Impact Wrench vs Impact driver

[Solemn]

I've been saving money recently and I'm wanting to take the jump into my first Milwaukee tool, brushless of course and that leads me to three questions.

1) What is the major difference between an impact wrench and an impact driver?

2) Based upon answer one, what is more suitable for a diesel technician to have in his arsenal primarily?

3) Co-workers have stated I should simply purchase the Milwaukee combo kit with the driver and impact driver, however I elect to purchase the impact wrench and a tool-only driver, albeit for more money but getting what I want at the same time.

Yea or nay to the idea, or I do I simply not know what I am doing? Also any brands favored over Milwaukee? I like Rigid btw

 

[Dj.SammyOaks]

an impact wrench is just like your air impact, it has an anvil (probs 3/8 or 1/2) and is no different than the air powered once except for the fact that its battery powered. An impact driver is a bit driver, it uses different 1/4 bits like phillips and torx and such. Which one you need is more so up to you. I have an impact driver and use socket adapters for it, one for each drive size. the impact wrench would have more torque than the driver, but the driver is a little more versatile and has a higher rpm but at the cost of power.

 

[tdkkart]

an impact wrench is just like your air impact, it has an anvil (probs 3/8 or 1/2) and is no different than the air powered once except for the fact that its battery powered. An impact driver is a bit driver, it uses different 1/4 bits like phillips and torx and such. Which one you need is more so up to you. I have an impact driver and use socket adapters for it, one for each drive size. the impact wrench would have more torque than the driver, but the driver is a little more versatile and has a higher rpm but at the cost of power.

In reality, one is for one job, one is for another job.

For strictly mechanic duty stuff you want an impact wrench first, and impact driver is more for screws and small bolts etc rather than bolts and lug nuts.

Don't get me wrong, I haven't had my impact driver long, but I LOVE it. Nothing better for running stuff like drywall/construction screws and with sockets for smallish fasteners like small engine work.

One thing I have found is that some hex-bits(Allen bits), don't like being impacted on, I've destroyed 2 or 3 of them now. They don't break right away, but the apparently fracture and snap off over time. One thing you DON'T want is a bit broken off in a socket head screw, they **** to get out.

 

[SASORacing]

3/8 impact wrench electric/ battery, cordless, super convienient and nice. I have a 3/8 Milwaukke fuel $199, but I used coupons and got one for about $165. I like the 3/8 anvil much more than the hex end. I bought a full set of 3/8 screwdriver bit sockets just for this!

Then go 1/2 air impact for big bolts lug nuts etc. when you need 1000 ft /lb torque

 

[heytrid]

Impact driver is the tool you will use maybe once a month, maybe once a year but man when you need it, it is the best tool EVER.

 

[CJM8515]

I prefer the impact driver on smaller nuts and bolts, I use impact grade adapters and it easily will do the job. For larger stuff you want an impact wrench in 3/8 or 1/2, much more powerfull and will take most anything off you want.

 

[stikman56]

I'm sure you'll find much more use for the wrench than a driver working on equipment. I don't even have a driver at work,just impacts (cordless and air) , air ratchets and a cordless screwdriver. Everything I need to work on a bus. Without the cordless screwdriver,I'd have an impact driver though.

 

[Solemn]

I'm sure you'll find much more use for the wrench than a driver working on equipment. I don't even have a driver at work,just impacts (cordless and air) , air ratchets and a cordless screwdriver. Everything I need to work on a bus. Without the cordless screwdriver,I'd have an impact driver though.

I have yet to see anyone at my job use the impact driver to actually drive small screws or anything, honestly they may not care it even be aware of a cordless impact wrench lol.

With this in mind I'll go ahead and buy the m18 fuel 1/2 impact and the 1/2 driver. Added bonus as to why I even wanted the wrench was because it's dimensions are similar to the impact driver. Thanks for the help

 

[heytrid]

I was referring to a manual impact driver. 2 completely different tools in a sense. Sorry.