Electric Screwdriver VS Impact Driver

Most of the power tools are versatile, like the hand drivers, which help drill holes in the wood, non-ferrous metals, steel, concrete, plastic, drywall, and more. They run different numbers of threaded very fast, from the wood screws to the drywall screws and the concrete screws.

In addition to drilling unique holes for the pocket screws, you can use them for the furniture makers. Also, you can use a driver to continue assembly by tightening the head of the bolt or nut. They are the unique drivers with the chisel setting to allow the tools to work on the percussion mode without rotation.

During the home improvement projects, the power drill becomes the standard tool you need to have. Knowing whether the electric screwdriver or the impact driver is the best tool for a particular job may not be a simple decision for those new to the power tools.

Impact Driver

The impact driver, for instance, is the upgraded version, which you need to consider when adding to the arsenal. It is the high torque tool, which is primarily used to tighten bolts and nuts and drive the screws.

If you’re a professional, this is the right tool because it has a wider application, for it has a more robust structure and is easier to screw dense and more rigid materials. Its chuck only accepts bits with the hex chunk, which is ¼ inches. You can pull on a chuck sleeve to insert the bit or simply slip a bit into a chuck.

This tool is smaller and lighter than other drivers, although it is not versatile and performs many functions that are the same. Because the torque is higher, it makes the job done faster. Generally, the impact driver combines the higher torque with the backward and forward movement to increase the driving force of a screw.

Electric Screwdriver

The electric screwdriver is considered the lighter option and is used more in DIY tasks. For example, when assembling the paper-covered furniture or to screw the soft materials.

Typically, it is equipped with the clutch, which disengages the driver’s drivetrain when it reaches a certain amount of torque. Disengaging the drivetrain at this point prevents mounting the fastener head from being snapped by removing the fastener or by driving the fastener directly on the wood.

The advantage of an electric screwdriver is its size because it is small to makes it suitable for spaces with difficult access. It allows you to access narrower places, such as behind the furnace or under the basement stairs. There is the motorized torque, which eliminates hand and wrist fatigue than when using the manual screwdriver, making it an ideal alternative to any screw driving project.

Electric screwdriver vs. Impact driver ( See The Difference )

Rotation Motion

The impact driver uses the same rotational motion, which the electric screw driver uses. Still, when driven with a screw, the impact driver also mixes with the hamming action: the sideways and the hammer down. This makes it easier to drive the screws into rigid materials and protect the drive bit against slipping off the head of the screw, tear the head and damage the screw.

Cordless & Corded Option

The electric screwdriver and impact driver comes in different kinds, mainly cordless and corded. Besides, the cordless impact driver does not require the cable to work, for the battery powers it. The important thing is that it can be used in different locations. Sometimes it has an integrated LED that allows you to work in dark places. This reduces the need for an extra flashlight when working on a particular project.

Cordless electric screwdriver, on the other hand, is particularly suitable for the furniture to assemble, as it allows unlimited movement between the various elements. Also, it is widely used when fixing the plasterboard or disassembling or assembling the auto body parts. However, the battery power must be enough to guarantee the torque needed for screwing.

Corded impact drivers generally have a higher output of the torque. The cable is often very short, requiring the need for the extension cord that can increase the cost and general inconvenience. Alternatively, the corded electric screwdriver is designed to operate with the single-phase power supply. The cord connected to the power supply may be restricted in length (access to different parts that need to be unscrewed and screwed) or any risk of accident when crossing the passage area. This corded electric screw driver is usually supplied with 32-40 volts DC from a control box.

Operation

If you have the impact driver, you will probably notice a loud and repetitive click when operating the screw. It is the sound of the hammer that will be heard during the action and happens dozens of times every second, depending on the speed of the screwdriver.

With the electric screwdriver, you will be required to apply more pressure to prevent a drive bit from sliding. However, the hamming action of the impact drive usually prevents this. All you need to do is use enough pressure to hold the screw in place. The impact driver is also great when removing stubborn bolts or screws when the direction of rotation is reversed. The hammer action makes it easier to remove the fasteners or over-tightened fasteners.

Precision drilling

When purchasing a percussion impact driver, it is crucial to know some minor drawbacks compared to an electric screwdriver. First, the impact driver is not used for precision drilling. The electric screwdriver always does a better job because you don’t want the hammering action when you are drilling. The electric screwdriver has the chuck, which is the device at the end of a drill, made of claws that can be opened and closed to accommodate the drill bits of different sizes. The impact driver, on the other hand, has a quick release sleeve that accepts the bits with only a ¼-inch hex shank. Typically, you can find the drill bit with the hex shanks, but they are rare.

Gear Options

The electric screwdriver also has two gears: a slower one with more torque to drive the screws and the second gear that drill holes faster. The impact driver has only one gear, so you need to be precise with a variable speed trigger when using the impact driver. The electric screwdriver has a clutch that looks like the built-in torque driver. You will be able to drive the screw without tightening it so hard that the material to prevent the blast. As an alternative, you can specify it as a number and when it reaches a specific torque, stop driving. The impact driver does not have a clutch, so you are at the mercy of your precision and strength.

Final verdict on Electric screwdriver vs. Impact driver

The electric screwdriver helps solve different household tasks; however if you want to make the most of them, use it safely and correctly. You need to consider the material into which the screw needs to be inserted.

For instance, what will be the plasterboard, MDF, or timber? Driving in different materials need different strengths, so think about that before you buy. The impact driver has additional force similar to the hammer drill; the screws can be tightened faster in the denser materials. Contrary to popular belief, the impact driver complements one another, so, if possible, it is good to have both tools in the toolbox.

 

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