How much do you actually use your impact driver?

[VictorBravo]

As with everyone else--I use it almost daily.

Just yesterday I decided some cabinets should be moved. Instead of making a project of it, I just zipped out some screws with an M12 driver and moved the things. Took barely 5 minutes.

You'll find plenty of uses. I hardly ever drive nails because screws are easier.

 

[jd_1138]

Impact drivers are so cheap, may as well have one. It will earn its keep the first time you feel the power and not having to pre-drill all the time.

 

[Voi]

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.

I have an older 18V lithium ion Hitachi and it's been great. I believe the new Hitachi models tend to get the "bang for the buck" rating in some of the tool shootout reviews.

Last time I checked Hitachi didn't have a lot of other tool choices but it sounds like that is not an issue for you.

You said your other tools were corded. Is your current cordless drill the only drill you have? If so I'd consider looking at some of the drill/impact combo kits and seeing if you can get a drill that has some extra utility over your current one. Maybe just more power or a hammer function, assuming you don't have that in a corded version already.

 

[Askme42]

Didn't know I needed one til I bought one.


Now don't know how I did without

 

[mrvm]

For some projects the impact driver drills all of my pilot holes thus no need for any extra tools. Buy impact rated bits, impact rated sockets and a couple hex shaft drill bits to complete the job. I rarely use the drill anymore.

 

[PelicanPines]

If I were to do it again... go with the m18. HUGELY better choice. I get stuff from cpo and would recommend them.

 

[stage20]

if it will fit in my impact driver or they make an adapter i use it for everything.
drilling, screwing, you name it.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

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.

Milwaukee is WORLDS better than PC--and has many more tools available which will run on the same batteries. The M18 is a good weight-to-power tool also--not tiring to use and VERY powerful.

 

[Bessy]

Silly question! They are the cat's a$$! I have a couple now! 12v Porter Cable for my everyday carry stuff that stays mostly in the car, and my 20v Dewalt at home. I had to buy an additional combo set of the 20v tools (drill + driver) as my dad liked it so much that he kept taking mine down to the boat.

Throw a 3/8 socket anvil on the Dewalt and you've got an absolutely indispensable tool! Paired with the 20v 1/2" Dewalt (should have bought the 3/8" in hindsight) and I had the entire frame of my '71 Suburban Tractor dismantled in probably 45 minutes.

 

[FigureItOut]

Looks like the aye's have it.By the time I started buying and using tools, impact drivers were already pretty ubiquitous, so I never had really tried driving with a drill. I saw this thread earlier and decided I'd try to drive a couple lags with my Dewalt brushless drill. I hadn't known driving screws could be so much effort.
Needless to say, I can't imagine anyone who's ever used an impact would not consider it pretty much essential.

 

[SD_40]

I made up my mind earlier in the day that I'd get one....it's just WHICH one at this point. Lots of options but I keep going back to the Milwaukee m12 fuel. It's more than I was planning on spending.....but that seems to happen every time I come here.

 

[ajchien]

I use my PC impact driver all the time too. Although I mildly disagree with those who don't use their drills much. A drill/driver with clutch is still useful if you don't want to sink a screw too deep and split the wood, or to use with driving screws into pocket holes.

 

[shoggoth80]

We're talking the little cordless impact drivers, not the impact drivers that use screwdriver bits, or socket bits? I wish I had one. When I worked at Firestone, the tech in the next bay had one, and man, that thing was gold.

It's on the want list. Given that I do all my own repairs (except for tires)...

 

[kblee27]

If you have a 1/4" impact driver, you can always convert it into a drill.

 

[stikman56]

I find I no longer do since I've been using the Snap-On CTS561CL screwdriver. Haven't used one since. For home use driving long screws into decks etc. I think it would be the thing to use, but on automotive I find I don't need one, just my impact wrenches.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

I made up my mind earlier in the day that I'd get one....it's just WHICH one at this point. Lots of options but I keep going back to the Milwaukee m12 fuel. It's more than I was planning on spending.....but that seems to happen every time I come here.

