![\"DeWalt](\"https:\/\/www.tooled-up.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Dewalt-DCF887-300x300.jpg\")
So why would you use an impact driver instead of a standard cordless drill? The adjustable clutch on a cordless drill would appear to make it much more suitable for driving screws, and indeed it can offer more “set and forget” control. However, the impact driver has a significant advantage in terms of torque – that is, the amount of turning force it can apply.\u00a0If you compare the specifications of drill drivers and impact drivers you will see that impact drivers are capable of far higher levels of torque. For instance, DeWalt\u2019s DCD996 18v XR Cordless Combi Drill<\/a> (currently their most powerful 18v combi) has a max hard torque rating of 95Nm, which is impressive in itself and necessitates the inclusion of an auxiliary handle for user safety. The DCF887 18v XR Cordless Impact Driver<\/a> on the other hand is capable of delivering more than twice as much than this at 205Nm (despite being a smaller and cheaper tool). The reason impact drivers can supply so much torque is that they have a type of rotational hammer mechanism which kicks in as soon as the tool encounters significant load conditions. This impact mechanism enables them to pound large fasteners into timber without stalling and without having to drill pilot holes first.<\/p>\n This leads us on to the most crucial difference between drills and impact drivers. To go back to the example of the DCD996 combi drill, it has to be supplied with an auxiliary handle due to its potentially hazardous levels of torque. When drills are powerful enough they are quite capable of causing injury to the user if the rotation comes to a sudden stop and causes the machine to instantly jerk into a reverse spin: if you’re not prepared for this (and even if you are on occasion) this can really hurt: a spinning drill can seriously sprain your wrist and and if you’re working at height it can cause you to fall off a ladder. Anyone who’s experienced this will be hesitant to use a drill for anything too demanding without two hands securely on the tool, and although modern features like adjustable clutches and anti-kickback protection mean this is less of a risk with today’s cordless drills, you still have to counteract the rotational force when driving larger fasteners: that is, you’ll generally have to put pressure on the machine with your other hand to keep it from twisting around as it ramps up the torque.<\/p>\n The beauty of impact drivers is that even though they can supply much more torque than comparable drills and drill drivers, they can be used one handed as very little of the forces generated are transferred to the user\u2019s wrist. This means you don\u2019t need the upper body strength of a silverback gorilla to control them and they can be used comfortably and safely even when undertaking heavy duty applications. The main reason they became such a popular jobsite tool is that in construction environments you often only have one free hand, for example when holding the material in position or holding onto a ladder. The impact driver was therefore a great time saver, as well as being more comfortable and less fatiguing to use over the course of the day.<\/p>\n They are also designed to be as compact as possible, and the lack of a traditional drill chuck or clutch means they can be easily squeezed into tight workspaces. In fact in recent times due to technological advancements like ever smaller brushless motors, we’ve seen especially tiny impact drivers like the DeWalt DCF850<\/a> being introduced to the market and these compact machines will slot into some really tight gaps. Again, this helped cement their popularity on the jobsite as you’re less likely to get held up by a screw that you simply can’t access.<\/p>\n These machines can help you work more safely and comfortably with larger fasteners but they’re not only designed for tougher jobs. Impact drivers are increasingly being designed with versatility in mind, and some models have settings which enable them to tackle more delicate applications just as effectively. Most of the compact 10.8v and 12v machines are also more commonly used for driving small and medium screws rather than heavy duty fasteners which would be beyond their capabilities. Many users prefer these smaller tools for lighter duty work due to another benefit inherent in the impact driver’s design: they tend to be much less likely to slip out of the screw whilst under load. The succession of impacts help to keep the bit firmly in place, while the standard rotation of a drill driver can sometimes allow the bit to jump out of the screw head, especially if you are using the machine in an awkward position.<\/p>\n So now we\u2019ve established some of their advantages, how do you decide which is the best impact driver for your requirements? Luckily, we\u2019ve compiled this buyers guide in which we will go through some of the features and specifications to look out for.<\/p>\n Like most power tools, impact drivers are generally designed either for DIY or professional use. DIY in this context means someone who will only require light use from the tool, eg for home renovation projects. A professional user on the other hand would be classed as someone who uses the tool every day. DIY brands include Ryobi<\/a>, Greenworks<\/a>, Black & Decker<\/a> and Bosch Green<\/a>, and these typically represent the most affordable impact drivers on the market. However, if you do need the tool for work these models will not usually be covered under warranty if used in this way. Professional grade tools are designed to withstand the conditions of working environments and these include models from brands like DeWalt<\/a>, Makita<\/a> and Bosch Blue<\/a>.<\/p>\n Though there are a handful of corded impact drivers on the market, the vast majority are cordless machines. These are commonly either 10.8v, 12v or 18v. Machines in the lower voltage ranges are much more compact and can be easily carried without adding excess bulk and weight, though bear in mind that their lower power can be a limitation and they can\u2019t match the brute strength of their larger cousins \u2013 the compact machines will punch above their weight but if you want the capability to drive really large fasteners rapidly and effectively, an 18v impact driver is usually the way to go.