There are lots of power tools for DIY workers. If you’re a DIY worker and want to drive screws into plywood, lumber, composition board, fiberglass, laminates, concrete, drywall, and metal even drive the occasional medium-sized screw on paneling, hard board, ceramics, plastics then you need an impact driver. And there are some differences between drill and drill drivers. Do you know what an impact driver is and how to use an impact driver? Let’s know what is an impact driver?
An impact driver is a powerful tool used for driving larger screws and tightening nuts. And you can use an impact driver as normal drills if needed using a spade bit. Plus, the impact driver can be used to loosen and tighten screws that are corrosively bolted with torque.
The chuck of the impact driver accepts a 1/4 inch hex shank. But most of the DIY workers buy the best corded or cordless impact driver for driving screws in. Making a small hole in soft wood and light-gauge steel has to use a standard hex-shank drill bit. But to make a holes larger than 1/4 inch in hardwood or heavy steel must need a special bit for an impact driver.
What is an impact driver VS Cordless impact driver parts
Let’s talk about Parts of an impact driver
You will be clear about the impact driver after knowing the basic parts of a cordless impact driver. Knowing about parts is cleared a bit much what is an impact driver. Let’s know about the cordless impact driver parts.
Chuck
Impact driver comes with a quick-release hexagonal chuck and the chuck is the most important that holds the screwdriver and drill bit.
Motor
There are two kinds of the motor of the impact driver that are brushed and brushless. You will find a motor inside the impact driver and the motor is more durable. Also, the brushless motor produces less heat and runs efficiently.
LED light
LED light is important for working in a dark area and it is turned on automatically when the speed control trigger is pulled. On the other hand, after releasing it gets turned off. You will find the LED light most of the impact driver like DEWALT DCD771C2 machine.
Speed Control Trigger
You will be able to control the driving speed by trigger after turning the chuck. The more you will release the trigger, the more slowly the chuck will turn. And releasing the trigger completely stops the impact driver. Most of the impact driver comes with variable speed. And the variable speed triggers allow you to control a bit rotation and matter is how much pressure you apply to the trigger.
Forward and reverse switch
Forward and reverse switch allows you to insert and remove bits. To insert screws and drill holes use the forward switch and use the reverse switch for removing screws and back out drill bits.
Handle with Grip
Some cordless impact driver has ergonomically designed handles with soft rubber grip and some just have a plastic casing. But soft-grip handle is comfortable for working. Most of the users love the soft-grip handle impact drivers.
Rechargeable battery
If you buy the best cordless impact driver then will get the battery, charger, machine separately. Also, you can remove the battery from the impact driver while the need to charge it.
Drill driver VS Impact driver
A drill driver has a clutch and an impact driver doesn’t have a clutch. You can use an electric impact driver to drill long screws into wood or metal. And cordless impact drive used for renovations and DIY workers. Also, impact drivers easy to use. You may know that drill driver and impact drivers are similar tools and you will be able to drive a screw into different materials changing a bit. But using an impact driver will make a lot easier on your work. Hand impact driver makes your work easier to drive a screw into tough materials with preventing the drive bit from slipping off the screw head.
A drill driver has two gears and an impact driver have one gear. With more torque drill driver used for driving screws and drilling holes due to having two gears. Besides, impact drivers have one gear for driving screws fast with variable speed trigger. You can keep a bit for drilling and driving.
Impact driver uses
Most of the homeowners use an impact driver instead of a cordless drill for driving screws and tightening nuts. Impact driver helps to screw in into wood by force to drive. An impact driver actually used for driving fasteners screws and bolts into different materials. Also, this tool handles large screws and bolts and this impact driver is easier for driving on your hand and wrist. Again, it makes your job a lot easier. Inserting a bit on the chuck you can do your home improvement job, business projects, and official’s works. Also, to make small holes and drive screws into concrete, brick, masonry, or heavy metal is very effective.
Do I need an impact driver?
If you ask do I need an impact driver then answer will be positive. To make a hole and drive a medium-sized screw into different materials you need an impact driver. You will find a hand impact driver and it can be corded or cordless but work for the same purpose. Making a treehouse using impact driver is invaluable and it will be money worth your investment. To drive a small screw or large screw into wood have to work safely and you should wear safety glasses with safety things.
How to choose an impact driver?
To choose an impact driver, you should test the best brands and models with its pros-cons. Impact driver not only comes for driving screws but also they are able to great drills with small bits up to 1/4 inch hex shaft. Impact driver only accepts hex shaft drill bit to drill into wood or metal. Choose between 12v and 18v model with a big torque since most of the users prefer the 18v model impact driver.
Easy to handle impact driver can make your work easier so choose an impact driver with a combo kit. If you buy a combo kit tool they will get you a driver, a drill, a hammer drill, and an impact driver. So, collect combo kit tools for getting an impact driver with other assisting tools. Most of the users love to get the best cordless impact driver than corded impact drivers to carry anywhere for doing various types of jobs.
When to use an impact driver
There is a bit difference between a drill and an impact driver. Using impact driver depends on your projects and it can be driving screws into wood, steel, concrete, drywall, or non-ferrous. You need an impact driver when need to make a hole or drive a screw and to set a nut or tighten a small bolt. You may have softwood, hardwood, or heavy materials that need an impact driver.
Conclusion
There are similar power tools in the market like drill driver, impact drive, and impact wrench. But they are used for different purposes.
For drilling holes, you can use the drill driver, driving screws and bolts impact driver is perfect, and loosen or tighten large nut and bolts used for impact wrench.
Some tools come with various types of models and performance. You will find in the market corded and cordless impact driver but most of the users love to collect a cordless impact driver so that to carry easily anywhere.
Lastly, hope you are now fully cleared that what is an impact driver and how do they work. This article will help you pick the right tool for your needs and have a good day with an impact driver.
