Customer Reviews:
 The next level in power tools December 2, 2008
Richard Berryhill (Silicon Valley, USA)
For me, it all started with the "Makita TD020DSEW 7.2-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Straight Line Impact Driver Kit" also sold by Amazon Makita TD020DSEW 7.2-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Straight Line Impact Driver Kit, which got pretty incredible reviews. Those reviews convinced me to buy it to replace a very well worn and used up Panasonic/Milwaukee 3.2 volt stick driver.
Well, that 7.2 volt impact driver impressed me more than any other tool I have ever bought, bar none, with its ability to knock home screws, without any pre-drilling, and without stripping the heads, either. Not only that, but the impact feature managed to turn screws that had previously resisted every effort I could muster even when the paint was tediously chipped from the slot and my best Snap-On screwdriver was pushed as hard as I could do it. That little Makita just backed those old paint-covered screws out in no time, saving me the 1/2 day it otherwise would have taken me to take off the old closet doors and replace the hanger adjusting screws with new, hex-head sheet metal screws.
The only thing the 7.2 volt driver needed was just what the folks who reviewed it found as shortcomings: lack of a speed control trigger, and difficulty turning on the LED to see the screw head in dark corners. And perhaps just a tad more power, enough to drive 1/4" lag bolts through the drywall ceiling and into nicely seasoned, hard old 2" by 10" rafters, all without pre-drilling - my next project.
I began to wonder if maybe Makita made an impact driver with just a little bit more power, and adjustable speed control, but something not as big as the 18 volt models I'd seen in all the stores. The price for those was a little higher than I wanted to spend, and almost as important, the weight and power were a big jump up from the incredible lightness and size advantage that I had come to like so much in the 7.2 volt Makita.
I also had trouble deciding whether another impact driver was what I wanted, or another cordless drill, when the Panasonic 12 volt I had was already about the smoothest and most functional cordless tool imaginable Panasonic EY6405FQKW 12-Volt Ni-Cad 3/8-Inch Cordless Drill/Driver Kit.
I was caught on a fence: spend the money to get bigger impact driver, so I could really put the fantastic advantages of an impact tool to use even more, or get a larger cordless drill - when I didn't really want anything larger. But, I felt that two impacts was a little extravagant.
Then a search here landed this two-tool kit: both an impact driver, with speed adjustment, and a driver-drill, with adjustable clutch and speed control.
What a combo! For me and my around-the-home projects the tools are perfect, and I didn't have to give up anything. The impact driver is the perfect "in-between" size for me, as was indicated by the other reviews noting use on boats and cabinetry. Light and small with a perfect hand fit for my large hands, the LED goes on and stays on whenever the trigger is depressed, and the speed control overcomes the one slight hang up with the 7.2 volt stick driver, lack of a speed control.
Both tools have power comparable to my 12 volt Panasonic (which I thought had remarkably more power than a prior 12 volt DeWalt), but are incredibly small and easy to handle. The impact driver is plenty strong enough to drive screws right through doug fir (and similar soft woods) and out the back side if you don't watch out, and the impact driver retains the high motor speed and even higher impact rate that made the 7.2 volt my prior favorite.
Before buying, I tried multiple tools at a Home Depot store, all with fresh charges on the batteries, and in my opinion, both Makita's out drive a very good Milwaukee 10.8 volt driver sold for around $130 (down now for Xmas), and way out power almost everything else, too, until you get to the 18 volt range. (And in that range, too, the Makita set - quite a bit more money - is the tops by far).
When the box was opened, there was enough room in the toolbox to toss in a pretty large sized DeWalt 1/4" driver kit with phillips, square, and flat blades, 1/4" drills, and a host of other goodies, and still add another smaller, pocket-sized bit holder, plus a small 1/4" chuck to hold drill bits that aren't 1/4" hex shank. That's all that is need for a lot of projects, and it's easy to carry in one hand.
Weak spots or complaints? The kit would be a lot better if it had a third battery, and so far, even Makita does not list replacement batteries at its web site. But at the rate this kit is disappearing off the shelves at the local Home Depot, the batteries won't be far behind.
For the size, weight, and price, this is one fine set of cordless tools.
Powerful October 21, 2008
Matthew Gunning (Summerville, SC)
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
I am a professional boatbuilder. Since purchasing this combo I haven't picked up my old 18v cordless, except when I didn't have a hex end bit in the size I needed. The impact driver makes driving screws so easy that in most cases I have to be careful I don't over drive them. I will never go back to using a drill to drive screws.
Good little set! September 21, 2008
Barslash J (Colorado, USA)
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
I am a cabinetbuilder by trade. I have owned Makita's LXT set for several years and love them, but then I saw these little cuties and had to have them. They are small, light, and soooo handy! Powerful little buggers, too. I have owned the set for a week now and have used them pretty much every day. The impact has just as much power as the 18v LXT does, but of course the battery life is less, which is to be expected. They are compact enough to fit in tight spots, like cabinets, and light enough that you can use it all day without fatigue. I will update this after awhile to let everyone know how they perform after longer periods.
Powerful tools - Compact and Lightweight September 19, 2008
A. Sherman
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
After owning the Dewalt 36V Hammerdrill for a while I decided it was time to purchase something for less intensive applications. The twin Makita's are perfect for cabinetry, plumbing, and around the house type chores. The impact driver has plenty of power and surprisingly lasts quite a while in between charges. Haven't used the drill too much but it works great. Awesome deal getting both for under 180.
 Impressive power and performance. September 2, 2008
K. Nguyen (Lowell, MA United States)
9 out of 10 found this review helpful
This drill and impact driver combo is impressive. They have lot of power, comparable (beter) than most 12v nicad or lithium tools out there. For small to medium drilling or screw/bolt driving, these are just what you need. I currently own Makita 18V LXT tools and have been using Bosch 10.8 V Litheon drill (PS-20), impact driver (PS-40) and right angle I-driver (PS-10) before I try this new Makita combo. They are very similiar in size and power. But I found both Makita drill and impact driver has little more power and feel better in my hands than Bosch tools. They are all good tools and and you can't go wrong with either brand. I love these small, light weight tools that pack with power for 95% of my work.
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