Impact screw drivers?

[motownbrowne]

Once you switch from a drill driver driving Phillips screws to an impact driver driving torx screws, you'll never want to go back. Never.

 

[Coyote machine]

I've used a bunch of different brand impact drivers. 1st was Makita 14.4V kit with drill and utility light. Still have it. One of 2 batteries is still alive. Next gen was 18V, tried my electrician's. He bought it because he'd used my 14.4. More recent Rigid with LIFETIME everything, if registered. It's smaller, fits hand grip better, lighter and Lion batteries are AWESOME! Keep the 2nd charged cause when first stops you need it to keep going. I always remove the battery from the tool when not in use.
The batteries are backward compatible, and the newest chargers will charge the older batteries, but the old NiCad chargers won't charge the Lion batts.
Ryobi has the same thing going with batts and chargers. I had one of their old style orange battery tools and then bought a newer type cordless recip saw. Using the old batts in it till they die then will get the newer type batts and a charger.

On torque at wrist/ tool/ screws: the impacts oscillate the drive head, so there is much less chance of cam out or screw head snap or strip. I've gone from Phillips ullinghair: , to square :yuck: to star drive :thumbsup:, and will never go back to corded drill, except for specific limited use applications.

Just saw in H. Depot the next gen of Rigid impacts, an even smaller tool, with a different drop down battery vs. the slide on from the base type. Looks real nice- had to move on so I don't end up owning one!

And the made for impact driver bit kits are good, and won't wear out/strip out/break off pieces like non-impact driver bits, star, square, etc.

I prefer the star drive in lags to 3" deck screws because they are also able to be removed if necessary, whereas all other deck screws tend to be way more likely to snap their heads off when removing decking for under deck repair needs, like when a roof deck is over a garage. Ask me how many times I've ripped up the decking to attemp to seal the roof since 1986!!??ullinghair:

Finally, I use the ear plugs that go on the ends of a 3/4 round plastic semi rigid hairband type piece that keeps the impact noise to a bear minimum. Works great on the tractor too!
https://www.google.com/search?q=hea...y-6102-Banded-Plugs%2Fdp%2FB000M5Z6HK;273;300

 

[chim]

The DeWalt 18V impact driver is one of the best tools I ever bought. Works great for lots more than driving screws. As with firearms or any variable speed tool, trigger control is essential. I know some guys who have trouble with variable speed tools because of the way they operate the tools. Mash the trigger all the way down every time. Then there are other guys with great control who could probably use a 1/4" impact to assemble watches if someone made screwdriver bits small enough.

As mentioned, adaptors for sockets work well, as do magnetic nut setters. DeWalt offers a hex-shanked keyless chuck that takes regular bits. They also have drill bits and hole saws with hex shanks. The hole saws are awesome, but there's a limited selection of sizes.

Someone asked about self-tapping screws. It works better than a VSR drill for me. The screws I have used are either very pointed and used in thinner gauge metal or self-drilling for use in heavier metal.

DeWalt is coming out with their 20V Max line which is really 18V but a different (lithium ion) battery. The 20V Max line features a bunch of brushless motors that have longer run times. I have too many tools on the 18V platform to make a switch to the 20V attractive.

 

[LD1]

Just another thing worth noting, there is a difference between self tappers and self drillers.

I think some of the time people get the lingo confused. But I also think sometimes people expect a self tapper to self drill also.

 

[chim]

Just another thing worth noting, there is a difference between self tappers and self drillers.

I think some of the time people get the lingo confused. But I also think sometimes people expect a self tapper to self drill also.

Your comments bring back some memories. I still remember sitting through a meeting with a bunch of "gubberment" and manufacturing people whose names defied pronunciation and spelling for anyone outside their immediate families back in the late 70's to discuss self-tapping screws and self-drilling screws vs. trilobular thread forming screws.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I've heard/read many times someone saying they would never go back to a drill for driving screws after using an electric/battery impact screwdriver.

The one I tried in a store demo was one speed and very fast. Based on that alone, I wouldn't switch.

