dwain

I'm a civil engineer and it doesn't make immediate sense to me. If the same torque is applied to each anvil, surely the only way they could be different is any torsion(?) losses in the anvil itself...

http://toolguyd.com/dewalt-20v-framing-nailers-dcn690-dcn692-differences/

you can adapt a 1/2" square drive to the 1/4" hex as well as the other way around. just depends which you use more often.

When I owned it and tested with 25/32mm auger bits, it was very comparable to the Dewalt DCD985, so agreed, heaps of grunt.

In Aus we call it the 'Destroyer II' I managed to make one give a little smoke once (abuse), but it kept on going perfectly.

progress photo. most of the hard work's done now. Taking SOOOO long ... New things tried so far: - Mortise & Tenon - Dowelling - Pocket screws (Kreg) - Japanese Pull Saw (So cool! Who knew I could pull of a straight cut with a hand saw!)

hi dragom. i have owned this impact driver, and now its brushless brother. they are NOT made for removing lug nuts. They are designed for driving screws/large fasteners. I don't think 885 will be able, but even if it does, its putting the tool through unnecessary work to do it often. Unless you loosen them with a tyre iron first, then the 885 will nip them off quick smart with no problems. If you want to do that sort of work, you could get the High Torque Wrench (DCF889). I've also seen a video that leads me to believe that even the compact impact wrench (DCF880) will work, though I'm not sure it was designed for that either. Amazon comments seem to indicate it can: http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCF880B-20-Volt-Li-Ion-2-Inch/dp/B0092RUPXO/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1393453163&sr=1-1&keywords=dewalt+20v+wrench#productDetails The adapter you need are these (you can get them individually if you want, but having the set is very handy): http://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-2902-Extension-Adapter-3-Piece/dp/B000NPT5YE/ref=sr_1_10?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1393453099&sr=1-10&keywords=1%2F4+adapter+socket

Ahh I see! thanks for the explanation.

can i ask why an SDS for drilling through plaster/drywall? normal bits seem to work perfectly fine for me...

I've got the 12V Max screwdriver on the way (not gyro). Does this not count?

i can't believe how cheap you Yanks can get your tools! $265/$278/$338 for the dck281d2 / dck286d2 / dck296m2 kits is just a steal! The dck286d2 is around $450 here in Aus from what I've seen. and yes, hard to justify the M12 FUEL lines in comparison.

I've found one at my local Bunnings with 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 drive. I actually think for a 'get out of trouble', they are a cool idea, as long as the price stays reasonable.

gah, another one joining team Red

im starting to feel the upgrade itch from this thread, stop it! There's nothing wrong with my 985!

the Milwaukee circular saw is meant to be great (even the non-fuel version), so that's a pretty sweet deal.

Dewalt are certainly one of those brands that attract love or hate attention for some reason. Any of the brands will do just fine. I personally lean toward getting the premium size drill for masonry drilling. If you can just borrow a hammer drill for that one application, the more compact drills are much lighter and smaller (easier to use but with plenty of power for timber applications). Here's my take (though other might disagree), and its just an approximation: Large drill: FUEL and Dewalt 995 a little better than Bosch (but Bosch doesn't have brushless out there yet) Compact Drill: Bosch and Dewalt a little better than Milwaukee (size and weight) Impact Drivers: Milwaukee and Dewalt brushless drivers are more powerful and compact, Bosch has the hybrid functionality. For reference, I have the Bosch and Dewalt platforms, and after trying both, my drills and drivers are in Dewalt.

I think you would really only find it beneficial if your trade involved repetitive use of a certain large size hole. A 19mm auger bit for instance might be fine in the 2nd speed Dewalt, but require 1st speed in all the others.

yep the equivalent of that Bosch kit in Dewalt is the DCK281D2 (2Ah batts and compact drill). http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCK281D2-Lithium-Brushless-Compact/dp/B00CSDIMXY/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1392763549&sr=1-1&keywords=dewalt+dck281d2 I've owned all those Bosch (non brushless versions though) and Dewalt tools and batteries. Awesome compact drills (Bosch is slightly more powerful, Dewalt has metal chuck). Impact drivers are different, Dewalt more powerful, Bosch more versatile. I don't think the brushless Bosch tools will change much but runtime, but could be wrong. At those prices, I think the Dewalt compact kit is a shoe-in. If you want a full sized hammer drill and 4.0ah batteries, pretty hard to go past the Milwaukee in my mind. (Though Dewalt and Bosch also make great full sizes drills). In my mind, you can go wrong with any of those brands, they are all fantastic. I would take into account the other tools you may add to them. If you might want to grab a grinder, circ saw etc, get 4.0ah batteries. Milwaukee probably makes the best grinder/circ saw/recip saw (with prices to match). Dewalt has the nailgun and very good recip. Bosch makes great grinder/jigsaw/SDS etc...

in Australia, the 1/4" hex and 1/2" anvil were specified at 160Nm and 180Nm respectively. However in a lag/coach screw test I conducted, the Dewalt DCF886 (at 165Nm with an adapter) really smoked the Bosch hybrid even with its 1/2" anvil/socket. That being said, the Bosch is a nice tool (much quieter when not 'impacting') and so versatile! EDIT: I now notice that Bosch website lists the hybrid as 150Nm rather than 160/180Nm, where the compact impact wrench is 180Nm. http://www.bosch-pt.com.au/au/en/professional/power-tools/c131399/p116703/new-tools/gdx-18-v-li.html looks like the new brushless versions have the same torque for the hybrid and dedicated compact wrench (1650 inch pounds)

The hybrid is great unless you expect the 1/2" anvil to have any more power than a regular impact driver. It certainly won't take your lug nuts off... Fantastic for round the house/shed nuts though Man I'm excited about Brushless tools sitting on 5Ah batteries! Go Bosch!

wow thats impressive. very handy but might take up a little too much of my little shed space. really love the idea of a quick clamping vice now ...

G'day all, I've been doing some more delicate woodwork lately, and my Record No. 6 engineers vice just isn't the right tool for the job. Its like the picture shown, and I think these have a replaceable jaw front? Is there a good way to add timber to the jaws to protect my work (as needed), or should I just buy a woodworkers vice? something like this? http://audel.com.au/irwin-record-tv175b-woodcraft-vice-175mm/ If I'm going to get a second vice, i like the idea of an underbench mounted one ....

decided to try the classic chair instead (without a cushion). proving very difficult ... progress photo:

Bosch have a much newer 18V finish nailer than the Dewalt, which is another option.

yeah i recently used the 10.8v drill to assemble a flat packed storage unit, because the 18v impact is just a little hard to control for fine work with its high rpm and impact function. a screwdriver would be even better ...