Building a deck – need a drill that won't quit on me

Hey folks, starting my first deck next weekend. 12x16 pressure treated, going with composite decking. I got a cheapo cordless drill but it keeps stripping screws. Should I get a dedicated impact driver instead? Budget is around $200 total. Help a newbie out!

Dude, get a Milwaukee. M18 Fuel impact driver is the only way. I’ve built three decks with mine, it drives 3” deck screws like butter. Don’t waste money on DeWalt or Makita, they’re for hobbyists. Spend the extra $50, you’ll thank me later.

I've been a contractor for 20 years. For serious decking, get an impact driver but also a good drill for pilot holes. My go-to is the Makita XDT16 impact and XPH14 hammer drill. Combined they're under $300 if you catch a sale. Pete's right that Milwaukee is solid, but Makita has better ergonomics for all-day use. Don't cheap out on bits either.

Back in my day we used hand braces! Just kidding. I retired last year but built my own shed with a $99 Ryobi combo kit. Worked fine. For a deck I’d say get an impact driver – the clutch saves you from stripping. But honestly, brand doesn’t matter as much as technique. Pre-drill near the edges and use the right screw – deckmate or similar.

If you want precision and less stripping, look for an impact driver with adjustable speed and a belt clip. I’m a bit of a perfectionist, so I use the Bosch GDR18V-1250C – it has three speed modes. But what Paul said about pre-drilling is key. Measure twice, pre-drill once. Also, get a set of impact-rated bits; regular ones snap.