Can you drill with an impact driver?
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- Опубліковано 5 чер 2024
- In this episode of Lessons from a Dad, we are going to answer the question, "Can you drill holes with an impact driver?" I was pretty excited to see the results. I've always been told you only drive screws/bolts with impact drivers and I wanted to see for myself. Here are some options for bits that fit impact drivers if you want to try it for yourself:
Makita Bit set: amzn.to/2Sfuwrd
Makita Hex bits: amzn.to/3n2k3h7
Makita Phillips bits: amzn.to/3lghOFl - Навчання та стиль
I'm a handyman and do a lot of electrical work. I always use an impact to drill holes in joists to run wire, since with a portable drill there is no way you can drive a 1/2" bit through several inches of old, hard timber. However, with a driver, you can even drill holes through two beams back-to-back. Try that with a high-torque drill and you'll either get the bit stuck deep in the wood, or strain your wrist when it binds up. Driver every time.
Yep
Exactly handy man
Same here, kill 2 bird with 1 impact driver. 😂
@TimsOusername - I wanted to buy myself a present to do general brick drilling (hanging pictures, or fixing fences against concrete posts, etc., plus doing general screw driving work for my family) - I was opting in for a combi drill, but these threads are suggesting that IMpact Driver is good enough. Am I getting this right?
@@w0406400 an impact driver will not cope with masonry, concrete etc that’s an important consideration
Started my woodworking, to save money, I only bought a circular saw and an impact driver. Mainly went for impact driver because I can get in tighter places. So I drill holes with my driver. Got tired of changing bits though, so bought another impact driver. Hope they last.
Thanks for this! I’m going to start drilling holes with my impact drive just to piss people off who say you can’t.
I'm not. I'm going to use the BEST available tool for the job to avoid being a douchebag or getting a crappy result. If it's an impact then it's an impact if it's another type of drill then I'll use that.
I'm your newest subscriber and I can't believe I found your channel. Im embarrassed to say that just the other day I tried to figure out why I couldn't put a drill bit into my impact driver and I couldn't figure it out. Now I know why. Thank you. As you can tell, I'm not mechanically inclined...but I can learn. I now look forward to seeing what other topics you cover.
Thanks for the positive comments. So glad that the content has helped!
Liked your vid; was looking for info on impact drivers and you provided it in a concise and clear manner. Thank you for sharing.
(The 2x4 appeared to be Doug Fir as Doug Fir is the main construction material used)
i brought a 13mm 9/16 chuck with a 12 drive socket adaptor for my impact driver to test out ,it also fits a standard 4/12" angle grinder, the things what are around these days is mind boggling.
Thanks for the video! Answers my question. Also wanted to see how it goes through concrete.
Thank you sir for the info. I realized now that there is another form of drill bit that can be inserted in an impact driver as you were showing in ur video .thank you and God bless.
Thanks for the comment. Happy to help!
Cool way to approach this subject! BTW an impact driver although also impcating front to back slightly, is actually designed predominantly to impact rotationally. This means that it is striking the spindle clockwise (or counterclockwise) to basically hammer it around with powerful impacts instead of a spread out continuous torque. So the impact is adding to the rotational torque and is actually not directed in line with the sspindle as you pointed out.
He did say it wrong but the purpose is to direct the force applied by the hammers forward into the bit and not back through the drill at the user. That's why it can deliver such high forces without twisting your arm off like a standard drill would at high torque.
@@travispoulin252 For every force applied there is an equal force going the other way indeed. But I don't see how that force can turn into a forward force. Instead I'd imagine some kind of centrifugal clutch would speed up the hammer cylinder and releases upon impact so the reactional force dissappears into the slowing down of the hammer rather than it being conducted into your hand.
Life saver top tip thanks a million buddy 👍🏽
For smaller drill sizes, under 1/8" the impact may be better because its rpms are way higher to keep the cutting velocity constant.
The impact force on impact drivers is distributed to the rotation, not downwards, providing more torque. You were describing a hammer drill’s impact distribution.
Great video! I agree with another poster that impact drivers deliver rotational impacts. Imagine the drill but trying to twist into your material by twisting and stopping very rapidly…so the torque delivered increases over time.
They do deliver rotational impacts but the force is multiplied forward into the bit and fastener and not back into the drill and user. A standard drill would output equal force backwards into the drill and user making it impossible to hold onto.
