An impact driver is one of the handiest and most versatile power tools. It’s ideal for both hobbyists and professionals when it comes to driving long fasteners into hard materials. In addition to deck laying and furniture building, they can be utilized in projects that include fencing, shelving, and flooring.
Impact drivers offer more torque than the usual drills and remove rounded-out heads and half-sunk screws, making jobs speedy and smooth. However, with so many models already available in the market, it could become quite challenging to pick the best one for your job. In this ultimate buying guide, we have shed light on the types of impact drivers and compiled a list of factors and features you should consider to choose the perfect fit.
What are the Different Types of Impact Drivers?
Cordless Impact Drivers
Cordless compact impact drivers can drive just about any kind of fastener you throw at them. These drivers are available in cordless designs that range from 12V to 20V. The cordless impact drivers tend to get hot when you are driving a lot of larger fasteners in rapid succession. These drivers are rated in terms of volts (V) and their battery rating is measured in amp-hour (Ah).
Corded Impact Drivers
Corded impact drivers are generally utilized in workshops and garages because they are ideal for heavy-duty jobs and projects. Since these drivers also have a better gear reduction system, they stay cooler and last longer than cordless impact drivers. Coded impact drivers are also heavier and reinforced with motors that are rated in amps (A).
What Factors Should You Consider Before Purchasing the Best Impact Driver?
Torque
Torque is the first feature you must take into account to determine the performance of an impact driver. It is the power of a tool to drive a screw into a material. The higher the torque, the more twisting force or power the impact drivers generate. An impact driver that has 800 inch-pounds of torque or twisting force is ideal for driving fasteners into a simple workshop application, while a tool with 2,000 inch-pounds of torque is suitable for driving multiple thickest fasteners into the hardest material.
Voltage
It is associated with torque and the run time. Impact drivers having lower voltage ranges are compact and can be carried or handled easily without adding excess weight. However, always remember that their lower power can be a drawback as they won’t be able to match the strength of the larger impact drivers. Though the compact machines with a 12V motor can also engage in jobs beyond their abilities, it would be a good idea to use an 18V impact driver for driving thick fasteners quickly.
Speed
Speed is the most important factor of a good impact driver. There are typically two types of speeds, i.e. no-load speed and impact rate. No-load speed or rotations per minute (RPM) describes the free-spinning speed of the impact driver. On the other hand, the impact rate is stated as impacts per minute (IPM) or blows per minute (BPM), which refers to the number of times the tool strikes the fastener. Most drivers can have a maximum no-load speed of 2,500 RPM and an impact rate of around 3,000 IPM.
What Are the Features to Look For in An Impact Driver?
LED Lighting
LED lighting the most important feature you should consider in an impact driver because it helps in increasing visibility even in dark and out-of-reach places. It also saves a lot of battery power.
Weight
If the weight of your impact driver is lighter, then it will offer you more maneuverability. It will also reduce your hand tiredness and let you utilize them in tight spaces.
Adjustable Clutches
This feature is extremely useful if you are using your impact driver in smaller woodwork projects like cabinet doors and windows as it can help you fine-tune the force the impact driver exerts on the fastener.
Battery Power
Now, the majority of impact drivers come with the battery-powered feature. The batteries of impact drivers typically come in three sizes: 12V, 18V, and 20V. So, you can get one according to your needs.
Vibration Protection
This feature helps minimize the amount of vibration the impact driver gives off. Despite having a vibration protection feature, the tool will keep vibrating quite a bit.
Toggle switches
Easy-to-use toggle switches let you switch the action from driving to reversing in a jiffy.
Variable Speed & Reverse Function
Variable speed will assist you across different material ranges as you switch from softer to harder woods, and the reverse function will allow you to unscrew rapidly.
Brushless Motors
The Brushless Motor in your impact driver offers increased performance and a longer life cycle. It also reduces energy consumption and increases durability simultaneously.
Final Words
It is important to determine the most frequent type of use or scope of your job in order to pick the right tool that will help you get through your next task. We hope you have found the most relevant information in this guide that will assist you in getting the best impact driver based on your specific requirements.
Impact Driver FAQ
Q: Do impact drivers have the option of torque settings?
A: As many other drills and drivers often have torque settings, impact drivers don’t have an option that enables you to set the torque level. They are ideal for projects that require extensive force to drive screws through hard materials.
Q: What does an Impact Driver Bit refer to?
A: An impact driver bit refers to a ¼” hex shank that comes in a range of sizes and shapes to accommodate different screw heads.
Q: How 1/4 and 1/2 impact drivers are different?
A: As the name implies, a 1/4 impact driver has a hex driver that accepts 1/4 inch bits. On the contrary, a 1/2 impact driver has a square driver that uses the larger 1/2 inch square shaft bits.