt will spell trouble, especially if the products or fixings are a bit weak.

I'd recommend 10.8v instead. Drills & Impact drivers can often be obtained in a set, providing substantial financial savings (only 1 charger) and convenience (common packaging). Look for good deals on sets that include extra batteries. As for which particular brand or model.... everyone on this forum (myself included) has their own opinion on which is the best: usually the particular one they bought! How accurate is that particular judgement is open to conjecture. Of the truly "professional" brands & models there's really little to choose between them. The drills drill, & the impact drivers drive.

Me? I like Metabo. I appreciate the ergonomic design and quality of manufacture. Having a tool that sits upright on its battery rather than laying down on its side is really important to me. Having an extended 3 year warranty on batteries & chargers as well as the basic tools themselves is also pretty convincing, as is the choice of 1.5 ah, 2.0 ah, 4.0 ah & 5.2 ah capacity batteries offered. The latter, advertised in their catalogue, is not actually available yet in 10.8v. Later in the new year is the target date for release. This makes them the longest-running tools available. They also have some excellent 10.8v LED torches and area lights that share the battery platform. These, especially the area light, should amply assist with your vision impairment. I actually own Bosch, but still prefer the new Metabos.

Makita also has a good reputation (and a much larger range of tools available), as does Bosch. Milwaukee probably has the biggest range of different tools, but has a fairly dismal reliability record according to my local tool repairer. That's about the extent of the "professional" grade tools available. Hitachi-Koki do some natty little 10.8v tools too, but I don't think they're readily available here. There's a Festool 10.8v drill too. Some users rave about it, but it's a bit too weird and a little old-fashioned for my tastes.

Any of the abovementioned tools will perform your required functions admirably. Really only the minor details will differ in terms of overall performance. What particular features are of most importance to you can only be answered by yourself!

Many of the drills and drivers have a built in light. Is it a worth while feature? Yes and no. Depending on the length of your bit (or bit and screw) you may find the light from the tool actually casts a shadow where you need to put the bit or screw. Will it provide some light yes but I find an independent light a better source, will also provide light without you needing to continuously pressing a button. You might be able get a package where your tool batteries will also operate a torch or in the case of Makita a combined torch and radio. (Please note this is not a recommendation as I have not used it).

As for what make or package to go for is hard to say without knowing your budget, future requirements, existing skills or even your hand dexterity.

I have a little experience with Festool, one drill with all the bits and pieces will do what you want - but at a price.
At work we have AEG, plenty of guts and a separate button to bring on the light without the motor, driver button tends to make it go from zero to flat out too easily. Myself, I have Makita. Over time I have acquired two drills, a driver, a torch, a couple of charger and a heap of batteries. One of the drills does not have a light, the other one does.

You may pay more at a tool shop but the advice and assistance can be invaluable.

I can recommend AEG, I bought an 18V drill/driver and impact driver combo that came with a radio and a tool bag, bought from Bunnies. It was bought to build a 6m X 6m deck. The 2Ah batteries were good enough so that when one had flattened the other had already recharged. 6 year warranty on the tool, 3 year warranty on the batteries! A 4Ah battery is also availableI also used it for building a range of flat pack cabinets and I've a whole kitchen worth to do over the next few months. My preferred method of construction is with the clutch on its lightest setting and high speed, then I finish off with a manual screwdriver once everything is squared up.

Oh, the light is fitted right at the bottom of the tool near the battery, it's plenty bright enough and when activated illuminates for about 10 seconds if you just want the light but stays on as long as you are actually operating the tool.

The impact driver is a cracking little tool that powers screws through tough woods but is best used with either square/torx/hex or pozidrive headed screws, Phillips tend to get damaged too easily if your not 100% on the ball.

As for buying off a forum seller, erm, not sure exactly what you mean here. 2nd hand? Or a forum sponsor?

Didn't think of that I am looking to purchase from a sponsor

I have several tools from the lower end of the spectrum.

I cannot fault my Ryobi One+ 18V drill/driver. It came with a charger and two batteries. I have not been kind to it in the 5 or so years that I have owned it.

A separate Led light/torch might be a worthwhile investment. You can set it up to help with your work and you have a torch then for other purposes.