Screwfix Drill/Impact Driver Twin Pack Bargains - DeWalt vs Makita

udaman · Post by **udaman** » Mon Oct 11, 2021 4:33 pm

Hi folks

First up, in case anyone hasn't seen it there's an extra 10% off at Screwfix until midnight tonight...

So I've been thinking to get a new cordless drill set as my old Ryobis are completely passed it. These two options have really caught my eye and with the additional money off come in at just over £160 which seems a really good price. They're only for home DIY use.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-dck20 ... pack/337kv

https://www.screwfix.com/p/makita-dlx23 ... pack/896hy

Some of the things that my inexperienced eyes have noticed:

- DeWalt is brushless, Makita isn't
- DeWalt has LED lights on both units, Makita just on the impact driver
- Makita has lower torque and speed
- Makita possibly has more overall fans, although DeWalt do have a fair share and I have read of people switching from Makita to DeWalt and being happy. Seems more the other way round though.
- Both items get great reviews on Screwfix, but the companies get bad reviews on TrustPilot

Before I toss a coin to decide, I thought I'd ask the people of the forum your thoughts.

Cheers

ayjay · Post by **ayjay** » Mon Oct 11, 2021 5:36 pm

The first question to ask is why do you feel the need for an Impact driver?

udaman · Post by **udaman** » Mon Oct 11, 2021 5:51 pm

ayjay wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 5:36 pm The first question to ask is why do you feel the need for an Impact driver?

It's a fair and good question, and I'm not totally sure I have a convincing answer :)

I've never had one before. My Ryobi set was two drills. Rightly or wrongly, I tend to always work using one of them for pilot holes and the other for driving in the screws when working with wood. They weren't powerful enough to be much cop with masonry.

So I guess I would look to use the new set in a similar way. But a lot of DIY I'll be doing is outdoor type stuff like building wood shelters, fencing, etc. and from the little I've read the impact driver can be good for that kind of stuff? Likewise boarding the loft, and stuff along those lines. Or would a drill work just as well? If it was twice the price to

The other reason for getting one is simply based on price... Buying a single drill of similar spec doesn't seem to be all that much cheaper.

I'm all ears, so thanks for asking the question and appreciate any further thoughts. I'm no expert as I'm blatantly showing!

ahfix · Post by **ahfix** » Mon Oct 11, 2021 6:10 pm

Since buying my hitach twin set many years back i've always used the impact driver for screws. Sure it's noisy but it smashes through them.

etaf · Post by **etaf** » Mon Oct 11, 2021 6:13 pm

Just a DIYer , but carried out a lot of refurbish on a property just moved into

i thought i answered here ??? strange , as i also edited it , and even looked up the part numbers I had

anyway ,
Screwfix 3 years ago , happily changed a dewalt 778 cordless drill (same as in that kit) i purchased due to a chuck wobble and allowed me to look at 2 others they had in stock - pre-covid
Always had good after sales from them, but to be honest never needed to use much

the impact driver i purchased is dewalt with a 3 speed/torque settings, which i tend to change all the time , carried out a lot of DIY projects, garden, fencing, garage , and home projects , building windows seats, cupboards , doors and all the normal shelfs , etc , I always use the impact driver for screws, nuts , bolts for a fence posts on a wall,

Although I guess you are ordering online to meet the midnight deadline

ahfix · Post by **ahfix** » Mon Oct 11, 2021 6:17 pm

Have a look at the other tools in the manufacture's range and pricing then choose one of the above. Your basically buying into an eco-system and you'll no doubt want to add more tools in the future.

I really wanted to extend my hitachi ... now hikoki range but the kit was too expensive ... top notch but expensive. I then bought a dewalt drill + 4.0ah battery kit. I've since added cordless vacuum, multi tool, strimmer, further batteries ... and i'm sure i'm forgetting something ...

