Is an impact driver the right tool for you?

An impact driver can be a valuable tool for those in the trade, but it isn’t as simple as picking it up and then having all your problems solved.  

For all the positives that having one brings, a lot needs to be considered before you use one just for the sake of using one.  

In this article, we will weigh up the pros and cons of using an impact driver, which will hopefully highlight its best practices.

What are the pros of using an impact driver? 

It’s worth noting that there are many positives to using an impact driver, hence why they are seen as a fundamental tool.  

They are hugely efficient as they are so quick, saving ample time in the process. It’s just as simple as lining up the screw and drilling it through.  

Naturally, this is extremely helpful for large projects. All impact drivers have a high degree of torque, which can also help when drilling screws into tougher materials.  

They are also suitable for use with a wide range of screws, which makes them very important as that versatility cannot be understated. They can also be used for driving screws into a variety of materials, such as wood, plastic and metal.  

Finally, they are very compact. They are lightweight and easy to move about, which can be very helpful if you’re working in tight spaces.  

That’s a lot of pros, but what about the cons? 

 
The main cons for using impact drivers come maybe being too eager to use the tool in the first place, which is why a degree of common sense needs to be had.  

For example, it’s very possible that you can over-tighten or even snap a screw by using an impact driver, due to the power behind it. As such, you need to be fully aware of what screws you are using.  

It’s also possible that you could strip the heads of the screws, which is especially likely if the tool isn’t used properly, has the wrong head in or is used for driving screws into soft material. 

We have put together a video that explains how all three of these possibilities can happen, which you can see below.  

So is an impact driver right for me or not? 

Generally speaking, yes. They make your life a lot easier, they can make projects go by a lot quicker and they can really boost productivity for you.  

However, they must only be used where necessary given the force behind the impact driver, otherwise you’ll burn through boxes of screws.  

If you would like to find out more information on impact drivers, we are happy to help. You can get in touch with us by clicking this link.