Buy Hitachi WH18DL 18-volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Impact DriverHitachi WH18DL 18-volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Impact Driver Product Description:
- Two 3.0 Ah HXP Lithium Ion batteries for three times the life at half the weight of NiCd or NiMH batteries
- Lithium Ion batteries can be used-inch Hitachi 18-volt DMR and DVF3 tools for even more value
- Class leading torque- 1,330-inch-pounds to power through the toughest jobs with ease; 1/4-inch hex drive
- Hitachi-foots unique Cool Flow system allows the impact to run harder and longer, minimizing the risk of burnout
- Compact and lightweight at only 6-3/8-inches long and 3.5-pounds
- 1,330-inches per pound of driving torque to power through the toughest jobs
- Comes with Hitachi's lifetime Lithium-Ion tool warranty
- Cool flow system allows the impact driver to run harder and longer, minimizing the risk of burnout
- Industrial grade, two-piece motor with heavy gauge copper coils for added power and durability
- Unique (2) step speed switch (power mode/save mode) provides (2) speed settings for ultimate control
Product Description
Hitachi WH18DL Lithium-Ion Cordless 18-Volt Impact Driver with Case, Quick Charger and Rechargeable Batteries
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
31 of 31 people found the following review helpful.
The king of impact drivers
By Jared Stiff
First of all, if you're new to the world of impact drivers you have to get on board. It's just as simple as that! But seriously, if you're still driving screws/lag bolts/whatever with a drill or a ratchet, you're just working too hard. The torque is astounding, and this unit nearly matches the big beefy pneumatic impact drivers in a much nicer package. So when you see those giant lag screws you need to attach that deck ledger with you will not even sweat putting them in.I think the bigger advantage is that, unlike a drill, the impact action means that the torque is in bursts so it doesn't crank the drill around. With a drill you are usually doing just as much work as the drill (though with a bit of mechanical advantage). Even screwing in a bunch of smaller screws requires you to counteract the twisting force. Not so with an impact driver. You can virtually drive small and large screws alike with two fingers (the way you'd hold a wine glass).Now about this tool in particular... This tool is meant to drive screws more than large bolts. I have a beefy impact driver I use for most of those applications simply because the tip of this driver is for a "standard" hex shaft bit with a ball-detent. I'm sure the driver has the power to drive them if you have the right bit. I've been using it for over a year now (I got it at a trade show the week it was released but before it was in stock). The battery life is outstanding. They hold their charges well between uses, and have survived banging around the back of my van for a while now.The fit, finish, and features are all excellent. The light is nice and now some others have copied it (though I do like the compact Makita where the light automatically turns on and off with the trigger), and comes in handy working in dark cabinets and tricky spaces.The battery protection kind of made me pause the first time it happened, but it's a great feature and shows how Hitachi put in the extra thought in engineering for the new battery technology. Most competitors will let you run your batteries to the ground, which will quickly kill the life of your battery. The cost of the battery is a large part of the investment and I'm happy it doesn't let me cheat. Even if you know you should swap out the battery, how often would you stop immediately and get a new battery? You'd probably be like me and try to get that one last one. And just a couple more... Usually I don't like tools to think for me, but I'm OK, and actually thankful, with this feature. Now if only we could do something about those seatbelt warning bells...Anyway, the cost of this system is high, and I'm not sure if it's included in any of the packages, which is a shame because the two best pieces are the drill and the driver. My partner likes the compact Makita, but this thing will outwork it any (and every) day.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful.
