What Is An Impact Driver? How To Use an Impact Drill

[@Vincerama]

NOTE: Impact drivers are NOT THE SAME as hammer drills. I noticed a lot of people asking about using the impact driver for concrete. Use a hammer drill with concrete bits. A hammer drill strikes axially towards the point of the bit, and impact driver strikes tangentially. So an impact driver's hammer helps rotate the bit. A hammer drill hammers the bit into the material.

[@bernardperrin6542]

2:pm an excellent explanation. Leaves no question unanswered.😊

[@IVeraIV]

Didn’t even have to watch the video thank you for your comment

[@samirpersonal5499]

this, thank you

[@SeanGilbertson]

I actually did think of hammer drills when I looked up this video! So thank you.

[@erwingvargas2272]

Excellent

[@rickstergamer7437]

1 major difference you forgot to mention, you wont break ya wrist with an impact driver, where as a drill (if stuck or trying to get tighter etc) has a chance to spin hard an either break ya wrist or spin and smack ya hard :D edit: (as somone else mentioned)

[@jdowdone]

"ya"

[@Anthony-gy9ze]

I’ve had this issue a couple of times cutting holes to run Romex through or a 4.5 inch for duct work or even a 6inch cutout attachment. It messed up my wrist a couple of times. I’ve tried different settings and I’m using the dewalt hammer drill xr no idea if there’s a way to fix this

[@RomboutVersluijs]

Isn't that why the chuck is there? I mean the impact doesn't have a break like the chuck gives you. So if your nearing the end it will run and twist where as a driver will start to rattle

[@hectorrodriguez4384]

Rookie 😂

[@alantimmins7343]

Always use protective glasses when using an impact driver. You will notice that the illumination light shows up a fine metallic dust is produced at the screwhead. You do not want this dust in your eyes!! Uncomfortable and embedded metallic dust might cause severe damage should you need an MRI scan in the future

[@epicinator2372]

I would enjoy the video if you explained what you are saying. As someone who has barely used a drill and never owned a power tool, this video was 37% helpful. Since this is a beginner video on the tool, please elaborate on the fancy terms.

[@scottthomas5819]

Yez

[@justsayin4217]

Your impact drill shank got clogged with wood shavings when it got deeper into the stack of wood...you didn't hit anything. The same happens with regular drill bits. You have to pause your drilling, pull out the bit from the wood, clear the wood build-up, then finish your hole.

[@cuper4295]

It the machinist world, called peck drilling. Should be used in all drilling operations.

[@nonyafkinbznes1420]

"finish your hole" Hubba hubba!

[@LatitudeSky]

Long tool operations are not just a concern for the motor overheating. The batteries also take a beating and can get hot during extended discharge. It is a bad idea to run the heck out of a battery and then immediately throw them on a charger. They need to cool down first.

[@Elektrotechniker]

If you had to stop your operation due to the battery overheating, it’s the manufacturers fault! Batteries are designed to be able to deliver ~20% more current than your machines draw during loaded operation. This 1/5 buffer margin on top prevents thermal shutdown of your battery. If you run into thermal shutdown regularly, it‘s a clear sign that the buffer margin has been decreased by the manufacturer in order to decrease cost by a small amount but decrease its lifetime significantly! Now regular usage will damage batteries much more than usual, hence performing exponentially worse with time and forcing you to buy a new one in less time than otherwise possible, had the buffer been left around those 20% to equalize any battery aging effects. TI’s Batteries (Ryobi, Milwaukee, AEG,…) are designed in a proper way with enough buffer to be able to power all their different tools over the long run. Many more Brands are properly designing their batteries, please feel free to add those ones below!

[@dontprayforme]

Correct. However I use the crap out of my power tools every day, but haven’t ran into this from typical use though. For me it’s usually due to environmental/ambient temperature, and that’s only happened to me in the winter months (I’m sure others do as well, but Milwaukee chargers will blink certain led’s if battery is too cold/too hot and waits to begin charging sequence).

