Impact Driver Stripping Screws

bcf

Hey everybody, lately I've been researching these to replace my cordless drill, and they seem very capable of everythng I need. I kep reading that they don't strip out phillips screws as bad as drills, but what about square heads? I use stainless steel square head screws, and with my drill if I'm carefull I'll strip only 1 in 10. I'm wondering if this will go down, up, or stay the same with an inpact driver. Thanks.

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Matt Ehrenzeller-General Manager
A Great Divide Fence Company
www.agreatdividefence.com

RobertCDF

They do not strip out as easily... But if your bit gets worn down a little bit they will strip them out. I am betting you will see about the same performance as with regular drills... The reason you are stripping so many is that SS is a lot softer and strips easy.

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Robert Shaw
Colorado Springs Custom Decks
Colorado Custom Decks
Custom Composite Decks

KillerToiletSpider

I don't strip out as many screws with one, but I quit using it because I got tired of the racket it makes and went back to using a drill.

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A flush is better than a full house.

GregS

Do some practicing first.. Make sure you hit the Robertson screws straight on. Any angle will cause a strip.

Speedy Petey

Are you serious? The racket? My helper makes more racket than my impact drills. And for a longer time.
Either way I can live with the sound. It is WELL worth the trade off as opposed to using a regular drill!!!!

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Teetorbilt

I've been using the same Makita 1/2" drill for over a decade. I mostly build docks and service floats, 2 X construction and all SS screws and can't remember stripping a Robertson head.

I use Apex bits, change them when they don't fit tightly and pay attention as the screw starts to hit paydirt. I use 316 SS screws and think that using an impact could cause the heads to shatter.

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Speedy Petey

Impacts are less likely to strip or break off screws in my experience.

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bcf

So I bought the Makita 4 in1, and that impact driver is great!! So much faster than a drill, and so far it seems to strip the screws less. Yes, the ratcheting can be annoying, but for only 2 seconds I think I can live with the increased productivity. And my hip likes the fact that is is so much lighter than my V28 drill.

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Matt Ehrenzeller-General Manager
A Great Divide Fence Company
www.agreatdividefence.com

Chris G

I wish I could adjust them to start impacting when I wanted. In awkward spots where I can't put much pressure on the screw, it would be nice to have it impact right away.

Speedy Petey

I like the fact that the impact only starts when needed.
Under light tension the bit screams until it senses resistance, then it ratchets.

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