<\/p>\n In the UK, torque is usually stated in Newton metres (Nm). The higher this value, the more turning force a machine should be able to generate, and this is usually the first specification tool enthusiasts check to gauge the capabilities of an impact driver. However, it is worth noting that manufacturers stated torque measurements do not always translate as accurately to real-world performance as you might expect. Nonetheless, this gives you a good indication of the machine\u2019s capabilities.<\/p>\n One of the main advantages of a good impact driver is the speed with which it operates. There are usually two quoted speeds: the no load speed, which is stated in rotations per minute (RPM) and describes the free spinning speed of the tool, and the impact rate, which may be stated in blows per minute (bpm) or impacts per minute (ipm). Both these factors are important with regards to how quickly you will be able to drive screws; the higher the speed, the quicker you will be able to finish the job. Most, if not all, impact drivers manufactured today have variable speed triggers which enable you to start screws with optimum control and back off the speed for the last few turns to ensure they are not sunk below the surface of softer woods.<\/p>\n It is common these days to find cordless tools with brushless motors. Although more expensive to implement than brushed motors, the advantage of this design is that it is much more energy efficient. In a cordless tool this means you can expect to get more runtime per battery charge, allowing you to work for longer without having to recharge or swap out batteries. This can also mean you may be able to make do with smaller, lighter and cheaper batteries rather than having to use high capacity alternatives.<\/p>\n Impact drivers are great for driving large screws but they have not historically been renowned for their precision or finesse. Without any form of clutch, it is easy to overdrive smaller or more delicate fasteners, which can also be snapped by the powerful impact mechanism.<\/p>\n A comparatively recent development which increases their versatility in this field is the introduction of multiple driving modes. Found on tools like the Makita DTD154 18v Cordless Brushless Impact Driver<\/a> and the DeWalt DCF887 18v XR Cordless Brushless Impact Driver<\/a>, these switchable settings afford a greater deal of control when working with different sizes of fasteners. In the case of the Makita DTD154, it is equipped with three impact modes and an additional setting designed specifically for working with Tek screws, while the DeWalt DCF887 has three settings, including a precision drive mode which enables it to drive even the smallest screws without fear of damaging the fastener or material, greatly increasing the application range of the tool. In the DIY market, Ryobi\u2019s R18IDBL ONE+ 18v Cordless Brushless Impact Driver<\/a> includes 3 gears for driving anything from small hinge screws to large coach screws, along with a dedicated setting for driving decking screws (one of the most common applications homeowners will buy an impact driver for).<\/p>\n Anyone who has seen an impact driver being used in anger will have quickly realised that they are extremely loud. Loud enough to have to wear hearing protection and definitely loud enough to wake the neighbours up on a Saturday morning. Machines such as the Ryobi R18QS ONE+ Cordless Quietstrike Impact Driver<\/a> and Makita DTS141 18v Brushless Oil Pulse Driver<\/a> are designed specifically to operate at lower noise levels than standard impact drivers; they use hydraulic fluid in their impact mechanisms for a significantly quieter action that is much easier on the ears. Oil pulse drivers are perhaps most commonly used by people who work in noise restricted areas like hospitals or schools but if you can afford the extra expense they can be a lot more pleasant to work with wherever you are.<\/p>\n Some Bosch Professional machines (for example the Bosch GDX 18 V-LI 18v Cordless Impact Wrench \/ Driver<\/a> and the Bosch GDX 18 V-EC Cordless Impact Driver<\/a>) are equipped with hybrid tool holders which enable screwdriver bits or impact sockets to be mounted directly onto the machine. It is still possible to use impact sockets with a standard impact driver by way of an adaptor \u2013 for example this Bosch \u00bc\u201d Impact Socket Adaptor<\/a> – though one of the advantages of a hybrid tool holder is that you will still be able to use them if your adaptor gets lost or broken.<\/p>\n Note that impact drivers are still primarily designed for driving screws \u2013 dedicated professional impact wrenches and air impact wrenches typically supply far higher levels of torque, and this is probably what you’ll need for anything other than relatively light duty jobs.<\/p>\n Impact drivers place a great deal of stress on accessories, which normal screwdriver bits or sockets are not designed to withstand. Instead they should be used with impact rated accessories, which are usually identifiable by a black or dark grey finish (though check that the packaging specifically states they are impact rated before using them). As well as multiple types of screwdriver bits you can also get other impact rated accessories like drill bits and hole saws which help to increase the versatility of these machines further. Impact drivers can be surprisingly good at drilling holes and they are ideal for use with accessories like flat bits and hole saws as the risk of personal injury is greatly reduced during high torque operations. As mentioned previously, they can be loud tools so it is a good idea to pick up some ear protection if you don\u2019t have any to hand; as with all drilling machines, you should also wear eye protection whenever using an impact driver.<\/p>\n Categories Discussed in this Article:<\/p>\n![\"Bosch](\"https:\/\/www.tooled-up.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Small-Impact-Driver-300x300.jpg\")
Choosing an Impact Driver: DIY or Professional<\/h3>\n
Voltage<\/h3>\n
Torque<\/h3>\n
![\"Driving](\"https:\/\/www.tooled-up.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Impact-Driver-Coach-Screws-300x300.jpg\")
Speed<\/h3>\n
Brushless Motors<\/h3>\n
Multiple Modes<\/h3>\n
![\"Ryobi](\"https:\/\/www.tooled-up.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/DeckDrive-300x300.jpg\")
Oil Pulse Mechanisms<\/h3>\n
![\"Oil](\"https:\/\/www.tooled-up.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Oil-Pulse-300x300.jpg\")
Hybrid Tool Holders<\/h3>\n
Other Things to Bear in Mind when Choosing an Impact Driver<\/h3>\n
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