Cordless impact drivers?
- Thread starter Chaznsc
- Start date
SILVERPLATE
Well-known member
I have a Dewalt 3/8 and it takes lug nuts right off. Just in case I have the 1/2 as well.
Impact wrenches, kind of figured that was understood. Don’t think a driver will touch a lug nut.
Impact wrenches, kind of figured that was understood. Don’t think a driver will touch a lug nut.
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^^^Impact driver or impact wrench?
Impact drivers are generally used for driving long screws or lags, repetitively. Think of building a deck, as one example. Although some use them for automotive work like interior fasteners or engine bay/underbody panels, as another example.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
Impact drivers use a 1/4 hex shank and are for driving screws for the most part. Some make hex to 1/4 square adapters that allow them to be used for small fasteners. I am astonished the a GJ member doesn’t have one. If I could only have one cordless tool it would be an impact driver
Impact wrenches have a square shank for only driving sockets. High torque 3/8 and 1/2 models will remove any light vehicle lug nuts.
TheOtherGoose
Well-known member
I use a 1/4 shank (with 1/2 adaptor) to loosen lugs, although they've never been tightened beyond spec (~80 lb/ft max).
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
If you aren't building stuff with wood, an impact driver is a tool that is easily skipped. That said, for that purpose, it's damn near invaluable. I'd never want to give mine up
With a dually towing a 3 axle trailer I finally got one of these. It WILL take off any lug nut, one way or another, but I don't really care for the hog ring feature.
Glacial_Speed
Well-known member
I think the best way to describe what an impact driver is used for is to try and drive some 3 inch deck screws with a normal drill. After you get good and frustrated, grab an impact driver and try the same thing, then you'll have an answer. 
jar944
Well-known member
Screws.
I use my impact driver constantly and it has a socket adapter in it probably 90% of the time. If the impact driver won't break the lug nuts loose, break them loosen by hand and then spin them off with the driver. Spin them on with the driver and then tighten with the torque wrench. Then you know that they are tightened properly
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GirchyGirchy
Well-known member
Me before buying a 1/4" hex bit impact: "why would I need that?"
Me now: "why did I wait so long to buy one of these?"
Me now: "why did I wait so long to buy one of these?"
If you are driving screws, lags, tearing apart smaller items they are invaluable. For that purpose, the M12 Fuel impact is my go to tool very often. I have drill bits with the hex end on them for use with it as well. I have them in my house, shed and garage.
I used an impact driver to replace the coolant tank on my semi truck. I also use it for interior screws and such. Feel like I'm always taking the dash or door panels off for one reason or another. It's a high speed low torque tool relative to an impact wrench.
For lug nuts and real nuts and bolts on the chassis I use an impact wrench. It's a low speed high torque tool relative to an impact driver.
For lug nuts and real nuts and bolts on the chassis I use an impact wrench. It's a low speed high torque tool relative to an impact driver.
petee_c
Well-known member
they can be useful for putting lug nuts on.... they should free spin on without the impact, and at the end impact them on for 2 steamboats and that'll get u around 80ftlbs (guesstimate), then final torque by hand...
But #8 deck screws/construction screws all day long is the primary use. No pilot hole necessary. Robertson #2 head (red robby) for the win.
But #8 deck screws/construction screws all day long is the primary use. No pilot hole necessary. Robertson #2 head (red robby) for the win.
Spareparts
Well-known member
My son builds fences's drives at least 2,000 screws a day, purchased the combo Drill/Drives package, Dewalt, the driver lasted about 2 months, Took it apart it had plastic gears, talked to the people at HD, they said that package is for home use not commercial. He got the better quality one with metal gears and it lasted about 3 yrs before rebuild and it is still going. The price is about 50% higher but well worth it. When I decided to get one I got the more expensive one and use it all the time $139 at the time. Ryobi because that is the battery package and the rest of the tools.
Terra Nova
Well-known member
This x 2. By far my most used electric tool, cordless or otherwise. One of those things that you find a ton of use for once you have one. Like a trailer, you wonder how you got along without it.
I use it working on vehicles almost as much as driving screws, which is certainly where it shines the most.
danfromsyr
Well-known member
well if you don't do anything that's 'handy' then you don't need one
but if you do, do handy things it's a handy tool to have on hand.
I have a variety of i think 3 or 4 units from various mfgs.
