In the power tools section of the hardware store, many drills and drivers have a similar appearance. Do not be deceived; each performs different tasks slightly differently. Learn how cordless drill/drivers, hammer drills, and impact drivers differ before buying, whether you're looking for a multipurpose drill or have a more specialized project in mind. This guide compares impact drivers, drills, and hammer drills to help you determine the right tool for the job.
Comparing their mechanics and the kinds of drill bits and drivers they employ may be the most effective approach to determine which drill is ideal for a certain task.
A hammer drill combines a hammer and a drill, as is obvious from the name. A gear-driven cam introduces a linear hitting motion along the drill bit's path as it revolves. It combines chiseling and drilling in one instrument, in essence.
It's a technique that works very well for drilling concrete, cinder block, brick, and other comparable materials. Heavy-duty slotted drive system (SDS) models can bore through walls up to six feet thick, but they are ineffective at drilling wood, plastic, or metal. The hammer has to be turned off to accomplish that. Some SDS models do not permit this, but many hammer drills do.
When a tool is referred to as an "impact driver," it might be assumed that it operates similarly to a hammer. Though an impact driver offers more rotational energy, also known as torque, in certain ways, it does.
A robust spring is located inside the body of the impact driver. Every half-turn is compressed before being released with a powerful force. Although it produces a sound like a hammer drill, the energy is directed in the same direction as the chuck rotation rather than directly along the drill bit. Therefore, the force is concentrated on driving screws and other fasteners or removing them. Early impact drivers were primarily all-or-nothing, brute-force equipment. Modern versions have variable speeds for more flexibility.
The simplest operation is that of a cordless drill/driver because it can rotate and requires no additional force. The addition of a clutch gives this weapon, despite its simplicity, a different trick up its sleeves.
The majority of hammer drills have a three-jaw chuck that self-centers. Most heavy-duty models include a keyed chuck that enables a firmer grip on the drill bit. A spring-loaded chuck on SDS hammer drills has ball bearings that lock into grooves on SDS drill bits. They are released via a sliding sleeve.
Instead of a chuck, impact drivers feature a quick-release clamp that can accommodate a variety of bits with a 14-inch hexagonal shank. Although you may get HSS drill bits with 14-inch shanks for sporadic drilling tasks, these bits are primarily used for driving.
Impact drivers can be used with a wide range of fasteners because driving bits are available in several forms. Among the most popular are Straight, Philips, and Torx, but there are also a dozen other types to meet all driving requirements. To utilize an impact driver with nuts and bolts, you can also acquire different sizes of sockets and socket adapters.
It's critical to select "impact ready" bits, which have been strengthened to withstand the force of an impact driver. Avoid being seduced by less expensive models made for a standard drill/driver. Under the added power, they deteriorate quickly and may even shear.
The self-centering, three-jaw chuck of cordless drill/drivers is always keyless. A more powerful type of drill is generally also required if the task necessitates the additional gripping strength of a keyed chuck.
Three-jaw chucks can be used with common round and hex-shank bits for driving and drilling. You can drill holes in wood, composites, plastic, and metal with different drill bits. Simple round drills, spade ends, Forstner bits, hole saws, and a vast variety of specialty bits—some of which are included below—are among them. A cordless drill can use all the driving bits that can be used with an impact driver, but it will have much less power. Working on delicate tasks can sometimes be advantageous.
It's probably much more apparent which jobs each type of drill is best suited for now that you know how they work. Let's take a deeper look because there may be overlaps.
A hammer drill can drill holes into the rock, brick, concrete, and other masonry. A unique drill bit is used with a hammer to tackle these challenging materials. You would employ a hammer drill for various jobs, from relatively light duty—such as hanging shelving on an interior brick wall or installing house numbers on a stone-veneered outside wall—to drilling holes through brick or block walls for the installation of electric conduit or water pipes.
The strongest of these drills, the SDS, can only be used in hammer mode without rotation. They are equipped with masonry chisels and may perform small-scale demolition work. They can be a terrific option if you need to remove an outdated asphalt patch or an old garden wall.
An impact driver has the strength to handle difficult operations with ease and is primarily designed for driving screws and other fasteners.
Rotational force is the key component of impact drivers. They do the same tasks as a cordless drill/driver but with significantly more power. Normally, if you wanted to use a drill/driver to put a 3-inch screw into a wooden post, you would need to drill a pilot hole first and then switch the bit over to drive the screw. In contrast, the torque (twisting force) produced by the impact driver allows it almost effortless to drive that screw directly through lumber. Compared to a cordless drill/driver, they can handle large screws and fasteners much more swiftly and efficiently. This makes them a much superior option for demanding woodworking projects like replacing deck planks or erecting a pergola.
