Impact vs. Impact Driver

[jbbies]

What are the advantages and disadvantages with cordless impacts vs. cordless impact drivers?

 

[Danglerb]

No difference, impacts I think are usually square drive like a ratchet, and drivers are usually hex drive like bits.

Impact driver is also what you call the non powered hit it with a hammer things.

 

[jbbies]

seems like the impact drivers or more useful?

 

[Jack Olsen]

It depends on what you work on. One's good for lug nuts, the other for driving in screws.

 

[littletoes]

Or pulling 'em out!

 

[jhelrey]

I use my 18V XRP Dewalt Impact for everything!

 

[jbbies]

So if you can have one that does both. One would you want one that cant?

 

[toolmaker1]

generally the impact wrenches have higher torque ratings than the drivers and the adapters for the impact drivers to square drive are the weak link when when using a driver to run sockets

 

[Jack Olsen]

You want both. But again, it depends on whether it's more important to have lots of torque with a ratchet-type fitting or small size and weight and a hex tip. I have a hex adapter for the impact wrench and it sometimes destroys screws. I have a 3/8" ratchet adapter for the impact driver, but I'm not going to undo lug nuts with it.

 

[rednecklimo85]

there almost two different tools. you cant replace one with the other. a cordless(or air powered) impact has lots of torque for rusty nuts, and decent speed for when there loose.

An impact driver has decent torque, and no speed as you have to readjust after every hit, but, it drives your bit/socket into your fastener at the same time its turning. makes it easier to loosen a stripped screw/bolt.

 

[jhelrey]

I undo lug nut with mine. I build fences and all of the hardware is tightened or loosened with it. I use it to do brakes, ****** splashes, etc.

If that isn't powerful enough to brake a bolt loose, then I get the IR Impact and the airhose out.

 

[rednecklimo85]

exactly, they put out decent torque, but your not gonna beat an air impact