However, there are some things to take into consideration.

First of all, you will need to use hex drill bits. Compact impact drivers use 1/4″ hex bits, here is an example of what hex shank drill bits look like. This particular set from Makita is affordable and has bits ranging from 1/16″ to 3/16″.

An impact driver will work fine for screwing holes in wood and metals if you have the right bits. You may find that the impact driver digs into the wood with less effort, but as a result you need to be a little more careful with control.

If you need to drill holes in metal, and are having a hard time getting through with a standard drill, an impact driver could provide the torque you need to drill through a little more easily.

Many people prefer impact drivers to standard drills for drilling, but it depends on who you talk to.

What’s our opinion? The impact drivers we have used for drilling worked just fine, so we don’t see any problems with it. As with anything, it probably comes down to personal preference.

If you want to see the reviews and see which saws we recommend, feel free to head on over and check them all out.

This saw kit comes with a 13-amp motor that gives the 7-1/4-inch 18-tooth carbide blade just the right amount of power to cut smoothly through different types of wood. Although the 5480-01 is lighter than previous models, it comes with a slightly larger foot, giving it a more stable structure. On top of that, its ergonomic front and rear handles as well as a patented safety lock add to your comfort and peace of mind.

Features:

• Rear lever depth-adjustment and 2-point Line of Sight to help you make more precise cuts
• Comes with Skil’s patented Anti-Snag Lower Guard that lets you work more smoothly
• Foot is 20 percent larger than previous models, making the machine more stable and easier to control
• Built with a Safety Lock/Guarded Trigger that greatly reduces the risk of accidental starts
• Includes an 18-tooth carbide blade and wrench

The Reviews

We checked out the most popular online store Amazon.com to see what customers had to say about this product. Overall, it received favorable reviews. There were 22 customers who shared their thoughts about the SkilSaw 5480-01 and 17 of them gave it 5 stars. They all agree that the SkilSaw 5480-01 is a great buy, especially for non-professionals. It’s fairly easy to use and it truly is stable even when working at different angles—this moved one reviewer to comment that Skil truly puts their customer’s safety first when designing their power tools.

Aside from being safe and user-friendly, what really got people giving this machine 5 stars is that it makes smooth cuts through almost any kind of wood. The motor is adequately powerful and the blade is easy to insert and replace. One customer liked it so much that he actually started to think of more projects around the house just so he could use the saw more often.

Only 3 people gave ratings of 3 stars or lower. There were complaints about the saw’s so-called poor design and cheaply made materials. These customers weren’t happy with the saw’s power or performance. One customer’s unit unfortunately started to malfunction after the first use. He also claims that Skil’s customer support reps were less than helpful. Since negative reviews were greatly outnumbered by the positive ones, we couldn’t help doubting their authenticity.

Read more reviews here

All things considered, we highly recommend the Skil Skilsaw Model 5480-01 Circular Saw Kit. It’s fairly priced and based on the reviews we’ve read, this model has great safety features—the ideal power tool for DIY project enthusiasts and those who are just getting started with a woodworking hobby. If the man in your life has been trying to make do with that bulky and rusty saw kit, this lighter and more stable upgrade would surely make a wonderful gift.

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This machine comes with a powerful 14-amp, 2.5 horsepower motor – enough power to help the blade cut smoothly through almost any type of wood. Skil also gives you your money’s worth by giving this model a ball-bearing motor construction for longer life.

While the 5680-01 has a more compact body, its foot is slightly wider than the ones on previous models. This makes the saw more stable and easier to work with at different angles.

Features:

• Comes with a single beam cut line laser to help you make more accurate cuts

• LED power-on display indicates if the tool is plugged in or not

• Includes wrench and on-tool wrench storage to make blade replacements quick and easy

• Lighter and more compact design for easier control and improved user comfort

• Ball-bearing motor construction for better durability

The Reviews

To date, there are only 17 customer reviews for this product on Amazon, but no one gave ratings below 3 stars, resulting in a cool average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Users love that it is lighter. In spite of its relatively affordable price, customers think it performs just as well as more expensive brands. One reviewer thinks the secret is in the Skilsaw’s rigid base plate. Since it stays in place and doesn’t bend from the weight of your hand, cuts are more accurate. There is also lower vibration which helps you make smoother cuts, helping you finish jobs at a faster rate. On top of that, customers also love the Skilsaw because it doesn’t make too much noise. You will also notice that it doesn’t throw around too much saw dust, leaving you with less mess to clean up after.

