Most home improvement projects – big or small - require drilling and driving, that’s why it’s possible you already have a power drill in your toolbox. Power drills get almost any job or project done – but not everything.
Today we prepared a list of things that highlight the differences of power drills from impact power drills. We hope, that by the end of this article, you will know whether an impact drill will be a good addition to your power tools arsenal.
Power Drills
While you can install a screwdriver tip to drive screws, power drills are most commonly used to drill holes in plastic, metal, and wood. Most power drills come with a slip clutch that lets you adjust and control the amount of torque for a better and more precise screw driving.
Pros:
- Power drills are best for any work that requires you to be careful and precise.
- Power drills apply constant torque.
- Due to its versatility, power drills accept a wide range of bits, drills, and accessories.
- Power drills are relatively affordable.
Cons:
- Power drills tend to stall especially when driving long and large screws and fasteners.
- Power drills frequently strip screws.
- Power drill bits can sometimes come loose in the chuck.
- Since power drills require you to apply force, using this tool may cause strain.
Check out: BLACK+DECKER 20-Volt Lithium-Ion Drill
Impact Power Drills
Impact drivers are known to be the best power tool to drive screws among all other power tools. They work miracles to loosen or drive screws and bolts with powerful rotational and concussive blows and force.
Pros:
- Impact power drills won’t strain your wrist since you do not have to apply force.
- Impact power drills can easily drive long screws without stripping them.
- Impact power drills can fit easily into tight and small spaces.
Cons:
- Impact power drills are more expensive than your regular power drills.
- Impact power drills make a lot of noise which can seem excessive at times and is sure to wake everyone up.
- Impact power drills are not the best for any delicate work that only requires precision NOT force.
Check out: Makita Cordless Driver-Drill Kit
Things To Consider
Since power drills apply a consistent torque, you have more control over the speed and clutch. Power drills are recommended for work that demands precision and care like drilling a hole or driving a really small screw.
Impact power drills, on the other hand, will give you a much higher torque that comes in rapid bursts. Imagine a hammer that gives you bursts of linear force. These bursts of force make impact power drills best for heavy-duty work like driving longer lag bolts. Note that the banging action that impact power drills give makes it a tad hard to control sometimes.
Moreover, impact power drills don’t have to be held tightly to provide the torque unlike power drills since the momentum from the rotating striker inside the tool provides the needed force. This makes using an impact power drill easy to use and hold even when driving a screw through tough material. When using a power drill, you need to push the drill firmly against the screw to avoid stripping out the head.
Final Verdict
If what you’re looking for is a versatile power tool, you should consider getting a power drill due to its user-friendliness and broad scope of use. If you intend to start working on bigger projects that require driving a lot of screws, get yourself an impact drill and save yourself the frustration and wasted screws that come with using a power drill. Be sure to wear earplugs, though.
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