This summer I decided to build three decks and install a three-rail fence around my property. These projects require a lot of fastening with 3 inch deck screws. I used my drill/driver for my first deck and my wrists were hurting from the torquing action. I received my impact driver and put it to use immediately. The Dewalt impact driver drives these screws quickly and effortlessly and I've tossed my drill/driver aside. I would highly recommend this tool to anyone using a drill to drive-in screws, lag bolts, etc.

i am a 53 year old carpenter-builder who has carried my 18 volt dewalt for several years on my toolbelt (heavy). The batteries are going, my shoulder is going, and i can't get into tight places. The Dewalt impact took care of all the above problems. I took a chance (because there were no real reviews) and bought it -and I love it - you will not believe how small it is!!! Here is some real data - the first day on the job site we were trying it out and we drove ONE (the same one) 3 inch galvanized screw (the kind that strip easy) in and out 6 times without stripping the head (we stopped testing with no sign of stripping but the screw was really hot )- the amazing thing is that the impact is just as helpful backing the screw out. br Hex ended drills are readily available and were tested in wood and 3/8 steel - no problem. (i have only found smaller -1/4'' -high speed bits readily available) The dewalt hex ended spade bit (3/4'') cruised through wood with much less effort than my 18 volt. My only question is how durable it is. Time will tell - but beyond that I am happy as hell with it.

I had recently used a friend's DeWalt 12v impact driver (and loved it), so when I had the opportunity to pick this 14.4v driver up cheap I jumped at the chance. I expected great things from this tool and I have not been disappointed.
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br /Whenever I can't get good leverage on my regular 14.4v DeWalt drill/driver it tends to strip the screw heads towards the end of the drive. Not so with this baby. If you are starting with a new or undamaged screw, this driver will sink it into anything short of concrete without stripping the head. Other benefits include the small size of the driver itself and a really nifty chuck device.
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br /As for downsides: You hear this a lot, but when this thing goes into "impact mode" it is loud. If you happen to be in a small room such as a bathroom you will really notice how loud it is. Also, you have to use hex headed bits and drivers with this thing, and that could lead to a bit of expense if you don't have any already.
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br /Before buying this impact driver I was in a pretty common situation. I already owned a 14.4v drill/driver and had to wonder if I needed this one too. I am sure a lot of people who will read this review are in the same boat. My answer to this is yes and no. You can get by forever with just a drill/driver, so you don't NEED this tool. But speaking from a convenience point of view, once you buy this and cease to strip screw heads no matter what material you are screwing into, and once you get used to applying about 1/4 of the pressure that a drill/driver takes, you will love this tool forever.
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br /I made sure that my drill/driver and my impact driver were of the same voltage so they could share batteries and now use the drill for drilling (duh) and the impact driver for driving and spend a lot less time swapping back and forth between drill bits and driver bits.
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br /I highly recommend this as a well made and high performing tool.

I tried a 12v Makita impact driver after reading the reviews. It was a revelation, but the angled handle was awkward and a little painful to use at arm's length. The DeWalt handle is 90 degrees to the motor and is easier to use for me. The Dewalt trigger isn't quite as sensitive as the Makita, but it's very good. The 1150 inch-pounds (vs 867 for Makita 12v) seems just right....it spins longer at high speed before the impact starts, so long screws drive quite a bit quicker. The Makita 12v is definitely more controllable and has a the ultimate variable trigger, but I can drive both 6 x 3/4" wood screws in cabinet hinges and sink 4" deck screws out of sight in anything with the DeWalt. It does the formerly impossible. I smile every time pick it up.

I am a part time deck builder and realy like the impact drivers but it seems they can't take the heat. All three of mine are less than a year old and all three motors burned out the same day. The only good thing was DEWALT paid to replaced the motors free of charge. Thanks DEWALT.

I shopped (data and spec-wise)around for this style of tool and finally decided on the DeWalt 14.4v. As a professional cabinet installer for 4 national manufacturers, I rely on my tools for my income and my high quality reputation million dollar plus homeowners demand. I think I have every DeWalt 14.4v tool made. Even a DeWalt 14.4 bisquet joiner. I like the professional grade 14.4v because it is light enough to use all day long and because most pro grade 14.4v drivers and drills won't "over torque" the screws. I know most contractors like the 18 volt, and I agree for circular trim and recip saws. But, the 18's can take me all the through a cabinet and the outside wall of the house before I can let go of the trigger (not a good thing). I have a couple Bosch 18 volt for heavy drilling in concrete, but all the DeWalt 14.4's have more that enough power to take a 2-1/2" hole saw thru a 2x4 or neatly drill a 1-1/4" forcner bit into hickory and still break off the heads of screws if you want! Back to the DeWalt 14.4 volt IMPACT DRIVER. A really sweet tool and drives the screw straight and slightly countersunk without splitting face frames or braking the heads off the screws. Well balanced, nice weight for all day use on a single charge (XRP) but, a bit loud (actually they all are). BUT...Unfortunately, I only had the tool for about 10 days before it and all the rest of my DeWalt 14.4 tools (all neatly placed in thier cases with xtra batteries and chargers)and a couple brand new XRP batteries, were stolen. %#@!*^$%$!!! I had to replace this new tool immediately and local resources had none (DeWalt 14.4 any way). So, I ended up with a Makita 14.4v (it was my orginal 2nd choice) and I can tell you, I liked the DeWalt better. The quick release is much smoother for single finger releases (the Makita actually takes two hands to change a bit), slightly quieter and felt better in hand than the Makita. The flat bottom of 14.4 battery held it upright and stable on inclined surfaces. Suffice it to say, the impact driver is THE tool for driving screws, and the DeWalt 14.4v is the front runner in my opinion.

