Impact Driver v Drill - What's the Difference?

What's the difference between a drill and an impact driver? Roger explains the difference and what you need to know.
#ImpactDriver #Powertools
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[@dierenfilmpjes5136]

*This was a really good deal for **MyBest.Tools** and adding in another drill driver is great. Arrived the next day after the order was placed. Happy with the purchase and love using Dewalt.*

[@malarkey7268]

Clear, concise, quick and well communicated. Great video!

[@patrickodonovan5066]

You have been helpful again. Thank you for posting these vlogs.

[@flowergrowersmith449]

Oh - great info about having the correct bits for the impact driver. I didn't know that - I'll get a set. The impact driver was basically wrecking all the ordinary ones I had and I thought it was my hopeless technique. Thanks Roger!

[@stakkerhmnd]

Brilliant explanation! Learned a couple of new points.

[@DavidWalker1]

This video explained the difference between the two types of drill with admirable clarity.

[@jamalphoya9289]

Short and very informative. Thank you so much, this was helpful.

[@Jason.rimando]

Well... You just answered my question in the first 30 seconds of the video. Thank you.

[@elvicentefernandez]

Thanks for the explanation boss, I understand the difference now, good job.

[@MMG_MoonManGuitar]

Great video explaining the basics. Many thanks.

[@ntsakisikhubayi3989]

Simple & straight forward, thanks

[@maharat6141]

Glad. You are good in explaining sir. describing the excellent information.

[@janebrown7231]

Useful stuff, thanks. I use a good combi drill and a decent stick screwdriver in tighter spaces (just for lightweight jobs - been through a few and more often use manual). I have often wondered whether it's worth throwing an impact driver into the mix, and this was a helpful vid on the basics. I had already lined up good drill bits, as I know they aren't compatible and are pricey, especially if you want a full range of PH, PZ and slot, and possibly JIS bits too... and hex, torx....I think the cost of good bits will be the limiting factor. It would be a shame to have the driver and be stingy with bits. Comes down to what I decide to spend I guess, but I think an impact driver would be a handy addition for many people.

[@benjaminromshak9904]

Good stuff! I own both the Multivolt hammer drill and the Multivolt triple hammer. Great tools. I recently bought my father the exact set and was explaining this to him about the different bits for the driver. He still owned old NiCad Craftsman gear from 20 years ago. Basically the triple hammer is his first impact driver. I’ll have to show him this video. Thanks for the great informative videos as always, cheers🍻

[@MultiVogon]

Used a drill-driver for years, but only recently picked up an impact driver in a sale. Damn, wish I'd got one years ago - as Roger says they compliment each other well. Once you get one, there's no going back 😅 Word of warning though, for delicate jobs still use the drill-driver with the torque limiter. If you're not careful you can drive a screw through to Australia with an impact!

[@Mai-zd3lf]

Brilliant explanation, thanks!

[@georgeelliottphotography3602]

Nice one. Very, very good lesson. No faffing around and straight to the point. I can really tell you know your stuff. I was thinking of buying an impact driver, but I don't do a lot of home DIY so, the extra expense with the bits, is not worth it. But, it'll go down well as a nice present. What features are important would you say in getting an impact driver and what to stay clear of? Many thanks George

[@danielballe5021]

Very helpful information thank you Good presented

[@simongb7897]

Had some vouchers and bought myself an impact driver not sure if I'd use it to its max, but it's been brilliant on my oak sleepers driving in long screws.

[@woosheroes494]

Great vid! Thanks.

[@EvilUmpire]

Great explanation!

[@SorinVBogdan]

Very good explaination

[@sizif717]

I was a bit dubious if an impact driver can be of any use in my carpentry shop. But now that I have bought the brushless Hitachi one - I don't regret it an use it every day now. It can pretty much substitute a combo-drill for most of my operation. If you have the appropriate drill bits in a hex bit variant of course. Excellent driving any type of screws with the four different settings. I use it mostly on the weakest 1-st one, not to overdo the small screws. But it can be a pretty good drill for smaller holes as well - on softer materials like pine it does not even turn on the hammers, the 3K RPMs are doing all the job blazing fast and without the annoying hammering. With the 3AH battery it is as light and balanced as a 10.8 combo-drill and powerful as a 18V one. What's not to like?

