| Torque, torque and more torque! This package is nothing but power. The 14.4-volt cordless impact driver and the MForce drill put super strength in your hands for the toughest tasks. Despite being beastly powerful, this impact driver is shockingly compact and lightweight, with a total length of under 7 inches and weighing in at a mere 3-1/2 pounds including the battery. But don’t let that mislead you -- impacts per minute range from 0 to 3,200, with a maximum tightening torque of 1,240 in./lbs. And the power doesn’t quit, either, because the nickel-metal-hydride battery packs a greater capacity and longer run time than standard nickel-cadmium versions. Even though it fits snugly in the hand, it’s an absolute dynamo in the power department, and the variable speed is smooth as silk. There are two nifty light-related features on this Makita, and we weren’t all that impressed with them on paper. But in reality, the phosphorescent rubber bumper immediately catches your eye, whether you’re rummaging in your truck, fumbling in your garage or scanning the job site for any left-behind tools. And the integrated high-output LED really does light up the workpiece, saving you time and frustration. We always like to see tools with easily accessible and easily replaced brushes, because if your tool’s in the repair shop, it’s not making you any money. The MForce drill/driver is just as powerful and just as rugged as the impact driver, with the same high-efficiency nickel-metal-hydride battery power. Speed ranges from 0 to 400 and 0 to 1,300 rpm to tackle just about any drilling or driving job, with a Makita-made Shift Lock Drive that lets you switch quickly between modes, locking out the clutch for drilling work. And like the impact driver, the drill in this combo is compact, lightweight and easy on your hardworking body. The rubberized grip absorbs any vibration and feels great in your hand. The fluorescent worklight will come in handy, too, whether you’re in a crawlspace or under an engine. All three pieces are Makita quality, and the price on this combo beats buying them separately. -- Kris Jensen-Van Heste What’s in the Box
Impact driver, MForce Drill, worklight, two batteries, charger and tool case |
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 Do I need an impact driver? |
| Review Date: November 18, 2005 |
| Reviewer: John Henry Newman, |
I can't answer that question for you, but I will venture a guess that you will most likely not regret purchasing this one! After checking specs and tool reviews on Dewalt, Bosch, ect., I decided on the Makita and have been extremely pleased with the results. Until you've used an impact driver, it is hard to imagine how much easier they are to use than cordless drills for driving screws. This impact driver has true variable speed control. That is, you get high torgue at slow speeds so you can slowly and precisely tap in those stubborn screws. Also, it is small and lightweight and goes where some cordless drills won't. The battery seems to last forever--significantly longer than in a cordless drill. Lastly, I thought the light integral with the driver was a gimmick, but it has come in very handy many times! After some getting used to it, you can turn the light on without spinning the bit.
The cordless drill in the kit is just fine and it is nice to have a separate tool for drilling only. I cannot comment on the worklight, because my kit did not come with one. |
Replaced my old drills, happily
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| Review Date: August 28, 2006 |
| Reviewer: wader, NY United States |
I originally researched impact drivers to help with installing bolts for deck post support braces. Using a manual ratchet was taking forever, to put it mildly, and my drills - even the all-powerful, plug-in DeWalt - couldn't make much of a dent through 6" PT pine posts.
I looked into air compressor, plug-in and battery-powered drivers. This Makita impact driver kept gaining my attention in numerous reviews and this set seemed rather attractive for the price.
My current drills (a plug-in DeWalt and 16.0V battery Craftsman) were OK, but the first was overpowered with no brake, while the latter was bulky and sudden off the mark.
This Makita set is quality in terms of strength, finesse and usability.
The impact driver was incredibly effective at sending 4" bolts into 6" posts in a fraction of the time it took by hand. My plug-in, monstrously powerful DeWalt could not do this on its own: apparently, the vibrational motions of the impact drill is what helps enable such things. More typical screws go in without effort and rarely strip, anymore. It easily loads/unloads bits with a locking mount, which most of mine happened to be. An old DeWalt locking mount set of typical wood bits, screw types, etc. has made this my go-to tool in most drilling applications. I bought the optional Makita replacement head with keyless chuck, but have yet to find a need for installing it.
The impact driver has a small LED light for illuminating the surface of your work area - might seem like a nothing, but there's been many times where that was the only effective lighting I could obtain, saving much frustration of hunting around or missing a mark.
Suddenly living in a new world of capabilities, I went through the house looking for things to fix. I know it sounds odd, but this impact driver is just incredibly useful AND fun. I was able to replace a previously stripped 3" #10 screw in my front door frame (lodged incorrectly during an otherwise successful attempt to install a new lockset) with a screw extractor - something that was never successful my regular drills before. Maybe it was just luck this time and not a property of the impact driver - I don't know. Something that I *do* know is that the prior, written-off strike plate installation was removed and replaced quickly with a new assembly . . . and now works smoothly - it had been annoying me for years.
The small head of this impact driver has worked well in tighter spaces than my other drills, such as between joists when installing a bathroom heater/vent.
The Makita drill has picked up the slack for all other wood and metal drilling/screwing applications. It is balanced and allows for fine control. The locking head quickly ratchets to tightness around each bit - far superior ease and fit compared to other drills I've used.