[@Gabri3lRocha]

Most battery chargers at least the Milwaukee won’t allow the battery to charge if it’s too hot. It lets it cool down first so the customer never has to think about this. Get with the times

[@rayoutube5891]

Its easy to strip the wood when driving a screw with a impact driver whereas a drill has an adjustable clutch.

[@grantreid8583]

Exactly i find an impact driver used on wood will sometimes strip the wood when it reaches the full depth it just spins around meaning it has lost most of its holding power. In the same situation just using a drill driver it can easily bury the screw right in below the surface without stripping the wood. I only ever use the impact for putting in metal screws screwing into metal.

[@SeanGilbertson]

I just watched a nearly 12 minute video about impact drivers and it excited me and now I want one. Take this as a lesson, kids: You can still learn things about yourself even at 43.

[@Protoolreviews]

Never too late! You can check out some of our other best impact driver videos to see which one best fits your needs. Thanks for watching!

[@bbtb785]

You won't want it after you use it. Maybe for deck work but for general home improvement tasks...I never use my impact driver.

[@YogiBear13]

43? You aren't 83, that is young.

[@paulcarroll443]

Got my first one at 48, learning should never end.

[@luzaragones428]

I just love how you explained in detail the mechanisms

[@RickaramaTrama-lc1ys]

I never abuse my tools and driving screws this long requires a pilot hole to help it out and keep it straight. Your tools will last much longer if you use pilot holes~!

[@stevenosgood3077]

Also make sure you use impact rated drivers. Normal rated driver bits will wear out or break quickly

[@Protoolreviews]

Good call!

[@fuyu5979]

Cool n informative upload explaining differences, advantages n disadvantages of each tool ! Kudos for vid. New subscriber because of this vid. Anticipating ur next one. Peace

[@dreamfly555]

Sometimes a clutch like in most drills is better at limiting the torque in certain applications.

[@Adam_K_W]

Your drill bit bound up once you had all of the flutes buried, you didn't hit anything, it's just that the bit could no longer eject the cuttings to clean out the hole. If you'd have lifted to eject the cuttings, you could have buried the bit easily

[@pedroalvarez9011]

I've had one for 2 years and never used it because I didn't know what it was for. 😅 Thank you for explaining this to me.

[@Maxumized]

That’s what she said…😂

[@MervsServiceSecrets]

For. a moment there, while you were driving that 10 foot long screw, my mind went to an alternate dimension.

[@shawnhorne9296]

A good way to describe a impact driver is it hammers as it drills .

[@pfaulknor1234]

Awesome video. Very helpful. Thank you!

[@fiouable]

Thank you so much. I didn’t pass third grade so this video saved my life.

[@byronvillanueva2001]

😂

[@sanoni1]

Best explanation on impact driver. Thank you!

[@devidprasert3600]

Excellent tutorial, well explained, easy to understand⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@bobsurenko7044]

I find impact drivers overpower the fasteners and strip them out or drive them too far in. I'm going to buy a separate cordless drill and use the clutch to drive fasteners more effectively. My impact drivers will be used for sockets.

[@HenrikNorsker]

I am using a 12V Bosch impact driver a lot. I found that the screws hardly ever brake as they can often do using a drill/screedriver when driving into hardwood especially,

[@MikeBanks2003]

Impact drills are better for drilling metal--they are used a lot in the construction industry for fastening cold rolled steel using self-drilling screws, or for drilling holes prior to tapping them with threads.

[@InsuranceIsLegalizedRobbery]

There are impact drivers & drill drivers… an “impact drill” does not exist in today’s market.

[@farnorth7314]

"cam out"...buy Robertson screws and be done with that forever.

[@MDGOrbit]

All I know is a manufacturer where I live has been using the same makitas for over 10 years and haven't heard any issues out of them yet.

[@David-fp3dz]

Does the hammer action work in reverse on an impact driver?

[@offroadskater]

Yes. If you get one strong enough, you can loosen the rim nuts on your wheels. Some of them are as powerful as air pressure ones, which is great for when there is no compressor around.