[@Ploggy.]

Great explanation good video 👍

[@chrisosh9574]

I like impact drivers for nuts and bolts but not so much for carpentry. I have though, always bought impact driver bits because they have double the life of even same make 'normal' bits.

[@loadapish]

This answered some questions for me but raised others. Are both machines capable of drilling into hard masonry? Concrete? I used these with round drill bits not hexagonal. Whats the advantage of having a sds drill rather than these 2?

[@eus9]

I've just bought my first house and had been looking into both impact drivers and drills. My research led me to buy one of each - drill for drilling holes for rawl plugs and an impact driver for other projects such as woodworking and if I want to do any wood construction in the garden. The impact driver will drill holes too, but not as well for masonry, concrete etc. It's great for flat pack furniture too - stick an Allen key bit in the end and it makes quick work of everything! I went for the Ryobi brand as the reviews were great for everything I'll need and you can reuse the batteries on all kinds of tools like orbital sanders, saws etc

[@WeldingForJesus]

Good choice! Ryobi isn't the best you can get in any way, but it will get the job done and for occasional use with care they last a long time. Personally I was sceptic towards getting an impact driver at first, but it is the tool I use the very most, with my angle grinder in second place. I only ever use my drill when I need to pre-drill a hole for a screw.

[@eus9]

@@WeldingForJesus Yep, they may not be the best for professional use etc but for someone like me who really just needs them for basic home DIY and general making things they seem great. They are comfortable and seem well made plus the ecosystem of tools is a big draw for me!

[@WeldingForJesus]

@@eus9 Indeed, right you are. Especially on the ecosystem. The salespitch that got me interested in Ryobi was that they never change their battery slots. I could afford a lineup of tools from Milwaukee/DeWalt/Makita etc, but I would get raving mad if ten years down the line I would have to discard fully functional tools because the batteries have gone out of production!!

[@baldutt3223]

Thanks mate

[@Johnbro8]

Thanks for sharing 👍

[@bikerchrisukk]

Excellent vid Roger, by chance I bought me a twin set of Metabo 18V 4.0A t'other day, mainly cos Screwfix didn't have the Dewalts on a good offer, hey ho.

[@nedloh17]

Nice one Roger 🇬🇧

[@Fredengle]

had a question for you I just bought an drill driver can I use my impact rated bits and not have a problem ? thoughts please thank you!

[@amar18455]

Very helpful

[@AS-mq1zk]

Good video bro, watch if u need a easy to understand explanation

[@micjubba709]

I think a impact driver is best to have cause u can use the impact as a drill aswell and u can't remove tight bolts with a drill u can with impact

[@TYLERCONSTRUCTION]

Each tool compensates for the other tool weakness

[@loafersheffield]

I bought myself a DeWalt twin set, but I was disappointed that I didn't also get a "pearl necklace."

[@mjslug]

There’s nothing wrong with what you’ve said here but you’ve not made it clear that the fundamental differences between the two is that 1) a combi drill can be switched between percussive (hammer action) and non-percussive whereas an impact driver is always percussing and 2) that in a combi drill the percussive force is down the line of the drill bit (ideal for creating chips at the end of a masonary bit) and in an impact driver the percussive force is in a rotary direction (ideal for torking a screw/bolt etc. tight).

[@winchester12gauge76]

Thank you.... :o)

[@JakeHRogers]

In what circumstances would you need percussive force and what circumstances would you not?

[@janebrown7231]

That's a useful addition, thanks. Although these points were implied, you've stated them very clearly.

[@TheKevcarp]

I've noticed all my apprentices favouring impact drivers for most jobs. It's not until they try to remove the screws that they find they have knackered the heads. Why??? They are OK for some jobs but not all.

