Brushless tools, Combo Kits, and Impact Driver 101

Drill/Driver vs. Impact Driver

6/23/2017

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This post is sponsored by The Home Depot as a part of The Home Depot’s ProSpective Campaign.

Confused about drills and impact drivers? Brushed vs brushless? In this video we break down some of these terms and help you to understand why, as a homeowner, you need both the drill/driver and impact driver in your basic tool box.

I moved into my first home in November 1978. By the next month I knew I needed a drill and asked for one for Christmas. My dad gave me a corded Craftsman drill that used a chuck key in order to change out bits. Well, a lot has changed in almost 40 years since I got my first drill!

One thing has not changed: a drill is probably one of the first tools every new homeowner determines they need.

What has changed is everything else! Tools are now cordless, there are brands that didn't exist back in the day, and no longer are you at the mercy of having to find the elusive chuck key to change bits! Steph has many memories of me exclaiming "where's the chuck key!" This alone is reason enough to buy a new drill, which now, by the way, is official referred to as a drill/driver.

Drill/drivers are on the left. You can differentiate them from the impact drivers by the large twist chuck on the front of the tool. They are designed to drill holes and drive screws.

Tools:

Makita 18-Volt LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Combo Kit (3-Tool)
DeWalt 20-Volt MAX Lithium-Ion Cordless Brushless Combo Kit (2-Tool)
Ryobi 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Combo Kit (3-Tool)
Makita 18-Volt LXT Lithium-Ion Sub-Compact Brushless Cordless 2-piece Combo Kit
DeWalt Impact Bits

Notice the large twist chuck on the drill/driver above...

...the impact driver has a small chuck which pulls out to insert bits.

The black tools are the Makita subcompact drill/driver and impact driver. They are lightweight and fit into smaller areas than larger tools.

Check out a few more Makita Subcompact reviews from fellow #THDProSpective members:

Most tool companies sell a combo kit which will include both the drill/driver and impact driver along with a battery and charger.

Combo kits can include other tools like this Makita combo kit that includes a reciprocating saw as well.

The new buzzword on the street for tools is "brushless." What this means for consumers is a longer lasting tool.

If you have the budget, brushless tools are the way to go. We will be seeing more and more tools designed with brushless motors in the future.

Oh my, there are so many tool brands to choose from! How do you ever choose? Our best advice would be to head to The Home Depot and put your hands on the tools. Do they fit your hands and the way you work? Is it within your budget? Do you like the other tool offerings in a particular brand's line? You are buying into a system (one battery fits many tools within a brand line) so you need to do some research into your tool choices. What's right for one person may not be the right tool for you.

What are your favorite tool brands? Are you a corded or cordless fan? It took me a while to come around to using cordless tools based on early poor experience with cordless tools. I am a total cordless convert now!

...now where IS that elusive chuck key?

We acknowledge that The Home Depot is partnering with us to participate in the The Home Depot ProSpective Campaign. As a part of the Program, we are receiving compensation in the form of products and services, for the purpose of promoting The Home Depot. All expressed opinions and experiences are our own word. Our post complies with the Word Of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) Ethics Code and applicable Federal Trade Commission guidelines.

FYI: We are not professionals, and we don’t claim to be. This is what we found worked for our project. Yours may need a little different approach. Safety first!

FYI: Affiliate links are being used on this page. Purchasing via these links help support MDP!