I use this Ryobi 'quiet strike' most often it's made for indoor (sensitive) environments and isn't so loud and brash as normal ones.
which also means it wasn't as popular with the hamfisted tech/crew jobbers
but the thing really does a great job of torqueing down a screw or lag. and it has a fine/slow trigger that still KaChunks slowly and gets in the last tweak nice and tight..
www.ryobitools.com
fwiw, I bought a dewalt 20v to Ryobi battery adapter as I was a DeWalt 20 set already.
but since the adapter i've added in more ryobi tools where the dewalt price was unnecessary (like the caulk gun) and brad nailer
but if you do, do handy things it's a handy tool to have on hand.
I have a variety of i think 3 or 4 units from various mfgs.
I use this Ryobi 'quiet strike' most often it's made for indoor (sensitive) environments and isn't so loud and brash as normal ones.
which also means it wasn't as popular with the hamfisted tech/crew jobbers
but the thing really does a great job of torqueing down a screw or lag. and it has a fine/slow trigger that still KaChunks slowly and gets in the last tweak nice and tight..
18V ONE+ QUIETSTRIKE Pulse Driver - RYOBI Tools
18V ONE+ QUIETSTRIKE Pulse Driver
fwiw, I bought a dewalt 20v to Ryobi battery adapter as I was a DeWalt 20 set already.
but since the adapter i've added in more ryobi tools where the dewalt price was unnecessary (like the caulk gun) and brad nailer
Mike65
Well-known member
I have a DeWalt 1/2" drive cordless impact in the garage. I like it. In the woodshop I have a DeWalt impact drill/driver.
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An impact driver with a 1/4” socket adapter along with a cheap set of 1/4” impact sockets will make your life better if you run lag screws, carriage bolts, etc. Kind of like a battery ratchet but more versatile.
I use the 3/8 and 1/2 adapters too but more for reassembly then follow with a torque wrench or regular ratchet.
I use the 3/8 and 1/2 adapters too but more for reassembly then follow with a torque wrench or regular ratchet.
PWC Repair
Well-known member
I have the Milwaukee M18 Impact wrench........I snapped some 7/16" rusted U-bolts off an axle with it recently. Plenty of torque for any lug nuts LOL!
jar944
Well-known member
OP is asking about a impact driver
Not a impact wrench
Not a impact wrench
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Dont let facts get in the way of a good derailingOP is asking about a impact driver
Not a impact wrench
Anything cordless isn't going to be worth a darn. They either aren't powerful enough or they don't last long enough to do the job. THEN after a year or so, the bean counters know EXACTLY how long that battery will last, so when the warranty runs out, you need to buy a new battery. AND THEY GOTCHA!!!!
manwithtools
ALLIANCE MEMBER
How many cordless tools do you own? I'd like to argue your points one by one, but I'd say that would be a waste of time for all involved. Let's just say that I think you are giving a very narrow view of the cordless tool world that is simply not accurate in today's cordless tool environment.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Now that's funny right there.
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petee_c
Well-known member
I still have a Makita 18v battery from my cordless impact and drill set that still provides good service on the impact driver... Easily a couple hours work on it driving in 3" construction screws for a winter rink we used to build in the backyard... Usually in close to freezing temperatures.
A few. But I quit buying them after they started going dead halfway through the job. Or I had to buy a new battery just after the warranty ran out and the cost of the battery was more than I could buy the tool with a cord that would last 20 years. Been there done that several times. Sorry. You aren't going to convince me. But good luck and thanks for the reply.
jar944
Well-known member
Fair.
In that spirit.. I like this new compact corded impact hammer I just picked up.
How long ago was this?A few. But I quit buying them after they started going dead halfway through the job. Or I had to buy a new battery just after the warranty ran out and the cost of the battery was more than I could buy the tool with a cord that would last 20 years. Been there done that several times. Sorry. You aren't going to convince me. But good luck and thanks for the reply.
Dakotadadv8
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 30, 2021
- Messages
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I use cordless impact drivers mainly to drive constructions screws, cordless drills to drill holes, corded drills for heavy duty drilling for concrete and mixing concrete, impact wrench for lag bolts for construction and lug nuts for vehicles. Nice to have the right quality tools for the right job. Dewalt, Makita, or Milwaukee - stay away from the cheap stuff.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I am fond of my cordless impact toolFair.
In that spirit.. I like this new compact corded impact hammer I just picked up.
I've never really used an impact driver that much but this is what I thought you'd use them for. When I see people using them to drive screws that I'd typically use with a screwdriver it leaves me scratching my head. Do they have models with a clutch or is the trigger variable speed or something?
Yes, to both questions.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Triggers are variable and some have selectable speeds and modes to impact (see what I did there?) power
That explains a lot... Thanks!