submariner
Well-known member
I know Bosch has a hybrid 1/2" impact wrench and 1/4" hex driver (USA # IDH182, Euro/Aus # GDX 18 V-EC). But does anyone make a hybrid 3/8" impact wrench and 1/4" hex driver? I don't mind 12v or 18v.
Is there a hybrid 3/8" impact wrench/impact driver tool?
- Thread starter submariner
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submariner
Well-known member
I try to avoid adapters if there's a suitable tool. The Bosch hybrid tool came out in early 2014!
Surely there's progress in the past 4 years...
Surely there's progress in the past 4 years...
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
That bosch has silly low torque. Can't actually be useful as an impact wrench. That is an impact driver with a 1/2 adapter, nothing more
bcradio
Well-known member
A 3/8" anvil is too small to encompass a 1/4" hex driver.
DFB
Well-known member
^^^
What he said...would not be enough strength left to anvil I would think
What he said...would not be enough strength left to anvil I would think
Theres no such thing, but Bosch did just release a new version of what you described just this week except its 1/2" anvil and 1/4" hex. It has 1650in/lbs torque. It's called the freak. I dont see why youd need or even want such a thing though. Milwaukee's newest impact driver(1/4" hex) has 2000in/lb of torque, and it's easily one of the shortest drivers on the market. Even with a 3/8 to 1/4 hex adapter itd still be shorter than many impacts out there, and you'd have more power than youd find with any cheesy combo tool. Not just Milwaukee, really any of the top brands would have something with more power. A set of all 3 drive size adapters is less than $10 and available at almost any tool store. That's your best bet.
Or you could buy a 3/8" impact and just get one of those 3/8" drive sockets that takes 1/4" hex bits, theres magnetic ones and spring ones. Then youd have even more power.
Or you could buy a 3/8" impact and just get one of those 3/8" drive sockets that takes 1/4" hex bits, theres magnetic ones and spring ones. Then youd have even more power.
Snakevz
Well-known member
Bosch will probably in september launch new GDX and GDR 18V-200C with 200nm of torque and 4000 ipm. We'll se where it will be launched (Europe, USA...), and how it compares to Milwaukee, DeWalt and Makita impacts...
Btw, 1/4 to 3/8 leaves you with about 1.5 mm (1/16") thick (or thin?
) wall "between two drives"...
Btw, 1/4 to 3/8 leaves you with about 1.5 mm (1/16") thick (or thin?
) wall "between two drives"...
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submariner
Well-known member
Whoismiked
Well-known member
I'm sure it'll fit, why can't they use a stronger steel for the anvil
Even with very strong steel, with it only being about 1/16 inch thick, would sheer under the torque.
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OP
submariner
Well-known member
Even with very strong steel, with it only being about 1/16 inch thick, would sheer under the torque.
From a simple search, there are materials >100x stronger than steel. Even the modest "ultra high strength steels" (already used in cars) are at least 5 times stronger than conventional steel. I see the 1/16 inch thick barrier being surmounted soon.
Whoismiked
Well-known member
Just use an impact grade adapter.
As far as I am aware they haven'd engineered an affordable super alloy anvil that can withstand impact torque with only 1/16in walls.
As far as I am aware they haven'd engineered an affordable super alloy anvil that can withstand impact torque with only 1/16in walls.
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submariner
Well-known member
A more elegant solution to the 1/16 inch walls is to design OEM adapters like on the Bosch FlexiClick. I suspect they won't do this because it will kill sales...
It's not just about pure strength, it's being impacted hundreds of times a second. Even if you found this super alloy that could withstand the force and impacts, it would be very costly. The tool would be ridiculously expensive.
And again.. why would anyone buy it? Sales would be low
OP
submariner
Well-known member
No 1 reason is because 3/8" drive is used most often by DIYers and mechanics.
Would you rather buy a separate impact wrench AND impact driver when they're essentially the same tool?
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Whoismiked
Well-known member
There is a difference between impact drivers and impact wrenches.
Anyways, more often than not, "multi use" tools perform more than one job but, which is nice, but typically not as well at any of those jobs as a tool that is specifically designed for that type of job.
In your case, I would chose a driver or wrench based on what you would use more often, then get the appropriate adapters to be able to use it in other ways.
I personally have separate drivers and wrenches now but back when I was starting out I just had 1 and used adapters and it was fine.
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scubadoober
Well-known member
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- Aug 15, 2017
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They are not the same tool, and yes I have both. In different brands to boot.
OP
submariner
Well-known member
Whoismiked
Well-known member
I forgot this is GJ
Of course everybody on here have both.
Having both will perform each of those uses better, but you do not absolutely have to have both.
What exactly is your issue with using an adapter? They exist for a reason.
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Just buy a 3/8" impact and this socket. Cheaper, and would have more torque.
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Just buy a 3/8" impact and this socket. Cheaper, and would have more torque.
a hard no. i have that socket and will tell you why. first, that is not an impact rated socket. second, it is a great socket to put a bit in and leave but it ***** to take it out. like put the socket in a vice and pull the bit out with a vice-grip tight.
apex and others make an impact rated bit holder with a quick release. i have one and really don't recommend that either, it may work ok with a torx or hex bit but a phillips is bad and flat is worse. there is just too much runout when you start stacking parts and driving screws,
nothing beats a dedicated tool. i would take a cheap impact driver and impact wrench over a premium hybrid tool that did neither well.
I didnt mean this specific socket, I have 3, 1 is a chrome snap on magnetic, another proto impact one, and the milwaukee quick release one. It was just an example.