Thank u for the informative video. Was looking for 1
I use an impact driver to do holes through joists (for cable), as impact drivers deliver a massive rotational energy, (in a series of impacts) so it's faster. The hole it produces will be rougher, but you'll get there far quicker and easier.
A normal drill delivers a smoother, continuous torque, so a cleaner/ neater hole, but is no where near as powerful in terms of rotational force so it may take a lot longer. A drill would be good for smaller holes which you need to look/be cleaner, or less rough.
So for me, the rule is as long as the bit I'm using is impact-rated, the impact driver will get the job done easier than the drill will. Sometimes it's necessary to do a clean a hole as possible but I find myself sticking to the impactor 90% of the time!
Love your input and the video!
Thanks! I appreciate you taking the time to comment!
i only have an impact driver. i own a lot of tools, and could only find a very small bit- like for a dremel. thank you for the info on the bits that do fit. going shopping now
You need to buy the adapter for drills. that he showed..
Im using a 1/2 impact as a drill and driver, it has a belt clip and rafter hook on it
👌mint
Thanks a million I was about to buy a new drill for small projects
100% guess but maybe the reason "you can't drill with an impact driver" is because when they first came out they didn't make drill bits with the proper connectors. They only made driver bits with that connector. Then they started to make drill bits with the impact driver connector but the whole "you can't drill with an impact driver" got ingrained so people didn't even bother to try.
Thank you for answering a question I didn't realise needed answering until you asked it! And now I can't stop wondering how the impact driver will cope with a masonry bit. I hope you make more videos questioning received wisdom.
Thanks! I'm working on the masonry bit soon
@@TXSuburbanHomestead👍
It was the answer I was looking for, thank you for making this video and thank you to google for leading me to your video. 😊
So glad to have helped. I've got another video planned the first part of Feb that is a continuation of this with different bits that other commenters have asked about.
I'm strongly considering buying a 1/2 inch impact wrench and 7/16 adapter to run long auger bits for setting hinges and anchors on agricultural gate posts. Apparently guys who work on utility poles favour that setup. My DeWalt 996 drill is a beast but there's a lot of friction sometimes in deep holes and I'm scared one day it'll bind up and snap my wrist!
Why they never let us turn off impact power of driver so we can drill better lol
@@alexanderyu85 then you would only buy one of their tools... 🙄😏
Lol I literally used an impact driver to drill a 3/16th hole the other day through 1/8th inch metal cuz I was too lazy to find a drill. Worked like a charm. 👌🏿😎
I would have loved to see an auger bit demo also. Thanks for this.
Thanks for the comment. I've gotten several requests for a more detailed video along these lines. I'll add the auger bit to the list and see if I can get one to fit the impact driver. I should have a video coming out with everyone's requests in the next couple of weeks.
Part 2 Can you drill a hole with a firearm.
I REALLY hope this becomes a series ♥️
Simpsons when Homer gets a gun
Excellent. Thank you.
Great Video, Good Job Mate.
I didn't know everyone didn't already do this. My electric drill for some reason is never powerful enough to screw in anything and definitely won't make a pilot hole through layers of wood. I've been using the impact driver for about two years now. Only today was I searching for more information on how to get the larger size pilot bits to fit into the impact driver and I stumbled across this video. I guess I have to go find more of the adaptable pilot bits hopefully at Lowe's.
Thanks for the comment! My dad, to this day, won't use impact drivers for drilling holes. He always says, "that's why they call them drills"...
You have the wrong electric drill. There are cheap drills with gearbox with a 2 position switch, in addition to the screw or hammer mode. Those will be have extreme power and torque and even have button which selects speed based on pressure + max speed selector, so you have full control.
It's only 40$ such a corded drill made by Skill.
For concrete, you use high speed/low torque in hammer mode. If you need more torque, use lower speed mode/high torque and crank speed selector higher.
For metal, lower speed/higher torque and use at low speed.
For wood, you can screw at lowel speed for best control.
I am so curious about metal like stainless steel now!
I wish drills also came with the same hex thingi, changing bits would be faster!
Honestly on site I've began to use my drill less and less and use my impact for everything. Gets the job done so why not unless I need a specific bit
Minimize as much as possible.
Yeah... Exact same thing happened to me. Its definitely have some imperfection, just as it well presented in the video, but that's irrelevant in construction tasks.
Thank you!
Appreciate for the Vid.