Of course, as great as this saw kit may seem, it does have a few flaws. Customers who only gave 4 stars complain that one could not see the laser beam when working under direct sunlight. Another reviewer also wished there was a spindle lock so that changing the blades can be easier. Only 2 customers didn’t seem too happy with their purchase. One of them thinks that the 5680-01 is poorly designed and that the positive reviews overhype this product.

Read more reviews here

Based on the numbers, customers are generally pleased with the Skilsaw 5680-01. For its price, its performance exceeds their expectations. The powerful motor provides smooth and precise cuts, its lighter size and wider foot make it easier to control, and as one reviewer pointed out, the Silksaw 5680-01 has a sturdy and rigid base plate. This provides better stability when cutting. Needless to say, we think the Silksaw 5680-01 is a great buy. It’s perfect for weekend jobs around the house and even for construction work.

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The 15-amp, 5,800 rpm motor gives just the right kind of muscle for the 7-1/4” blade to cut smoothly through various kinds of wood. Beginners will find this model easy to use, thanks to its locking and tilting main handle that adjusts to the angle you’re most comfortable with.

Plus, this model also comes with a case – very convenient for when you need to travel. The case also protects the saw from dust and dirt when in storage. If you’re thinking of starting some DIY projects at home, this is a good circular saw to consider buying.

Features:

• Shoe and soft-grip handle are made of aircraft aluminum

• You can adjust the TILT-LOK handle and choose from up to 8 different positions for superior comfort

• Comes with blade, wrench, and saw kit case

• 15-amp, 3.25-horsepower motor to help you cut through the toughest wood with ease

• Light and easy to handle at 10.4 pounds

The Reviews

Milwaukee has always been one of those trusted brands and this model didn’t do too badly with Amazon customer reviews at all. There were 114 people who gave feedback and close to 90 percent gave ratings of 4 stars and higher.

Customers who were satisfied with their purchase are impressed with this model’s power. It can cut seamlessly through almost any type of wood and the bevel adjustments are a dream. There were users who have had this particular saw for several months, and those who have abused it often were the most vocal about its durability. These reviewers say that even through the toughest jobs, the 6390-21 doesn’t show any signs of lagging or choking at all. When it comes to accuracy, reviewers say they can see the markings and the cuts clearly, making it almost a pleasure to cut wood.

On the other hand, there were people who weren’t so enthusiastic about this TILT-LOK model. Complaints ranged from minor issues (one customer wished this model had a blade brake) to the more serious ones (customers who unfortunately received units that simply did not work right the first time). There were reviewers who received functioning units, but a few parts were askew (such as the aluminum base plate not staying flat, or a shoe that was not parallel to the blade).

Read more reviews here

Inspite of these negative comments though (which were significantly very few compared to the positive feedbacks), we would still recommend the Milwaukee TILT-LOK 6390-21 Circular Saw. For its price, it delivers a lot of power. And based on several reviews, this machine can put up with frequent abuse. This model is great for the DIY project enthusiast, but it seems this circular saw can take on tough construction jobs as well.

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It’s designed to make your work easier, thanks to a number of clever features. Large, rubberized levers, for example, make one-handed adjustments wonderfully easy to do. The number and ruler markings on the saw’s base and depth are also easy to read, allowing you to make more precise measurements and cuts. With its light weight and ergonomic features, working with the Makita 5007MG is perfect for both beginners and professionals.

Features:

• Comes with a powerful 15-amp, Makita-built industrial motor for quick and smooth cuts

• This model is one of the lightest saws at 10.1 pounds, thanks to its well-balanced Magnesium components

• Boasts of a large cutting capacity (2/1/2 inches at 90 degrees) and a maximum bevel capacity of 56 degrees

• Back-and-forth changes are a snap with positive stops at 22.5 degrees and 45 degrees

• Built with twin L.E.D. lights for working in low-light conditions

The Reviews

Makita has always generally enjoyed good will among its customers. This is a company that prides itself in manufacturing high quality products and the 5007MG circular saw is no exception. Amazon reviews clearly show this. Out of 39 customers who left feedback for this product, 33 gave generous ratings of 4 stars and above, making it earn an impressive average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars.

Happy customers are pleased with its power and performance. According to these reviewers, the saw starts smoothly and continues to cut smoothly, even through tough jobs. Its overall design was also well-praised. Reviewers who have had Makita circular saws before commented that this model was definitely more ergonomic—from the rubber grips to the improved adjustment levers, it seems that Makita truly listened to their customers and came up with a model that was more enjoyable to use. Another feature that customers appreciated was the reinforced power cord. It looks tough and doesn’t look like it’s going to fray even after years of abuse.