What do you users have to say about it? Why do you like it? How is it better than a variable speed drill for screw driving?

Bruce

My Panasonic 14.4v brushless impact screw driver that I've had for the last five years is the best thing since sliced bread. I use it everywhere. On everything. It has a button for turning on the led light and leaving it on, or you can keep it off. The tool features three power steps that really, really work (they must use s shunting strategy), and five years ago, Panasonic was the only company with smart batteries. I'm on my second set of batteries since the tools (I have two Panasonic xenon flashlights, one drill and the impact drill as a combo set) original batteries are finally starting to fade a bit. Thankfully, new, updated batteries were fully backward compatible. The tools offer really nice balance and metal belt clips. One flashlight survived getting run over by my tractor in freezing temperatures. Back in 2009, I reviewed the combo set, writing:

I'm a hack pure and simple and though I'm a hack I purchased this Panasonic driver, drill, floodlight combination set to replace a pair of aging Milwaukee 12 volt super tough drills as well as to augment my trusty 21.5 volt Kawasaki drill that everybody hates, but me. The primary reason I thought to give Panasonic a go was due to positive reviews regarding Panasonic's battery life. Now that I've had some time using these tools I can share my opinion about this tool set.

The set comes with one very nifty hard case that accommodates the drill, floodlight, and charger. Hands down, it is the best hard case I've ever seen included with a tool set if for the only reason that it is a no-brainer to get everything back into the case including the battery charger cord without fiddling. Sadly, there isn't enough space to carry the driver in the hard case but Panasonic included a soft sided tool bag that is large enough to stow every thing and then some. While I wish Panasonic had included a single hard case large enough to hold everything, the soft-sidded tool bag allows rapid access to every tool when up-ended in yard sale mode and personal development of Mcgyver-like puzzling skills when trying to make it all fit back into the tool bag when in fifty-two pickup mode. This to say, that though brilliant, if Panasonic wished to improve their product, a hard case large enough to carry everything would be welcome in my world!

As for using the tools, first, let me say that although I don't have huge hands, other reviewers' caveats about the ease of accidentally reversing directions with both the drill and driver are true! Without a doubt it is way too easy to accidentally change directions with either tool because the lever is located a 1/4" to 1/2" too low. As a result the direction lever comes in constant contact with either the webbing between my thumb and pointer finger or the pointer finger, or my thumb itself. After one or two sessions of driving a screw in, then out, then in, then out, and then in as my finger and thumb jumped the direction lever side to side, I learned to hold it in place with my thumb. Though stupid, I became accustomed to this and learned to neurotically check direction between screws. Although I wish the grip itself had an additional 1/2" to accommodate my curiously thick and strong hands, notwithstanding both drill and driver are very well balanced and I like both.

As a home-owner and a hack, this is my first experience with a bit driver and I'm impressed with the power and endurance of the battery. Using the driver to install my first Pella entry door when it warmed up to 25ｰF here in Minnesota, the driver had plenty of power to run 40 3.5" drywall screws into the walls surrounding the door frame's flashing. Then, once I realized that the door wasn't square, disgusted with myself, the driver still had power to remove all 40 of those screws, with plenty of power left to carefully drive 3.5" stainless deck screws through shim stock and into the framing and install about twenty of the drywall screws back in again before I released I had forgotten to caulk the flashing. Fighting back tears of angst, with plenty of power in reserve to yank out the door, the flashlight came in handy as the sun set and temperatures dropped to 15ｰF. On one charge, I still had power enough to install all of those screws one more time!