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Mon Oct 11, 2021 6:24 pm

ahfix wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 6:17 pmand i'm sure i'm forgetting something

angle grinder?

ayjay · Post by **ayjay** » Mon Oct 11, 2021 10:17 pm

udaman wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 5:51 pm
ayjay wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 5:36 pm The first question to ask is why do you feel the need for an Impact driver?
It's a fair and good question, and I'm not totally sure I have a convincing answer :)

The most frequently touted benefit of an impact driver is that are faster than a standard cordless driver when you're using large screws - thing's like Timbaloks. They probably are, and if I'd ever needed to use those in large quantities on price work, I'd probably have bought one by now, but even a 14 volt cordless will deal with a few Timberlocks.

: timberlock.jpg (11.27 KiB) Viewed 3268 times

Disadvantages - they're noisy - very little in the way of speed control and therefore no real soft start, you definitely couldn't use them for most second fixing tasks.

udaman · Post by **udaman** » Wed Oct 13, 2021 1:46 pm

Thanks for all those replies - really helpful.

I decided to go with the DeWalts.

Regarding "Ecosystems" - I don't intend to buy any (or many) other cordless tools. I've only ever had cordless drills. I prefer to use hand tools where ever possible. And my gardening equipment, where not hand tools, are two-stroke machines. But a hand drill would be going too far!!

Regarding the need for an impact driver - definitely taking what you say on board. I've never even used one before. So seeing as I've got the kit at a really good price, I'll give it a spin and if it's not for me I can sell it on, hopefully without losing much at all. As I mentioned before, I like to always use pilot holes whatever I'm doing. Can pilot hole still be of use when use an impact driver for the screw?

Cheers

etaf · Post by **etaf** » Wed Oct 13, 2021 1:53 pm

Can pilot hole still be of use when use an impact driver for the screw?

yes, i have just installed about 7 door hinges and used a Trend self centering Drill
Often i will use small 2-4mm Drills depending on screw size , especially into edge pf MDF which often splits , if a polit hole is not used
Thats why I like the 3 speed/torque impact driver as it works nice and slow and does not overtighten on setting 1

i thought i answered here ??? strange , as i also edited it , and even looked up the part numbers I had

I answered on the DIYNOT forum

udaman · Post by **udaman** » Mon Nov 08, 2021 12:48 am

Hi folks

Having asked on another couple of forums, some people elsewhere said you should never buy power tools from places like Toolstation and Screwfix. The logic being that they are always cheaper elsewhere and they tend to be poorly spec'd/priced cheaply to lure people in to a brand loyalty.

I've already bought the DeWalt set. Haven't used them yet and am starting to get near to my 30 day return deadline. Following the above, I've had a look and tried to compare offerings from other sites. I had to give up in the end. There are so many different model numbers, and then slight variations to the same numbers... To compare within one brand would need a degree in power tools. To do the same for all competing brands would need a PhD!

What I did find is that whilst the Screwfix set seems to be exclusive to SF, the individual tools - DCD778 and DCF787 - are available to buy in a few other shops. Taking the impact driver (DCF787) as an example, the best bare unit I could find was around £70. Which to my mind makes £160 for impact driver, drill, case, charger and two batteries quite a good deal.

Does anyone here agree with the above RE buying such tools for SF / TS? If anyone can find or knows of a comparable set for less money, or a better quality set for around the same money, please do let me know. I'd love to hear before the deadline to return is reached. Whilst I am tempted to splash out and go for a more professional better quality and more expensive set (or Milwaukee, etc), I don't think my use would justify it. I do like to buy well and buy once, but these tools might get used solidly for a week or two, then left for a month. Once the house is renovated, they'll only see small DIY jobs around the house, and things like fences, wood shelters, etc. outdoors. But that won't be all the time either. So I didn't go el cheapo, and not super pro either.

All ears to any suggestions.

Cheers

PS - even the DeWalt batteries are hard to compare! Some are block with a yellow button and some the reverse. Is there more to it than just colour? Does that signify different quality ranges or something?

