Impact drivers work great for pushing in screws. Sometimes, though, they work too well. The impact driver I need for oomphing in deck screws isn't the same tool I need for finessing hinge and cabinet screws in the shop. Until now, that is. Makita's new BTD144 18-volt impact driver, $372, has three different power selection settings. The soft setting provides 0-1300 rpm and 0-1300 impacts per minute. The medium setting provides 0-2000 rpm and 0-2800 ipm.The hard setting provides 0-2600 rpm and 0-3400 ipm. This feature allows you to back off the power so you don't strip or break small screws, but have power when you need it for large screws. Great idea!

The driver also has a built in LED light that can be turned on and off independently. When I first saw lights on drills and drivers I thought it was weird, but I've come to love this feature. Get your head inside one cabinet to drive screws, and you'll love it too. I like the idea that I can turn it on separately, instead of relying solely on the light coming on with the trigger.

The BTD144 accepts 1/4-in. hex drive bits. The Lithium-ion battery charges in 30 minutes.

Makita
(800) 462-5482