Differences between M12 screwdriver and 1/4 impact driver

[Banjorear]

Can someone give me the Cliff Notes version of the differences between these two tools? Do you need both or would it be redundant?

 

[chipper]

I have both they are totally different tools with the screwdriver being more of a finesse tool (good for interior automotive work)and everyone knows what the impact is for...if you can only choose one hands down impact

 

[Voi]

Can someone give me the Cliff Notes version of the differences between these two tools? Do you need both or would it be redundant?

Screwdriver has the clutch as well which is a nice feature.

I own both in other platforms and would pick the impact if I could only have one.

 

[GortonsFisherman]

The Fuel screwdriver is awesome, unlike its predecessor, which is close to totally useless. I use it on any job that I don't care to make the noise of the impact, as well as where needing finesse. Driving screws and lags into wood, by all means the impact, but threaded machine screws, screwdriver. Impact would be my first purchase for sure, and if just around the house, then I would say skip the screwdriver - but tradesman, a must have.

 

[BioNerd]

You need to get a fuel M12 drill and impact driver set NOW. ITS CHEAPER!

Drill is for drilling, the clutch to drive screws and select a proper torque. Two speeds, slower has more power.

Impact driver its to drive screws wether or not the damn screw wants to go in or not. I till make it sink or it will snap the head but it wont strip it. Tons of power to drive fasteners.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

The Fuel screwdriver is awesome, unlike its predecessor, which is close to totally useless. I use it on any job that I don't care to make the noise of the impact, as well as where needing finesse. Driving screws and lags into wood, by all means the impact, but threaded machine screws, screwdriver. Impact would be my first purchase for sure, and if just around the house, then I would say skip the screwdriver - but tradesman, a must have.

I have the non Fuel screwdriver (plus Fuel and non Fuel impacts).....but why do you say the non fuel screwdriver is almost useless? Mine seems fine...but maybe I'm in the dark????

 

[StevenB]

I've got the non fuel screwdriver & impact, they both work great for their intended purposes. I use the screw driver for the basic driving a screw or bolt in, interior, air filter, removing tail light lenses. Light duty kind of work.
Saves me a allot of time at work.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I had both and sold the (non-Fuel) bit driver. It was longer than the impact, and I've had no issues using the impact driver everywhere I would've used the bit driver. Just don't go full throttle and feather the trigger on the impact, and it's easy to not damage plastics or small screws.

 

[kctyphoon]

Here's cliff notes - the impact driver can apply MORE force, and will drive longer screws in more easily, while applying LESS twisting force to your wrist. There is an anvil inside that will intermittently impact and turn the driver in whichever direction you choose, instead of a constant twisting

The screwdriver is almost the same as a drill, with the exception of having a 1/4" hex drive instead of a standard chuck which can accept any size bits.. It's made to make installing and switching standard 1/4" hex drive bits fast and easy.. Will also have a lower rpm, and single speed only vs 2 or 3 speed transmissions on drill/drivers

 

[DanInVA]

A question for you screwdriver users... does each clutch setting provide a repeatable torque setting? What I mean by that is if you had tried multiple clutch settings and checked the bolts with a torque wrench, could you write down what clutch setting corresponds to what specific torque? It would make it very handy to use one of those clutch settings to torque small fasteners like a valve cover. Not sure if it would work, but it makes me curious

 

[Mohawk Dave]

A question for you screwdriver users... does each clutch setting provide a repeatable torque setting? What I mean by that is if you had tried multiple clutch settings and checked the bolts with a torque wrench, could you write down what clutch setting corresponds to what specific torque? It would make it very handy to use one of those clutch settings to torque small fasteners like a valve cover. Not sure if it would work, but it makes me curious

I would think the battery juice would make a difference...especially MAH.

Even if it did, the torque on a 1/4" bolt would be different than a 3/8".....seems like too many variables for delicate work.