Despite being the most specialized of the three drills discussed and often used to drive long or large-diameter screws into wood, quality impact drivers nonetheless have some versatility. When building metal frameworks or working on autos, socket (nut driver) bits can be utilized similarly to a light-duty impact wrench.
A cordless drill/driver is fantastic all-purpose equipment that can be used for various DIY projects, including driving screws and drilling holes.
With good reason, many people choose to add a cordless drill/driver to their arsenal for the home. They come with several attachments that further increase their adaptability and are versatile enough to do a wide range of tasks around the house and yard.
They can assemble contemporary furniture, install a doorbell or gate, put up a set of shelves on a partition wall, and more with the proper drill or screwdriver bit. They can be equipped with stirrers for paint or rotating scrub brushes for tough cleaning. For auto repair, sanding discs and polishers can be installed, as well as abrasive bits for honing lawnmower blades. A bit of research turns up a surprisingly long list, making the cordless drill/driver indispensable equipment for DIY enthusiasts and licensed contractors.
In this section, we look at the overall characteristics of drills and drivers and the specifics of each kind. This method can help you choose between hammer drill, impact driver, and cordless drill/driver models.
Hammer drills, impact drivers, and drill/drivers are now almost exclusively cordless. But not all cordless motors are created equal. Brushed or brushless are the two varieties. The more traditional type, brushed motors, was first utilized in corded drills. It is a low-cost, tested technology. Even though brushes eventually need to be changed, it's not difficult or expensive. The motors' ability to utilize battery power effectively makes a significant difference. Although brushless motors are more expensive, they typically use 10 to 15 percent less power to run at a similar level. Therefore, a brushless tool will operate longer between charges than its brushed version. Additionally, because there is significantly less friction, brushless motors are generally more durable.
Hammer drills are power-hungry tools and SDS hammer drills in particular. While most drills and drivers have a 20V cutoff, 40V and even 60V hammer drills have been created to meet the demands of professional jobs that require additional power. The most potent of these cost more than $1,000, although frequent battery replacements might still be required.
Voltage, also known as volts (V), has already been stated as a power unit. Drills and drivers powered by 12V are typically light-duty home improvement tools. 20V variants offer higher power and are appropriate for more serious DIY enthusiasts and professionals. Only cordless SDS hammer drills are available now, with 40V and 60V products specifically designed for contractor use. But each kind of drill and driver has unique requirements specific to it and its intended use.
Almost all drills and drivers have a trigger-activated variable speed feature. However, for this to work, the user must provide consistent pressure, which is simple at high speeds but more difficult at lower rotations. Better tools include two or three-speed settings, allowing for slower speeds even when the trigger is fully squeezed. Greater control is provided, which is especially advantageous when starting to drive screws or using small drill bits.
You can also obtain blows per minute value for hammer drills (BPM). This determines the speed of the hammer. The range is between 1,500 and above 40,000 BPM.
The most significant figure for impact drivers is torque or twisting force, frequently expressed in inch-pounds (in. lbs), albeit occasionally in Newton meters (N.m.). Although 1 in. LBS is equal to 0.112 N.m., but larger quantities are preferable.
Additionally, some models offer impacts per minute (IPM). Faster IPM may be the deciding factor if two similar models have the same torque output, but torque output is significantly more crucial.
A wide speed range, which makes it easy to adapt to drilling various materials, is arguably the primary distinction when looking for the right cordless drill/driver. It is common to quote the number of clutch settings. Typically, you'll get at least 8 or 10, and having more isn't beneficial.
Regardless of the drill or driver type you choose to purchase, body size and weight can be crucial factors. Operator fatigue is quickly caused by a hefty tool, which is exacerbated if you frequently work overhead.
Hammer drills, in particular, can be heavy. Most, especially SDS models, have an additional handle at the front that makes it obvious that the tool must be operated with two hands. This must not be disregarded. The drill body will attempt to rotate if a drill bit becomes stuck while drilling through dense masonry or rock. Due to the abrupt nature of this event and the weight and energy transmitted, people who are unprepared risk suffering catastrophic wrist injuries.
When using impact drivers, similar but less serious injuries are possible. Therefore, exercise caution. Always maintain a tight grip on the tool. However, while examining an impact driver's physical dimensions, putting the tool onto the fastener should be your top priority. It probably won't be a problem if you're working outside. You'll need a smaller model if you have to work in a small area, and some of them are made with that necessity in mind without compromising power. Drills and drivers can be used in the same way. Some types benefit from having a battery that fits within rather than hanging off the end of the handle. The finished product may be a highly manageable and compact tool.
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