Cordless Drill vs. Cordless Impact

[pfbz]

Like most around here, I own several cordless drills... Bosch, Makita, Dewalt, etc. I buy a newer technology or smaller one every few years, and relegate the older ones to occasional use until the batteries are totally shot and not worth replacing.

But I've never had a 1/4" cordless impact driver. I've seen people rave about these, but not sure where I would use it instead of a cordless drill.

So if you have both, tell me some applications where using a cordless 1/4" impact driver is notably better than a cordless drill.

 

[2chipped]

The only thing I use a drill for is steel,and masonry. Everything else is done wi impact including,drilling wood and alumn . I bought a 3/8th drill chuck for my impact .18v sds does masonry. My drill uses more battery power and is used very little.

 

[Plump]

You won't go back after driving some screws with the impact.

 

[twincam00]

+1 driving screws, never using a regular drill for it again

 

[miatacp]

If you're drilling holes use the drill or the impact driver, but if you're putting screws into any object or tightening bolts, use the imapct driver. I use the Milwaukee M18 1/4" driver for just about everything. A great tool around the garage.

 

[rlitman]

The impact is SO much better for driving screws. Especially for phillips heads.
You don't need to push so hard on the driver, which is especially nice when you're on a ladder, or reaching to get to the screw. It's less likely to strip out screws, and can extract screws that even pushing as hard as you can on a screwdriver you would end up stripping the head because they're so tight.

 

[kerryt1]

I drill with a 3/8" cordless drill (or a 1/2" corded if the situation calls for it). All driving is done with the 1/4" impact and I will never go back. Impact drivers are that much better for driving.

I have a Craftsman 19.2V C3, my old man has a DeWalt 18V. Both have worked very well...so I'd say buy whichever brand is compatible with your current batteries / charger if applicable.

 

[royalton10]

I bought the Milwaukee M12 impact driver last fall. It is easily my best tool purchase ever. Over the years I had bought various drills to drive screws. (porter cable, craftsman)

The M12 drives phillips head screws effortlessly. Basically just hold the driver tight enough to keep contact and away it goes. I have even used it to drive 6" screws through a 4"x4" post under the workbench to the wall. Just a test, it never paused, went right in.

I had bought the Craftsman right angel impact driver for the shelf project last fall. I used it less than 20 minutes and was taking it back. It could not get the screws all the way in. My next stop was to Home Depot and got the Milwaukee M12. They had other Milwaukee impact drivers for $10-$40 more. The temptation is to go for the higher priced item. But those did not have the same power or rpm, etc that the M12 had.

I am sure other impact drivers work as well.

To each his own. Have a great Christmas season with your family!

 

[kippieland]

Cordless impact drivers are a must have....number one in my "top ten cool tool" list. There's a reason every contractor I ever seen uses one. Just be careful if you get a good one...it will drive a screw all the through the wood!

 

[vhol5]

Cordless impact drivers are the shnitz!
Easily one of the most used homeowner tools!

 

[gsport]

i just bought the Makita 18volt lithium-ion combo set, but havn't had a reason to use it yet.. it sure seems to have a lot of power

 

[dwm]

As everyone else said... once you use one to drive a wood screw, you'll never go back to using a drill to drive wood screws. It's orders of magnitude easier with an impact driver.

 

[pfbz]

Great... You guys just cost me $150 or so.

What about type?

I could see one of these really compact 12V ones being handy as a ratchet alternative for auto/moto work

But I'm sure the large, 18V style is better for driving lots of screws.

Which type do you guys prefer?

Or do I need one of each?

 

[truckdriver]

Great... You guys just cost me $150 or so.

What about type?

I could see one of these really compact 12V ones being handy as a ratchet alternative for auto/moto work

But I'm sure the large, 18V style is better for driving lots of screws.

Which type do you guys prefer?

Or do I need one of each?

The one on top is driver, not a impact. If you have to choose one get the 18V.

 

[pfbz]

Yup, copied the wrong image. But the question still applies... Lots of impact drivers in that smaller form factor.

Both of these are impact.

 

[Greatbear]

If you are stuck deciding between a drill and an impactor and want a 18V tool, try a Bosch 26618 combo driver. It combines a 2-speed drill/driver with an impact driver. It has a three position selector that selects between the modes. It has a 1/4" hex chuck, so unless you use hex shanked drill bits, you'll need a conversion chuck to use standard bits. I use a DeWalt chuck in mine.

One tool with the best of both worlds.