As usual, before I write about a tool on ToolboxBlog.com, I do a bit of online research to see what other’s are saying. Thanks to Ron’s Woodshop, I learned a little about the number system with this old Yankee driver. If Ron is correct, the number 1 in the model No. 133 indicates this driver has a spring. So, it is a model 33 with a spring, making it No. 133H.
I do recommend checking out Ron’s page on Yankee drivers solely for the video at the end where, neglecting to pre-drill, he struggles to drive screws into a board with two Yankee drivers. I watched the video because it says for the “bloody-minded” but I never did see him rip any skin. Oh well, I don’t really like horror movies anyway and I’ve ripped more skin in a year than the average human does in a decade. 

Description:
My Yankee Handyman No. 133H is a fine example of a working push drill. This one has the description printed on the shaft: Yankee Handyman No. 133H, North Bros Mfg Co, Div of Stanley Tools, Phila. Pa. U.S.A.

Experience:
I’ve added a few Yankee drivers from my workshop to ToolboxBlog.com already; The North Bros. 130A, and two Miller’s Falls push drills; 185A and this one. I should retract my dated statement that I don’t use these in my shop because since 2009, I’ve experimented with restoring a few pieces of antique furniture using only tools that predate my birth (antiques), including my useful Millers Falls Antique Push Drill.

Comments:
This Yankee Handyman shows a bit of age, but still operates smoothly despite the bent bit that’s in it at the time the photos were taken. It belonged to my father and I’ve since inherited it and added it to my rack of old tools. I hope you enjoyed the photos and brief description. Thanks for visiting.

What is that hellacious noise? It’s an Impact Driver, but it wasn’t the lightweight Hitachi WH18DSAL 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Driver.

When my partner showed up a few years ago with a Hitachi heavy-duty cordless impact driver, to help assemble a large deck, I couldn’t believe the racket that thing produced. With the tightening of each of a hundred lags, carriage-bolts and hold-down nuts came the most horrendous clamor that I could only hope would immediately stop. I rest assured that I had no use for that cordless tool, hated the volume of it and felt all the rap-a-tapping was weak cordless mechanics attempting the job of my corded Porter-Cable …and for what?

That was a different tool and a different time …a time before I got my hands on the impact driver from his newer, smaller and lighter  Hitachi KC18DHL 18-Volt Lithium-Ion 2-Tool Combo Kit. The impact driver from this combo kit is a tool with a completely different purpose, lighter, fast, long-lasting and… something I’ve just discovered. It’s really an impact screw-gun and … I need one. 

Rating: 4.75 out of 5 stars

Description:

The impact drivers I’m accustomed to, like the one my buddy brought to our decking job, are used to ratchet large nuts and bolts. My corded Porter-Cable is fairly loud, slow and powerful and will crank long lags through beams with ease.

The Hitachi WH18DSAL Impact Driver driver is like a baby impact driver that really packs a punch. It comes with a hex-bit quick-release chuck. 1/4″ hex bits quickly lock in and simply release. There is no threaded chuck to tighten …and you’ve never installed a 3″ screw more readily.

WH18DL Impact Driver with Cool Flow System
Producing 1,330 in./lbs. of torque and weighing just 3.5 pounds, the WH18DL Impact Driver is ideal for tackling projects like sinking deck screws, hanging doors, and installing cabinets and windows. The industrial-grade, two-piece motor uses heavy-gauge copper coils to increase both power and durability. Hitachi’s unique Cool Flow system further enhances durability by supplying a steady stream of air to the motor for harder and longer impacts without motor burnout.
The WH18DL Impact Driver is powered by lithium-ion technology and features the same easily accessible carbon brush and five-position belt hook as the DS18DL Driver Drill.

Though I’m not in need of another drill/driver right now, the amazing performance of these Hitachi drivers has got me green with envy. I’ve spent the past two months working with this little impact drill/driver hanging from my belt and I’ve all but absconded with it. In combination with the right bits and fasteners, it’s amazing.

Experience:

Here’s how I’ve put it to the test and why I’ve decided it’s unsurpassed perfection and a lightweight powerhouse. I’ve had my hands on this little monster for 3 jobs now. The first was a vertical siding replacement with minor call for both impact and drill/driver. Some GRK TRIM Head and GRK Multipurpose Screws came in handy all around. Then I used this little Hitachi to drive 5″ LedgerLOK Ledger Board Fasteners to secure a cantilevered scaffold plank with no problem. That was pretty impressive after driving 2 1/2″ trim screws all week. I think I’m starting to like the way this tool sets screws with a precision or effeciency that smooth drivers don’t have.