[@UpcycleTV]

Decent screws, correct drill bit should fix that tho ? I never have an issue with that

[@nic_the_aged_woodworker]

I always thought that the hex ended bits were for the various quick release systems rather than specifically for impact drivers

[@HiltonRalphs]

They are. As Roger mentioned you need to use impact rated bits in an impact driver.

[@covinhas87]

I bought a set of combi drill and impact driver, just because everybody say the impact driver is way better to drive screws... Well, tested once, went back to the box and there it stays. For me the combi drill is better, and you can feel what your doing. With the impact, you may strip the screws and/or the bit without even notice...

[@tomalex4806]

You strip screws 1. If you don't know what you're doing and 2. You use the wrong screw bit

[@creativetag1]

Don’t use an impact driver when fixing screws into things like hinges/handles etc as they can easily snap the screws

[@SkillBuilder]

A lot of impact drivers now have a setting for doing this kind of precision work and the impact mechanism doesn't cut in unless it needs some extra force, which on handles and hinges is rare.

[@creativetag1]

Skill Builder, Im using the most recent Milwaukee so I’m sure I have this feature but I still daren’t risk it if it snaps I’ll never hear the end of it from my old man (and boss)!!

[@DanielCurry1979]

@@creativetag1 milwaukee has 3 speeds and a self taping mode. If you use it correctly you won't snap any screwd5

[@creativetag1]

Was only trying to help a few people 👍

[@davidquirk8097]

I think you need to have both: the impact driver scores on compact size and, with the correct selection of impact rated bits, makes far easier work of drilling joist holes for cables than the combi-drill but for pure drilling jobs the combi wins hands down. Most manufacturers offer a multibuy where you can get both for not much mitre than the cost of one unit, battery and charger. The batteries are the big expense so look for 'bare' offers if you already own one tool and battery.

[@johnw2758]

Only ever used my impact driver to remove difficult and really tight screws......my hammer drill does the main work with a drill bit on and a driver with the relevant bit on puts the screws in. Oh, I nearly forgot , I once used the impact driver to take my wheel nuts off 🙂

[@bigmac1598]

Is an impact driver just a better hammer drill?

[@muzikman2008]

No.. An impact driver has a rotary percussion action, a hammer drill has a linear percussion action.

[@robertpereira8255]

Do impact drill bits work on regular drills

[@gamachoduck]

Impact Drivers drill holes just fine, the only difference in the bits is that the bit for an Impact will have the hex bit end, rather than the round shank. You can use it is a regular drill as well, but they are more expensive.

[@SkillBuilder]

Robert Yes, as I understand it, the difference is in the way the shaft is heat treated and tempered. There is a section of the shaft that absorbs the shock to prevent it snapping. You can use them on drills but the bit is over-engineered and doesn't offer any advantages.

[@muzikman2008]

Masonry bits for impact drivers are great. Defiantly faster on hard brick where sometimes a hammer drill would struggle. It's all about options and materials your drilling or fixing too.

[@winchester12gauge76]

And now I know!

[@chazdewymmer8905]

Hitachi oh hum how do these compare with the DeWalt ones ? where do you get yours ? - they should pay you to advertise their brand

[@DanielCurry1979]

Hikoki pisses all over dewalt

[@alexanderbell3102]

Love my impact driver but so bloody noisey after a few hours use. Price of a twin set means it's a no brainer to get the twin set and as you say you can drill and drive immediately. Just don't drink and drive.

[@jaybloggs8699]

Not using hearing protection?

[@alexanderbell3102]

@@jaybloggs8699 well that would be smart but unless I use a hammer drill in concrete or whatever I tend not to be arsed which is my fault....

[@jaybloggs8699]

@@alexanderbell3102 just make it a habbit (with all power tools), bcoz even the quiet impact drivers are noisy. How I wish i knew more about safety when i was younger.. ! eyes/ears/hands.. so easy to protect really.

