Printable View
So yesterday I started looking at electric screwdrivers to supplement my drill and stop me having to change bit so often... Turns out apparently screwdrivers are few and far between and impact drivers are all the rage. What are they? Does anyone here have one/use it? What are the pros and cons? and do I actually need one or is it just a gimmick?
I don't own one, and have only used manual drivers that you thump with a hammer in the past so that is what "impact driver" meant to me. But...
http://www.wonkeedonkeetools.co.uk/c...t-driver-work/
I guess if you find your screws/bolts hard to undo or do up then an impact driver will be ideal.
If you are doing delicate work like working on PCs, then it sounds like a recipe for stripped threads and damaged stuff! But then just electric screwdrivers can be heavy handed sometimes, so if you are happy using an electric screwdriver then I guess one of these would probably do.
Part of me wonders if these are taking over because it avoids the tool having to deal with stalled motor torque so it is easier and cheaper to make the tool? ;)
I own a Dewalt Impact driver, it is hands down one of the best tools I've ever bought, it will drive a screw through most things and make very light work of it to boot. Obviously you do not use it anything approaching delicate work this is due to the physical power/torque of the tool and the hair trigger on it and certainly not anywhere inside or on the outside of a PC case!!. It is very easy to drive the screw straight through whatever you're trying to screw together. Do yourself a favour and get one and make sure its a good quality one.
Can you turn the impact bit off? The last time I used an electric screwdriver was putting down loft boards, and the reason for using screws not nails is to avoid any hammering on the beams in case it damages your bedroom ceilings.
I've always just used a cordless electric drill (18V) for screwdriver purposes. Light enough to pop in dozens of screws in one go, powerful enough to do household jobs. I did drill pilot holes when boarding the loft to avoid the screw squishing too much wood and splitting anything.
I almost went for a cordless drill / impact driver double pack when the batteries finally gave up on my old NiCad drill, but couldn't justify the extra money for just a bit of DIY work.
I 100%, totally, utterly agree with that, and with the rest of your comment. I would stress, though, that while they're superb (Makita, in my case) at doing certain jobs, whether they're worth buying depends on what you'll use it for.Quote:
Originally Posted by jimborae
Many DIY jobs are such that it's about as appropriate as using a chainsaw to do keyhole microsurgery. :D
Okay, if my arm's twisted I'll admit that's a bit of an exaggeration, but it makes the point.
Like so many other jobs, you can use several different tools and you'll get the job done .... eventually. But use the right one and it's far easier and/or better.
Hands up those that would swap their high-end 21st Century washing machine for a 1950s twintub and a mangle? Nah, me neither.
EDIT - For those young enough to not know a twintub and mangle, trust me, you DO NOT want to go there.
No you cant turn the impact bit off but I would be surprised if it did any damage. The first job I used mine for was boarding our loft and there's no signs of any damage at all.Quote:
Originally Posted by DanceswithUnix
yup - loft boarding. Exactly what I'm doing atm. Then it will be flooring and ceiling boarding after that in the garage. Using the drill atm works ok, hand hurt after just 3 screws manually so ditched that route double quick. The electric screwdrivers seem to vary - either v low torque (sounds too low to be much use for this kind of proper usage) with the exception of one Bosch, which has a better torque (10Nm), and adjustable torque range, but costs not much less than another Bosch combi-drill with much quicker charge time.
How does the impact bit work - is it literally hammering, or is it some sort of pulsing torque?
When I did my loft boarding I bought a really cheap rechargable drill from our local Tesco who just happened to have one on a really good sale. That meant I could use my usual drill as a drill and the other drill as a screwdriver as I found I was spending half my time swapping bits on the drill before.
Seem to have lost the Tesco drill now. No idea what I did with it, but at that price I think I already had my use out of it :D
Erm, yes.Quote:
Originally Posted by ik9000
Really, it combines the two. It's a lot (around 2000 per minute) of very small hammer blows, combined with the rotation, to drive screws in with relatively little effort from you. The first time you drive a decking screw into deck, or large screw into a heavy fencepost, with an impact driver is an eye-opener.
Try one with a normal, good quality screwdriver or drill-driver, then one with an impact driver, and I defy anybody other than dedicated masochists not to go buy an impact driver before doing the other couple of hundred screws.
Be warned, though, they can be a bit noisy. I suggest earplugs or better yet, headphone-type ear protectors. But maybe I'm a wimp.
You will never go wrong with these pair of small and powerful beauties. I have had mine for about 5- years and they have never failed me. I would use them on smart tables and wizz out 30 screws in a minute with the impact for it's raw speed then put them back with the drill driver on it's lowest torque setting.
I have wizzed in some huge 6" screws into hardwood beating an installer with his 18v cheapo effort, he sat down and ordered a set there and then after having a play with them both to finish the job
Small and light enough for pro and DIY, 3 year warranty (batteries have 2 year)
http://www.bosch-professional.com/gb...-2x-652026614/
(around £135 online)
Just to echo the point that they're awesome for pretty much anything you'd be putting a decent sized screw into. I got mine when I was doing some flooring and got sick to the back teeth of doing it with the drill driver, not to mention they're typically smaller which is also useful for getting in between boards, in lofts etc.
You're a wimp! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Saracen
Quote:
Originally Posted by Saracen
I use earplugs with my drill. It's a noisy beast. One off probably not too bad, but hundreds of holes, and subsequent countersinking and screwing - then it makes a difference. Definitely use them with my jigsaw which the manual is very clear to point out is 85dB off noise right by your earhole.Quote:
Originally Posted by jimborae
HEXUS DIY Wimps United, eh?Quote:
Originally Posted by ik9000
Come on, the rest of you, wimp up and admit it. ;) :D
I tend to have my Bose QC20's in while working so they dampen the noise, I only tend to go for the foam plugs when I am using the angle grinder to remove duff pointing as the dust is a bit much for £200 headphones!Quote:
Originally Posted by Saracen
It also stops the neighbours engaging me in conversation as I can't hear them :)
Impact drivers are very good but it wont replace a decent cordless drill for day to day use
I don't have much to add beyond whats been said, very good at what they do, definitely not a gimmick.
BUT FOR THE LOVE OF GOD WEAR EAR PROTECTION!
Tinnitus is horrible and it DOES. NOT. GO. AWAY.
EVER.
Not even for a minute.
You're ears are like your teeth if you don't look after them you will regret it. Earplugs are your toothbrush. You wouldn't 'tough out' not brushing brushing your teeth, don't do it with your ears.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HIfqyHbKgY
Yep I have tinnitus, drives me nuts. Misspent youth at all night raves to blame!
I use ear defenders with my angle grinder. It's properly noisy.Quote:
Originally Posted by Saracen
Don't have an impact driver, but I used an air powered one to crack a ridiculously seized bolt on my car exhaust. Absolutely magic.
thought you were originally talking about these https://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-Expe.../dp/B0001K9R8U
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....5L._SX300_.jpg
the ones where you whack em with a hammer.
they are good for loosening rusty stuff. I used to spray WD on the rusty screw first though, to give it a bit extra help. :thumbsup:
ah, yes I remember those. Handy in a tight spot.Quote:
Originally Posted by stevie lee