What is the difference between an impact driver and an impact gun?

[Banjorear]

OK, I'm not a noob and know my way around tools. I have a full box of pneumatic tools and other goodies.

I'm in the market for a new cordless driver and impact set and notice a lot of them come with an impact driver.

I've never used a impact driver and curious on it's use vs. an impact gun?

The impact drivers seem wimpy compared to an impact gun and I'd assume they take bits vs. sockets.

Can anyone shed some light on this for me?

Thanks.

 

[83j10]

you pretty much answered your question the drive takes bits and is used mostly for screws and the gun is used for hex head fasteners and larger size bolts.

 

[mrjaw14]

Impact driver has a 1/4" hex drive for use with insert bits for driving screws. You can use a 1/4" hex to 1/4 or 3/8 or even 1/2 square drive to use regular sockets, but generally these are lower torque...not meant for lug nuts etc.

A impact wrench...is well a wrench! it has a 1/4, 3/8, or 1/2 square end that accepts (impact) sockets and generally is more powerful than a "impact driver"

 

[ADSR]

 

[mrjaw14]

well aint that special LOL

 

[BioNerd]

Try to drive a 3" wood screw on a 2x4 with a drill as most people do, and then try with an impact driver. That will show you how wonderful is to have one.

Drills are for drilling holes or for driving screws softly using the torque to not strip em. As soon as the screw doesn't want to go in you must get positioned right behind the crew and push so it doesn't strip the head. An impact driver will drive the same screw like butter without stripping the head and without your effort.


Oh, and in my opinion, they are like hammers. Even ryobi will do the same job as a makita or bosh. It's like a hammer, as long as it is 18v, will do. In a jobsite, I'm not so worried about what happens to my 6yr old ryobi impact driver.

-To be everything, be nobody.

 

[Banjorear]

OK, thanks. Maybe my questions should have been the purpose or designed use for an impact driver. Makes sense now. I appreciate the replies.

 

[bobcatdan]

Drivers have their higher torque tightening while wrenches have theirs loosening. For ligth auto work, a driver will work great.

 

[Danglerb]

First time I watched some 3" lag bolts going in with an impact driver I knew I wanted one, right tool for the job.

 

[sr71]

With Holiday tool sales coming our way .... which impact driver model do you like & why? ( Dewalt, Bosch, Makita, Milwaukee, Ryobi, Rockwell, Porter Cable, Hitachi )

 

[Banjorear]

With Holiday tool sales coming our way .... which impact driver model do you like & why? ( Dewalt, Bosch, Makita, Milwaukee, Ryobi, Rockwell, Porter Cable, Hitachi )

Well, I wasn't really thinking of getting a driver, I really want a cordless impact gun, but it seems like the drive comes in most of the combo kits/sets.

I was thinking of the Milwaukee M18 Fuel for it's specs and heavy dutiness, but I may hold out for new line of DeWalts. Not sure yet.

 

[ADSR]

Well, I wasn't really thinking of getting a driver, I really want a cordless impact gun, but it seems like the drive comes in most of the combo kits/sets.

I was thinking of the Milwaukee M18 Fuel for it's specs and heavy dutiness, but I may hold out for new line of DeWalts. Not sure yet.

I own the fuel and couldn't be more happy.

 

[split150]

I've had no problems with my Hitachi 18v Lith-ion impact driver. You can find great deals on ebay from time to time. Very light, comfortable grip, and mine almost always has the hex to 3/8" adapter in the chuck. I like it for dirtbikes, motorcycles, jetskis, but I use the Craftsman C3 19.2 1/2" gun on the heavy stuff.

 

[Voi]

Bosch-18V-EC-Brushless-Hybrid-Impactor-IDH182-01.jpg

I can't access Google on my laptop or my phone at the moment. What are the torque specs on this thing? Very interesting.

 

[Flivver250]

When I hear impact driver, I think of the tool you nail with a hammer to loosen stuck screws. Used one for years, love it. Anyone who wrenches in an area they salt the roads needs one.

 

[Voi]

I can't access Google on my laptop or my phone at the moment. What are the torque specs on this thing? Very interesting.

Never mind. Some links for others interested:

http://www.boschtools.com/Products/Tools/Pages/BoschProductDetail.aspx?pid=IDH182-01L

http://www.boschtools.com/Products/Tools/Pages/BoschProductDetail.aspx?pid=IDH182-02L

http://www.boschtools.com/Products/Tools/Pages/BoschProductDetail.aspx?pid=IDH182BL

http://www.boschtools.com/Products/Tools/Pages/BoschProductDetail.aspx?pid=IDH182BN

 

[Wakefield]

When I hear impact driver, I think of the tool you nail with a hammer to loosen stuck screws. Used one for years, love it. Anyone who wrenches in an area they salt the roads needs one.

Looks like you have a dedicated bit socket on that SnapOn I think there is an adapter that can take different 5/16" hex drive bits (at least I hope the FBS9 is strong enough if you don't go too heavy with the hammer)

 

[KenC]

In the case of DeWalt, the impact driver and the 3/8" impact wrench are identical other than the drive. All the parts, other than the drive parts, have the same part numbers. Same power, same speed.

There are adapters that chuck into the hex drive and accept 1/4 or 3/8" sockets. So, the driver is my choice since the tool is adaptable to whatever I need to do today.

 

[Banjorear]

In the case of DeWalt, the impact driver and the 3/8" impact wrench are identical other than the drive. All the parts, other than the drive parts, have the same part numbers. Same power, same speed.

There are adapters that chuck into the hex drive and accept 1/4 or 3/8" sockets. So, the driver is my choice since the tool is adaptable to whatever I need to do today.

OK, good points. Thanks.

 

[Banjorear]

I like it for dirtbikes, motorcycles, jetskis, but I use the Craftsman C3 19.2 1/2" gun on the heavy stuff.[/QUOTE]


How do you like the Craftsman impact gun?

 

[nowlan]

I got the Bosch combo set. I was puzzled what to do with the pocket driver.
They already make a cheap cordless screw driver.
I notice that you can get hex shanked drill bits.
Although I dont know anything about torque required. I bought for the impact driver (wrench?)

 

[Flivver250]

Looks like you have a dedicated bit socket on that SnapOn I think there is an adapter that can take different 5/16" hex drive bits (at least I hope the FBS9 is strong enough if you don't go too heavy with the hammer)

The one I have takes any 3/8 drive socket. Put it against a screw or the like and whack it with a hammer and it twists at the same time it puts the downward force. Good for screws you think might strip.

 

[WR250F]

This is my driver... this is my gun... sound off...

 

[Danglerb]

With the holiday sales, stick with one of the good brands and jump on the first "real" sale. Ideally lithium and brushless, but if its cheap enough consider the last of the older tech.