Not everyone was too crazy over the 5007MG though. There was an interesting trend with the few customers who gave ratings of 3 stars and lower. Most of them seem to have received units with a faulty guard. They claim that the guard often gets stuck or hung up, which of course, gets in the way of their cutting.

Read more reviews here

All things considered, we think that the Makita Circular Saw 5007MG is a great model. We feel sorry for the customers who received faulty units, but if you look at the majority of reviews, this circular saw is generally well-liked. It’s powerful and it cuts smoothly. This model also shows that Makita definitely thinks about user comfort. By introducing more ergonomic features and a more lightweight design, they have created a saw that even beginners will enjoy working with.

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For one, it’s a powerful little thing. With a 15-amp motor, this baby can cut through the toughest wood with no trouble at all.

Power tools are not cheap, yes, but you are sure to get your money’s worth with a DeWalt. Just one look at its heavy-gauge, high-strength aluminum alloy base and you know this thing will give you years of service.

DeWalt puts user safety first, and that is why this circular saw comes with an electic blade brake, which stops the blade when the saw is not in use. Another cool safety feature is the rear pivot depth of adjustment cut, which means that at any depth, you can keep your hand safely behind the tool.

Features:

• Increased safety with electric blade brake and a rear pivot depth of adjustment cut—you can keep your hand behind the tool at all depth of cuts!

• 15-amp motor is powerful enough for the most difficult jobs and it’s tough enough to last a long time

• Built with a heavy-gauge, high-strength aluminum alloy base

• 50-degree beveling capacity

The Reviews

With DeWalt’s reputation, we weren’t surprised to see that this model got great reviews on Amazon. Out of 36 customers who left feedback, 32 gave ratings no less than 4 stars or higher. Reviewers who loved this product were impressed with the DW364K’s power. Users who have had this circular saw for quite a while can attest to its consistently good performance. They have no complaints about its accuracy either. There is a clear view of the cut point. Depth and angle adjustment are precise, and the motor is wonderfully smooth. Some users think it’s quite heavy, but its stable construction makes up for it.

Of course, you can’t always please everybody. There are those who weren’t satisfied with their purchase. One customer felt that the height adjustment on this saw was rough and that adjusting the blade was quite a chore. Others seemed to have received defective units. The sole plate was either warped or some of the parts were not parallel to each other. However, these complaints were very few.

Read more reviews here

All in all, we think that the DeWalt DW364K is a great investment. It’s undoubtedly powerful enough to handle a wide variety of cutting jobs and it’s built to withstand years of abuse. It may not be the best tool for beginners since according to some reviews, it is quite heavy and the design is obviously made for professionals. But if you’re serious about learning carpentry or a wood working hobby and you want to develop your skills, this is a great power tool to grow into. It may be a little intimidating to handle at first, but with time, you will learn to work with (and appreciate) its sheer power.

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The left-blade design also enhances line of sight, helping you make more precise cuts. And with a cord length of 9 feet, it gives you plenty of mobility while working.

Bosch has always been a big name when it comes to electronics. The company has been around for more than a century and they continue to be a global leader today. Bosch is a trusted brand when it comes to automotive components and industrial products.

Their consumer goods are popular as well. If you’re thinking of buying a circular saw, a Bosch saw is a great investment. The Bosch CS5 model, for example, comes with a powerful 15-amp motor that helps the blade seamlessly cut through various types of wood.

Features:

• Built with an anti-snag lower guard for easier cutting

• Improved spindle lock to make blade replacements a breeze

• Upper and lower guards are made of Aluminum

• On-tool wrench storage so you can change the blade without having to go to your tool shed

• Comes with a 50-amp motor, 56-degree bevel capacity, and an anti-snag lower guard

The Reviews

We weren’t surprised to find that the Bosch CS5 had plenty of good customer reviews on Amazon. There were 31 reviewers and none of them gave ratings below 3 stars. As a result, the Bosch CS5 has garnered an excellent average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

Customers agree that this circular saw is powerful. The phrase “like a hot knife through butter” has been used more than a couple of times to describe how smoothly it cuts through wood. Some reviewers also love that it’s light to carry, but it doesn’t feel cheaply made at all. Apparently, Bosch was clever to come out with a left-blade design. Plenty of customers agree that it absolutely makes them able to see the line and the cut much more clearly.

Even though the Bosch CS5 has not earned any negative reviews (yet), customers do have a few minor issues with this product. Perhaps, due to its left-blade design, it tends to toss around a lot of dust, and it unfortunately tends to throw dust in your direction too. Some reviewers have resolved this problem by attaching a makeshift dust chute to the saw. Others simply decided to live with the problem since they’re already very happy with the saw’s performance. One customer also noticed that the Bosch CS5 does not have a safety switch, so extra care should be observed when handling this machine. In the end though, most customers agree that the Bosch CS5’s superior performance definitely outshines its tiny flaws.

