Professional mechanics depend on air tools, especially a pneumatic impact wrench to get their work done. When working on stubborn nuts and bolts, an impact wrench can quickly loosen what would otherwise require massive amounts of effort and sweat (and probably a few busted knuckles along the way). The only drawback with pneumatic impact wrenches is you need a pretty good-sized air compressor to power them.
For the rest of us, there are hand impact drivers. These wonderful and inexpensive tools allow you to take hammer force and convert it to rotational force. Attach a socket or bit and you can suddenly loosen that stubborn fastener. Not only that, but since you are applying the hammer to the back of the tool, you are ensuring that the bit or socket doesn’t come off the fastener.
One added advantage of using a hand impact driver is the frustration relief provided by being able to hit the fastener that’s giving you so much trouble. It's going to take a good whack to break it loose, so you'll be able to take out all your aggression and frustration on it, rather than slamming the door and kicking the cat. That makes it an all-around better alternative.
Because these tools take a lot of abuse, quality is important. While a fairly simple device, if the metal is too thin or not properly tempered, it can break rather easily. Of course, how often you have to use it becomes a factor as well.
Deciding on the right tool for you can be a challenge, but we're here to help. Check out our list of the best hand impact driver sets in 2022 no matter what you need one for. These are reliable, durable, and sure to make your job get done faster.