Cordless Drill/Driver vs Impact Driver

The cordless drill/driver is definitely the most used mobile power tool ever, plus it is not likely to lose that title soon. Nevertheless, cordless drills are just starting to lose ground to some comparatively new form of cordless tool, the impact driver. That is got do it yourselfers everywhere asking questions: What Is the difference between an impact driver and a drill/driver? How can an impact driver function? And why would, if I possess a drill/driver I want an impact driver?

THE CONSEQUENCE OF THE COMBO IS UNADULTERATED, RAW POWER!

A cordless drill/driver is a versatile tool that is built to drill holes and drive screws. Its keyless chuck accepts a wide selection of round- and hex-shank drill bits and screw- hole saws, along with driving bits, rotary sanders, wire-wheel brushes, as well as other accessories. All cordless drill/drivers can also be designed using a slip clutch which allows one to correct the quantity of torque for exact, consistent screwdriving.

An impact driver appears like a drill/driver but for one noticeable differentiation—instead of a keyless chuck, it's a collet that accepts hex- driver bits that are shanked. This tool is engineered to do one job: drive screws, which it does quicker and simpler than another tool. Impact drivers can drive long, big fasteners—including fat lag screws—that would stall the top drill/driver.

The impact driver uses concussive blows and bit spinning to power-drive screws through the thickest, densest woods. The results of the combo is raw, unadulterated power. Actually, impact drivers usually produce two to three times more turning force (torque) than the typical drill/driver. How strong? Throughout a recently available Popular Mechanics tool evaluation, one 18-volt impact driver drove an amazing 138 3-inch lag screws on an individual charge. Despite its brute strength, an impact driver is comfortable as well as simple to make use of since the activity that is concussive transports much of that high energy torque straight to your wrist or forearm, not to the screw. (An impact driver doesn't have a slip clutch, but the concussive activity lets you drive screws with great control and precision.)

Therefore, in the event you are planning jobs that demand driving a lot of screws, or lots of screws that are long or really big, then contemplate an impact driver. For instance, impact drivers are well suited for installing tile backer board, building decks, and screwing down plywood subfloors. You should stay with all the versatility of the cordless drill/driver in the event that you are not about to work on such jobs. But, the opening between both of these tools that are useful might be closing: Some manufacturers offer other hole as well as drill chucks -drilling accessories to be used within an impact driver.