[@SteveAndAlexBuild]

I can tell you the difference between the 2 ! One sounds bloody awful when scaffolders are working next to you on site . Not sure if it’s a special tool they use but it sounds like an impact driver ! It drives us insane when we are working near the scaffolders , the racket is unbearable 😖🧱👍🏼

[@chrisskinner4434]

It's bad enough just working next to scaffolders, but they'll be using an impact wrench, similar sort of tool but more powerful and makes more of a racket.

[@SteveAndAlexBuild]

Yep ! Bloody awful noise 😖🧱👍🏼

[@SkillBuilder]

The impact driver drowns out the swearing.

[@SteveAndAlexBuild]

Skill Builder . I never used to swear till they started using those god awful things 🤬🤬🤬😂🧱👍🏼

[@SkillBuilder]

@@SteveAndAlexBuild I meant the scaffolders swearing. We all know that bricklayers don't swear. They are gentleman and ladies.

[@stevendouglas3860]

Impacts are good ...I've noticed fat boys on sites doing 1st fix stud walls ..etc...the noise is bloody annoying too.

[@johnmontague69]

Speed bits can shear and snap in an impact driver. Trust me!

[@redrhino3041]

"you need to be strong" (everyone born after 1995 leaves the conversation)

[@dutchdwarfking]

youre a bitter old fellow are you?

[@Valedaar]

😂

[@BestUserNameUK]

Hikoki again?

[@stevendouglas3860]

🤔 ad maybe

[@SkillBuilder]

@@stevendouglas3860 Oh Mrs Mad can you point to the bit in the video where I endorsed the product because I missed it? If this is an ad then it is a very soft sell. Yes Hikoki supplied the tools and they gave us some money to cover the production costs for a series on power tools but that is where their involvement ended. We are happy to have that kind of hands off support. Yes we know it is still too much for some people who would rather see us lying in the gutter with a begging bowl and a can of Special Brew. Then perhaps they would ask us if we are being sponsored by Carlsberg. On that subject let me say that other beers are available but I used to live in Copenhagen and I can recommend a trip to the brewery where I spent some of my 21st Birthday. Special Brew was made to commemorate a visit by Winston Churchill and, as many will know, it has a nice malty flavour with a hint of Cognac which was Churchill's favourite after dinner drink. Not that I am advertising and I must add. Always drink responsibly.

[@stevendouglas3860]

@@SkillBuilder 🙄 okay

[@kophotography895]

Not sure that you showed the difference in this video, you did not really mention one significant point, power, why an impact driver has more vs Combi, this video just sounded like you where selling impact drivers to novices... Not your usual style

[@SkillBuilder]

Hi Karl You have it right, I was going through the basics for novices because we get loads of novices watching Skill Builder and they ask us what tools they should buy. You may know all this and more but your statement that an impact driver is more powerful is misleading. We have tested them and compared them to drills and the results are interesting for all kinds of reasons. The numbers don't tell the whole story and some people instinctively believe a noisy machine is more powerful which is why you see kids driving around with modified car exhausts.

[@SkillBuilder]

FlowerGrower Smith FlowerGrower Smith 15 hours ago Oh - great info about having the correct bits for the impact driver. I didn't know that - I'll get a set. The impact driver was basically wrecking all the ordinary ones I had and I thought it was my hopeless technique. Thanks Roger!

[@UpcycleTV]

Impact driver all day long for me 🤷‍♂️

[@ron1martens]

I have gone away from using impact driver. I find just using a drill is my preferred option. Many impact drivers are noisy and I find I can do most things with the drill. In fact I had the metabo impulse drill which was good for running in bugles. A lot of carpenters drive in screws with an impact driver without pre drilling. The problem with that is when you need to dismantle something particularly if it were formwork or temporary security you find you cannot pull some screws out and some get destroyed adding time to the project.

[@SkillBuilder]

yes I think we have come full circle, the smaller 12 volt drills are easy to handle and offer enough power for every day screw driving.

[@Roverturbo]

I hate impact drivers, they are so noisy, I don’t see the point of them. Nothing that can’t be done by a good drill/driver.

[@jedward5155]

I find the impact driver completely useless. Give me a drill and I'm satisfied.