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Mon Nov 08, 2021 1:43 am

Looking for a Dewalt 18v combi drill that I can find in several places to compare. I give up.
It looks like some places get their "Own version" now what the differences are I do not know* (Couldn't be bothered to check all details from one to another)
But one I found (at random) I found 3 prices for
Wickes £199
Toolstop 143
FFX £137

As I said, screwfix and toolstation seem to have the same as others, but not the same number. The one I was comparing is the DCD796D2
But last time I needed I new drill, I went to screwfix because it was cheap and in stock and not far from where I live.

* That said, I did used to work for a company and we had a product branded with our name, you could buy it unbranded at several places (No idea of cost, anywhere) but I do know the ones we had had software just for us, and our logo. It was called by the same name as the unbranded ones. Perhaps screwfix have a unique part number so you can't easily compare it?

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Mon Nov 08, 2021 8:09 am

I am over the prestige brands these days as I do not feel the quality that made a difference in the past is still relevant today. I got an Erbauer one from Screwfix as my Dewalt died mid-job and it was a quick solution. It is still going strong 4 years on and I would say it performs as well as the Dewalt, even though I thought I would change back after I burned it out. So my point here is that I suspect they all come from a Chinese supplier and just have slight cosmetic changes, badges and livery so with that said buy cheap and chuck.

DWD

etaf · Post by **etaf** » Mon Nov 08, 2021 9:19 am

As mentioned on other forum, You tend to stick to the same brand when cordless, so you can use with the same batteries.
That maybe something to consider , cost of any other items you may purchase cordless in future for projects. ( in addition to the Drill/impact driver, I now have a Jigsaw, circular saw, planner, multi-tool, grinder , rightangle drill)
I'm just a DIYer as mentioned, and slowly renovating a bungalow , and used a lot on various projects. over the last 3 years.
BUT i do find i use the imapct driver on different settings, I have the DCF887 and use setting 1 for drilling screws into wood , where i have countersunk
then maybe switch to 2 just for the final bit
3 i used on a lot of coachbolts on a fence and on a car, and lawnmower.

I think if you look in the description , certainly on screwfix, it has the actual models of the items as known by Dewalt site - otherwise the codes can be confusing.
BUT looking at the dewalt site and screwfix - in the screwfix specification it lists the model numbers - which match the dewalt site , so you know which item you are getting

battery colour -
the 3AH which i have 2 in a kit are a black body, yellow button , my 2AH are yellow body, black button again 2 in a kit (both kits from Screwfix),
My 5AH is Black button, but a yellow and black body
I think the 4Ah is also a black body with yellow button
and then there is the flexvolt range, which are a different colour combination - which operate flexvolt tools 54V but can also be used on 18V tools.

warranty
but all my models recognised by dewalt for extended 3 year warranty , and the code was also a recent manufacturer
I have heard some cheaper items Milwaukee are offered as new but are refurb. I think there maybe a post here (or on DIYNOT) about that - where the item was purchased in 2019/20 and the serial number said 2013 and so milwaukee would not honour the warranty - that was an issue from amazon, also NOT a listed supplier , so again issues with warranty

I tend to purchase from Toolstation/Screwfix when they have good offers, next is FFX , D&M tools and Axminster tools

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Mon Nov 08, 2021 10:57 am

general comments
with dewalt the last bit on a single tool is kit involved, for example DCF787D2T-SFGB =a dcf787 impact --D2T -will mean in this instance 2x2ah batts kit box and charger---SFGB-specifically for screwfix uk so here is the problem you can't directly compare the kit as its screwfix specific and indeed may be made to a price for the diy market rather than price for heavy trade use
in general but not always 3ah batts or less diy market 4ah /5ah trade market and if it comes with a 6ah they are trying to entice you to the 54v market as a duel 18/54v battery

so just search for DCF787 thats the bare tool and if it only crops up in B&Q and sf and no other retailer is made to a price if it comes up as a DCF787N that just means N=naked so tool only
https://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-dcf78 ... iver/489hp