An impact drill, also called an impact driver, can be used to quickly drive screws.
Are you confused by the difference between an “impact drill”, and an “impact driver?”
Technically speaking, there aren’t any impact drills. Although there are impact drivers and drills, they are completely different tools. Impact drivers are designed to quickly and efficiently drive screws. Drills, also known as drill drivers, can be used to drive screws faster than impact drivers. Drills are better at drilling holes.
Many similarities exist between drills and impact drivers. Both can be handheld and corded, or cordless. Both can spin when the trigger button is pulled. There are many impact drivers and drills that can spin at different speeds. Before deciding whether one or both of these tools is right for you, there are some key differences.
Impact Driver vs. Drill
Drills and impact drivers are distinguished by their power and rotational actions. Quick-release shanks on impact drivers can take all one-quarter inch hex driver bits. Because of their high rotational force, they can drive large wood screws in seconds.
Impact drivers’ internal mechanism allows them to produce more torque per second than drills, and in shorter bursts up to 50 times per minute. They also rotate their bits in a two-step-forward-one-step-back pattern, engaging and driving screws more effectively than drills.
Impact drivers are typically smaller and lighter than other types of drills. Impact drivers are smaller and lighter than other drills, but they can provide more power for the same tool size. Impact drivers also allow the driver to be more engaged with the screw head, which is often noticed by impact drill novices.
Hammer Drills and Impact Drivers: are they same thing?
Many people mistakenly confuse Hammer drills with impact drivers. Although they look similar to regular drills, Hammer drills serve a different purpose. They vibrate bits back and forth and spin bits fast, which allows for faster drilling in concrete bricks, stone, and blocks.
Do You Need an Impact Driver?
If you need to drill holes and drive small screws, a regular drill will work. If you have a project to build a deck, a plywood floor, or a treehouse, an impact driver is a great investment.
The impact driver is a great tool to reduce the time it takes to drill large screws in wood. It is important to use your impact driver safely, as with all power tools. Wear safety glasses and keep your eyes, hands, and mouth clear of the impact driver.
Select an Impact Driver
Modern impact drivers run on batteries. There are three sizes available: 12, 18, or 20 volts. Higher voltages result in more power and torque.
More power is good for large fasteners. Higher voltage can mean heavier and larger batteries, which will make it more difficult for you to carry your impact driver around with you.
Another consideration is the difference between brushed and brushless motors. Although brushless motors are more expensive than brushless, they are more efficient and more powerful than brushless motors. They also produce less heat and last longer between charges.
Variable-speed models can harness more torque depending on how hard you pull the trigger.