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.

The Hitachi C8FB is a relic and was replaced by the C8FB2 in the 1990′s. I have ‘the original’ 8-1/2″ sliding compound miter saw.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Description: (by Hitachi)
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In 1988, Hitachi developed the first sliding compound miter saw, the C8FB, to combine the capacity of a radial arm saw and the convenience of a miter saw.  Today, Hitachi continues the tradition of innovation and engineering with new features in addition to classic quality.

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Experience: I was there when Hitachi developed that first compound miter saw and I used it for my career for almost 20 years. The Hitachi that now sits in my shop storage due to a bad bearing doesn’t look anything like today’s laser equipped, lighted 12″ compound miter saws. It vaguely resembles the new C8FSE available in stores today but it’s lightweight in comparison and still accurate after a million cuts.
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Comments: As new compound miter saws came onto the market I stuck with my Hitachi for years. After 15 years of service without a single maintenance issue I retired my C8FB for the Bosch 3915. The only comment that comes to mind is what good are 10ths? Most pitch cuts are a fraction of 12. I think it was a language barrier thing and I’m not sure if it’s been corrected on the current model, 8FSEw. I doubt many are thinking of buying an 8″ saw these days but application specific, this is still a strong contender 20 years after it’s inception.

Links:
Hitachi C8FB2 at Hitachi.us (Product Data)

Hitachi C8FSE 8-1/2-Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw at Amazon