[@sleekitwan]

I genuinely thought the main reason men use these, is so their wife thinks they are REALLY busy. That racket, pierces for about 6 neighbours’ homes. Massive nuisance. Instead, have an ordinary electric driver, and grease or wax the screw beforehand. As with the impact driver, as I tell my daughters ‘Lots of force (on the back of the driver), a little trigger.’ Which works for both. The main benefit I have found - imho - is on rusted motor vehicle bolts etc. You can break rust, and may not even need to hold the other end that’s awkward to get at, because it’s hammer action and the speed, has that benefit. But, they’ve become very popular, especially if you are not going to buy more than one electric driver, I guess you’ll get the impact. Interesting and useful explanation, thanks.

[@scotsmanofnewengland7713]

Remember to wear Safety Glasses always when using a impact driver or any power tool. They haven’t transplanted eyes yet and you only have two. Safety First

[@Nathan-wk9dd]

Safety squints engaged!

[@Petertronic]

Thanks Norm!

[@nelsondog100]

Just because a bit has a hex shank doesn’t mean it was designed for use in an impact gun. I thought that part of this video was incorrect and kind of silly hahaha

[@BobMuir100]

As that’s not what he said so I don’t see your point. He said (after the hex statement) specifically designed for ………” back to referencing the drill it’s self. The hex shank on a drill enables one to see that’s it’s OK to use in an impact and will take the additional forces. What’s to understand here? Bob England

[@ditkafan1]

Greenworks... really... garbage tools even for a casual user/DIYer

[@Itsme-vo4fx]

One thing to remember is that you must use bits that are designed for impact driver. Those bits are manufactured with a torque zone to accommodate the extra torque an impact driver delivers compared to a drill. A regular bit will break after encountering resistance.

[@naturalbliss55]

I used an impact driver a lot when I was in the USAF. One of my tasks was to take off panels on an airplane so specialists could get access to equipment and repair it. The panels were attached using nut plates. There were thousands of nut plates on each airplane. The slot in the nut plate would get worn off so a speed wrench could not get a grip. Our impact drivers were manual. We would hit the tool with a hammer, that would drive the bit down and twist it, making maximum use of what grip that remained. That saved a lot of calls to machinists to drill it out. I bought one for use at home.

[@CMTheHollow]

You were sheet metal? Im metals tech.

[@Protoolreviews]

You would appreciate the old school way they use to set, hit, twist, hit...repeat... concrete chisels to bore holes before powered rotary hammers.

[@Vincerama]

These "impact drivers" are a different thing. They have no downward force other than what you apply with your arm. I totally know what you are talking about though, and have one for stripped out screws too. The thing you used is more for removing screws/bolts. Impact drivers are more for forcing screws to turn into materials by tapping them in a rotational direction.

[@InsuranceIsLegalizedRobbery]

@@Vincerama I don’t know any power tool that have a downward force to supposedly drive a screw in automatically! But that would be super cool and beneficial if some company has the technology to produce it to the tool market in today’s time!

[@prepped8551]

Should have showed the still screwing in the big long screw for comparison.

[@LoisThroop-f1z]

Davis William Hernandez Frank Thomas Melissa

[@394824]

Impact drivers can be loud so hearing protection might also be advisable

[@tomh9807]

I don't get it, every good compact drill also has a hammer function, so why would one need an impact driver in the first place? I never used one in my life. I get all my projects done with a regular compact drill. I think this impact driver thing is just an unnecessary hype which is too loud also.

[@tomh9807]

Everything you can do with your impact driver i for sure can do with a good Bosch compact drill in the hammer function except losening lug nuts, which provides tough torque , too and it never fatigues me. What do you consider tough Material?

[@CurtisBond]

Anyone know what brand of bit he was using in this video?

[@zachgarrett6695]

all questions answered, very helpful

[@smnavale2]

Do we get torque setting in impact drill machines

[@tothethreshold.9965]

Seriously, my Milwaukee drill has more than enough to torque to drive as well as any 1/4 impact. It can drive a 14 inch screw through a hardwood beam, so whats the point of buying an impact driver as well ?. Just buy a quality drill in the first place. As for the collet style bit holder, they sell those to fit a drill chuck and any quality chuck has locating lugs to securely centre a bit holder.

