Impact Driver & Drill Combo uses

[mayday0017]

The wife bought me a Dewalt XRP Hammer drill and Impact combo (20v) set last night as a present. I haven't opened it yet and I am trying to think what does everyone use their 20v impacts for?

I already own the 12v version of the impact driver and use it almost daily working on cars, it makes quick work of removing smaller nuts and bolts which BMW's have a TON of.

I never felt like the impact driver worked well for driving screws or anything, it just makes a bunch more noise then the drill and seem slower too... So what does everyone use their impact drivers for and how do they like them? What will the 20v one be good for that the 12v one isn't? I am really trying to decide if there is a good reason to have the kit or if I should just return it and get the hammer drill only.

Thoughts/input...?

 

[Kracin]

impact driver is definitely not slower than a drill.

it is pretty much the same rpm, except it uses less power because of the impacting function, and it doubles as not only a screwdriver but also a nut driver where you can losen fasteners fairly easily, especially with the typical 120 ft/lbs that most of the standard models put out.

at work i use it to do all kinds of stuff, from running self tapping screws, sheetmetal screws, removing a bunch of bolts when i don't want to sit there and use a ratchet for a half hour.

and at home i plan on using it for when i do a complete siding project on the garage, as well as new insulation and drywall as well. impact drivers are more versatile than drills as long as you know what you are doing, but drills are very much the way to go when it comes to making holes and such. we will probably see some new impact drivers out at some point with the ability to turn off the impacting so they can be used as a drill driver as well so you don't need to worry about switching when you want to use metal drill bits.

 

[mayday0017]

Ok so like I said I use my 12v one constantly for removing and installing nuts/bolts and it works great. Maybe the 20v is better for screws and what not but the 12v one sure isn't or like you said maybe I'm not using it right, can you tell me how to use it different? Also are you using a 12v or a 20v one to drive screws?

Mostly the question is really what will I need a 20v one for that the 12v one can't do. I am trying to justify the extra $$$ it cost for the combo kit vs just getting the drill since I already own the 12v combo kit.

 

[DamnYankee]

The 20v has a significantly higher torque rating and higher RPM than the 12v model. The 20v is especially useful if you're driving long lags or screws or installing/removing nuts and bolts that require more torque than the 12v has.

 

[stonesfan68]

HD has a 90-day return policy. Try the tools out and keep them if you like them, or take them back if you don't.

 

[tshetter]

When doing carpentry & masonry/concrete anchors you would predrill with the drill and set screws with the impact.


The impact is MUCH better at setting fasteners than the drill, and MUCH easier on your wrist/arm because of the impact action.

I also use my 18v impact for working on any nut/bolt fasteners and when it doesn't bust them loose I get out the air impact.

The more you use it, the more you will appreciate it.

And 12v vs 18v...I also have a 12v impact from Bosch, and it does 75% of what the 18v will do. Mostly it is the concrete anchors that are 1/4" or concrete with a lot of aggregate that the 12v won't completely set a fastener. But for carpentry the 12v can do 99.9% of what I have needed.