Impact screw drivers?

[DFB]

Yea, I think my milwuakee is like 1600 in-lbs or something crazy for such a small tool.

How much of it is hype i dont know. Given the little 1/4" hex shank, I wouldnt use the tool everyday nearing the 130ft-lbs it claims. Got the Air impact for that.

They are impressive no doubt. But no replacement for an actual impact in certain applications.

Tractor lugs no probably not

First weak point is going to be the adapter probably snap and from what I understand the further out your extension is the less power is transfered

I will tell you guys though I am seriously impressed with ALL my socket ready anvil drive Milwaukee impacts though even the little 12v 2463 @1200 in/lbs took all the clean and properly torqued lugs off of my dual axle trailer with 15" wheels. I was surprised :shocked:

It did balk on the old Dodge truck of mine been sitting for 4 years now...got a few of the rusted and damaged lugs loose on the 16" wheels no way was made for that abuse :laughing:

But the FUEL 18V 2655B I have hasn't failed me yet and its a heck of a lot lighter than that monster 2763 which I think is the best you can get in a cordless impact. That is supposed to make UP TO 1100 ft/lbs of breakout power.

Go where no air hose has gone before

You can check out most reviews on youtube

 

[DJ54]

I bought the DeWalt 18V drill & impact driver set 4 years ago. The impact driver is great for screwing down metal roofing/siding. Just a bit of pressure, and it pierces right through. No dancing around like a drill. Just got to know when to say when. Drive it down close, then bump it a couple of times to seat the neoprene washer.

For wood screws, I like to use a drill & drive. Pilot hole & countersink, then flip to drive. 99% of the time I use square drive screws. No camming out like Phillips head screws.

And I usually put a dab of beeswax on the tip of the screw to make it drive easier, do this with framing nails too. Even in oak, they go in like they have eyes. With them driving easier, I get longer battery life, between charges.

 

[k0ua]

Impacts typically have the ability to generate more torque than a drill. (sink bigger screws or lags).

They can do this without breaking your wrist or yanking the drill out of your hand like a conventional drill. So thats a +1

They are typically a LOT easier on batteries than a drill. So you can sink more screws per charge +1

They are alot less likely to strip out the heads. Especially phillips screws due to the impacting +1

Impact drivers are usually lighter. +1

All in all a impact driver is made for sinking screws. A drill is made for drilling. I have a few M18 Fuel milwaukee's. Those impacts are 3-speed.

What he said ^. This sums up my experience also.. I have driven thousands of screws with a regular drill, but after my wife bought me a cheap ryobi cordless impact, and I drove a bunch of big deck screws with it.. Man, I will never do serious screwdriving with one of my many drills again. Sure if the work is light a drill is just fine, but when you really want to sink some big screws rapidly, with less fatigue and an overall better experience .. yep an impact driver for sure.:thumbsup:

 

[k0ua]

NiCd batteries are dinosaurs. Li-Ion are more robust (fewer worries about memory, cycle failures, etc.), higher capacity, lighter, and longer lasting. Don't buy a new cordless tool with old battery technology.

Agreed, I have bought my last NiCad, or Nickle Metal Hydride. I still have a couple of drills running on them, but switching out as fast as I can. So is everyone else. Just too many advantages to the Li-Ion.

 

[farmer2009]

Agreed, I have bought my last NiCad, or Nickle Metal Hydride. I still have a couple of drills running on them, but switching out as fast as I can. So is everyone else. Just too many advantages to the Li-Ion.

That's one nice thing about the Dewalt's. Their regular NiCad battery or their XRP NiCad or their Li-ion battery's all fit the same tools as long as the voltage is correct. Other brands maybe the same.

 

[BethelHntr]

The biggest difference I noticed with the impact driver after driving screws all day installing ductwork is not getting the wrist twist every time the screw bottoms out, After a while using the regular drill gun the wrist gets a bit tender.

The impact gun is my go to for everything except drilling holes.

 

[jejeosborne]

I think all the advantages have been mentioned. I never use a drill except to drill now. Light weight and no torque going to your wrist. Try to drive a 3 inch deck screw with 3 fingers with a drill. Easy peasy with impact. Lithium ion batteries are amazing. Don't run down when not being used.

 

[DFB]

That's one nice thing about the Dewalt's. Their regular NiCad battery or their XRP NiCad or their Li-ion battery's all fit the same tools as long as the voltage is correct. Other brands maybe the same.

Yes that is great to have an option like that. I think Ryobi is also like that with their One system but I could be wrong

Best I can hope for with my older Makita's is an aftermarket adapter that engages the tool first and then you can slide the new style LION battery. At $35 each its hard justify having one for each cordless tool

Hey but at least the option is there to keep the tool viable for future use.


Trivia...did you guys know that the Milwaukee and Ryobi brands are owned by the same company?

 

[texasjohn]

Actually, at HF they come in price from $20 to $56.

Including Lithium Ion... Search results for: 'impact driver'

 

[DFB]

The 2462-22 Milwaukee 12v kit was only 79.99 brand new for me with 2 batteries charger and case


Just before Christmas the M12 drill and impact combo was only $99