[@chi4life61]

Thank you very much. Great video.

[@LoisThroop-f1z]

Lewis Linda Taylor Laura Young Edward

[@natalieornelas5274]

Thankyou for the video This was very helpful for me 🎉

[@alpha42069]

greenworks? deadass?

[@jonathanmartinez6823]

Thank you for explaining

[@mugiraharjo6270]

what about another application of impact driver or drill compare with metal plat material, and also concrete wall material ? which one better, or recommeded ?

[@MyEyesBled]

The largest problem with most IMPACT drivers is that you cannot TURN-OFF the “IMPACT” feature if needed at times.

[@LegendaryGames420]

Got a 4 piece kit and impact driver came with.... Thank God for KZbin and informative ppl like you

[@ggguser]

You should not use the bit from the drill in the impact

[@markmark123412341]

Why?

[@AlphanPeter]

will an impact drill remove lag bolts screw into wood ?

[@tonytee2107]

Great explanation. Answered my questions. I am picking up an impact drill tomorrow.

[@allanminsky5563]

How about doing a comparison of Bosch's 12 volt impact and pocket drivers. I can't find much said about pocket drivers. Thank you.

[@AIRTIME96]

A bosch 12v pocket size impact driver? You'd have more luck bashing the screw in with your forehead 🤣

[@farukkasapl1348]

Hello, I think the topshak impact driver is a machine worth examining, a comparison with other impact drivers would be nice.

[@anthonyocarroll5630]

How it go on colorbond steel

[@psdaengr911]

Speed and torque (power) are the same on a drill and impact driver with the same chassis and motor - when measured at the same MOTOR RPM. It's the lower gear ratios of the impact drive that makes the impact driver have more power at lower bit RPMs.

[@ShakespeareCafe]

A drill driver with a variable clutch is more precise and quieter. I use my impact with a drill bit to pre-drill. That Panasonic is painfully slow, try a Milwaukee or DeWalt

[@darrengillesdarrengilles8336]

This doesn't address the two primary issues with impact drivers. The first issue is the impact feature causes the driver bit to get locked in the screw head, if you have spent five minutes with these drivers you know what I mean and it is a huge huge pain in the ass especially with Robertson screws. The second issue is how unbearably loud the hammering sound is, there are newer units out there that now have silent drive technology making the type of impact driver in this video obsolete.

[@markdarling7526]

He said Blow Rate.

[@raemonhenry4811]

Still a bit confused here, so a impact driver is mostly just for long screws lol

[@civedm]

So if I use an impact driver to drill hole I don't have to pull the bit out a few times to evacuate the shavings? LOL.

[@doclee8755]

Those safety glasses work better when situated over your eyes…😜👓🤓

[@scooby0068]

Great informative video thank you! I am curious about how the impact driver works when you bottom out a screw. Will it in fact keep spinning and strip that screw head ? I suspect it will, making a drill/screwdriver with a variable torque setting release more advantageous for delicate operations in which you do not want that screw head to get scarred or damaged beyond recoverability. I usually set the clutch to a medium setting and adjust up or down in sensitivity to a suitable clutch setting for the particular application. I haven't used my impact driver yet, but my first project will have exposed screw heads and could use the advice. Thank you!

[@markdudley1028]

Thought this was a shopping channel. Loved the ‘a whole ton of run-out’ comment if thr bit isn’t centered in the chuck😂.

[@investedtolife7319]

It is nice that you have a goggles, safety first......on your work table!!! 🤣🤣🤣

[@ianlogan9415]

Noticed your edit after driving the rss screw. The bit jammed in the collet - i assume because it's not as good a fit as it should be for that type of heavy work. A little misleading that you didn't mention that flaw.

[@Fredengle]

my question is as long as I have compatible parts should if I get spare cash for chrismas while I am not going to get rid of my drill would you recommed I get an impact driver I need a drill bit that is 1/16 and standard compatible philips and flat head bits would you suggest I get the driver than find compatible bits thoughts please thank you

[@SamW604]

Excellent video. Thanks.

