Customer Reviews

Makita 6916DWDE 12 Volt Cordless Impact Driver Kit

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'll start by saying this is absolutely the best tool I've ever used, and I've used a lot. It never leaves my side when I'm working on small or major projects. If you've never used it, you can't understand how good it is -- but I'll try to explain.

An impact driver is like a drill that switches into high torque, rapid rotations when it meets enough resistance. You don't have to do anything -- it switches automatically for you. When you're driving an easy screw, it's exactly like a drill (but one that turns at a lightning-fast 2,000+ rpms). When you're driving a tough screw, it changes into impact mode and drives it home effortlessly. Need to back a screw out? It starts in impact mode while the screw is deep and then switches back to super-fast drill mode as the screw gets easier to turn.

The real gem is that you'll never, ever strip a screw again. The impact mode is the key. Lots of tiny, high-torque rotations in the screw head don't make it slip out or strip. It's so different from a regular drill, you'll never have to push hard on a screw again.

If you don't believe me, try this test with your 18 volt, 6 pound cordless drill:

1) Cut off a 4" length of a 4x4 post (to make a 4x4x4 cube)
2) Take a 3" phillips head deck screw and your drill
3) Hold the 4x4 cube up in the air in one hand
4) With the other hand, drive the 3" deck screw (no pre-drilling allowed) all the way through the cube -- yes, all the way until it comes out the other side and its head is buried deep in the cube
5) If you're not impressed yet, back the screw out (same rules, holding the 4x4x4 up in the air), put a socket head on your drill and repeat with a 5/16" lag screw

With a regular drill, those 5 steps will either twist the 4x4x4 out of your hand, strip the screw, or cause you to drop the whole thing and swear because you've been pressing so hard your muscles are quivering. With this little 3 pound tool, you can repeat those 5 steps all day without breaking a sweat.

Lastly, it really can replace your drill for almost everything you do. Buy a hex drill bit set (like the quick-change sets) and you can drill holes all day long. I've even drilled 1" holes with a spade bit. Yesterday I drilled tiny 1/16" holes and drove tiny screws to install kitchen cabinet catches -- once again no strips and no errors.

If you decide to take the plunge, you'll never go back. Buy only high-quality screwdriver bits, or you'll be breaking them off every half hour. I've found the ribbed ACS Phillips II bits to be hardy and worth the $1 each price tag at your local home store.

As some big company's advertising campaign used to say, "This changes everything..."

This is an amazing tool. I have used the 6914DWBE extensively but this tool is even better. You get a better battery, another 100 RPM and a lighter tool for only about [price]. I have modified my 6914, taking out the impact and making a new driveshaft (not recommended for those without friends who have very precise machine tools) but I have no desire to modify the 6916. The tool is perfect as is. If you are looking for a drill you will have the rest of your life then this is it. It is built industrial tough--hardened drive shaft, mag housing and the best motor Makita puts in any tool. You can't go wrong.

I am a finish carpenter and I love this little gun. It is light, compact, and powerful. This gun will set a screw in oak with little effort on my part. I won't be using my 18v cordless drills any more for driving screws. Very happy with this tool

I PURCHASED THIS LITTLE POWERHOUSE FROM AMAZON AND HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY SATISFIED. IT WILL DRIVE 3 INCH WOOD SCREWS WITH VERY LITTLE EFFORT. THE 2.6 AH BATTERY REALLY LAST A LONG TIME. THE BEST THING ABOUT THIS UNIT IS THE LIGHT WEIGHT AND OVERALL SHORT LENGHT. IT IS VERY EASY TO GET INTO TIGHT PLACES AND THE BALANCE IS EXCELLENT. I OWN SEVERAL CORDLESS SCREWDRIVERS FROM 9.6 TO 24 VOLT AND NONE OF THEM COMPARE WITH THIS LITTLE UNIT ON POWER. IF I COULD GIVE TEN STARS ON THIS I WOULD. YOU MUST TRY IT.

I took the advice that the DeWalt impact driver kit was better just because it had more torque. I bought it and had to return it. Having 1000lb of torque for a 12volt may seem dandy but when it comes to quality, the makita 6916D has the DeWalt beat. Just the feel of it is better, the 2.6amp NiMH batteries are much better and the charge last much longer then the DeWalts. The Makita has 113lbs of torque less than the dewalt but that does not make a whole lot of differnce. Much happier with the Makita

After purchasing this from the amazon.com tool crib, I am beyond satisfied, Like the other reviewers I agree I will never use a
regular drill for driving screws again. You can set your screws
and countersink them with 1/32 inch accurracy! also you do not
need to apply heavy pressure to into the screw. I drove 2-1/2
inch course screws all day and did not strip a single one!
I own a 18volt milwaukee drill and this thing smokes it completely!