Whoever said that he was unimpressed with the floodlight Panasonic included hasn't almost completed a project with me before. After I discovered that somebody had sent a glass goblet down my sink and destroyed my garbage disposal, I used my drill to remove the under-sink cabinet doors so I could pop in a new disposal. While puzzling out the best way to replace my broken disposal, I quickly discovered that the copper water line running to my dishwasher had been sweating and ruining my cabinets. Determining myself to fix the problem, I chased off to the store to fetch some pipe insolation. When I returned, I set the floodlight in place and pulled out my dishwasher. To my dismay, I learned the hard way that the water feed line wasn't long enough when I heard it break and begin spraying water all over my kitchen. After shutting off the water main, I again chased off to the store to fetch a new ball valve, copper fittings and copper line. After stripping the cheap Chinese copper fittings, I chased off to the store a third time and bought those lousy copper fittings again. To my horror after those copper fittings stripped as well, I consulted the Great Pumpkin and came up with a new battle plan and called the plumber and plumber really liked how the floodlight could be aimed as well as its endurance.

With my exceptions noted, I'm very pleased with this Panasonic 14.4v combo tool set and hope to God that someday, I'll be able to use them to complete a project the same day I start.​

The last project I used it on was building a multi-plateform set of steps for my 88-year-old mother to get down to our new drawbridge dock. :laughing:

 

[MESSMAKER]

I have used a bunch of impacts. They all work, and work well. Some have longer lasting batteries than others, but they are all good. Buy by price,loyalty,or brand. You will be fine. Great tool.

 

[kevin37b]

My Panasonic 14.4v brushless impact screw driver that I've had for the last five years is the best thing since sliced bread. I use it everywhere. On everything. It has a button for turning on the led light and leaving it on, or you can keep it off. The tool features three power steps that really, really work (they must use s shunting strategy), and five years ago, Panasonic was the only company with smart batteries. I'm on my second set of batteries since the tools (I have two Panasonic xenon flashlights, one drill and the impact drill as a combo set) original batteries are finally starting to fade a bit. Thankfully, new, updated batteries were fully backward compatible. The tools offer really nice balance and metal belt clips. One flashlight survived getting run over by my tractor in freezing temperatures. Back in 2009, I reviewed the combo set, writing:

I'm a hack pure and simple and though I'm a hack I purchased this Panasonic driver, drill, floodlight combination set to replace a pair of aging Milwaukee 12 volt super tough drills as well as to augment my trusty 21.5 volt Kawasaki drill that everybody hates, but me. The primary reason I thought to give Panasonic a go was due to positive reviews regarding Panasonic's battery life. Now that I've had some time using these tools I can share my opinion about this tool set.

The set comes with one very nifty hard case that accommodates the drill, floodlight, and charger. Hands down, it is the best hard case I've ever seen included with a tool set if for the only reason that it is a no-brainer to get everything back into the case including the battery charger cord without fiddling. Sadly, there isn't enough space to carry the driver in the hard case but Panasonic included a soft sided tool bag that is large enough to stow every thing and then some. While I wish Panasonic had included a single hard case large enough to hold everything, the soft-sidded tool bag allows rapid access to every tool when up-ended in yard sale mode and personal development of Mcgyver-like puzzling skills when trying to make it all fit back into the tool bag when in fifty-two pickup mode. This to say, that though brilliant, if Panasonic wished to improve their product, a hard case large enough to carry everything would be welcome in my world!

As for using the tools, first, let me say that although I don't have huge hands, other reviewers' caveats about the ease of accidentally reversing directions with both the drill and driver are true! Without a doubt it is way too easy to accidentally change directions with either tool because the lever is located a 1/4" to 1/2" too low. As a result the direction lever comes in constant contact with either the webbing between my thumb and pointer finger or the pointer finger, or my thumb itself. After one or two sessions of driving a screw in, then out, then in, then out, and then in as my finger and thumb jumped the direction lever side to side, I learned to hold it in place with my thumb. Though stupid, I became accustomed to this and learned to neurotically check direction between screws. Although I wish the grip itself had an additional 1/2" to accommodate my curiously thick and strong hands, notwithstanding both drill and driver are very well balanced and I like both.

