Impact Wrench Use Drill Bits

[Robbo1011]

Hey people,

Really easy one. Can my impact wrench take drill bits hex heads and the like and drill pieces 6mm 12mm, hole pieces?

 

[FigureItOut]

I don't see where the OP mentions a hammer drill. Most hex shank drill bits are designed for impact drivers, which I suspect is what the OP is using.

Robbo, can you tell us what tool and what bits you're asking about? The terminology between an impact driver, impact wrench, and hammer drill are often misunderstood or misused.

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[PhysicsDude]

They work. Not as well as on a drill, but they work. The bits won't break on the first impact hit.

The impact bits and the impact chuck tend to wobble a lot for drilling work. Won't be near as precise or clean as using a regular drill bit, but if you're just drilling basic holes in thin or soft material, it will work OK.

 

[fivespdcat]

You can buy drill bits specifically for use in impact sets. Almost everyone makes them now and Milwaukee has some really nice ones. They work great for general work.

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[bcradio]

Impact wrench hammer forces hit rotationally, a impact drill hammers directly into the item you are trying to drill to help push the drill tip into hard items like concrete and chip it out.

Most likely, if you put a hex shank drill bit into a impact wrench socket or bit holder it will just break the bit the first time the bit catches in the metal a little bit and the impact hammer hits.

Impact drill hammer? Is that similar to a hammer drill?

 

[bcradio]

A hammer drill is not the same as a rotary hammer

 

[prostreetamx]

I used a 1/4" impact drill bit in my impact driver to drill a bunch of 4x4's. It worked great for lots of holes until the tip broke off.

 

[bcradio]

A hammer drill and a rotary hammer use very different mechanisms to generate the hammering effect... much more different than just a chuck.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

these ones on a 1/4 hex impact driver do great in wood

 

[fourjeepin]

I have the Milwaukee and they work great. My Ridgid impact will not impact until there is a certain amount if torque required. This never happens when drilling with it.

 

[red94chev]

Wouldn't do it in metal or precision woodworking but I drill quick holes all the time with my impact.

 

[davethorik]

Ive used montana brand hex shank drills in my 18v milwaukee 1/4 hex impact a lot. They are rated for impact duty, made in usa, cheaper than china drill bits at other box stores (got them at menards). Drill fine in steel, brass, wood, and plastic.

 

[Ign]

It works great, even in steel. Many people saying you'll break bits are just repeating what they think or what they've been told with little or no actual experience.

 

[Voi]

I occasionally drill holes with one of these in my impact driver and don't recall breaking a bit. I assume the hex drive bits would hold up as well.

 

[DFB]

I've used hex shanked twist drill bits and spades bits in various impact drivers to drill WOOD products with no problem. I rather use a reg drill though.

I don't really care for the impacting action if or when it kicks in. Depending on the which impact tool I'm using it might not or just momentarily My M18 Fuel rarely, the M12 tools will kick in easier and impact hammer almost constant.


Never tried impacts drivers with other materials though.

Hammer drills in concrete products sure

2 different actions

What will you be drilling into?

 

[American Locomotive]

It works great, even in steel. Many people saying you'll break bits are just repeating what they think or what they've been told with little or no actual experience.

Impact drivers will run twist drills just fine. Twin-hammer type impacts will not.

 

[jobo1004]

So far I've been pleased using this set from Milwaukee in mine. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-Titanium-Shockwave-Drill-Bit-Kit-23-Piece-48-89-4631/205879024

 

[Robbo1011]

Thanks for all the information!!

I'm looking at getting this Milwaukee M18 Impact Wrench.
https://sydneytools.com.au/milwauke...ue-impact-wrench-with-friction-ring-skin-only

It's specific purpose is sockets from what I understand because of the head on the drill.

I'm interested to know if I can use the impact wrench for similar functions as a drill would have
OR
Am I better off buying a drill for those functions and keep the impact wrench for the sockets.
I hope that makes sense, thank you

 

[T45]

Milwaukee Fuel 1/2" Mid-Torque Impact Wrench with Friction Ring

Am I better off buying a drill for those functions and keep the impact wrench for the sockets.

Yes, if you have the budget + storage.

 

[SnapOnAddiction]

That's what hex shank drill bits are for dude but get good ones or the cheap ones will get hung up and twist in the shank. Honestly use a drill with drill bits and other bits for your impact driver, impact drivers don't make good drills except something like a lag bolt they **** at least my Makita and Hilti impacts do lol catch my drift.

Also screw guns with the hex drive **** very badly and are even worse for hex drill bits they don't have the same torque or clutch and I have snap on screw guns in 3 styles.

 

[Voi]

I'm interested to know if I can use the impact wrench for similar functions as a drill would have?

To drill with that wrench you'd need to get an adapter. Either a 1/2 square to 1/4 hex or a 1/2 square to 7/16 hex.

Either of those adapters would allow you to use hex drive drill bits.

The 1/4 hex adapter would also allow you to use a 1/4" hex drive chuck like the one I posted earlier in this thread. I see the picture isn't working so I'll try to post another reply with specific products later.

Either way I think you're better of buying a drill for those duties.

 

[Voi]

1/2" square to 7/16" hex adapter.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009H5EPA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

1/2" square to 1/4" hex adapter.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002KKBBR4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

With either of the above you could use hex drive bits of the corresponding adapter size.

Or you could get a keyless chuck in either drive size and use whatever bits you wanted.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EIR38A/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.aircraftdynamics.com/41.htm?parentid=46

 

[sam.coll]

Yes work beautifully in hardwood poles etc, we use hydraulic impact wrenches at work with a 7/16 hex chuck to drill 20mm - 26mm holes in hardwood, also use the m18 milwaukee impacts.