I've never owned one, but on the weekend saw one in action and now want one to make working on my two cars easier. I don't know what to look for though. It's more for quickly zinging screws / bots / nuts on and off than true impact work (I've got a 500nm+ air impact wrench for that).
Name brand or cheap Ozito? Gumtree or new?
Only have a cheap corded ozito at the moment. Not the best but gets the job done.
Fair enough. I've been happy with my Ryobi gear. I bought a drill several years ago and have added a bunch of stuff to match the batteries, impact driver included. The impact driver has been good for driving good sized screws into flooring and laminated beams.
I'd be getting an 18V, and probably getting a drill as well.
Ozito is fine
Depending on your budget and how long you want it to last, there would be different answers. Ozito is a budget, lower quality tool - but it may do the job just fine. My personal preferences are (in no particular order): DeWalt, Makita, Bosch Professional blue series, Milwaukee (fully Chinese owned), Hitachi. Even though today you want to buy one tool only, look at other tools of the same brand, using the same battery, right decision today will make it easier in future if you decide to add another tool. Broadly speaking cordless tools use 12V batteries or 18V batteries - 12V tools are smaller and a bit less powerful (I am simplifying here a bit). From what you described I would recommend 12V blue Bosch series (surprisingly low priced in Aus), but of course this is just my opinion, there are other good solutions.
Thanks for the great reply. I usually buy the cheapest stuff from Bunnings being that their return policy is so good and just return it when it dies. But I can see this thing getting a lot of use and a lot of abuse too, so a mid-range unit might be worthwhile. I've seen AEG going cheap second hand, would you recommend those?
Glad to be of help :)
Many years ago I used to be a big fun of AEG, but today I do not like them that much. AEG changed ownership, today they are fully owned by Chinese company Techtronic Industries (who also owns Ryobi & Milwaulkee, which used to be US company). AEG tools are still good, but I feel they are pretty generic. Yes, their warranty is excellent, and they are competitively priced.
Bunnings warranty policy is excellent, but other places are usually pretty good as well. Going back to Bosch blue: here is pretty good bargain: https://sydneytools.com.au/bosch-gdr-10-8-li-bb-10-8v-li-ion… Note that this model has "Shortest head length in its class (only 137mm) and only 0.96kg weight for easy handling" which may be advantage if you work in confined space. Also Bosch batteries are likely to be superior to other brands (note that often advertised prices are for "skin" only: no battery and no charger, though sometimes kits are advertised as well).
A few (loosely) related points: some tools come with so called brushless motors - more powerful, but also more expensive. As an example here is a brushless motor version of the above Bosch: https://sydneytools.com.au/bosch-gdr-10-8v-ec-bb-10-8v-li-io…
Reading US vs. UK/Aus tests you will find that the same tool may be described for example as using "12V" batteries in US, and "10.8V" in other countries - the same thing, in US everything must be bigger and better to sell, so they quote max. fully charged battery voltage at no load, as opposed to standard operating voltage under load.
Finally, here are some US reviews of impact drivers including Bosch (sorry if I sound more and more like a TV ad for Bosch): http://justcordlessdrillreviews.com/best-impact-driver/ and: http://toolguyd.com/best-cordless-impact-drivers/ (the same tool, in US different model name).
Again, there are many options, and many good brands. I do not particularly want to list the brands I personally do not like, as I do not want to offend someone :)
another great post, thanks for the info. Is a 12V unit going to be adequate for basic fastener work? Nothing high impact. I'm liking the look of the Bosch units, now I need to decide if I go second hand or new.
@zfind: Thanks :) Yes, more than adequate for basic fastener work. Check: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2010/09/15/bosch-ps41-2a-12v-lithiu… One general aspect to be aware of which I forgot to mention before: vast majority of cordless impact driver do not have adjustable torque setting, and have only one speed (majority of drills which have such adjustment, and 2 or more speeds). BUT if you think that you need torque adjustment, your choice of impact drivers would be very limited, this is a good one and realistically priced (but not impact driver, it is hex drill driver): https://sydneytools.com.au/milwaukee-m12bd-0-12v-li-ion-cord…
I would not buy a second hand power tool, unless it is almost new, good reason for someone to sell, etc. Good luck!
Hmmm, I want to drive nuts and screws and use my existing socket sets and be able to but philips head / slot bits in… Do I need an impact driver, drill driver, drill? Terminology is a bit confusing :)
@zfind: impact driver for all of that, drill basically for making holes, impact driver for driving screws
@zfind: You might be interested in this: https://sydneytools.com.au/bosch-gdx-18v-ec-6-0ah-18v-6-0ah-…
It accepts both 1/2 drive sockets (you should use impact rated sockets) AND hex bits without an adaptor. I have one and find it good for work around the car. I've had it fail to undo one wheel nut but otherwise it's been great. I also have the 10.8v one listed earlier. It's also good but is more of an electric screwdriver and not designed for use with sockets.
If you wait for a sale I picked up the brushless impact driver and drill combo with 3 batteries for around $600.
The new ozito power x range is good value. I just got the cordless blower/vac and it's great for the price, and a 5 year replacement warranty. You could get ozito impact driver, 2Ah battery and charger for $113. Ryobi is too expensive for the quality. I have all dewalt 18v xr stuff and it's great, but pricey.
The same brand as your cordless drill so you can swap the batteries between them.