Impact Drivers

[le6920]

What is the difference between an impact driver and a drill/driver? I know the impacts don't have a chuck, but a screw bit adapter. Do these impact like the drills used on concrete or can they be used like a regular drill/driver?

I have a bunch of 18v drill/drivers, but these seem like a new trend?

Below is an example.

 

[-B-]

Quick change and high torque in a small size they can in a home owner situation for weekends replace a low end cordless drill.

 

[jumpyg]

I have the Craftsman 19.2 volt impact driver. It's one of my favorite tools. I love it for driving screws into backerboard, for example. It saves your wrist a lot of fatigue over driving so many screws with a regular cordless drill. That said, sometimes the impact is overkill and then I just use the drill.

 

[Danglerb]

Drills apply torque via reduction gears, and impacts have spinning hammers that strike an internal anvil. Two completely different animals.

Under low torque, low drive some impacts don't let the hammers fly until the load reaches some point, behaving kind of like a drill.

Driving screws I'm not really sure one is better or even different from the other in effectiveness, impacts don't bog down like a drill or driver though, so maybe better on heavy screws.

 

[usa#1]

I have the Makita 18V lithium ion impact driver and the matching Makita 18V hammer drill. Before getting the Makita stuff, I used 12V battery drills without the hammer option for driving screws. Since getting the Makita combo set, I have rarely used any of the other drills or the Makita hammer drill for driving screws. My weapon of choice for driving screws, lags, etc. is the impact driver. I would have never believed the power the impact has. It's also much smaller and lighter weight. Borrow one from a friend and try it. You'll probably be sold on it very quickly.

 

[FNFS2000]

Once you use an impact it seems absolutely stupid to use a drill to drive screws. THey are lighter, more powerful, much much much less prone to stripping/slipping on screws(my 6 year old can drive screws well with my metabo impact that I would have to lean all my body weight on to keep from slipping with a cordless drill)battery life between charges is much much longer. Overall total battery life(charge cycles) depends on if you buy one from a box store or if you get a premium tool.

 

[nova65ss]

Batteries last longer, doesn't twist your wrist all up, and faster. I don't even use a drill anymore unless I need to drill a hole.

 

[sk farmer]

an impact driver is a single purpose tool for installing and removing fasteners. the only advantage a drill may have is a clutch for limiting depth or stripping threads. once you use an impact driver you won't be without it. my neighbor wanted to give me his from his kit, until i took his drill away from him and made him use it one day. the next day he called me and said thanks for being a good neighbor. go buy one you won't be sorry

 

[Vinko]

Once you use an impact it seems absolutely stupid to use a drill to drive screws. THey are lighter, more powerful, much much much less prone to stripping/slipping on screws(my 6 year old can drive screws well with my metabo impact that I would have to lean all my body weight on to keep from slipping with a cordless drill)battery life between charges is much much longer. Overall total battery life(charge cycles) depends on if you buy one from a box store or if you get a premium tool.

Which Metabo do you have? How long have you been using it? Likes and dislikes about it?

 

[goodfellow]

Love the Ryobi I received from Santa -- havn't used a drill to drive screws for months. What a difference!

 

[chevy4lyf]

In general, the impact mechanism provides 2-3 times the torque of a comparable drill.

In addition, the impact mechanism is great for providing more downward force without killing your arm, wrist, and shoulder. It's awesome for driving screws and lags bolts, as noted above. In addition, it will remove stripped screws like butter. It really is amazing to use if you are used to how drills operate. Also a great tool for rusted, corroded, and cross-threaded screws that are particularly stuck into place.

And as someone mentioned above, you wrist won't be torqued as much during normal operation.

 

[FNFS2000]

Which Metabo do you have? How long have you been using it? Likes and dislikes about it?

The lithium 12 volt. Got nothing bad to say about it. Its about 3 years old, had their nicad version for years before that, nothing wrong with the nicad one, I'm just a fanatic...

 

[CamarosRus]

This thread looks to be cooling down...............

I'd like to report back with what I finally bought. I'm a huge procratinator, and combined with being ****/fussy its a terrible cross to bear. Get out the Popcorn..........

I was on my way to a sellers house to look at a used Craigs List Miwaukee V-18 (1st Generation battery) Lith-Ion 1/2" Hammer Drill, with two 3.0Ah batteries and charger for $125.

Decided to stop at Home Depot to look misc products over. On a Wednesday afternoon HD wasnt all that busy. Fortunate (I think) to run into TTI West Coast manager, TTI District Mgr & TTI Field Rep. I find out that Techtronic Industries North America, Inc. ownes Ryobi, Ridgis and Miwaukee. I cant quote exact words, but I was told that quality started with Ryobi, and went up to Ridgid and Milwaukie was considered the best.

H.D. had big display of the newish M-12 (12Volt) line. TTI guy said they were sellng real well, could hardly keep them in stock. The M-12's are quite compact, Lith-Ion battery slides up into handle and no doubt are great tools.

I just felt that I wanted the 18Volt battery platform. I decided on the promotional left over black friday package 2601-22H (H must stand for H.D.) This SET contains the 2 spd 1/2" Driver/Drill 2601-20 & the 2650-20 1/4" Impact Driver is added basically as a freebie.
Also included in the blow molded red case are two 48-11-1815 Lith-Ion 23Wh (??) batteries (1.4Ah?) and Charger. ALL this for $199.
(Think about what you credit hungry guys are paying for no more powerful truck branded drills/drivers)

I did see these same set up on AMAZON under a different part number for $199 with Free Shipping.

Given everything weve read above, I just feel these are great tool at a great price.

I can buy the 18V XC 3.0AH batteries if ever have the need

I also picked up a 29pc SHOCKWAVE Impact Driver Bit Set ($20). This is Milwaukee's latest, greatest metal/design bit technology that helps prevent bit/tip breakage.

I've also ordered 1/4" Hex x 3/8" square drive adapter to use impact driver with 3/8" Impact sockets. Cant quote the specs, but I'm thinking this impact can keep up with or surpass the S.O. 3/8" impact Gun (???)

Thanks for reading,