Read more reviews here

It’s very obvious by now that we are absolutely going to recommend the Bosch CS5 to be your next circular saw. Bosch is a company that never compromises on the quality of its products and we’re sure you will agree once you’ve given this power tool a try.

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What is the difference?

Let’s take a quick look at each.

Drills & Hammer Drills

Drills are a very common tool and they can be used to drill holes using a drill bit or they can be used to drive screws and fasteners.

A drill, by design, is best suited for drilling. If you need to drill clean holes in wood with control, there is no better option than a drill. Drills don’t have the hammering action like an impact driver does, and therefore you must put pressure on the back of the drill with your arm by leaning or pushing on the drill to get the bit to burrow into the wood.

The same can be said if you are driving screws with a drill, you need to push on the drill to drive the screw into the wood.

Hammer drills are also available from the usual tool manufacturers. These drills offer the feel and usability of a drill, but also have a hammering action implemented into their design. This type of feature on a drill can help reduce fatigue when you have a job that requires driving many screws, such as building a deck.

Impact Drivers

Impact drivers are very popular for both mechanical work and woodworking. Woodworkers typically use impact drivers to drive screws and fasteners, rather than drilling.

However, light drilling can be accomplished with an impact driver, but many manufacturers recommend that you don’t use an impact driver for drilling holes.

Impact drivers rely on a hammering action to drive the fastener or screw without any pushing effort on your part. This can be a hugely positive feature when you have to drive a lot of screws, or if you have hand/arm stress problems.

The compact impact drivers that are available today, like the Bosch PS40, allow you to drive a lot of screws without the fatigue typically associated with pushing on a drill, and the light weight combined with the hammering action drives screws into wood easier than anything you’ve ever used.

Our Recommendation

We suggest getting an impact driver if you have any sort of need for driving or fastening. It will work much better than a drill in these instances.

You will save your arms and hands a lot of stress by using a tool with hammering action for this type of work. Save the drill for drilling holes, that’s what they are made for.

I dug around out there to find out as much as I could about this tool, here is what I learned.

Less Sore Wrists and Fatigue

The design of this compact impact driver makes it very easy to handle for all types of users. The PS40-2A only weighs 2.2 pounds! I don’t know if you’ve picked up and held any of your other drills/drivers lately, but chances are they don’t get close to being this lightweight.

The lightweight design helps greatly to reduce user fatigue. If you have ever tired while using any other drill/driver, you will know how much this can reduce your efficiency while working.

If you use a drill often for driving screws, and your wrist gets sore from pushing too hard, the switch to a compact impact driver will save you a lot of stress on your limbs. Impact drivers are able to drive screws without the need for “pushing” like is needed with a standard drill, due to the hammering action.

This Thing Is Small

We mentioned that it’s light and small, but we need to state this again. It’s perfectly possible to shove this impact driver into a tool belt or a larger pocket, it’s just that compact. Even just look at the battery design again in the pictures, it doesn’t have the large end on the bottom of the handle that is typical on some larger impact drivers. If you need this type of portability, this model is a good choice.

The Forward/Reverse Switch

This impact driver does have a standard forward/reverse switch positioned above the trigger. Bosch designed this so that hands of all sizes can easily reach the switch. It can be used easily by both left or right handed people.

A Flexible Tool with Many Uses

When I think of using an impact driver, I am usually thinking in terms of how it’s going to be useful for woodworking applications, as that is mostly what I need power tools for. However, this compact impact driver can be used for much more, it’s very versatile.

For example, you can use it for:

• Driving screws into wood
• Driving, fastening and tightening nuts and bolts

This is a small sample, but basically an impact driver can be used for woodworking, home improvement jobs, auto repairs and much more. Anything that requires fastening or driving is a good job candidate for this impact driver. I would be hesitant to use and impact driver as a drill, and Bosch specifically states that this tool is intended for fastening/driving applications only.

This is one of the few tool that I would use for woodworking that would also cross over very easily to other jobs around the home. I can also see how it would be a very versatile tool for contractors.

Litheon Batteries for Maximum Life and Power

What is a Litheon battery? It is the most advanced type of Lithium Ion battery available on the market today. Okay, so that sounds good, but what makes it so advanced and useful?

