Hello readers, welcome to the new post. Here, we will learn about Impact Wrench vs Impact Driver: What’s The Difference? You must have seen “impact wrench” and “impact driver ” in DIY projects. These tools look alike but come with different applications and features. Here we will cover the main differences between these two terms. So let’s get started with Impact Wrench vs Impact Driver:
Introduction to impact wrench vs impact Driver
Whether you are a professional engineer or mechanic, using the correct tools affects your work and project creation. Impact wrenches and impact drivers are the best tools in the toolbox but are employed for different applications.
Understanding Impact Wrenches
The impact wrench is a modified type of handheld ratchet that is inserted in sockets for loosening bolts or tightening nuts.
the impact wrench is not based on our fore since it is powered with compressed air.
This device can come in different features like electric, hydraulic, or battery-powered. It generated a high output of torque for less force as compared to standard ratchet.
it is used for nuts loosening or fastening. The motor will operate a rotating mass that gathers energy. In this, it works. it has an anvil that is a connection rod for mass that can used to offer the required torque. It is less weight that not generate high torque. The impact force is provided through the hammering process. it operated when needed.
The impact wrench can operate smoothly when fasteners require some torque.
Getting to Know Impact Drivers
The impact driver is a powerful device that offers bursts of rotational force periodically. it uses a hammer to apply force in the axial direction, with the use of an inner process.
The drill bit connected with the hammer moves when the hammer of this driver strikes with some repetition on external sleeves.
The impact can also used for holes drilling in any object. it generated double the torque than a cordless drill.
it is used to make holes in different materials.
it is also used for driving fasteners like screws, nuts, and bolts in objects.
it works through the use of rotational force mixed with a burst of impact and high torque level for fastener drivers in. The rotation works in two phases, one step back and bursts of impact occur about 50 times in one second when there is resistance faced by encounters.
This work makes impact drivers effective for driving in fasteners as compared to drills.
Pros and Cons of Impact Wrenches
Pros:
- it is used for removing bolts and nuts
- it has double torque
- it used for power sources offenly
- Good for heavy-duty uses
- it has 4 types
- it works fastly
Cons:
- It is not used for narrower-range operations
- it is a higher cost than the impact driver
- High torque can strip threads or break bolrs
- It generated loud noises
Pros and Cons of Impact Drivers
Pros:
- it is less weight and easily move
- Affordable
- Easy replaceable
- It does not have rotational torque
- Fasteners and screws are fastly
Cons:
- It not has built inch clutch
- Noise level is high
- It can overtighten screws
Impact Driver Vs Impact Wrench
Impact Driver
- it used for screw driving
- 1/4“Hex Drive
- Hammering prices involved
- Its rotating speed is ≥ 3,000 RPM
- it has less torque and a value is ≥ 200 ft-lbs. (2,400 in-lbs.)
- Small and less weight
- it operated on battery volts 12V, 18V, 20V
Impact Wrench
- it tights and loose nuts and bolts
- 1/2“Square Drive
- its working process is hammering
- ≥ 2,000 RPM is working speed
- It is high weight
- It has slow torque with a value of ≥ 800 ft-lbs. (9,600 in-lbs.)
- Operating battery volts are 12V, 18V, 20V
Detail Comparison of Impact Wrench Vs Impact Drill
Speed
- They have different speeds, impact wrenches are less thatn 2000 RPM and the mid-torque pneumatic impact wrench has a rotation of 8000 RPM or higher. The impact driver has a speed of about 3600 RPM
- The impact wrench is best to use for garages,
Power Supply
Now, cordless impact drives are used for construction sites, with 180-volt and 20-volt wrenches being common. Such as Ingersoll Rand ¼” Cordless Impact Driver is a 20-volt tool with a speed of about 2800 ROM.
Corded or cordless impact driver also exists. Pneumatic impact drivers are used for mechanics that generate sound according to conditions like race tracks.
Output Force
There is a lower RPM for the impact wrench and has high torque. While the impact driver offers less torque with high RPM. The impact wrench can offer more than 7 times the power of the impact driver. But this power from the wrench can casues damage such as overtightening short screws.
Uses
Impact drivers are used for screw driving and there are combined drills and driver products exist, that are not good for driver fasteners through hard materials.
Impact wrenches are used for loosening and tightening hex head fasteners like heavy bolts, timer screws, and lug nuts.
Drive Type
The impact wrench used different-sized square drives with ½” square drives. They are stronger for connection of sockets than regular sockets.
In the case of an impact driver, it has a hex collet-chuck chuck. It helps the bits to fasten, with standard drill bits not used for impact drivers.
Torque
The impact wrench comes with more torque but there is an impact driver with 18 and 20-volt power. These impact drivers can generate 167 ft. lbs. It is good to increase torque as compared to 100 ft-lbs starting base.