Many thanks for the explanation that you can drill a hole with an impact driver.
Thanks for this video. I had a task today that I was scratching my head on. I had to drill some holes for hanging curtains and only had my impact driver. I forgot I had a set of Milwaukee drill bits, and your video reminded me of this. The ole light bulb went off 🤔😁. Thank you kindly for the video and the reminder.
my question to you is if a already have both an impact driver and wrench would there be any advantage to getting a combo unit drill/driver ? I mean if I am not going to use it often do you think there could be advantage but maybe I can get a used one on ebay and If I dont like it I have the 2 above thoughts please thank you!
You can get a drill bit with a 1/4” hex shank in pretty much any bit that exists. Just gotta go online because hardware stores are often outdated in this regard. IMO the impact is king over the cordless drill. Much more applicable and powerful. Can go a lot further with it. I have a cheap spade bit set that have the hex shank and I LOVE them. Been using the same set for years. I put them into a magnetic hex shank holder to extend their length and get all the way thru walls. Works like a charm. With the spade bits they work better with a lot of pressure.
If you’re using a spade bit you’re either drilling thru 4x4 and 2x4 within the framing of the house or drilling a hole thru the wall that will have covers and the holes will not be seen in either scenario.
Turner by you identifying the shank you completed this guy's video! So I appreciate your further insight! I went to Amazon and immediately saw the size I needed! Big Thanks to both of you🎯
disagree, drills just drill so much better. An impact drill is probably the best 'overall' and well rounded one
The question goes for drilling thick metal, does it shorten the bit's lifespan?
By the way, not only young men are interested in this "knowledge" ... women are also interested. :)
Thanks for the video!
yes, though also, some of us are learning this information later in life as well!
Your audience is just a "bit" excited. Cheers!
2:45 - Impact drivers will only create sideways impacts. Hammer drills however do impact forwards. I really like the video though, good job! I tried a similar thing with an impact wrench a while back for fun and it snapped the drill bit haha
True
Thank you. I know this is an old video, but, I have a Dewalt impact that fell off a truck (literally, it was in front of my house and no one claimed it) I don't have a drill, and I don't want to buy one. I have never used power tools before, even though I am 51. I bought a Dewalt bit set because sadly, the bits didn't fall off the truck with the impact driver LOL! I couldn't figure out why I couldn't use the drill bits. Haven't needed them yet, but, looks like I may want to pick up a few bits that will work. The set has spades that will work, but I don't ever see me having a use to make big holes LOL! This is just for around the house.
It also didn't fall off the truck with a charger, so, I bought a Sawzall, I had a bunch of stuff to cut up to dispose of. I have actually used that far more then the impact. As I am accustomed to just grabbing a manual screwdriver. Been interesting learning power tools for the first time.
So glad to have helped! That was why these videos are up!
The impact will never hang up and twist your wrist like a drill will. A drill can potentially sprain your wrist very badly.
100% True. I was using a holesaw just this morning and about broke my wrist.
Makita GPH01 hammer drill is a beast. Gotta use the right tool for the right job. Drills will make holes cleaner vs impact driver. The idiots who say drill can snap your wrist, it won't unless you want it too by trigger it full force, and if you do you shouldn't be a handyman
I have 1 drill and 1 impact. I use the drill for holes and the impact to countersink.
Good video.
Pre drill with impact rated bits, drive screws with the same
What about fasten screw with impact wrench? Is it possible & good?
I have a chuck for my Milwaukee driver. You don't need special bits. I haven't needed to use it yet and I also have a corded drill.
Seems like when it starts impacting it slows down.great vid been wondering myself
2:40 wrong, hammer function on a drill impacts in the direction you're drilling/screwing, impact driver impacts as you can see in the video in a rotational direction. to put it simply it impacts in the clockwise direction. Imagine chaning a car tyre and you use the cross wrench and you can't spin the wrench at all so you'd probably hit it with a leg unscrew the bolt in a rotational manner. Hope any of this makes sense.
you have both actually, because remember that it's spring loaded. The spring compression stores energy for the impact in that direction too.
