I like this impact driver especially because I got it at a good price around the holidays. I've been using it for four or five months now, and it's past the time when cheap tools break. I've used it pretty hard in my shop, and it's starting to show some dings and scratches from being banged around, but it hasn't missed a beat.
The one I got came with the smaller LX battery, which runs the driver pretty well, but the battery life is on the short side for a full-sized tool.
So is it better than other brand's impact drivers? well no, but it's cheaper than most of the other premium brands and nearly as good. I also have a Milwaukee 18V impact driver which is probably more powerful than this PC but it's also bigger and heavier and I bought the PC for less than a replacement Milwaukee lithium battery alone.
I like the size and power of this Porter Cable. The ergonomics of this tool are good, and it has enough power to drive lag screws into a 4x4 (I did that the other day with it). I don't really care too much for the LED light, but I've only got one tool that has a useful LED headlight.
It can drive long wood screws easily, but most of the time I use this tool while I'm working on cars. I put a 3/8 socket adapter on it and it will do much of what a 3/8 air impact would do without lugging around an air hose. For example last month I rebuilt a Toyota automatic transmission. There are 18 10mm bolts on the oil pan this makes quick work of those. There are about 14 12mm bolts holding the case halves together again this will zip them right out and back in. There are about 20 bolts holding the valve body on well you get the idea. Having a tool like this makes a job like that much, much quicker, and the compactness of this tool allows you to get into tight spaces with it. It's not a replacement for a full sized impact; you can't get really tight bolts with it, but for general work, it's great.
For screws, I generally resort to one of my compact 12v cordless drivers (I have Bosch, Makita and Milwaukee in that size) and they do most of what this tool will do in a more compact size, but this 18V is more useful for automotive or industrial disassembly/assembly work.
Great all around tool for the DIYer. Very good price. LX batteries are a little weak. 4 stars
I borrowed one of these from a friend a couple weeks ago to put together a swing set that my wife and I bought for our son. I used it for 7 days straight as we assembled this massive swing set. I always had a backup battery charging, so it was always ready to go to work. I was never disappointed with the performance of this Impact. I was so impressed I got on Amazon and had one sent 2nd Day Air. The battery lasted a long time, especially for what I was using it for originally. I also went to Lowes and picked up the orbital saw and work light, and I've been very impressed with all the tools so far. I think Porter-Cable makes a good, quality tool, without having to broke on each purchase. I plan on purchasing the entire 18V line in the near future.
Buy Porter-Cable PCL180IDK-2 1/4-Inch Hex Lithium Impact Driver Kit Now
This would have saved me so much time and frustration in the past. Every time I use it now, i kick myself for not having gotten it before i put together my son's big outdoor play set.
it is soooo much easier/better then a standard corded/cordless drill for driving screws. no more stripping screw heads.
I just built a little platform for the bottom of the slide to attach to, and to make the slide less steep (got too short of a slide), and there were places where I could not hammer a heavy duty 3" nail because of a knot. the nails would bend no matter how i tried. I used this with a 3" screw instead, fairly thick gage, and it drove it all the way in no problem.
it is very loud when in full impact mode (whenever it meets resistance). neighbors will not appreciate the sound.
if you are concerned about lack of reviews, you can see more reviews for the bare tool.
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A serious tool that does what's expected of it. The Lithium battery lasts well and recharges quickly. Great Porter Cable Quality
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Does the job so far. Probably not as durable as my Makita but then again it cost a lot less. Haven't used all that much but has the guts to drive 4" timberloks.
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