Okay DeWalt has created another must have tool. It is compact and has the torque for the big driving jobs that would require frequent battery changes or a finish up with a hand wrench. Now be ready and hang on as this will drive 99% or our needs for heavy torque jobs. See model DW055K-2 for the 1/2" driver output.

I was a bit skeptical about this tool after I purchased it, and I took a lot of ribbing at the jobsite because of its size and the noise it made, but after it drove 4 inch wood screws into a door frame they shut up. It takes a little getting used to if you want to us it to fasten drywall, but it isn't hard. You also go through a lot of bits because it is so powerfull it shatters them. You also have to buy a chuck if you want to drill with it.
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br /For the money, I don't think I have ever bought a better drill/screw gun. We burn out a lot of drills on the jobsite and when I finally wear this on out I will definately buy another to replace it.

I have used a few impact drivers in my day. Just recently I purchased the new 14.4v Impact for work. I am very impressed with it power and vesatility. I just hope I can stop myself from using it all the time.

This is a great screw gun! I bought mine last week, and have hardly had the chance to use it. Why? Because if it sits idle for a minute, someone on my crew has nabbed it for whatever they're building. I haven't seen a WOW factor like this from a tool since the first Hitachi slide saw. To a man, everyone on my crew says they're going to buy one of these for themselves. I hope they do - so I can use mine!

If power is what your looking for then look no further. The size is small and very convinent. She'll drive long screws into wood all day. The extra battery pack always assures plenty of juice for any application. I'm a Professional window Covering contractor and depend on my tools and this one is a very dependable cordless. The variable speed takes a little getting use to, as does the impacting noise when the torque is driving it home. This is like no other "cordless driver " you've used before! Takes a little getting use to...so much power. Try to use positive lock type screw systems. Slotted and philips don't hold as well as hex head and square drive. I'll never be caught without my Dewalt Impact Driver, Ever!

I have some rental properties that always need something done, and man, does this tool get a lot of use. I've used it for putting down plywood, some sheetrock installation, putting stainless steel screws into redwood fence boards and a number of other things. We liked it so much I bought a second unit so my helper can use one while I use the other. Like another reviewer said, people love this tool. It doesn't weigh much, is small enough to get into tight places, and goes a long way on a charge. It is pretty noisy, but who cares (unless you're working on a house while the next door neighbor is trying to sleep! Except for drilling, I never pick up my other cordless drill/drivers. Pick up one of these impact drivers and you will surprise yourself with how often you reach for it.

I install cabinets for a living. My crew and I have fallen in love with this tool . I am buying another one.

First the good:
br /This is a solid tool with great daily performance- drives your screws like a cordless drill could only hope to.
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br /Now the not so good:
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br /DeWalt's batteries seem to fail a LOT earlier than they used to. I don't know why but at $60 each to replace them, well, I'm not thrilled.
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br /I have owned this tool for about 1 1/2 years. In that time I built 3 good sized decks with it and it performed very well for the most part, but. . . .today it failed (broke).
br /I estimate the tool drove 4,000 3-inch screws. That sounds like a lot but honestly, the tool was used rather modestly. I THINK the brushes burned up. Unfortunately, unlike the competition's impact driver, DeWalt's brushes are not user-serviceable- they are inaccessible unless you open the tool housing. It will cost (MINIMUM) $75 to repair along with a lengthy stay in the repair shop due to DeWalt's SLOW performance delivering repair parts. I will have at least 3-4 weeks of down time just waiting for parts.
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br /In general, while this is a very useable tool I am not very impressed with it's longevity and have already ordered a lighter, more powerful, easier to service unit from another maker to hold me until (and IF) this comes back from the repair shop.
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br /Homeowner buyer: buy it.
br /Pro daily user: keep looking, friend.
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br /Edit: I spoke to my tool repair guy today. It was the (plastic) cooling fan that broke. Seems they get brittle with usage, eventually shattering. While DeWalt is aware of this problem they will not remedy the issue for those of us that own this tool.
br /Also, the little fan will cost around $50 and labor is approx. $75.
br /Interesting coincidence that you can buy the 'bare tool' for $129.

handy and powerful little impact driver, great price, got it delivered on time, packaged great, no hassles, will shop amazon again. rev. r.tokunaga