My only critisizm is the battery wiggles a little once snapped in the tool, other than that I would also give ten stars.......

As a professional cabinetmaker/fabricator I have all manner of power tools (a half dozen routers, six drills, grinders, various saws, etc.), but this is far and away my favorite of the lot. Sure, comparing a router to a drill is silly, but some tools make you feel good while you're using them and others just don't get you very excited. Somewhere in that recipe for power tool bliss is a combination of quality, effectiveness, ergonomics, and several other mystery ingredients. This tool has them all.

With an all-metal gear housing, fine bearing and gear innards, and a sturdy plastic body, this tool just feels like quality. It purrs when you run it. It is light and compact, and for those of us who have gotten over the need for flashy macho power tools and have instead prioritized effective function over fashionable mega-volts sure appreciate a tool that gets the job done and doesn't give us tendonitis after a couple hours. You pros who use your tools all day know what I'm talking about. The compact size is great for cabinetmaking and working in smaller spaces.

This machine is plenty powerful. Makita and all of the other guys make 14.4V, 18V, and even 24V (paleeeze!) impact drivers, but I can't imagine how they would be necessary for 98% of the users out there. The guys at work won't snap towels at you in the locker room if you show up with this tool, even though it is only 12V. Once they see it in action they'll want one too! You can drive all day with this baby and the batteries last for an amazingly long time. I use mine mainly for driving screws into wood, but I've also used it for driving lag screws and other heavier applications. No problem.

There is one thing, however, that every potential buyer should know. This tool is not a direct substitute for a regular drill, even with the excellent optional drill chuck available from Makita. This tool drives fasteners into materials about as effectively as possible, but it is a mediocre drill. It will do in a pinch (I've even run taps with it), but it is more of a secondary tool than a primary drill. Use it in conjunction with your favorite power drill for best results. Building a deck and driving 1,000 deck screws? Buy this tool. Drilling a bunch of holes in metal, wood, or any other material? Get out your drill.

That being said, I love this tool. I've gotten more use and satisfaction out of it than any tool in my arsenal and I can't say enough good things about it. Buy and be happy!

Excellent power and control for driving philips head screws into thick stock lumber. Can be used as a drill as well but requires hex-shank drill bits, so size of bit is limited. If you are unfamilar with the impact mechanism of these types of tools, be aware of the noise that is generated when it goes into impact mode. It sounds similar to what you hear at an auto mechanic's garage only not so loud. I think it's definitely tolerable. My only complaint was the price. Otherwise, a very comfortable and light tool that is easy to handle.

If you need to drive a lot of screws, you will definitely appreciate the power this driver affords. If your applications require more drilling, then I wouldn't recommend this driver.

I have a trusty 3/8 inch chuck Milwaukee Magnum Holeshooter, corded, the kind that has a side handle to hold onto because the drill develops so much torque. I got an oak 2x4 from an old pallet and with a 1 1/8" Forstner type bit bored my way through it. No problem, the screw bit tip bites into the wood and draws you right through the wood. Just make sure you are holding on to the drill tight with both hands and have the wood in a vise or otherwise securely fastened down. Then I took that same 1 1/4" bit and put in onto my new Makita 6916. I had to use an adapter chuck with a 1/4 inch drive. You can order it from Makita for about $... I held the oak 2x4 with my left hand in the air in front of me, and took the Makita with the 1 1/8" bit in my right hand and started in on the wood. Unbelievable. The Makita just walked that bit right through the 2x4. I called my 10 year old daughter into the garage and had her use one hand to do the same thing, just so I could write about it. I held the wood, she used her right hand to hold the Makita and just walked through that 2x4, chips flying. (Remember to wear your protective glasses.) The Makita doesn't seem to transmit any torque back onto your hand at all. And it is very light weight. My daughter definitely didn't like the noise though. It does sound like a mini jack hammer when its working hard. Impact is the way to go though, no question whatsoever.

I am suprised more attention is not given to impact drivers. For driving screws, they are significantly superior to drill/drivers. I was able to sink 3 inch screws into hard 2X lumber with one hand at a somewhat awkward angle on a ladder. Compared to stripping about a dozen screw heads using a regular drill/driver.

I also used this for drwall screws and it worked better for me than my drywall specific screwdriver.

Buy one, you won't regret it.