And, though it might seem an unnecessary extra, that work light has been thoroughly useful. I've been able to finish outside work that slipped into the darker hours without needing to get out the extension cord and find an outlet. Small work areas which are tough for flashlights or my other battery-powered work lights are easy to illuminate by the wide, cool swath of light that this unit offers, and that's partially because it stands up or hangs easily. Bulbs in my other work lights will annoyingly break due to temperature or even minor impacts, but this light has been through much abuse and keeps performing as from the first use.
Oh, and the carrying case is quite convenient.
My only bother is that batteries need recharging a bit through the day when doing alot of work, but they actually seem to last better than my prior 16.0V Craftsmen drill/light set.
I initially looked into this bundle for the impact driver alone, but have been thrilled with the entire package value. Easily recommended. |
Makita just keeps creaming the competition!
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| Review Date: April 30, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Eduardo Nietzsche, Houston |
This is my 3rd Makita drill/driver, my 1st I keep as a spare and my 2nd one was stolen out of my garage (grrrr!). What floors me is not just the brilliant design, build quality and reliability which I now expect from Makita as much I expect it from most other Japanese-designed products---it's the astounding BANG FOR THE BUCK which this packet offers.
You get an excellent quality impact driver that puts screws through wood or metal like bullets through butter, plus an excellent general-purpose drill, and last but not least a fluorescent work light that is actually very practical and useful rather than being just some worthless freebie...for about the same price that I originally paid for just the impact driver (the one that was stolen) by itself! I also appreciated that the carrying case now has metal fasteners instead of the plastic ones all my previous Makita carrying cases had...nice improvement.
My advice is, snap this kit up before Makita comes to its senses and stops offering it! |
best bang for your buck
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| Review Date: October 3, 2005 |
| Reviewer: Dennis M. Cocca, Fayetteville, NY USA |
| This driver kit is by far the best i have seen. I build custom stairs and we use combination drive screws for installation from 1 1/2" - 3" and with a square drive bit. This impact driver sends the screws packing without twisting your hand off or stripping the screw, i've even driven 4" square drive screws through solid oak newels without a problem. The light is perfect for working under stairs with limited light because you can turn it on by pulling the trigger just slightly without the bit turning. Also, it is so compact and lightweight it can go places that the big guns cant. This kit is great because it comes with a free 1/2" chuck screwgun along with a light as well as the impact driver. I recommend it to anyone who frequently uses screwguns for any application. It will change your life, guaranteed. |
Very good!
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| Review Date: January 3, 2006 |
| Reviewer: T, Alabama, USA |
I'm a mechanic, have many hobbies, and also do part time house building with my dad. He is a general new construction contractor.
The florescent light starts off as a Freebie... You just don't care about the light. Until you use it!!! It simply becomes so handy to have in the case, you can't describe it until you've needed it & it's been waiting in there for you. I've not used mine for long amounts of time (1/2 hour max), battery life seems to be good.
The drill driver is good. I agree with the previous. The improved chuck on the new drill/driver is MUCH better than the old one. (I DO have the last model 18v Makita cordless drill/driver to compare it to. It's only a year old...)
The 14.4v drill is more compact, and more solidly built than it's one year older 18v brother. The 14.4v driver is slower, and lacks the power compared to the 18v+ ones, but it is as strong as any other well made 14.4v is. It's got more power on a descent charged battery than any 3/8ths cored drills have. You can drill descent sized holes in metal, and if you're patient tackle some large holes in wood with the correct bits. I still use the 18v to do so, but the 14.4 does fine.
The impact driver... The sole reason to look at this kit. With 103.33 ft-ft of torque it's is NOT a slouch compared to other 1/4, or 3/8" drill-drivers. I use mine sometimes to drive lag bolts into 2*by's and it will do it all day.
My main use is because I'm a mechanic. Being so much shorter than other/larger models, is a huge plus. I formerly had a 300ft-lb Dewalt that tore up. The first impression as a mechanic is that the numbers are 1/2-1/3 of larger 1/2" driver. YOU WILL NOT miss the power at all. The simple fact is that if this won't drive what you're looking to do, you wouldn't reach for another cordless that's bigger. You break out the breaker bar, a large torque wrench, or air tools.
There is no use to the larger tools.
The 14.4 impact driver SPANKS any cordless drill/driver of ANY voltage available in ANY possible statistic. Power, life, size, amazingly the impact driver spins far faster than any drill/driver I've seen also. Don't be afraid of seeing the 14.4 on the battery compared to larger tools. It will do the work.(I can't say that enough)
(3/8" impact drivers are the same thing as 1/4" impact drivers. They just install a larger chuck, do yourself a favor & get the smaller 1/4" driver... You can buy packs of 1/4-3/8" for a few dollars, or spend money for a titanium one. Trust me... You're not going to snap a 1/4" drive driving a socket. Skip the 3/8" drivers. They offer nothing.)
The trigger is real. Just like any drill/driver would be, it is completely variable speed. I will say that when doing mechanical work, or work on small things, the trigger is too fast. Until you get a fine control over the trigger, you will find yourself over-tightening small objects, or snapping heads off if you go at it too fast.
For small torque items, a drill/driver would be better as they offer more control at slower speed. Wait... The kit has a drill/driver!
I love my kit. The impact driver is the main draw, but what it can't do, the small, well made 14.4 drill/driver will do. The light is candy, but you WILL learn to appreciate it after you need light, then realize you've got a bright wide angle florescent light with you. |
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