Impact screw drivers?

[jwstewar]

When people ask me about the impact driver vs. the drill, I always use this analogy. Remember how great the drill was at putting screws in compared to a screwdriver? Now imagine that much of an improvement again. That is how much better the impact driver is. I've only found one instance that I prefer the drill over the impact driver and that is lowering the stabilizers on our camper. I used the drill the first time I took the camper out and it twisted my arm pretty good at the end. So the second time out I took the impact driver. The impact coming off the steel I-beam frame was crazy loud - especially echoing throughout the hollow of the campground. Went back to the drill for that job and just prepared to hold the drill a bit better.

 

[EddieWalker]

When people ask me about the impact driver vs. the drill, I always use this analogy. Remember how great the drill was at putting screws in compared to a screwdriver? Now imagine that much of an improvement again. That is how much better the impact driver is. I've only found one instance that I prefer the drill over the impact driver and that is lowering the stabilizers on our camper. I used the drill the first time I took the camper out and it twisted my arm pretty good at the end. So the second time out I took the impact driver. The impact coming off the steel I-beam frame was crazy loud - especially echoing throughout the hollow of the campground. Went back to the drill for that job and just prepared to hold the drill a bit better.

My Malika drill came with a handle that comes off and goes back on easily. I always put the handle on when I'm expecting to have the drill twist on me. It always happens when drilling with the hole saw.

Eddie

 

[Gunny]

Well, I've followed this entire thread and it really piqued my interest, so I just got back from buying an impact screw driver. I went with Ryobi 18 volt, since I've already got about 12 other tools that work on that same battery (and six Li-On batteries).

It looks and feels good, but I've wandered all over this place and can't find one place where I need to drive any screws today. Guess I'll just have to wait for the opportunity to arise.

It has been some good reading, good information and I really liked all the differing opinions on manufacturers and all.

 

[mikehaugen]

Well, I've followed this entire thread and it really piqued my interest, so I just got back from buying an impact screw driver. I went with Ryobi 18 volt, since I've already got about 12 other tools that work on that same battery (and six Li-On batteries).

It looks and feels good, but I've wandered all over this place and can't find one place where I need to drive any screws today. Guess I'll just have to wait for the opportunity to arise.

It has been some good reading, good information and I really liked all the differing opinions on manufacturers and all.

I just got to use mine! Darn plow knocked over the mailbox last week so I had to make a new post and attach brackets. That part wasn't bad, if only the impact driver could make it easier to dig in the frozen ground.

 

[brt]

I have the DeWalt 20V mode (won it and some other great DeWalt 20v tools in a contest)l. I previously had the 18v nicad model (my son has that now). The 20v model is lighter and the battery seems to last longer, plus it has a battery power indicator on it. One thing that I have found is that when you are going to be driving a lot of the new "Timber-Lok" type of screws (lag replacements), a pilot hole makes things go much easier. It will make your drill last longer also. DeWalt had to replace my original 18v model because it literally smoked itself to death on a retaining wall project. I did not predrill the many holes. DeWalt did a rapid free replacement with an upgraded model. Thanks DeWalt! Even if you only predrill 1/2 of the hole depth the speed of your job will be reduced dramatically.

 

[mikehaugen]

I don't know how all of you guys are talking about driving screws/lags without pre-drilling. Everytime I try it I split the wood, unless it's a drywall screw.

 

[DFB]

I've wandered all over this place and can't find one place where I need to drive any screws today. Guess I'll just have to wait for the opportunity to arise.

Haha when I got mine I had an old B&S horizontal shaft engine in the garage I played around with hammering bolts on and off till I finally stripped a few! :laughing:

 

[dragoneggs]

Too many posts to read in it entirety now so...apologies if this has already been addressed. I am wondering about the effectiveness in removing cross head (philips) fasteners? Does the impact feature work in reverse? I have a bunch of deck screws in old decking that need to be removed and I am stripping them with my drill/driver.

 

[IslandTractor]

Well, I've followed this entire thread and it really piqued my interest, so I just got back from buying an impact screw driver. I went with Ryobi 18 volt, since I've already got about 12 other tools that work on that same battery (and six Li-On batteries).

It looks and feels good, but I've wandered all over this place and can't find one place where I need to drive any screws today. Guess I'll just have to wait for the opportunity to arise.

It has been some good reading, good information and I really liked all the differing opinions on manufacturers and all.

Come on Gunny, you must have a couple of 2x4s or better a 4x4 to practice with. I find the real difference shows up at about 2.5 inches of self tapping screw length.

 

[jwstewar]

Too many posts to read in it entirety now so...apologies if this has already been addressed. I am wondering about the effectiveness in removing cross head (philips) fasteners? Does the impact feature work in reverse? I have a bunch of deck screws in old decking that need to be removed and I am stripping them with my drill/driver.

Yes, the impact works in reverse. The impact driver will stand a much better chance of getting the screws out without stripping vs. a normal drill.