Drill VS Impact wrench

Phantom · 11-06-13, 12:18 PM

When I moved into my house just over two years ago I purchased a Dewalt drill and impact wrench combo kit that was on sale. I use the drill all the time for drilling and to drive screws. About two weeks ago I used the impact wrench to drive some deck screws in to a bracket I made to help seal and keep the new bathroom vent in place. Do I feel stupid having waited this long to use it.

The impact wrench worked so well and took so much less work to set the screw through the three boards (2 were pre drilled) that I have now used the impact wrench 4 other times.

The moral of the story is if you have an impact wrench use it. If you do not have one try one out and you will realize why a drill is called a drill and not a screw driver.

DEWALT DCK265L 18-Volt Compact Lithium-Ion Drill/Impact Combo Kit - amazon.com

pinballlooking · 11-06-13, 12:31 PM

I got two of these PORTER-CABLE 1 18-Volt 1/4 Drive Cordless Impact Driver for my solar project.
Shop PORTER-CABLE 1 18-Volt 1/4 Drive Cordless Impact Driver at Lowes.com
It drove lots of 5” lag bolts into the trusses easily. It was a life saver.
I agree these are great tools. (I got this on closeout + 10% off it was a great deal.)

Porter-Cable PCL180IDK-2 1/4-Inch Hex Lithium Impact Driver Kit - amazon.com

Daox · 11-06-13, 12:35 PM

Count me in as another who agrees. I have the white Makita 18V lithium model and absolutely love it. I use my drill as a drill and my impact for driving in everything screw related. So much more control, so much easier and faster. The only downside is its noisy (all impacts are) which really isn't a big deal when you consider all the benefits.

Makita LXDT04CW 18-Volt Compact Lithium-Ion Cordless Impact Driver Kit - amazon.com

SimpleManLance · 11-06-13, 02:59 PM

I use the makita impact drill at work every day. I love it.

I have a 1/2" 19V craftsman impact that i use around the house and the garage. Works awesome.

hamsterpower · 11-06-13, 07:15 PM

Count me in too. Got a Nextec drill and compact impact driver last xmas. Love them both so much I just bought the bigger impact driver.

Craftsman 30285 Compact Lithium-ion Drill/driver and Impact Driver Combo Kit

mejunkhound · 11-07-13, 07:40 AM

The more tools the better, but except for small jobs, air drive or corded is used.

razor02097 · 11-08-13, 06:26 AM

All things being equal my 18V drill will drive screws much faster than my 18V impact. That said though the impact is used when I have a helper that has normal human wrists... My mother uses an impact to drill, drive and assemble. For someone that can't handle a big, powerful screwdriver the impact is a perfect tool for them.

greif · 11-08-13, 07:27 PM

I have rigid brand and it works great but too loud so I don't use it

RobbMeeX · 11-17-13, 09:42 AM

Even the Makita 12v Max impact does a darn good job. I had the drill/quick release impact combo that I loved, but when I found the dedicated 3/8" impact, I had to have it! Long story short... I fully agree.

iamgeo · 11-17-13, 10:44 AM

Guess I better buy an impact driver.

11-06-13, 12:18 PM	#1
Phantom Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 101 Thanks: 13 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts	Drill VS Impact wrench When I moved into my house just over two years ago I purchased a Dewalt drill and impact wrench combo kit that was on sale. I use the drill all the time for drilling and to drive screws. About two weeks ago I used the impact wrench to drive some deck screws in to a bracket I made to help seal and keep the new bathroom vent in place. Do I feel stupid having waited this long to use it. The impact wrench worked so well and took so much less work to set the screw through the three boards (2 were pre drilled) that I have now used the impact wrench 4 other times. The moral of the story is if you have an impact wrench use it. If you do not have one try one out and you will realize why a drill is called a drill and not a screw driver. DEWALT DCK265L 18-Volt Compact Lithium-Ion Drill/Impact Combo Kit - amazon.com Attached Thumbnails __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Last edited by Daox; 02-12-14 at 12:33 PM..

11-06-13, 12:31 PM	#2
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	I got two of these PORTER-CABLE 1 18-Volt 1/4 Drive Cordless Impact Driver for my solar project. Shop PORTER-CABLE 1 18-Volt 1/4 Drive Cordless Impact Driver at Lowes.com It drove lots of 5” lag bolts into the trusses easily. It was a life saver. I agree these are great tools. (I got this on closeout + 10% off it was a great deal.) Porter-Cable PCL180IDK-2 1/4-Inch Hex Lithium Impact Driver Kit - amazon.com Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Daox; 02-12-14 at 12:34 PM..

11-06-13, 12:35 PM	#3
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	Count me in as another who agrees. I have the white Makita 18V lithium model and absolutely love it. I use my drill as a drill and my impact for driving in everything screw related. So much more control, so much easier and faster. The only downside is its noisy (all impacts are) which really isn't a big deal when you consider all the benefits. Makita LXDT04CW 18-Volt Compact Lithium-Ion Cordless Impact Driver Kit - amazon.com Attached Thumbnails __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Last edited by Daox; 02-12-14 at 12:36 PM..

11-06-13, 02:59 PM	#4
SimpleManLance Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: South-East MI Posts: 58 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	I use the makita impact drill at work every day. I love it. I have a 1/2" 19V craftsman impact that i use around the house and the garage. Works awesome. __________________ Jack of all trades, master of none. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

11-06-13, 07:15 PM	#5
hamsterpower Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 142 Thanks: 0 Thanked 11 Times in 11 Posts	Count me in too. Got a Nextec drill and compact impact driver last xmas. Love them both so much I just bought the bigger impact driver. Craftsman 30285 Compact Lithium-ion Drill/driver and Impact Driver Combo Kit Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Daox; 02-12-14 at 12:39 PM..

11-07-13, 07:40 AM	#6
mejunkhound Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: PNW Posts: 197 Thanks: 0 Thanked 47 Times in 31 Posts	The more tools the better, but except for small jobs, air drive or corded is used.

11-08-13, 06:26 AM	#7
razor02097 Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: 245862 Posts: 43 Thanks: 12 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	All things being equal my 18V drill will drive screws much faster than my 18V impact. That said though the impact is used when I have a helper that has normal human wrists... My mother uses an impact to drill, drive and assemble. For someone that can't handle a big, powerful screwdriver the impact is a perfect tool for them.

11-08-13, 07:27 PM	#8
greif a van down by the river Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Kaukauna,WI Posts: 108 Thanks: 6 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	I have rigid brand and it works great but too loud so I don't use it __________________ Gary R “If you want total security, go to prison. There you're fed, clothed, given medical care and so on. The only thing lacking... is freedom. ” ― Dwight D. Eisenhower

11-17-13, 09:42 AM	#9
RobbMeeX Eco OWNER!! Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: ATL Posts: 99 Thanks: 25 Thanked 7 Times in 6 Posts	Even the Makita 12v Max impact does a darn good job. I had the drill/quick release impact combo that I loved, but when I found the dedicated 3/8" impact, I had to have it! Long story short... I fully agree. __________________ In it for the money (savings)

11-17-13, 10:44 AM	#10
iamgeo Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Lakehills, Tx Posts: 168 Thanks: 4 Thanked 10 Times in 9 Posts	Guess I better buy an impact driver.