The momentum of the striking part is what gives the impact in the rotational direction. Matthias Wandel did a test on this, and some brands have a strong normal impact, while others brands have almost none (see when he tries to drve a nail in his test)
@@xl000 hmm, so the head actually moves infront? a bit then? never noticed that, but still the clockwise hit is what differs it from a regular hammer drill
@@tonibaloni12 I know on my impact driver (a cheapo model) the "chuck" does NOT move forward like xl says... maybe other brands do, I don't know that... 🤔
@@peterfitzpatrick7032 i mean if he says so, i just didn't notice that on makita's impact driver
there are hex 1/4 to drill chuck adapters, included even with some cheap china copy impact drivers....I dont know how they would work together.
Great video buddy, How about sticking screws through concrete to hang or secure things with screws, Will the impact driver be ideal for this?
If you get masonry bits that have 1/4" hex shanks you can drill with your impact though you won't get the same results (speed) as you would a hammer drill. But yes you can do the task you want with an impact and masonry bits
This is not surprising, wood is easy to drill but will it drill metal. And if so how long will a bit last?
"...young men looking for that type of knowledge-"
and me.
No doubt!
If you don't care about the accuracy of your hole, you can use an impact driver.
However, If you need an accurate hole, you always use a drill.
For instance, if you need a pilot hole for a particular screw, you always use a drill!
Never use an impact driver to make a pilot hole.
On a good drill, the drill chuck will have little - if any - runout.
Also, a drill chuck firmly holds the drill bit.
The impact driver does not hold the bit as accurately as a good drill chuck.
In the video, the bits in the impact driver had noticeable runout!
That runout always results in an inaccurate, poor quality hole.
Well said.
No no if you can't keep your wrist straight that's on you lol
I hope I didn’t just weaken my motor on my impact driver. I’m trying to cut part of a support beam to make more head room for new outdoor half basement door. We recently had a new driveway poured and the door (which was routed at bottom) has to be replaced. I just used impact driver to make some holes to hopefully be able finish sawing that top part. Can you weaken the motor? I hope I didn’t but it sounds a little less with other full charged battery. Thanks!
I've used my impact driver for years drilling holes with no problem. I'd imagine you should be fine.
@@TXSuburbanHomestead I think it is but I know I pushed it! It did work for what I was doing. Gave me the ability to finish cutting out the section of that board!
I'm going out to buy a inpack drill and the drill bits that can fit a regular drill is just to much I just want to put up garage shelf's
Of course you can drill with an impact. They have made special drill bits for impact drivers for years now.
I see you discovered the impact drill bits. Lol.
I know an electrician that only uses an impact to drill holes - quicker and saves your wrist
I have a proper hammer drill, but i hate using it when i just need a bunch of small diameter, shallow holes. Especially when i work on a scaffold. Using a non impact drill with a masonry bit for this task is not only slow, but because of the heat/friction sooner or later ruins the bit. An impact drill would be better off course, but i decided to use the impact driver for this task, because its just as good for small holes like an impact drill. When i need bigger, and deeper holes, then the SDS comes. I think the impact driver is a very versatile tool.
I’m trying to find a impact driver or an adapter to fit 3/8 chuck drill bits but can’t find any. Anyone have suggestions?
A buddy has a Milwaukee adapter he swears by.
Thanks. How does it work with (larger, eg. 50mm) Forstner drills or hole saws (say > 70mm). Maybe you could also make a video about this and compare the precision to a standard drill.
Sounds like fun. I'll see what I can do about that.
@@TXSuburbanHomestead I want to know this, also.
The video starts at 4:24
It be nice if you showed how that screw got tighten in there
Show a video of drilling through masonry, concrete etc.
On the production list!
Funnily enough , Stumpy Nubs ha a vid recommending the cordless drill over the impact ... 🤔
I've seen that. I can't argue with him, but for the holes I drill, the compact size of the driver and the flexibility of the driving options with the quick change has me leaning toward the driver.
Could we use impact wrench for drilling?
I've tried it and it doesn't work. It's an issue of rotational speed more than anything in my experience.
@@TXSuburbanHomestead I think it depends on the bit and the tool. My m18 mid torque 1/2 spins very fast as long as you don't lean into it real heavy. Drills very well.
@@TXSuburbanHomestead
Howd you chuck/attach the drill?
Possibly 1/4 socket to 1/4 hex shank?
@@ronfox5519 I had bits that had the hex attachment on them already. I have a minimal set with a few bits that work for both the impact and the drill.
@@TXSuburbanHomestead
Hi. Thanks for the response.
Sajid was asking about drilling with an impact wrench. I took this to mean 1/4 or 1/2 square drive.
