Milwaukee 9081-22 14.4-Volt Ni-Cad Cordless 1/4-Inch Hex Driver
by Milwaukee
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Product Details
Manufacturer: MilwaukeeModel: 9081-22
Product features:
- Powerful - Delivers up to 740 in. lbs. of torque
- Lightweight - allows the user to work longer with less fatigue
- Durable - equipped with a heavy-duty, die-cast, aluminum gear housing for extreme durability
- Hard hitting - produces up to 2500 impacts per minute
- Limited warranty
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Description of Milwaukee 9081-22 14.4-Volt Ni-Cad Cordless 1/4-Inch Hex Driver
9081-22 Model Code: AB - Price is for 1 Each (part# 9081-22) This item features: -Durable - Equipped with a heavy-duty, die-cast, aluminum gear housing for extreme durability. -Light weight - Allows the user to work longer with less fatigue. -Voltage: 14.40 V. -Batt. Cap.: 2.400 A-h. -Speed: 0 rpm [Min], 2600 rpm [Max]. -Cycle Rate: 2500 ipm [Max]. -Control Type: Electronic Variable/Reverse. -Handle Type: Centered Pistol Grip. -Includes: (2) Batteries, Universal Charger, Carrying Case. Model Code Model Description AADrive Size:1/2 in, Drive Type:Square, Torque:1404.00 in lb [Max], Length:7.690 in, Wt.:4.38 lb ABDrive Size:1/4 in, Drive Type:Hex, Torque:740.00 in lb [Max], Length:7 1/2 in, Wt.:4.40 lb ACDrive Size:3/8 in, Drive Type:Square, Torque:1056.00 in lb [Max], Length:7.630 in, Wt.:4.30 lbTools and Hardware Reviews of Milwaukee 9081-22 14.4-Volt Ni-Cad Cordless 1/4-Inch Hex Driver
Customer Review: Concerning torque numbers (and later updates based on job site performance)
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this impact driver because 1) it's compatible with my other Milwaukee cordless tools ; 2) having an impact driver as well as a cordless drill allows me to work faster because I don't need to change bits as often and 3) I was tired of mutilating screw heads with my cordless drill. So far it's been a great investment.
Although the 14.4V Milwaukee impact driver has much less torque than their 14.4V impact wrenches and the impact drivers made by some other brands, it seems to work just fine. For example, I can countersink 3 1/2 inch deck screws into red oak without predrilling and without marring the phillips screw head. It also has enough torque to lift a 17 foot long schedule 40 steel column by spinning a 4 inch deck screw into an LVL header above the column, without predrilling! I think the column must have weighed at least 150 lbs. That much force will probably cover 99% of my fastening needs on the job (I'm a remodeler). On a few occasions I've had screws break from being driven too hard, but I've never encountered a situation where the driver didn't have enough torque to drive a screw. Would additional torque be helpful? Probably not unless I was driving large lag bolts or doing heavy mechanical work, and that's why there are impact wrenches (as opposed to drivers) on the market. I'm a bit skeptical of using an adapter to run a 1/2 inch square-drive socket (especially the larger ones) on a 1/4 inch impact driver.
The impact driver's small size and ability to avoid damaging screw heads are major assets, especially when installing cabinets. Aesthetically, nobody wants to see a screw with a stripped head in the midst of a finished project, and practically, screws with unmarred heads are much easier to remove. The only downside to the impact driver is that it makes plenty of noise when the impact mechanism kicks in.
Follow-up comment: I've been using this driver for about a year now, and it has been one popular tool on the jobsite. When I have it out, my coworkers constantly borrow it because they prefer it to their cordless drills. From day 1 the driver emitted and odd smell and shortly thereafter occasionally made a high-pitched whine, but continued to function well. During a lull, I took it to the Milwaukee repair center and they replaced the motor. As a goodwill gesture, they didn't charge me (after I protested to the approx. $60 repair bill for "normal wear and tear" which is not covered in the warranty). Now it works even better than when I bought it.
If you get this driver and it exhibits any odd sounds or smells, I'd return it immediately so that there is no wear and tear question.
Now that Panasonic has come out with a dual torque impact driver, I'd probably buy that over the Milwaukee, but I'm still very happy with the Milwaukee.
Second Follow up: I would downgrade my rating of this driver to one or two stars because the odd sound and erratic performance are beginning to return. Milwaukee must have some serious quality control problems or a design flaw in this tool. I've also had the opportunity to use a Bosch 14.4 impact driver and like it much more than this one. It's powerful, yet smaller, has a light and some onboard bit storage. Plus, I've never had much trouble from my Bosch tools, and I've abused them at least as much as my Milwaukee ones. Panasonic has also come out with an interesting "digital" impact driver. When my Milwaukee driver finally bites the dust, I'll be buying a different brand.
Third follow up: I've been using this impact driver for 1.5 years of professional use now and am quite upset because the motor problem has worsened and the whining is accompanied with erratic changes in rotational speed when no load is applied to it.
I really don't want to deal with taking the tool back for another repair, so I think I'll wait for total failure before I do something. I certainly wouldn't buy another impact driver from Milwaukee, and I'd hesitate to buy another cordless tool from them as well (I own 4 already).
Impact drivers are one of my favorite tools, I just need to find a different brand. If you're a professional, I think you'd be served well to avoid this Milwaukee tool. Occasional home users probably could get by fine with this tool since it does take at least several months of daily serious use before it fails.
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