I got mine as a combo with the drill on Ebay--for $50 less than it was available locally. I paid $186 (shipped) two years ago this month, but they are a little cheaper now, as the FUEL is all the rage. As a non-pro I didn't need the FUEL advantages, and didn't want to pay double plus for it.

Oh, I got the M18--not the 12V, and definitely don't regret that, as more power is always good!

 

[uart]

Is your current cordless drill the only drill you have? If so I'd consider looking at some of the drill/impact combo kits and seeing if you can get a drill that has some extra utility over your current one.

I was thinking exactly the same thing Voi.

SD_40, if you're looking to spend around $100 for an impact driver be aware that there are sometimes deals on drill/driver kits for not a lot more money, and your old 9.6V drill might be near the end of it's life.

I'm not necessarily recommending these ones specifically, but if I'd definitely look around and see what the type of deals you can get on a combo kit.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Set-Combo-P...rill-Impact-/252096619489?hash=item3ab22123e1

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rigid-12-V-...river-combo-/272005207692?hash=item3f54c6168c

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ryobi-P882-...ry-/221763238641?hash=item33a21e7af1#viTabs_0

 

[ravenzfusion]

I use my right angle nextec 12v impact driver along with my milwaukee m12 all the time. Rarely use just a drill anymore. heck i use the hex shank drill bits and drill with the impact regularly. Comes in handy having one impact for drilling holes and one for driving screws.

 

[redmed]

If you are not in a hurry wait until Christmas. Lots of good deals then.

I was in the same boat as you last year. The last of my three NIcad drills was only holding a charge for 3-4 screws. Started looking and found a bunch of drill/impact driver kits. I thought what would I use a driver for? About then (December) HD had Milwaukee 12v drill/driver kits with three batteries for $99. I bought two kits. One kit for my basement workshop, one for my garage. The first thing I tried with the impact driver was screwing in some screws in a cabinet I was making, not good, the screws sank in about 3/4" below the cabinet surface. I quit using the driver for screws on cabinets and such and use the drill with the clutch as I have done for years. For less detailed work (deck screws) I am now using the driver which is a lot faster. With a socket adapter I'm using the impact driver for mechanic work more and more. Now grab the impact driver to dissemble/assemble anything with nuts&bolts. Speeds the work and wish I had gotten a impact driver sooner.

Late December CPO had Milwaukee M18 drill/driver kits w/2 batteries for $99 and again I bought two kits. The impact drivers look like new. One drill looks like it had little use and the other drill is noticeably worn and is slightly weaker than the other. So I'd call it a mixed bag getting reconditioned. I use the M12 drills more than the M18 drills because they are lighter and more comfortable to use. The impact drivers are used about equally the M12 for driving deck screws and light mechanic work, the M18 driver for heavier mechanic work because it has more torque.

 

[iScream]

I use my PC impact driver all the time too. Although I mildly disagree with those who don't use their drills much. A drill/driver with clutch is still useful if you don't want to sink a screw too deep and split the wood, or to use with driving screws into pocket holes.

I agree with this. The lack of a clutch on the impact driver keeps me from using it for everything.

 

[crewchief888]

i picked my ridgid up on clearance @ HD for $50.
glad i did, for driving deck and const screws it cant be beat.

but.....

if i was starting over, i'd go with milwaukee for 2 reasons..

i already have 12v & 18v milwaukee tools in my service truck, and i've had ZERO warranty issues with milwaukee....

 

[SD_40]

Still leaning toward the m12 fuel. I watched a few reviews and it really seems as though the standard m12 driver doesn't compare. If I need to add a driver later it can be had for a few dollars. My Dewalt works fine now but it certainly has its limitations. I do have a corded rigid to pick up the slack since there's some things it just won't do. The fuel seems to have ample power for any of my wussy homeowner needs and I like the smaller size vs the m18 ( go ahead and make your jokes)

 

[kerryt1]

Single most used tool I own.

 

[rockinacummins]

Yep. Almost every time I'm in the shop.

I also build metal buildings so when it's time to screw on sheet metal it gets a hell of a workout.

 

[Shiftless]

I sank 200 inch and a half wood screws on a fencing job with my Craftsman 19.2 volt C3 impact driver on only one battery.
Noisy, but it takes care of business!