You said that youd done it. does that mean that you found.a way to attach a drill bit to a square drive? The only option i know of is a bit with a 1/4" shank going into a 1/4" socket on the square drive. And that aint much fun. Beats up the socket, doesnt run true enough, & you have to hold the bit in.
Impact drivers and hex shanked bits have basically made this problem obsolete, but i was still curious what you might have discovered.
What I am unable clear on is the directions seems to say it may be dangerous to use as drill thoughts please you would you day if I can find a drill bit designed for an impact driver it should be fine thoughto please thank you
Yes, if you find the correct drill bits, it's safe to use, but there is the limitation of the correct fitting bits. Thanks for your comment.
@@TXSuburbanHomestead thank you for your reponse so again your answer is that if I was able to find a drill bit designed as for an impact rated it should be fine?
@@Fredengle yes. There lots of good drill bits on the market. Milwaukee and DeWalt make whole sets you can buy
What's the difference between an impact driver and a hammer drill, mechanically?
The impact has a hammer motion that helps twist, the hammer drill has a hammer motion that hits forward (in and out).
@@jake4194 That makes sense. Cool, thanks
Upgraded from an older 18v kit. ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxW1vOBRCMrgTCDEijzpVzDWsgI-Jm2iQv I independently chose the drill and impact tool, before I came across the kit.I like the 3 speed impact gun. It seems more powerful than my older one, and it can be set to be really gentle. The drill is more appropriately sized for my use. I used to have a hammer drill, but I did not like that it was so big and it was not a great hammer drill. I rather have a smaller drill like this, and then get a corded hammer drill for the odd case I need that.
I was always told never to use an impact for this. Well shit, now I know.
Thank you for this video, but it isn't just for young men. This is for ANYONE who knows nothing about these tools or installation.
That's incorrect. Impact drivers and wrenches impact gois in a twisting motion. Hammer drills impact the way you were pointing (Forwards)
the wood it self is smooth like water XD
i would suggest to try it on concrete wall
Really what should happen is all instruments must be bits on the end. No more stuff like those old drills that can't be bit. I understand they are doing that so that people would still buy drill divers but really they are now made obsolete by Impact drivers especially as more and more adapters are coming out like the drill bit by Milwaukee 3:39. ] . .
We know the impact can do both, does it ruin the tool is what we want to know.
I'll see what I can do on a torture test.
@@TXSuburbanHomestead
any update on this?
@@andyross2613 got 2 in front of it in the video queue. Should be coming out in the next month
Thats a soft bit of wood there. I may have different results.
Yep, just a pine 2x4... or are the bits just super sharp? 😁
1/4 drill will work without the right end....
My dog thinks he’s an impact driver. 😂
Weird flex but ok
@@PrimeZelot96 What’s that?
@@AAP0000 "flexing" is the new word for bragging, showing off... now I feel old.. 😖
@@peterfitzpatrick7032 Oh. 😂😂😂 I wasn’t bragging, but just sharing a somewhat odd fact.
Impact is faster and does not bind. Both ways are fine. But good job, you got me to watch your video to waste a few minutes of my life.
Here's one, use an impact on a ice auger 🤔
If I ever had ice, I'd be all over that one. lol
I bet. Well, impact did not work on a 7" ice auger, except maybe an inch in. But, 18v 3ah Makita drill worked amazingly well.
You knowledge man?
Answer : yes.
Try that on metal
you should be getting more subs.. lol.. =)
Your mouth to God's ears... lol
Maybe you would also be amazed that you can also drill with a cordless screwdriver. How amazing is that?
2:38 Nope. That's hammer drill. Impact drivers "impacts" where you "drives". Inshort, rotational energy.
Something that takes 2 minutes to explain… you really stretched this one out! Good Luck with the attention span of your viewers. You even stretch your speech and vocally lengthen your voice and it’s obvious.
I hope this feedback helps… GBA! 🇺🇸
Thanks for the feedback. I'm on the analytics and I'm doing okay. On the voice... that's just how I talk. I grew up in a riverbottom town here in Texas and that's the best I've got ha ha!
Only young men???
2020 and i am greeted by a sexist comment, for men. u might wanna think how many Women are very capable and do watch utube.
Thanks for the comment. I'm well aware that women watch UA-cam and watch content like this. However, my analytics show that 97.4% of all my video views are by men. Please don't get offended by a comment from a creator that is speaking to such a clearly defined audience.