How much do you actually use your impact driver?

[SD_40]

I've been looking at them recently, having never owned one before. I don't do anything too crazy, basic homeowner bs with a larger project mixed in here and there. If I was buying new I'd get the drill/ impact driver combo for sure, but my drill I have now is fine, so no (real) need for another. So get one, keep using the cordless drill? I'm all ears.

 

[Burgerkong]

All the time. Seriously, don't know what I did without one.

 

[sailah]

I used mine 5 times more than a drill, actually probably more like 10 times more often

 

[thebeekeeper1]

When you need to drive screws they are fantastic. A moment's inattention will have a 3" deck screw buried 1/4" deep--so pay attention. They DRIVE in a manner a drill can't match, and I too find them indispensable.

 

[Aaron10647]

Same as thee others above. I rarely pull out a drill anymore unless I'm actually drilling a hole. Any fastener gets the impact driver.

 

[Ainsley]

I use mine constantly! 12V for smaller screws and the 18V for the larger stuff.

 

[Ilikeike]

Get the impact.

It can also get into tighter spaces,and the impact helps drive screws when you're at an awkward angle and cant get much muscle over the screw.

 

[383 240z]

I've got a Porter Cable 20v, and a Mikita 18v. LOVE THEM. I use them all the time for tear down. I have the 1/4" hex to 3/8" drive adapter. I use them more often then I use the 3/8 air impact to be honest.

Like said before, they will drive a 3" deck or construction screw quick! I just built a small shed to house some equipment, they ran 3" Spax screws with out even slowing down. Buy one, I really mean that.

 

[jn503084]

I bought a Bosch 12V kit when we moved into our first house. The impact driver has seen plenty of use setting up my garage and my wife has become a Wyatt Earp with the drill for curtains, pictures etc.. They are so compact and handy I can't believe I didn't buy them sooner. The impact driver had plenty of juice to take out the rusty 13MM tailgate handle and cable bolts on my Father In Law's pick up.

 

[BD1]

My 18 volt Dewalts are great. The 1/4 driver takes the hex bits, can't count how often it is used. They also have a drill bit kit with hex ends that fit.
The 3/8 drive Dewalt impact is another goodie. Once you have it it's always used. It's like now that I have it , why didn't I buy it sooner.

 

[NoSloCoupes]

Yep

Same as thee others above. I rarely pull out a drill anymore unless I'm actually drilling a hole. Any fastener gets the impact driver.

 

[Mastermind]

I agree. Mine gets used daily where as the drill weekly.

 

[kiatech]

I have one and it collects dust. I use my 3/8 fuel everyday at work

 

[kblee27]

There was a time I was deciding between a Makita 10V drill vs a impact. The impact cost $20 more at that time.

Am I glad I made the right decision to go impact.

Now, I have more impact drivers and is consistently using it, daily.

 

[Coloshaver]

Same as thee others above. I rarely pull out a drill anymore unless I'm actually drilling a hole. Any fastener gets the impact driver.

+1

Using a drill to drive Phillips screws - once the bit slips out, it'll tear up the screw and the bit before you can let go of the trigger. Using the impact, the bit seems to reset in the slot between impacts = longer bit life and fewer bunged up screw slots.

 

[bigbearcraig]

All most daily!

 

[Jo Diesel]

I like my Ridged 18V hex drive Life time warranty and it is nice to go 1/4 3/8 or 1/2 drive or all the other bits that fit it. Use mine every day

 

[guy48065]

12V Bosch is the first tool I reach for. Indispensable.
20V Dewalt hammer drill is probably 2nd. Does it all--but way heavier and just not necessary 85% of the time.

 

[LB-1911]

I've been looking at them recently, having never owned one before.

I don't do anything too crazy, basic homeowner bs with a larger project mixed in here and there.

If I was buying new I'd get the drill/ impact driver combo for sure, but my drill I have now is fine, so no (real) need for another.

So get one, keep using the cordless drill? I'm all ears.

When you add the impact to your inventory include an assortment of impact rated bits to use with it.

 

[stihlntime]

I have four of the 1/4" units. A Porter Cable 20 vlt lithium, a Dewalt 12 vlt lithium, a Hitachi 10 volt lithium and old Craftsman 14 volt. I use them hard everyday the one I use the most is the Dewalt 12 vlt, I work on 2 stroke equipment everyday and it is the tool I use most often. I have to be careful not to twist off fasteners and the 12 vlt works great. The PC 20 volt is great around the farm and I use it most at home. I wouldn't know what to do without one, one of the best products ever made.

 

[Kin Creed]

My most used driving tool is the Milwaukee 12V screwdriver just because it's purpose built for driving small fasteners. For driving mid size fasteners or a moderate amount of fasteners (esp into wood) I would go with the M12 impact driver. Impacts are especially nice for disassembly of things, very gentle yet effective at loosening screws and such.

For bigger jobs I pull out the M18 impact, like large lag bolts etc.

It's all about using the best tool for the job when it comes a tool forum like GJ. Sure you can make do with a drill driver for everything, but why would you?