 

[rick carpenter]

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.

If you develop the right touch, you can hang drywall with even an 18v.

 

[Kin Creed]

For homeowner usage I would go with M12 over M18. I have both and honsetly the M18 is overkill for most things so it does not get used much.

One exception would be a big 1/2 inch impact for lug nuts and lag bolts, but you can get a Ryobi 18V 1/2 inch impact for those jobs. For torquing large fasteners the extra weight of an 18V battery is actually a good thing as it feels more balanced between the torque applied to the fastener and the torque you feel in your hand.

M18 is a great platform, I just wish I had more occasions to use it! M12 batteries are pretty affordable, especially around the holidays when they typically have special deals. So you can stock up and have a few spares.

 

[pennsylvaniaboy]

I use it more than my drill. Other than drill holes, it gets used. I have a boring bit that i use to run wires in studs, it gets put on the impact. So much faster than the drill. YMMV but I find it very useful. The only thing I don't like it for is drywall work. due to the impact action it knocks out the drywall behind the screw and makes it harder to get tight.

 

[woodzy]

2nd best purchase I've made. 1st was the cordless drill.

I was driving 5" long lag bolts into some 6x6 and it was a pleasure.

 

[fatfillup]

Didn't read every post but once you get into the habit of using an impact driver and get an assortment of bits together in a handy box, you will use it a ton. I have a Ryobi 18 volt impact and drill combo with 2 batteries for $100 at Home Depot bought last Christmas

 

[Fugio]

3/8" or 1/2" impact drivers get used rarely around the house.

But my 1/4" hex driver gets used pretty much every day. I used it at least 10x more than any other power tool, including my drill. Get a 3/8" impact socket adapter for it and it does double duty.

There's really not a better tool for driving screws. It took my partner more than 2 years to finally convince me to get one. I never understood what the big deal was. My c3 drill could drive screws just fine, right? WRONG! Get the impact ASAP!

 

[SD_40]

I ordered the m12 fuel off amazon. New with the batteries and charger, had some Discover cashback I had accumulated....ended up costing me around $75.

 

[bcradio]

Still leaning toward the m12 fuel. I watched a few reviews and it really seems as though the standard m12 driver doesn't compare. If I need to add a driver later it can be had for a few dollars. My Dewalt works fine now but it certainly has its limitations. I do have a corded rigid to pick up the slack since there's some things it just won't do. The fuel seems to have ample power for any of my wussy homeowner needs and I like the smaller size vs the m18 ( go ahead and make your jokes)

This is definitely the route you should go. I recently got rid of my 36v Dewalt and 18v Dewalt tools and switched to M12 Fuel. I have been 100% happy with the switch.

36v and 18v are bigger than most non-production users need nowadays with the M12 Fuel having the same power as the older 18v tools.

 

[engineer2]

Use my Makita all the time. I love that the sound probably annoys my neighbors who have never lifted the hood on their car.

 

[BikerDad]

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.

Get one. Use it in conjunction with the cordless drill. I'm probably something of an outlier here, but I even using an impact, I predrill 90%+ of my screw holes. Just putting down one tool and picking up the other is far more convenient than changing bits or flipping bits.

I use the impact for driving about 95% of fasteners. The two reasons I'll go with the drill/driver instead are a) I have a headache and the racket of the impact will only make it worse, or b) I'm driving small, often brass, screws, and the better low speed low torque control of the drill/driver with the clutch set way down is preferred.

For the record, I have two impacts, a Bosch 12v and a DeWalt 20Max XR (i.e. brushless). Love 'em both.

 

[Ratchet Guy]

im the other way, i use more of the drill than the impact, i have 18v makita set and 10.8 mastercraft lithium drill, the mastercraft was nice and handy, small and I find myself using it most of the time using drill bits and as a driver, the only time the makita will come out is when i need to do something heavier and requires more power, meanwhile doing small projects and mods the drill is very handy for me driving screws and putting holes.

 

[don long]

I built the entire party garage with my small makita pistol grip impact driver I'm on my 3rd one and home depot stopped selling them

I also do most of my bodywork wrenching with it now too