impact driver VS hammer drill

Hinton Heating · Post by **Hinton Heating** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 3:05 pm

What is the difference, in which circumstances would you use each.

I have a Dewalt 18v DC998 drill, which I use for almost everything. Is there any point getting an impact driver, what is its main use?

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 4:19 pm

completly different beasties

impact driver is purely for putting in and taking out bolts and screws

they work at high speed and when the load is greatest the motor turning is converted into a hammer /ratchet type motion so the power is multyplied

so instead of say 10 turns of the motor = 1 turn off the bit when on "full ratchet" [my description

] the motor will only move at 1/10th normal speed so 100 revs of the motor = 1 of the bit but at 10 times the power

so basicly it acts like a normal screwdriver on high speed and quite quiet
but as the load increases it turns into rotary impact but much slower and very noisy

hense the 140 +nm of 12v tools when a normal 18 v drill is around 40nm

will drive 4" screws through battons on wall like the battons balsa wood

also great for rusted in screws and bolts

Hitch · Post by **Hitch** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 6:15 pm

I wouldnt be without mine.
I use it for virtually all screws, and bolts up to about M12.

If you are regularly driving in long screws or doing up lots of bolts get one.
If your only doing the odd 10 screws here and there i wouldn't bother.

One of the other advantage is the sheer smallness and lightness of them. Could see you whizzing off boiler covers in seconds.

I guess you can pick one up to go with your existing DW batts.

Paslode_itw · Post by **Paslode_itw** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 10:45 pm

Impact is really for driving a load of screws, decking for example.

I would stick to the dc988 Hinton.

tim'll fix it · Post by **tim'll fix it** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 11:17 pm

i have just got an impact driver

what a tool, it is the only way to put screws in and out

I now dont bother with pilots or countersinking

great for removing old screws. I couldnt be without mine now

panlid · Post by **panlid** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 11:21 pm

what do you use it for tim. i dont need to pilot to put 4" screws in wood with my bosch driver.

tim'll fix it · Post by **tim'll fix it** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 11:27 pm

everything now

it is a total different way to put screws in.

When I built the kitchen MDF units I didnt countersink or pilot the screws just pulled in

it starts to impact when the pressure gets on. Its is lighter and more powerful. It also has a very short body so you can get it into smaller spaces than a large combi drill.

it is perfect for removing old screws and you dont get any cam out going in or out and you dont have to lean on it as you do with a combi drill

mine is a 14.4v NiMH makita the one in sfx. I have a 14.4v NiMH makita combi drill and the impact is more powerful.

I was expecting to be disappointed but think it is the best tool I have now

panlid · Post by **panlid** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 11:31 pm

oh tim, im fighting it

Only-Me · Post by **Only-Me** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 11:34 pm

Have to agree...........they are shite hot at whacking great screws in

And not so little

tim'll fix it · Post by **tim'll fix it** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 11:34 pm

if you got one you would wonder how you lived without it.

put it this way I havent used my new passy once, I use my impact every day

there are some good deals on some naked models