Lithium Ion drill/driver. Help me here

[TNhobbyfarmer]

I have an older drill kit that has both a drill and impact driver with Ni Cad batteries. I am seeing lithium ion products that have one tool that is called drill/driver. Does that mean it is both a drill and impact driver in the same tool? I want to upgrade to lithium ion but want a clarification. It would be nice to replace two tools with one.

 

[kevinwak]

I believe that refers to a drill with the adjustable clutch that limits screw depth. Doesn’t replace the impact driver.

 

[4570Man]

I don't know what the term is actually supposed to mean. I don't think a drill and impact combo exist.

 

[bunyip]

I believe that refers to a drill with the adjustable clutch that limits screw depth. Doesn’t replace the impact driver.

I would concur with that and add that the clutch 'locks' for the drill function, I have a Milwaukee set and has a hammer function too, impact driver is a separate beast with no chuck.

 

[RNeumann]

You will be happier if they are separate tools. The impact driver is nice for screws etc and the drill is just that- clutch or not. The Milwaukee M12 kit can be had for a little over $100


M12 12-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Drill Driver/Impact Driver Combo Kit (2-Tool) w/(2) 1.5Ah Batteries, Charger, Tool Bag

Milwaukee M12 12-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Drill Driver/Impact Driver Combo Kit (2-Tool) w/(2) 1.5Ah Batteries, Charger, Tool Bag-2494-22 - The Home Depot

 

[TractorGuy]

If you are happy with your existing tools you may can just update the batteries. That is the route I went with my 19.2 Craftsman C3 stuff. I already had several pieces so I bought the C3 ratchet with a lithium battery and charger and a spare battery. Have been very happy with the performance.

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

If you are happy with your existing tools you may can just update the batteries. That is the route I went with my 19.2 Craftsman C3 stuff. I already had several pieces so I bought the C3 ratchet with a lithium battery and charger and a spare battery. Have been very happy with the performance.

I didn't know you could do that. Please explain what is involved. My current stuff is Porter Cable.

 

[TractorGuy]

I didn't know you could do that. Please explain what is involved. My current stuff is Porter Cable.

Depends if Porter Cable continued the same tool line with lithium batteries. They require a different charger but the tool doesn't care . As long as the battery fits and supplies the correct voltage you are good to go. The easiest way to convert is see if they sell another tool you could use with a compatible battery. This will get you the charger and at least one battery.

 

[teejk]

I didn't know you could do that. Please explain what is involved. My current stuff is Porter Cable.

You'll likely find that it is cheaper to buy the whole tool kit (tool, charger, 2 batteries) than to buy a single battery. Sad fact but that's what I have found.

 

[TractorGuy]

This may help but I don't see many single tool kit options from Porter Cable. It says "The new batteries are interchangeable with any PORTER-CABLE 18-volt cordless tool"
Porter-Cable

It seems all their single tools are sold as bare tools though.

If I had a drill and impact the one tool I would add is a reciprocal saw. That is one tool in my cordless arsenal I cannot live without.

 

[bcp]

I wonder if power tool batteries will ever be standardized, like flashlight batteries. All 18V batteries would work on all 18V tools, etc.

Bruce

 

[4570Man]

I've got a 1/4 drive impact, a 1/2 drive impact, grinder, sawzall, circular saw, and of course drills. I don't find the circle saws very useful but everything else is nice. I wouldn't want an impact/drill combo even if it actually exists. I've got 3 of the 1/4 drive impacts and several drills.

 

[TractorGuy]

I wonder if power tool batteries will ever be standardized, like flashlight batteries. All 18V batteries would work on all 18V tools, etc.

Bruce

About the same time printer MFGs standardize ink cartridges.

 

[k0ua]

I don't know what the term is actually supposed to mean. I don't think a drill and impact combo exist.

I have one. But they are not common. They don't make my Rockwell 3rill any more. For a light duty unit, it has been excellent. I also have a standalone battery powered impact, and several "drill drivers".

Rockwell RK2515K2 12V Cordless 3RILL Drill Driver TOOL ONLY cordless screw gun 8455348968 | eBay

 

[k0ua]

About the same time printer MFGs standardize ink cartridges.

Now that is funny, I don't care who you are!

 

[hawkeye08]

Perhaps something like this??

Biswaye 18V 2.Ah Lithium Ion Replacement Battery for Porter Cable Cordless Power Tools PC18B PC18BL PC18BLX Battery - - Amazon.com

Need a compatible charger too (shows one when you scroll down to the often ordered together section).

 

[airbiscuit]

I used to buy low and mid priced ni-cad cordless drills and thought they were fine but the batteries didn't last all that long. Then one Christmas, my wife surprised me with a Milwaukee M18 Drill/Impact driver kit. It is unbelievably better than the older ni-cad models - more powerful, longer battery life, quicker charge, better ergonomics. I have had it for several years with much use and it still works like new. I use the drill ten times more than the driver due to the adjustable clutch.

These tools are absolutely worth the extra cost. I have subsequently added a circular saw, angle grinder and hackzall. I love my Milwaukee M18, but I am sure Dewalt and Bosch lithium ion are also good tools.

 

[bunyip]

I used to buy low and mid priced ni-cad cordless drills and thought they were fine but the batteries didn't last all that long. Then one Christmas, my wife surprised me with a Milwaukee M18 Drill/Impact driver kit. It is unbelievably better than the older ni-cad models - more powerful, linger battery life, quicker charge, better ergonomics. I have had it for several years with much use and it still works like new. I use the drill ten times more than the driver due to the adjustable clutch.

These tools are absolutely worth the extra cost. I have subsequently added a circular saw, angle grinder and hackzall. I love my Milwaukee M18, but I am sure Dewalt and Bosch lithium ion are also good tools.

Have the same set up, 18v Fuel with 2x5ah batteries, had it out the back and bored holes through 8" posts and it doesn't miss a beat, also has a hammer function and have used it for masonry, my impact driver has three electronic clutch settings, have no idea how it works but a touch of the button lights up 1, 2 or 3 LED's so I don't push screws through timber (I sunk a #8 hex head about 1/2" into a post before I realised what was happening).
Circular saw slices through 1" chipboard with ease and have used it in shedding where there is no power.
Also have the angle grinder and reciprocating saw.
They are not cheap but the have a heap of power and are bullet proof.
A bonus with LiIon is that they don't self discharge like NiCad.