[@Dis-Emboweled]

6:22 every machine is a smoke machine if you operate it wrong enough! 😂

[@jonsmith3825]

Why is the thumb nail a mikwakee driver which is what I wanted to see, instead it's greenworks which as far as I'm aware we don't have in the uk

[@paulklote4845]

You should at least clear the drill bit . Especially the spade bit.

[@AbhijitShrikhande]

I am using my craftsman drill to screw😢

[@MysticRuler-n4j]

Surprised to see how long it took to it drive that long screw.

[@kevinshea5819]

I love you.

[@DraganIlich-r1s]

Thank you Sir. Helped me lot.🎉

[@manuelprieto29]

It was helpful but you talk too fast.Thank you

[@Reveka-o2g]

Was very helpful thank u..

[@Protoolreviews]

Glad we could help, thanks for watching!

[@vicpnut1]

A demonstration of the slowest impact driver

[@HarveyWallbanger-ho2cq]

Whenever I use Phillips screws, it strips the head

[@danieljaramillo87]

Thanks! I was using a drill for fence repairs. Now I know the impact is just as effective. I appreciate your video 🙏👍

[@Protoolreviews]

Glad we could help! And we appreciate you for watching! 😄

[@garyheller62]

You didn't mention a critical fact - the drill has a clutch, so that you don't over-tighten or strip a screw. The driver doesn't have a clutch. Or am I wrong?

[@Protoolreviews]

Impact drivers do not have a clutch mechanism, that's reserved for drills and hammer drills.

[@sonofagalwayman6553]

great review you look like you know what you are talking about

[@ryzlot]

A 3-D video graphic would be good

[@kippywylie]

Can an impact driver be used with good results drilling concrete? I'm thinking that in a pinch it might act like a root-hammer?

[@redhornet07]

Not really. For concrete you need a hammer drill. The hammer drill works by moving the drill bit forward/backward really fast, replicating the hammer motion similar to using a hand hammer on a nail. On an impact driver, the hammer motion rotates in the same direction the bit is turning, so the bit does not move forward/backward.

[@jamespell8526]

Does the impact tool have an advantage over the drill when piercing masonry?

[@Protoolreviews]

No, we'd definitely go with a hammer drill for drilling in concrete.

[@stephenwatson8040]

What is best to drill holes in ceramic tile, like in your bathroom when you need to install a towel rack or any other reason?

[@bennospijker9737]

Use a glassdrill for ceramic ! Get perfect rond hole’s

[@UnbeatenPath1]

Wow those greenworks are terrible

[@georgeferlazzo7936]

Hello again Pro Tool Reviews Thank you for another Great Video 👍 That was a great review 👍 Again thank you

[@Allen-L-Canada]

For driling into exterior brick walls, do I use an impact driver? if so, which type or how many watts impact driver do I need?

[@phillipendersby6964]

A mains powered hammer drill is always best for brick and concrete, but if you don't have mains power second best is cordless drill with hammer drill function imo.

[@masterdiary6980]

Can I use a electric impact Driver to drill a metal?

[@Tonyhouse1168]

Yes

[@roddyoccultis4266]

Some people confuse a rattle gun with an impact driver. But not me. I am tooooo smart

[@Wecandoit23]

Drills > Impacts

[@hiddengems2844]

If you are going to do an introductory video you need to be much more careful to use everyday language rather than jargon. You’ve used a lot of jargon but your audience is people who have clicked on a ‘What is an Impact Driver’ video. Know your audience.

[@rehber4]

Was helpfull 👍😊

[@Brockthedog315]

A Dewalt would have made little work of that long fastener. Thanks.

[@paulfierce]

Thank you for this video

[@ashleymarie7452]

Very credible! Thanks!

[@Protoolreviews]

Thanks for watching!

[@a.k.m.manzurmurshed210]

😊 very nice

[@nickb8755]

Thank you.