Bosch DDS180-02 18-Volt Compact Tough Drill Driver with 2 1.3Ah Batteries

Includes 18V Cordless Lithium-Ion Compact Tough 1/2-in Drill/Driver - DDS180-02, (2) 18V Slim Pack Lithium-Ion 1.3 Ah Batteries, 30 Minute Li-Ion Charger, Carrying Case

Price: $362.00

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Bosch PS10-2A 12-Volt Max Lithium-Ion Driver Kit

We'd wager there have been plenty of times you tried to maneuver a drill/driver into a spot that just wouldn't allow it and wished you had a small, powerful tool that would drive a screw where others just can't go. Here it is. The PS10-2A is one of the handiest, most powerful little drivers we've laid hands on. It's impressively powered by "litheon," which Bosch calls "the industry's most advanced lithium-ion battery technology." We can attest that there's absolutely no lag in power, and the run time is great; more than 100 drives per charge. Recharge time is just 30 minutes, so you should never have to wait for a battery. The best feature, of course, is the clever design. Instead of a pistol grip like most drivers, this one has a sturdy tool body and an articulating head that has five detents, letting you set it however you need it. The head itself is just 3-1/2-inches long, so it's no struggle at all to slip it into tight spaces suchas in between studs, under-sink cabinets, between joists and other tricky situations. If it's length you need, just flip the head to the vertical position and it's literally like having a screwdriver at your fingertips; it's not quite a-foot long at its full length. It uses 1/4-inch hex bits, and they're easy to change. We would have liked to see some on-board bit storage, but that's a small point. The two-finger trigger is comfortable, and it's quite sensitive, so take care not to strip your fasteners while you're on the learning curve. In all, we're really pleased with this little driver, and we think there's a place for it in just about every toolbox. Includes: tool, (1) carrying case, (2) 12-volt batteries, (1) 30-minute charger, (2) 1.5-inch drive bits.

Price: $282.00

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DEWALT DCK655X 18-Volt XRP 6 Tool Combo Kit with Impact Driver

On the jobsite or at home, you won't find a better suited tool for your projects than those from DEWALT. In carpenter circles and do-it-yourselfer groups you hear talk about the big yellow tools. If you want to start with a great selection of cordless power tools to tackle your next job, the DEWALT DCK655X 18-volt XRP cordless 6-tool combo kit is not the one to pass up. This six-pack of tools includes the DCD950 XRP 18-volt cordless hammerdrill that features the DEWALT patented 3-speed all-metal transmission for durability and 1/2-inch self-tightening chuck for ease of use and superior bit retention. Another big yellow tool in this collection is the DEWALT DC390 XRP 18-volt circular saw with 6-12-inch carbide blade and rip fence that can take on 2- by-4-inch wood at a 45-degree angle in a single pass. Store the entire six-piece collection in a rugged contractor bag for easy portability.
Price: $1,197.04

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The Makita Impact Driver Has Gone Cordless

Once you stop to consider that the vast majority of impact driving tasks are for the most part, intermittent and spread out around a job site, a cordless Makita impact driver makes perfect sense. The problem for most people though, is they just assume that AC power is required to torque down larger nuts and bolts.

Lithium-Ion Batteries Make a Huge Difference

Nothing could be further from the truth. Also now with the advent of lithium-ion batteries, impact drivers can now carry the juice to keep them going up to four times longer. You see LI batteries charge faster and hold far more electricity than Ni Cads.

The Model BTD142HW 18 Volt Cordless Maktita Impact Driver

Makita's model BTD142HW 18-volt cordless impact is a perfect example of just how far things have come. At 5 ¾" and 2.8 pounds it's actually smaller, lighter and more compact than a standard AC powered impact yet it features strong four pole variable speed motor that packs 1,280 pounds of torque and maxes out at 3,200 rpm.

Charge the Battery in 15 Minutes

If you've had to wait around for batteries on your other cordless tools to charge in the past, you can forget about that with LI batteries, and Makita's new state of the art charger. It's rapid charge setting charges the battery on this impact in 15 minutes, and because it's lithium-ion, and has no memory effect, rapid charge doesn't harm it in the least bit.

Impact Driving is Not a Fun Job

Of course if you've done any amount of work with one of these power tools, you know all too well how hard driving larger nuts and bolts can be on the hands and wrists. After a long day it can leave them aching, and over the long run can lead to more serious problems, like tendinitis.

Super Comfortable Ergonomic Pistol Grip

This is precisely the reason why the Makita impact driver is now made with pistol grip ergonomic handles. They fit your hand like a glove while your fingers wrap comfortably into their individual grooves. It all just makes running these tools so much easier.

Written by Sandy Ferris. Find more information on Makita impact driver and cordless power tools