 

[gsingh]

All day long man.

 

[dutchgray]

Use mine daily at work for driving fasteners, a 2009 Makita LXT, starting to get a bit tired now. Also good for hole saws in sheet metal.

 

[PelicanPines]

Dewalt 14.4 that is 15 years old and almost worn out.

Dewalt 20v Lithium... that will probably be put in my casket before buried.

If I need it to be driven... it is the tool of choice...

 

[SD_40]

Man, I guess I don't know what I've been missing here. Guess I know what my next purchase is going to be. CPO has a 20v porter cable reconditioned for $90 with 2 batteries.....looks like it'll fill the void well unless someone knows of a better option? The only batteries I own already are Dewalt 9.6's

 

[iScream]

Man, I guess I don't know what I've been missing here. Guess I know what my next purchase is going to be. CPO has a 20v porter cable reconditioned for $90 with 2 batteries.....looks like it'll fill the void well unless someone knows of a better option? The only batteries I own already are Dewalt 9.6's

Before you buy the PC put a little thought into what other cordless tools you may want before long. Having multiple battery types and chargers for different tool brands can get to be a pain pretty quick.

I love my Makita drill/impact/flashlight combo but kinda want a Milwaukee 1/2" impact now, which means a separate charger and batteries.

 

[domain]

All the time. Like always

 

[SD_40]

Before you buy the PC put a little thought into what other cordless tools you may want before long. Having multiple battery types and chargers for different tool brands can get to be a pain pretty quick.

I love my Makita drill/impact/flashlight combo but kinda want a Milwaukee 1/2" impact now, which means a separate charger and batteries.

For sure. Everything I own is corded with the exception of my Dewalt 9.6. I don't think I want a 9.6 impact driver, don't even know if Dewalt made one. Best I could do to coordinate is find a used 14.4 18v etc Nicad powered driver off eBay that I could at use my current charger for, buuut I'm a little leery over buying eBay power tools. Hopefully my reasoning makes some sense.

 

[johndeereman]

All day every day m18/m12 all the way.

 

[Major Ramifications]

Friendo,
I would rather have an impact driver and no drill than the other way around.

 

[zhaddock]

Be prepared to be mad at yourself for not getting one sooner. Ask me how I know.

 

[928'er]

For sure. Everything I own is corded with the exception of my Dewalt 9.6. I don't think I want a 9.6 impact driver, don't even know if Dewalt made one. Best I could do to coordinate is find a used 14.4 18v etc Nicad powered driver off eBay that I could at use my current charger for, buuut I'm a little leery over buying eBay power tools. Hopefully my reasoning makes some sense.

You are really buying into a battery "system." So as others have said, consider other cordless tools you'll want to add. Many of the tools are very similar brand to brand, but the batteries are not interchangeable.

I wouldn't consider anything NiCad. The lithium batteries are far, far superior. Shop for deals, these things go on sale regularly.

While there are differences from model to model, Milwaukee, Ridgid, AEG, Ryobi, Craftsmen C3 and NexTec are all made by TTI. I've got the 18v Ryobi One+ and the 12v NexTec impact drivers and use them all the time for automotive work. Nothing has failed me yet.

 

[finn]

I used mine 5 times more than a drill, actually probably more like 10 times more often

Agree.

Never missed it until I bought one.

Now I couldn't do without.

 

[ChargerRT]

Impact driver.... soo handy
don't leave home without it... it's a game changer

 

[Wrenchinfool]

I use my 3/8 impact daily if my impact driver had a clutch I would use it more.. It's easier with one brand same battery I have 20v dewalt at home and work

 

[egnorant]

They are one of those items that you think you are doing fine without, until you get one and wonder how you ever survived. Same for ratcheting wrenches, flex head ratchets, plasma cutter, lift or even a rubber mallet!

Bruce

 

[SD_40]

CPO also has a Milwaukee m18 with charger and it looks like one 1.5 battery for $114 vs $90 for the porter cable. Better option? I can still shop around I don't need it tomorrow or anything.

 

[Toolfool]

They're a great addition to any toolbox, but be careful. With a drill/driver you can "feel" when a screw is being forced and about to snap. Not so much with the impact. Suddenly you're looking at the head of a screw stuck on the end of your bit. I watch guys re-hang doors after the painter has finished them and use an impact gun. All the screw holes are stripped and they wonder why the doors come loose a week later.

 

[Trey T]

I have a Milwaukee M18 Fuel 1/4" driver w/ three different impact setting. I think 60% of the time, I need the highest impact (#3) to drive long screws or remove lug nuts (85-95ft-lb lug nuts). The other 40% of the time, I believe a M12 (12v version) Fuel can get the job done and it's lighter to handle.

I'm not planning to get M12 impact... just gotta use whatever I got.

 

[rahrah12]

I was in the same boat...didn't know if I really needed over my current drills. I am just a homeowner that does projects around the house. Now it is my go to and I don't understand why I waited so long.

Dewalt 12V Lithium.
I will be picking up another shortly - 18 or 20 vlt