Hi Keith,

This Makita screwdriver seems to be built to usual Makita quality expectations, but is a bit of an "oddball" in that it does not have a replaceable battery. It is low voltage (3.6V) and rechargeable though a USB cable. One thing that I don't like is that it does not have a "state of charge" indicator to tell you when it needs charging. Model number is DF001DW and the kit comes with multiple bits of many different types and sizes.

This is a good review of this product. https://toolguyd.com/makita-folding-...charging-port/

Rob

Interesting - Thanks
Keith

Thanks guys. It was an interesting discussion.

Reading thru alot of blogs, the chips seem to fall as:

Dewalt 20V Max brushless / Milwaukee M18 Brushless are the top brand (They are basically acknowledged as equivalent)

Everything else mentioned ranges between good and great (Found out that Lowes sells craftsman tools, with a different battery, and they are rated as below average)

Personally, I would have gone with Makita (previous job site experience with the corded tools) but apparently Makita is getting ready to introduce a new line of tools, but it's not available in the US yet. (40V packs?)

I think I'm going to invest into Dewalt.

For others reading this, Dewalt's line is..... Complicated, they have over 40 drills. The Atomic Line is Compact line with the Atomic DCD708 is the best "Compact" drill, and the DCD791 is the best "Full Sized" drill. I'm basing this off of many blogs, but this one had a really good rundown of Dewalt's line:
https://toolguyd.com/best-dewalt-cordless-drills/

So now I've decided WHAT BRAND to buy, now I have to pick a starting point. Most blogs indicate the "Deals" happen at Christmas time or Fathers Day, but the deals are usually the lower price point drills.

I'll probably just get a DCD791 with battery, and keep an eye out for a big kit sale during Christmas.

Hi Mike,

I have also read about the new Makita 40V tools. Some will run twin batteries for 80V . This will be geared towards larger equipment like lawn mowers . . . they have no intention of abandoning their extensive line of 18V of tools.

Rob

mpking Yeah in the rig I tend to buy the kits. They definitely come with the cheaper tools and batteries, although I think they are starting to offer the lower line of brushless in kits if you hunt. Most of my home stuff I have bought one at a time as I needed them. When I made the jump from 18v to 20 I did buy a starter kit at home, had a hammer drill, impact, circular saw, sawzall, light, vacuum and blower. I have added the 1/2" impact for tires (which I keep in the rig when on the road and at home otherwise - its the only one I move), heat gun, oscillating saw, router, jig saw, and a larger light. All have been excellent. The heat gun makes a lot of heat but does not move much air, took a while to get used to compared to my corded gun, but is great for when working away from an outlet.

I keep two power tools charged up and close-at-hand when we travel. One for lug nuts and one for cutting metal (bolt/lock/chain/etc) I have had to use both on short notice.

Rob

You know I don’t bring my grinder but that’sa good though lol. I did mount a dual battery charger in my pass though that runs off the inverter. I keep two batteries going on it all the time.

Rob ,

Are you telling me that the little impact driver will remove the lug nuts on the RV?

If so I may be getting me some Makita tools.

Brian

I know my little one does about 125 foot pounds on a good day. My 1/2 one on the other hand has three settings and the breaking power on it is 700 foot pounds. If all I have is the little one I usually break loose with a star wrench and use the gun to spin them off and back on and torque with a harbor freight torque wrench I carry.

That said if its a long trip I bring the 1/2 gun, mainly for if I need to break loose a lug nut on the truck.

Neil

I have a 1/2" cordless impact , Porter Cable brand , that I carry when traveling as well. I also carry a small Hitachi drill. If the Makita does the job I may move the Hitachi to the work shop and add a Makita or 2. I do not think one could have too many cordless drills or tools.

Brian

Definitely could not have too many lol. I will leave it to Rob on the Makita, but last weekend I was out with a buddy with a little ATV trailer with a flat. All we had was the small impact and it could not break them loose. Now they had been on for probably 10 years, and could well have been overtorqued, but given that I doubt mine would have broke the RV bolts loose.

Probably not! I carry a 30” breaker bar for that. The Makita will do about 100 lb-ft on tightening . . . confirmed with a torque wrench of course.

Rob

Cate&Rob Rob, Why would you need a grinder???? I can admit I've seen quite a few strange things. I.E. dad using bailing wire to drill holes in the latch handles for the camper when the plastic tabs broke off and various other things, but don't think I've ever seen the need for a grinder. A grinder would not have even helped me when the axle came apart. If it needs a grinder to fix it while on the road, it can either wait, or I'll pay someone to fix it.

I do have a keyhole saw, small hand saw, corded drill and bits, along with a countersink set and some screws in the camper to go with the eternabond tape. That's all the by product of a tree limb falling through the roof slide one night while hunting. The sound of dripping water at 2am will wake you from a dead sleep in a panic.

Jlawles2
Hi Joseph,
Difficult to see in the picture, but the “grinder” has a 1/16” wide metal cutting blade. I keep this handy as an emergency tool that can quickly cut a bolt/chain/cable if needed.
Rob

I carry an 18V Dewalt cordless drill with an assortment of drill bits and drivers. Also an adapter to operate the stabilizer jacks. Its a bit outdated but still works well so not replacing it anytime soon.

Jim