Impact wrenchs have more thatn 1000 ft lbs. Impact wrenches generated more torque. For average use, 200 ft-lbs is enough.
Impact Wrench Vs Impact Driver – Which One to Choose?
Impact wrenches and impact drivers are tools that easily tight and loose fasteners. But differences between these 2 tools make them suitable for different operations
Impact Wrench
- It has higher power than the impact driver
- it is heavyweight
- Used for high RMP that impact driver
- Employed with different sockets
Impact Driver
- it is a less powerful device than an impact wrench
- High compact and less weight
- Uses lower RPM than an impact wrench
- Used with bits
- Low RPM involved with it
Which One to Choose?
The best solution is to choose an impact wrench and an impact driver to check the type of application where it is used. If you need to lose and tight larger nuts and bolts impact wrench is the best option. If there is a need of tools for screws, then use an impact driver
Main differences between impact wrenches and impact drivers:
Feature | Impact Wrench | Impact Driver |
---|---|---|
Power | high power tool | Low power |
Typical use | Loosening and tightening large nuts and bolts | Driving screws |
Sockets or bits | Sockets | Bits |
RPM | Higher RPM | Lower RPM |
Size and weight | Larger and heavier | Smaller and lighter |
Is an impact driver better than an impact wrench?
The impact driver provdies less torque with high RPM. Impact wrench has more than 7 times the power of an impact driver. But the amount of power of the wrench can cause some damage.
What advantages does an impact driver offer over a drill?
The power drill has varying speeds made for drilling and driving with a chuck that strongly holds bits. In the contrary, an impact driver is compact and less weight, provdies high torque, and uses a fast change clamp for bits with a hexagonal shank.
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Faqs
Can I use an impact wrench as an impact driver?
- No, we cannot use an impact wrench as an impact driver since they are two differnt tools. IMpact driver is used to operate screws, and uses hex-shaped crew bits for this operation. While an impact wrench is used for tightening and losing nuts and uses a square-shaped bit.
Do I need an impact driver or a wrench?
- it can be used impact driver for screw driving like drilling holes and driving screws.
What is an impact wrench used for?
- They are used for losing or tightening nuts fast. They are small handheld electrical or pneumatic motors that rotate socket wrenches at high speed.
What is a stronger impact wrench or impact driver?
- Impact wrenches are normally more robust than impact drivers. Impact wrench operates like teh impact drier but it is a high power, bulky, and heavier
Can an impact driver remove screws?
- The impact driver is high torque and best for driving larger or long fastener screws or bolt
Can impact wrench damage bolts?
- It can damage heat if it slips during tightening or overtighten and breaks the bolt
When not to use an impact driver?
- They are not used for accuracy work like operating with small screws, thin piece of material
Can an impact wrench remove rusted bolts?
- Yes, impact wrenches can remove rusted bolts. The impact operation is an impact wrench that can break up the rust and loosen the bolt.
What is the difference between an impact driver and a screwdriver?
Impact Wrench
- High torque, typically over 1,000 ft-lbs
- Powerful and fast, but can be too powerful for home use
- Square drive, typically 1/2-inch
- standard for an impact wrench is a 1/2-inch square drive
- Slower than impact drivers, typically under 2,000 RPM
- Can be powered by electricity, battery, or air
- Smaller and lighter than impact drivers
Impact Driver
- Moderate torque, typically up to 167 ft-lbs
- Easier to use than impact wrenches
- Hexagonal socket, typically 1/4-inch
- It can be powered by a battery
- Less expensive than impact wrenches
Are impact drivers better than drills?
- An impact driver provdies high torque than a drill, which makes it best for fat driving the long, wide, and large screws in hard materials
What is the difference between a screw gun and an impact driver?
Feature | Screw Gun | Impact Driver |
---|---|---|
Drive size | 1/4-inch | 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch, and 1/2-inch |
Use | Driving screws | Driving screws, nuts, and bolts |
Power | Electric or cordless | Electric, cordless, or pneumatic |
Torque | Lower torque | Higher torque |
Speed | Faster | Slower |
Weight | Lighter | Heavier |
Price | Less expensive | More expensive |
Can I use an impact driver to drill concrete?
- if drill holes have a size of less than 1/4 inch impact driver helps the drill to pass through concrete and brick.
Do you need both an impact driver and a drill?
- It is on the application. If we just drive screws and drill small holes use an impact driver. if needed to drill larger holes use a drill
Is an impact driver the same as a hammer drill?
- Both are differnt
- Hammer pressure is forward, and the impact drill has sideways pressure
- hammer drill weight is 4 to 8 pounds and the impact drill is less weight
- hammer used for masonry and impact for woodwork
In the context of home DIY projects, would you recommend investing in both an impact wrench and an impact driver, or would one suffice for most tasks? If so, which one would be more versatile for a variety of home projects