Review Hitachi WH18DL 18-volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Impact Driver 
Buy Cheap Hitachi WH18DL 18-volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Impact Driver From Here Now!18V, Lithium-ion, 1/4", Hex Impact Wrench, Maximum Torque 1,330 In LB, 1/4" Hex Chuck, No-Load Speed 0-2,600 RPM, Impact Rate 0-3,200 BPM, Belt Hook, Led Light, Battery Type Lithium-Ion, Battery Life Cycles 1,500, Overall Length 6-3/8", Weight 3.5 LB, Class Leading Torque, Includes: 2 Of 3.0 AH Lithium -Ion Batteries, Quick Charger, Carrying Case, Lithium-Ion Batteries Are Backward Compatible With DVF3 & DMR Series Tools.
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- 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
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"Couldn't live without this driver any more." 2009-05-02
By Skylark
Hitachi WH18DL 18-volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Impact Driver
Just finished screwing a wooden storage shed together using the Hitachi WH18DL Impact Driver. What a great tool! It drove lag bolts and all different length deck screws with no loss of power. My son and I agree that it was actually easier to screw the shed together than nail it.
Right off the bat, I had to screw the 2x6 floor joists to the side 2x6 using 5/16" x 4" lag bolts. Not having an adapter to use a socket over the bolt heads, I screwed about 10 screws in by hand using a ratchet. What a chore that was. Fortunately it was the end of the day so I stopped but my wrist was a bit sore. The next morning I bought an adapter that allows using standard 3/8" sockets with this impact driver. WHAT A DIFFERENCE! Driving the rest of the lag bolts was fast and powerful with no strain. Saved my wrist for sure! Buy a 3/8" socket adapter as soon as you buy this impact driver!
One tip I found regarding using an impact driver while building the shed. Be sure to have some Irwin quick clamps or similar handy. We clamped 2x4 framing pieces to hold them tightly together before driving the screws. This held the pieces exactly where we wanted them and unlike nailing where the piece being nailed or the back piece needs support, driving the screws was so fast and easy.
The first battery was usually discharged by about 2 pm and the second battery covered the rest of the day. But even with heavier use, it takes about 30 minutes to recharge a battery so two batteries can keep you going. The WH18DL is a terrific impact driver.
"Best rattle-gun on the market!" 2009-04-12
By Meh
This is the best cordless impact driver on the market! I have tried all the other major brands and I still like my Hitachi the best.
I do commercial interior and exterior steel framing and use my Hitachi every day, all day. I use this driver so much I have an enormous, thick, half-circle callous between my finger and thumb and another on my trigger finger. This thing has never faltered or let me down. I have dropped it off of ladders and out of lifts, bumped it on everything, covered it in caulk, worked outside in all weather, and crammed it into spaces that were way too small and it still performs like new after over a year of use. On some days I will go through more than four batteries, all without a hiccup.
I like the ergonomics. Most other brands have a grip that tapers towards the bottom . The Hitachi is fat at the bottom and tapers at the top. This keeps the web of your hand close in line with the shaft axis meaning more power transfer from your arm and less fatigue during extended use.
For those that worry about the funny color scheme, don't. If you actually use it, it will get dirty and scratched and look just as manly as any other tool in your box. The durability of the exterior is excellent. Just as good or better than any other brand.
There is no body mounted light, which would be nice. But, the light on the hook does provide light when one finds himself building a building in the dark.
The hook is a wonderful feature. FAST, FAST, FAST! Especially when hooked to the front pocket of your jeans. In the hand, hit the screws, back on the pocket with amazing speed. It does take some time to get used to the hook, especially with quick transitions to the off-hand, but the speed and convenience of the hook more than make up for it. Another good feature of the gun mounted hook is you can carry it without your tool belt. This is very handy on fast-attack missions where only the necessary tools are carried in your pockets.
The case is very nice. Large and briefcase style, it has room for shafts up to 12", lots of extra bits and pieces, a couple of three-way plugs, and there is still room for a pocket laser or maybe a light lunch. Everything has its place and it's obvious where everything goes so roll-up is fast. Have you ever tried to figure out how everything is supposed to fit into a De Walt case? Not fun, and also not a problem with the Hitachi.
The batteries also lock into the gun with a very positive feel. You know when the battery is locked in or not, and when it's in it's solid. I can't say the same thing about some other (yellow) brands. No accidentally dropped batteries yet. The batteries are also set up to minimize the chance of fire if you are unwise enough to toss one in your screw bag. The yellow brand is notorious for this.
The price on the Hitachi is usually less than any other "real" heavy duty impact driver. Saving money is a good thing. Saving money and getting something of higher quality is even better.
The batteries last a long time, and they charge quick. The charger is solidly built and works just fine sitting in the case. The low battery cut-off is a GREAT FEATURE. It is not a liability like some others have posted. It saves your expensive batteries from being ruined. Sure, YOU might know that you should change a battery when it gets low, but that guy you loaned your gun to doesn't know. He probably wouldn't care even if he did know! The battery cut-off circuit has got you covered.
Yes, the De Walt is more expensive, has a big name, and is yellow. The Hitachi is still better with.....everything.
The Makita is smaller and, depending on batteries, can be lighter. The Hitachi is still better with more power, battery life, durability, and ergonomics. The Hitachi isn't exactly big and heavy either. Remember, it lives on my pocket.
When I need to get a replacement gun it will without a doubt be a Hitachi.
"Most Impressive!" 2008-07-05
By John Bowen (Seattle, WA)
As a dinosaur who's gone to great efforts to avoid buying cordless tools and/or anything made in China I finally succumbed after reading the latest Fine Homebuilding and Amazon customer reviews. I have a bunch of summer outdoor wood projects stacking up and decided to go cordless for the portability. I give the Hitachi 5 stars for fit and finish with solid construction and a rubberized outer cover to absorb shocks and bumps. The collet type chuck is easy to operate and the small size and light weight of this thing are truly amazing! The forward/reverse switch is a simple finger/thumb operation. While I haven't needed the light yet it can be aimed at the work so that could be handy when you're finishing up that last few pieces in the dark or under a cabinet. Stainless fasteners definitely need pre-drilling as three inchers will go right to the end before the head pops off! I switched to star drive coated steel and haven't had a problem since. As for the color scheme, I love it. You definitely won't get it confused with those "other" brands on the jobsite. And if it somehow disappeared I would definitely replace it with the same model!
"Like everyone else says- Awesome" 2008-04-08
By J. Buckman (Wayne, PA United States)
This is just fantastic. Hitachi hit a homer with this impact driver. I've driven 4" screws into oak with this thing with no effort and was just amazed. I am slowly switching all my cordless drills over to hitachi, they make an excellent product- this driver is proof!
"Hitachi WH18DL - Solid Performer" 2008-03-13
By R. D. Mahaffy (Yorktown, VA USA)
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 drilling
Hope this review was helpful.
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