For homeowners and even for professional home service providers, an impact screwdriver is a must-have tool. It’s basically a high-performing tool that renders an effective and efficient mechanical advantage by lessening the user’s input and increasing the overall productivity.
Let’s define the tool for you before we jot down its uses.
What is an Impact Screwdriver?
The impact screwdrivers are relatively smaller drill-like mechanical tools which are used for loosening and tightening nuts, bolts, and screws. These tools find their best usage in situations where traditional or manual screwdrivers can’t work that effectively.
Impact screwdrivers have mainly two varieties. There are those which are corded and the other ones are cordless screwdrivers. It absolutely depends on the magnitude and the situation of the work where you think you will be using these tools.
Impact Screwdriver Vs. Manual Screwdriver
The main difference between an impact and a manual screwdriver is the very fact, that the former one comes with an added mechanical advantage. It is also called the special impact driving system which kicks in when the user intends to unscrew a nut or a bolt in a situation where the normal screwdriver would bail-out.
Another major difference between both of these tools is, the impact one comes with hexagonal shaped collets which are different from the manual screwdriver’s 3 jaw chuck.
Recently, we have received questions from our readers asking whether or not an impact screwdriver can be used to drill holes. Well, of course, you can drill holes with the help of this tool by using drilling bits. Keep one thing in mind though, never use a shank with a large diameter. Use shorter ones to drill holes effectively.
There were times when such screwdrivers were only used by contractors and professional carpenters. The utility of these tools has amazed the people to an extent that it’s become an integral part of every household.
Uses of Impact Screwdriver
To answer the question about the usage, let’s be honest that this particular tool has found dozens of places where it can be used effectively.
Here are a few most common places where you can use it:
- To screw self-threading nuts and bolts.
- To loosen corroded, rusted, and over-torqued bolts, nuts, and screws.
- Drilling holes to install wall-hangings, paintings, wall-clocks, and whatnot.
- Drilling fasteners into thick material.
- These screwdrivers can also perform exceptionally well in case of removing and changing punctured tires of vehicles.
Who can use This Tool?
Well, who can’t?
Throughout these years, an impact driver has proven to be one of the most successful tools which can be used by:
- Construction workers.
- Cabinet makers.
- Carpenters.
- Drilling service providers.
Pros of Using Impact Screwdriver:
Perhaps you still need a pretty detailed round-up on the advantages of impact drivers. Well, grab some pop-corns while we highlight every single benefit of the tool.
Versatile Usage
Unlike a manual screwdriver, an impact screwdriver welcomes a majority of tasks that the former one cannot do. You can drill with an impact driver, remove rustic screws and even change a flat tire of your vehicle and without even feeling a bit of strain on your wrist. How cool is it?
Improved Efficiency
Due to a higher torque level powered by an electric motor, the tool comes with a hammering action. To understand how it works, you need to keep in mind the very fact, that this type of screwdriver functions by syncing the rotation with the hammering action. You can get more power by switching through different working modes by exerting more force.
If you think the surface is hard or tight, you don’t need to lubricate it before hammering. Simply hold the tip of the impact driver, touch the tip and adjust it at the mouth of the screw. Once it’s done, start hammering nicely and don’t stop until you get the screw out of the hole.
Do keep in mind that you need to exert a calculated amount of force while hammering otherwise it may harm your own tool. You can’t risk going down that road for sure!
No Fatigue to Your Wrists:
These tools are designed in a way that they don’t exert pressure on your hand or wrist muscles. The bit of the drill and the motor aren’t directly interconnected so you won’t be feeling torque during working. It means that, while working, you won’t feel a thing and you will be able to work long hours.
User-Friendly & Convenient:
Most of the drivers these days come with a built-in flashlight. It’s an awesome way to let the users know that the manufacturers are actually worried about their safety. For workers who have to work long hours and in places where there is very low or almost no light facility, these impact drivers with flashlights do make a huge difference.
Cons of Using Impact Screwdriver?
After looking at the positive side, let’s behave rationally and also take a look at the other side of the coin. Below, you will see some of the most notable disadvantages which these tools have in common.
- They are expensive and you won’t be getting one if not for a couple of hundred bucks.
- After having bought the tool, the game doesn’t end here. Every time you go to work, you will be needing compatible drilling bits. If you think your driver will accommodate every shank bits, you may need to rethink.
- This tool is a rather powerful device that you’ll have to control yourself. The torque which is being applied on the surface or on the screws is strong enough to strip the screws or damage the surface. Every time you get to work, you will have to be extra cautious.
Conclusion
All else aside, a few cons of the impact screwdrivers are not substantial to cloud the stream of benefits that you can avail while using one.
These devices are really powerful utility tools which you can simply add in your arsenal and get rid of those tools which have no more usage.
If you are a professional carpenter or simply a homeowner, get yourself a quality screwdriver and experience the fun while hammering and unscrewing nuts, bolts, and lug nuts.
Leave a Reply