Variable torque, screw impact driver. Do they exist?

[Grant Gunderson]

Does anyone make a impact driver with a ¼" chuck that has a variable impact torque? The Makita that I have is great for lag screws, but I wish it had a way to limit the torque for installing #6 screws, etc.

 

[Sugarfryz]

Honestly best way is to just feather the trigger

 

[Grant Gunderson]

Honestly best way is to just feather the trigger

That doesn't work, when I need say 20 screws all installed to a 7.5 NM

 

[American Locomotive]

If you're installing small screws like that and need a repeatable torque value, just put a bit-holder into a standard power drill and set the clutch torque.

 

[ItsNemo]

If you're installing small screws like that and need a repeatable torque value, just put a bit-holder into a standard power drill and set the clutch torque.

This.

Although feathering the trigger for 20 screws is no big deal, when you get a feel for an impact driver they turn into a scalpel.

Dewalt's top end brushless 1/4" impact also has 3 different torque settings.

 

[jessesandy]

That's how an old Black and Decker Screw gun works. I say old only because I haven't tried any thing new.



Not sure, but I would think any brand drywall screw gun with the adjustment collar on the snout would work that way.
The amount of impact drive power depends on how hard you push and where it is set at.
Lighten up for a tiny piano hinge screw, or crank it up and vibrate a 3" screw through a 4x4.
Push hard enough and it just goes to direct drive, no impacting.

A normal driver with a clutch adjustment won't work for you ?

 

[American Locomotive]

Drywall guns don't work based on torque, they function based on screw depth. When the screw hits a certain depth, a clutch disengages the output from the motor.

Most modern cordless drills have a adjustable torque clutch on the output. When a certain output torque is reached, the clutch starts slipping.

 

[ocloc24]

Milwaukee's M18 Fuel One Key Impact Driver you can program what torque you want it to produce

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[trekgod3]

My Dewalt dcf887 has 3 speed settings

 

[travisn1]

If you actually need to achieve proper torque use a torque wrench. There are tools that can actually measure torque while driving but those are $$$. I wouldn't really trust a consumer tool to give accurate and repeatable torque.

 

[driz]

If you're installing small screws like that and need a repeatable torque value, just put a bit-holder into a standard power drill and set the clutch torque.

Yup, use the small cordless drill for those. Most have rough torque settings. As I always say with such things " use your best limp wristed style". Limp wristing works good while feathering the trigger using the driver too.


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[The Cobbler]

a cordless drill with variable torque settings should work for you. # 6 needs very little so you'll be on the lower settings .

 

[fourjeepin]

My Ridgid 1/4" impacts have three torque settings but as stated above, the clutch on a drill is probably better in this instance.

 

[ItsNemo]

Alternatively drive them 95% of the way there and finish with a screwdriver...

 

[bcradio]

Milwaukee's M18 Fuel One Key Impact Driver you can program what torque you want it to produce

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This here I believe is your only current option available from a mainstream brand.

 

[MikeF2316]

If you're installing small screws like that and need a repeatable torque value, just put a bit-holder into a standard power drill and set the clutch torque.

Put me down on the list of folks that do it this way. I start out on a setting I think is going to be too low, then work my way up.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

User or remotely programmable for # of turns, or applied torque.

 

[beamrider]

Now that's a tool I'd be proud to use on a space station. That being said, if you need exactly 7.5nms, I'd drive them with whatever is convienient, and then use a manual torque screwdriver.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Just get yourself an electric torque screwdriver. They are adjustable and used all over the place in manufacturing production lines. Find a used one if you are doing this on a regular basis.

 

[ttpete]

Yup, use the small cordless drill for those. Most have rough torque settings. As I always say with such things " use your best limp wristed style". Limp wristing works good while feathering the trigger using the driver too.

I do it this way using a Milwaukee M12 1/4 hex driver. It's NOT an impact driver. I run the screw up snug and apply final torque by just manually twisting the driver by hand.

 

[engineer2]

Makita makes 3 (LXDT06) and 4 speed (XDT12Z) versions. I use my 3 speed all the time. Low for finessing small screws, medium for nuts and bolts, high for lug nuts and lag bolts.

 

[WittHay]

Not a impact driver, but I have a Milwaukee Fuel 2402-20 M12 screwdriver and a DeWalt DCF610 12V screwdriver. Both with a 1/4" hex chuck and adjustable clutch settings like a drill. Handy for installing and removing smaller screws without the noise of the impact

 

[American Locomotive]

Milwaukee's M18 Fuel One Key Impact Driver you can program what torque you want it to produce

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I've heard feedback from some people with those electronic torque limiting tools - and it's not very positive. The electronics seem to react too slow, especially if going fast, and will break screw heads off all the time.

 

[Jp267]

Have a Makita with auto and high speed low speed.

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[Jp267]

Or high torque low torque I think plus auto

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[Jp267]

Sorry I'm an idiot. It just adjusts torque on Auto to prevent cam out. The other speeds adjust impacts and speed.

https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/XDT15ZB

Oh well still nice!

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