Hitachi WH18DL - Solid Performer
By R. D. Mahaffy
Bought this back in Feb '08 and have used it a number of times for smaller projects, though my big projects are ahead. Impressed so far and I give it 5 stars for build quality, value, performance, and general coolness (I like the look that some find toyish).One area that I'd like to see improved is the grip. (This is entirely personal, and not major enough to detract from the overall rating of the tool) I have smaller hands and find the lower portion (ring, pinky finger) of the grip to be slightly larger than I like. For reference, try out the Makita Impact Drivers (Makita BTD140 LXT 18 Volt Lithium-Ion Impact Driver Kit, Makita BTD142HW 18V Lithium-Ion Cordless Impact Driver). They have the most comfortable grips IMHO. But this does not detract from the Hitachi which has more torque, faster RPMs, etc. (Exception being Makita's new BDT141 which has 1330 lbs. torque)Battery life has been outstanding. I have not drained the first battery yet, seen absolutely no loss of torque/RPM as happens with standard batteries. My 18V Black & Decker 18V drill cannot hold a candle to the WH18DL.Another buying point for me is the little white (red on some) switch on the handle that allows you to slow the RPMs. Handy when you don't want to drive too fast. Makita does not have this option, fwiw. In the fast mode you get from 0-2600 RPM and in slow you get from 0-2000 RPM - and it makes a big difference. The Makita models go fro 0-2300 RPMs only. So for me, the Hitachi allows for more nuanced work.Uses: I've used this for BOTH drilling and driving. Drilling is not its strong point but it works and works well. I've used a 1/2" spade bit to drill through 46 year old 2x6 rafters. Was like slicing through butter.But when I used a regular hex drill bit - 1/4", the ratcheting mechanism kicked in for a brief sec and things slowed down a smidge but still finished the job well. Awesome to have one tool to accomplish both tasks.Using high-speed mode was really impressive. Driving and unscrewing screws, lag bolts, etc., is super fast and easy. Unscrewing 3.5" wood screws was so fast I had to let the fasteners cool down before I handled them (in pressure treated lumber).Using the WH18DL to hang drywall is a breeze. I have a bigger drywall project coming up, but so far, most screws are set perfectly (using the slower mode). The ratcheting starts just as the screw sets so you can back down and get a perfect drywall set w/o a drywall bit. Your mileage may vary.Don't think this tool is *only* for driving screws, bolts, etc. You can use it as a drill within reason (another reason I chose over the Makitas is faster RPMs). Drilling is not its primary function, but it will work fine for lighter drilling (haven't tried it in masonry yet, but on the list).The integrated LED light/belt hook is a nice feature, and useful though I thought it wouldn't be. I think I'd prefer a slimmer metal belt hook, though. And I like Bosch's light integration around the "chuck" better. Jury is out as to whether the yellow LED is better than a white LED which other impact drivers have.If you have a honey-do list that is loaded with driving fasteners, then let your spouse know you have found a tool that will speed you through it like never before and leave you less fatigued to boot! :-)While I poured a lot of time into research, I did not spend a lot of time looking at DeWalt's offerings as they were beyond my price range. Though I did get my hands on them at the Home Depot. Decent, small like the Makita. Rigid's 18V ID was nice, but larger and heavier. If you want to see what the grip feels like on this WH18DL, you'll have to go to your local Lowe's and try out some of these green HXP Lithium Ion models (our Lowe's did not have this particular model but had the sister drill and others so I could get an idea of what to expect).I also looked at Bosch's 10.8V Litheon impact driver which is a great idea, but did not like the feel in my hand tho I loved the general size of it. The grip is thick all around, and its a nice unit otherwise. In terms of torque and RPM's, it is not in the same class as the Hitachi.So if you only use a drill (corded or cordless) to do your screw driving you don't know what you're missing. If you have ever torqued your wrist drilling a stubborn screw or lag bolt and ended up throwing back Advil caps as a result, this tool will be your saving grace. Torque is in abundance, but thanks to the ratcheting mechanism, it doesn't transfer to your wrist. So you can drive fasteners till the sun sets and be less fatigued when done.Overall: Highly recommended.-Value includes 5 year warranty compared to Makita's 3.-More torque, RPMs than equivalent Makita models in price range.-Good grip, a little "large" at the bottom of grip for those of us with smaller hands. Reason for the larger bottom is that it has a columnar battery post/insert as opposed to Makita's slide-in battery. Not sure which is a better technical design, but there you have it.-Use for driving fasteners AND light drillingHope this review was helpful.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful.
Incredible
By Dave W
This little machine is incredible. It is my most used power tool. I am a remodeler, I wasn't sure if I should believe the hype about impact drivers, but I gave it a try anyways. I have never looked back. As a professional this doesn't take the place of a Drill/Driver But for most applications it is faster and easier. (For a homeowner it would be a much nicer tool to have than a drill)Power. It has loads of power. The speed is very good, especially when it isn't impacting. It takes less effort to use than a drill because of the impacting you don't need to push as hard on it to grip the screw. It also does a nice job with a drill bit, or even a speed-bor.It does look like a toy, but it is one of the nicest tools I have
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