As a home-owner and a hack, this is my first experience with a bit driver and I'm impressed with the power and endurance of the battery. Using the driver to install my first Pella entry door when it warmed up to 25ｰF here in Minnesota, the driver had plenty of power to run 40 3.5" drywall screws into the walls surrounding the door frame's flashing. Then, once I realized that the door wasn't square, disgusted with myself, the driver still had power to remove all 40 of those screws, with plenty of power left to carefully drive 3.5" stainless deck screws through shim stock and into the framing and install about twenty of the drywall screws back in again before I released I had forgotten to caulk the flashing. Fighting back tears of angst, with plenty of power in reserve to yank out the door, the flashlight came in handy as the sun set and temperatures dropped to 15ｰF. On one charge, I still had power enough to install all of those screws one more time!

Whoever said that he was unimpressed with the floodlight Panasonic included hasn't almost completed a project with me before. After I discovered that somebody had sent a glass goblet down my sink and destroyed my garbage disposal, I used my drill to remove the under-sink cabinet doors so I could pop in a new disposal. While puzzling out the best way to replace my broken disposal, I quickly discovered that the copper water line running to my dishwasher had been sweating and ruining my cabinets. Determining myself to fix the problem, I chased off to the store to fetch some pipe insolation. When I returned, I set the floodlight in place and pulled out my dishwasher. To my dismay, I learned the hard way that the water feed line wasn't long enough when I heard it break and begin spraying water all over my kitchen. After shutting off the water main, I again chased off to the store to fetch a new ball valve, copper fittings and copper line. After stripping the cheap Chinese copper fittings, I chased off to the store a third time and bought those lousy copper fittings again. To my horror after those copper fittings stripped as well, I consulted the Great Pumpkin and came up with a new battle plan and called the plumber and plumber really liked how the floodlight could be aimed as well as its endurance.

With my exceptions noted, I'm very pleased with this Panasonic 14.4v combo tool set and hope to God that someday, I'll be able to use them to complete a project the same day I start.​

The last project I used it on was building a multi-plateform set of steps for my 88-year-old mother to get down to our new drawbridge dock. :laughing:

Your mother must be in very good shape ! Always enjoy your posts .

 

[radioman]

I been using my 19.2 sears c3 impact for years now. Before that I was using cordless drills and I would never go back if I can help it after using the impact for the first time. After driving so many screws with my c3 impact driver and then trying out the dewalt 20v impact, there was a learning curve. the 20 v was a bit too powerful and touchy for drywall, and for driving phillips screws into decks. If I can, I'll use 20 v dewalt impact with star drives on decks and my trusty sears c3 impact on all phillips screws as I get better control.

 

[zing]

Does anyone have experience driving self tapping screws into heavy sheet metal with impact driver?

We have a project in the works that will use self tapping screws. Last time, using battery drill, had poor experience trying to use ST screws so, ended up pre-drilling holes for them.

Thanks!

Yes, sort of, twice...

Not sheet metal for the first one, but I replaced the aluminum fender on my horse trailer a couple of years ago and used self tapping hex head screws to put the new one on.

Worked like a dream. The hex head kept it on the bit securely while it was biting into the aluminum, which to be honest was not very long. Just a second and then zip right in. Best part of it though was once it was on, the impact torqued those screws and pulled the fender in as tight as a drum. Very sweet and easy to do. The only issue was me being a bit too Bam Bam and torquing two screws in too tight and stripping them. They were still tight enough to hold, but I should have eased off a little earlier. Highly recommended though, and it turned a slow and finnicky job into a half hour walk in the park.

Second time was installing a 6 foot high shelving unit into the horse trailer last summer. Shelf was folded steel uprights and shelf supports, with wire shelves, something like this.

I drove the self tappers through the steel uprights and into the aluminum wall studs in the trailer. The sheet metal was fairly thick in the uprights to support the load of the shelving unit. Exact same story as the fender though, just an extra couple of seconds to self tap the metal and then zip right in. Took me longer to vacuum up the metal shavings afterward, than it did to install the shelf. Once again, the impact driver torqued the shelf in tight against the wall. There is at least 200 pounds of tack, liquids, supplies, tools, etc on the unit bouncing down the road, plus I strap the 150 lb tack box to it to keep it from rolling around, and the shelf hasn't budged.