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Impact Driver vs Drill/Driver

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inthe6

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Pick your poison fellas! Whats your go to drill for your typical daily routine. I use a Milwaukee drill/driver for my regular activities. Just a regular 2 speed drill, no hammer drill model.

Personally, I love my impact driver and was a time that I only used it. However, I find it doesn't work for me. Besides the noise it makes lol, and clients asking me about the noise etx. Plus, I find it does too much damage when using it. No proper feel when screws biting in, and too much power.

I'm currently having a debate with a fella who helps me out occasionally, and he can't understand why I don't want him using the impact for certain jobs.
 
#2 ·
Get the Surge impact. It's quieter.

I can't imagine using a drill to drive screws these days. I did for years until I used my first impact. My drill is probably the least used tool I have. I use quick change drill bits and usually just pop one into the impact when needing a quick hole since its always on me.

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#3 ·
Drilling holes I use a drill.
Driving screws, but not for drywall I use an impact.
Removing screws, I use an impact unless it's likely the head will strip, then I use a drill driver.

If you don't like the noise, get a fluid drive impact.
 
#5 ·
Screws and lags I use the impact. Holes I use a drill. Can't live without the impact for lags and concrete fasteners so I can't do without it.

On the 20V DeWalt platform their largest drill is pretty unruly, I don't want to carry a compact drill as it's inadequate for drilling large holes. But having the impact in the same case gives me a lighter weight device to drive screws. So I can minimize the number of tools I carry and still have a lighter weight option.

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#9 ·
Jay hole said:
Impacts are louder and slower. How does that benefit me??? I would love it if the rest of the world stopped using them.
Click to expand...
Easier on the wrist. Less chance of stripping/camming out the screw, especially Philips. Uses less battery power so it lasts longer.
 
#10 ·
I use my Bosch brushless impact for just about everything, and nobody’s ever complained about the noise. I like the 3 speed/torque feature, as that means I can dial it back for things like stainless screws in storm doors and shower doors, but high speed when just running screws into blind brackets and exterior door frames. I also carry a set of quick change Milwaukee titanium drill bits, and a set of quick change Bosch spade bits, so it covers pretty much anything up to 1.5”. Anything over that and I have the brushless compact hammer drill that has the anti-kick shutoff so it doesn’t twist my wrist off if it binds on something. I sometimes wish that was adjustable, because it seems extra sensitive some times, but it’s probably saved me more wrist ache than it’s caused headache.


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#12 ·
avenge said:
I use impacts for everything except drilling holes recently added this and I love it.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-18-Volt-LXT-Lithium-Ion-Sub-Compact-Brushless-Cordless-Drill-Impact-Driver-Combo-Kit-2-Pieces-w-2-2Ah-Battery-Case-CX200RB/207051121
Click to expand...
I have the black Makita sub compact 18 V kit also. I love the new smaller compact size 18 volt drills and impact drivers Makita nailed this one. I'll grab these all day long over my Milwaukee fuel 18 volt drill and impact kit...
 
#14 ·
It’s 2018 guys. There’s no reason not to own an impact driver and a cordless circular saw.

Of the ones I’ve used, the Dewalt 20v brushless 887’s are my favorite, I keep a pair in the tool trailer. 3 speeds, light, compact, and powerful.

I also keep a pair of drills in my trailer, the Dewalt 20v brushless compact and their big dog 996 hammer drill. Lets me do whatever I might need as well as not have to swap bits/tips out constantly.
 
#16 ·
Like the others, I use a drill for only drilling holes. I've got a DeWalt 20V that doesn't have the 3 speeds. On smaller screws, it's just too much. It likes to jump out of the head. My 18V Makita is much more controllable on smaller fasteners.
 
#17 ·
Once you've had The Milwaukee Surge you'll never go back to a loud impact again. It's very smooth and less aggressive when driving screws. In fact the 18v Surge doesn't jerk as bad as a 12v fuel. Stronger but doesn't stress the fastener.


Mike.
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[emoji631] [emoji631]
 
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#19 ·
andy101 said:
I am after a impact driver, never had one before of my own :( Trying to find a decent one which is in budget.
Click to expand...
Like every other business expense, learn to charge it to your customers (where all your dollars come from) and "budget" becomes less of an issue but more of a "what tool will help me get the job done more efficiently" and where to assign the expense...
 
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Leo G
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