• More battery charges and longer run-time overall
• The batteries don’t need to be emptied completely before charging
• It takes 15 minutes to charge to 85% capacity and only 30 minutes for a full charge
• Batteries can be removed from the charger before completing a full charge, with no negative effects
• No loss of power as the batteries run out of juice, the impact driver will have full power until the the last second before the batteries die

These types of benefits come in really handy if you demand the most out of the batteries in your power tools. If you have to have the best, well here you go, this drill utilizes some of the best battery technology available.

The Battery Charging Experience

This kit comes with a charger that plugs into a standard power outlet. The battery can be released from the drill by squeezing the two release tabs on either side of the battery near the handle. The battery slides into the top of the charger and there are two lights on the front of the charger, red and green. After you insert the battery, the lights will indicate what exactly is going on during charging.

If the green light is flashing, the battery is fast charging. Once the green light stops flashing, and stays a steady green, that means the battery is done fast charging. You can remove the battery at any time and use it again, even if it doesn’t fully charge. This is handy when you are in a time crunch and need just a little more juice to get something done, but can’t be patient enough to wait 30 minutes for a full charge.

If the red light is on, that indicates that the battery is too hot or too cold and the charger will not charge. This is part of the protection technology. To be able to utilize the fast charging the battery needs to be in between 32 degrees F and 113 degrees F. As you can see this is a very wide range of temps, so that means the charger will not charge only in the most extreme of temperatures. If the red light is flashing that means that there is something wrong with the connectors or the battery cannot take the charge. If this happens it can help to try cleaning the connectors and trying again.

LED Light for Better Visibility

An LED light is integrated into the front of this impact driver and it helps you see much more easily when working in low lighting conditions. I find this to be a very useful features, especially since this impact driver is so small that it tends to get used in a lot of small/tight areas where lighting is not always very direct or bright.

A slight press of the trigger activates the light before the driver activates, which gives you the ability to illuminate your target before you begin driving.

The Hammer and Anvil System

This sounds like we’re talking about an old blacksmithing shop, but we’re actually talking about the technology used in this impact driver to create torque.

The motor spins a “hammer”. The hammer rotates and has two heads, or strikers. The heads hammer on the “anvil” (which is t-shaped) at two points and the anvil is attached directly to the ¼” hex chuck.

This system provides 800 inch pounds of torque, which is quite impressive for such a small tool. At the same time, it does a good job of keeping that torque from impacting your hands and wrists, which reduces stress on your limbs.

The Power

We mentioned that this tool provides 800 inch pounds of torque with the hammer and anvil system. It also delivers up to 1,500 rpm and up to 3,000 bpm to give you a plenty of power for many different types of jobs.

The Sealed Internal Components, Shock Absorber and Rubber Pads

A neat design feature of the PS40-2A is that Bosch has enclosed all the internal gearbox components in a sealed aluminum housing. This prevents oil and fluids from leaking out of the tool and it also helps to protect the internal components from the elements that tend to work their way into these types of components.

There is also a rubber shock absorber behind the impact mechanism, which absorbs vibration and impact stress. This shock absorber can also protect the tools internal components in the case of accidental dropping. In addition to the shock absorber, there are also rubber pads positioned on the outer casing to add extra protection from rough usage.

Hey, we’ve all dropped tools, right? This tool can protect itself from our rough handling of it.

These features help to extend the life of the tool and allow it to handle more rigorous working conditions without failure.

The Protection Plan

Bosch offers a ProVantage Guarantee that provides the following protections:

• Two years of free battery replacements
• One year of free tool replacement
• A free tool repair package for the two years beyond the tool replacement

What’s In The Box?

When you buy this impact driver kit, here’s what you will get:

• The impact driver
• A carrying case
• Two 1.5 inch power drive bits
• A 30 minute quick charger
• 2 Litheon 12v batteries

The two batteries will leave you in battery-life heaven, we love kits that come with two batteries.

What Are Other People Saying?

This impact driver has many happy owner. Some comments that others have made:

• “If there were a sixth star to give, I would give it for this very useful, well-made tool.”

• “I bought this electric impact to use for auto repair and it does an outstanding job.”

• “I have already used it a few times and it sunk a few long tapcons into some cinder blocks without losing charge. I recommend!

• “The Bosch Impact Driver is my tool of choice for jobs around the house.”

• “Within 10 minutes this awesome little tool became my absolute favorite item in the shop.”

Where Can You Buy This Impact Driver?

This impact driver can be purchased from Amazon. They were offering free shipping last time we checked, that is always a big plus. Amazon quite often has the best deal, so make sure to check them out.

Where Can You Read More Reviews?

We like to recommend that you read the reviews on Amazon, they are written by people that have purchased this saw and can provide some great insight.