The second job was rebuilding an octagonal gazebo and that’s when I became completely sold on this device. After cutting the 16 rafters with their compound miters and swooping profile then installing soffit and fascia, I faced the challenge of bending 1/2″ plywood triangles to each face – and the hitachi with it’s gentle impact really helps out in this kind of situation. There is resistance on the plywood and the tapping motion worked to lower the plywood without driving the head of the screw through until the ply bottomed on the joist. It was really the PERFECT tool, driver tip and screw combination.

Instead of constant pressure, the tool delivers an off and on tapping of the screw, like a twisting hammer, so that with one click of the impact goes the ever-so-gradual sinking of the screw. It’s a very controlled way of delivering screws, not to mention this thing has power that the 18V Li batteries deliver for a long time between charges.

Comments:

I started this Hitachi KC18DHL review by complaining about the noise impact drivers make but I’d like to wrap up, saying: By the time I was done sheathing the gazebo roof, the sound of this little lightweight, easily handled, Hitachi impact driver sounded like Victory!

Links:

The Combo Kit: Hitachi KC18DHL 18-Volt Lithium-Ion 2-Tool Combo Kit

There are a lot of different titles in this review but when you buy the KC18DHL, here’s what’s in the box: The DS18DSAL Driver/Drill, WH18DSAL Impact Driver, UB18DAL Flashlight, two 18-volt 1.5 Ah lithium ion slide batteries, one 40-minute quick charger, Phillips head double sided driver bit, durable carrying case, manuals, and warranty card.

I believe this is a steal for the sub-$200 price on Amazon.com.

Once upon a time I had an ancient drill I kept at home. It seemed to find a lot of use around the house… you know as my homeowner drill. When it died I went looking for an inexpensive 3/8″ drill for around the house and found the Black & Decker Quantum reasonably priced.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Features:

• 3/8″ Keyless Chuck
• 4Amps
• 0-2500RPM Variable Speed

Experience:

Common drilling. This isn’t a poweful drill with it’s 4 Amp motor. It’s not a contractor grade tool despite it’s armor-like plastic housing. When I don’t have a great deal of respect for a tool it takes a lot more abuse. Maybe I’ll just let it fall a little further, drag it by the cord, push it’s motor to the limits and use it beyond my intended purpose. What am I saying about the B&D Quantum? I bought the cheapest drill in the store and given it a lot of use. It’s still working 10 year later. I still think of it as my crappy 3/8″ drill, the one I lend to friends who are just buying a house or want to wire brush some furniture.

Comments:

It’s not the strongest homeowner drill but it’s lasted ten years longer than expected.

Links:

Although it really looks like a piece of crap, it’s only $30… I seriously can’t recommend buying something like this:
Black & Decker DR250B 5.2 amp 3/8-inch VSR Drill/Driver with Storage Bag

The Porter-Cable 878? That’s what’s printed on the side of my drill/driver despite the fact several searches at Porter-Cable come up: “No pages were found.” Still, this 14.4v Porter-Cable Cordless Drill/Driver continues to serve me well.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

FEATURES

• 14.4 Volt, 1.3 Amp-hour batteries
• 1/2″ keyless chuck with 310 in./lbs. maximum torque
• 21 position clutch plus solid lock-up/drill mode
• 2-speed gear box (0-475 & 0-1,450 RPM)
• Standard Equipment: Drill, two battery packs, diagnostic charger, carrying case, double-ended bit tip, and operating manual

Experience:
I received this Porter-Cable Drill/Driver as a gift and immediately put it to use as my ‘work’ screwgun. For a few years I operated exclusively with this 14.4v driver. I’ve left it under a house for 6 months, left it out in the rain, worked in sub-zero temps and 100ºF sweat-drenching days and it’s none-the-worse.

I have 14.4v, 15.6v, 18v and 24v cordless drill/drivers. I prefer the smaller lighter tools like this 14.4v Porter-Cable to the weighty 24v Rigid I’ve added to my box.

Comments:
On the positive side, This screwgun still seems to give 100% and it’s still using the original batteries. (I’ve been through three Apple Powerbook batteries in less time.) The chuck on the Porter-Cable 878 is outdated by current standards, being the kind requiring two hands to adjust. There’s nothing super special about this Porter-Cable drill except that it’s been through so much and it’s still driving in decking screws. It beats my Dewalt hands down for durability and performance but it’s not as smooth or precise as my Panasonic.

DeltaPorterCable.com (Manufacturer’s website)
Porter-Cable 9824 14.4-Volt Cordless Drill/Driver