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. Impact wrenches also called impact guns, and used for loosening nuts and bolts, while impact drivers are used for smaller 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 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 force 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.
Introduction to 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 is 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 bolts
- 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 have built inch clutch
- The 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?
Both are used for different types of operations, an impact driver is the cordless driver. The impact driver can drive longer screw and carriage bolts with high torque.
The impact driver is the best option for creating a deck over the side of the home.
Impact driver has less torque as compared to impact wrenches, but high torque. So it is high prices.
The use of impact wrench is limited to the removal and connection of heavy-duty bolts and nuts.
Impact wrenches are high-power for driving screws or drilling small holes.
Impact is best for removing lug nuts from vehicles and bolting down heavy industry instruments to the floor
Is an impact driver better than an impact wrench?
The impact driver provdies less torque with high RPM. An 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 both are different. The impact driver is used for driving screws and takes hex-shaped screw bits for that purpose. An impact wrench is used to tighten and loosen nuts and takes a square-shaped bit.
Do I need an impact driver or a wrench?
- The impact driver used for driver screws, and it takes hex-shaped screws. While an impact wrench is used for loosening or tightening nuts and taking a square-shaped bit.
What is an impact wrench used for?
- Impact wrenches are used when strong rotational motions are needed, like Tyre change and loosening of wheel bolts and nuts. in Metal construction, Screwing long threaded screws into metal. DIY projects used for Screwing long screws into wood, e.g. in patio construction.
What is a stronger impact wrench or impact driver?
- The impact wrench provides 7 times higher power to the impact driver. But this power of wrench can cause damage when used for home, like overtightening short screw
Can an impact driver remove screws?
- Yes, it is best for high-torque applications, like driving deck screws.
Can impact wrench damage bolts?
- Impact wrench increases the risk of over-tightening fitting and stretching the bolt, stripping both, and flat-out breaking the bolt.
When not to use an impact driver?
- Impact drivers are best for accurate work, they do not work well with short screws or soft material such as softwood. and not best for drilling holes.
Can an impact wrench remove rusted bolts?
- Yes,an impact wrench will break bolts
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?
- Rotation works in 2 steps forward, one step back pattern and bursts of impact occur about 50 times per second when the driver faces resistance.
- This function makes impact drivers more effective at driving in fasteners than drills
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?
- A hammer drill is used to drill in hard surfaces such as cement and concert and an impact driver is used to connect and remove bolts and screws. Both are high-power tools but work on different processes.
Do you need both an impact driver and a drill?
- Mostly of automobile fasteners impact drive is best to use. Drill can also do work, and it is 2nd option that impacts the driver.
Is an impact driver the same as a hammer drill?
- Both are differnt
- The hammer drill is used to drill into hard surfaces such as cement and concrete and the impact driver is used to connect and remove bolts and screws. Both are high-power but different devices..
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