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Have you ever tried to manually drive a screw into a dense piece of wood? If so, you probably spent almost an hour trying to get it all the way in. Imagine if you had to manually drive in tens, hundreds, or even thousands of screws. It would take days; probably weeks. Fortunately there is a power tool that allows you to drive screws in mere seconds. This power tool is known as an impact driver.
Impact drivers are gun-shaped power tools which are designed to drive screws into dense wood upon immediate contact. They allow you to perform a typically-strenuous task with as little effort as possible.
What exactly is an Impact Driver?
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To put it simply, an impact driver is a power tool which is capable of quickly driving screws into dense woods and metals. Using a combination of intense rotation and quick, sudden forward exertion, it takes all the effort out of driving in screws.
Impact drivers are typically constructed out of hard, durable plastic, but sometimes also possess metals for added durability. Light and hand-held, they’re beyond easy to pick up and transport to any construction site.
What are the Benefits of an Impact Driver?
While you could certainly drive screws through sheer manual, physical force, it would essentially take all day to drive just a few dozen. An impact driver can completely drive in a screw in a matter of seconds.
Impact drivers differ from typical drills in that they do a much better job of keeping screws fastened evenly in place. This lessens the chance of stripping screws and destroying wood, making them more consistent and efficient overall.
Who are the Contenders for Best Impact Driver?
Milwaukee 2753-20 M18
Powered by a rechargeable, 18-volt, lithium-ion battery, this Milwaukee impact driver supplies you with plenty of cord-free power to get any type of job done. With a durable plastic construction, it weighs in at just 2.2 pounds, allowing you to comfortably hold it with either one or two hands. Equipped with adjustable settings, it can adjust its torque to deal with different wood densities.
DEWALT DCD995M2 20-Volt Max XR
Powered by an enlarge, 20-volt, rechargeable, lithium-ion battery, this DeWalt impact driver lasts 33% longer than typical battery-powered impact drivers. Made out of tough, textured plastic, metal, and rubber, and sporting an additional handle bar for grip, it is about as easy to handle as any impact driver you’re going to find. Equipped with three different torque speeds, it can be adjusted to accommodate the particular wood you’re drilling into.
Craftsman C3 19.2-Volt
Sporting a 24-position adjustable clutch, this Craftsman impact driver can change its torque power to accommodate a number of different wood densities. Powered by a rechargeable 19.2-volt lithium-ion battery, it’s powerful enough and capable enough to meet any task regardless of where you are. Constructed out of tough plastic and rubber, it’s built to withstand a great deal of wear and tear.
Considerations for Choosing the Right Impact Driver
From a purely visual perspective, all impact drivers appear to be just about the same. They’re gun-shaped power tools made out of plastic, metal, and other heavy-duty materials. However, when you start to look at impact drivers a little closer, you start to see the small details that separate the good impact drivers from the bad ones. But what exactly should you look for when examining a new impact driver? There are a few things that must be considered. These things include the impact driver’s power source, the amount of power it possesses, its overall construction, and how easy it is to use.
Power Source
For the most part, impact drivers are powered in one of two ways; either by a rechargeable battery, or by electricity straight from a power outlet. While both power sources provide superb performance, battery-powered drivers are more portable as they can be used anywhere they need to be taken.
Power
Different impact drivers are capable of supplying different amounts of power. Most impact drivers possess somewhere between 15 and 20 volts of power, with some falling below and above that range. It’s important to make sure that the driver you purchase is powerful enough to suit all of your needs.
Construction
Because it’s a construction tool, your impact driver is likely going to be around a number of heavy-duty materials. In order to withstand the wear and tear from these materials, it’s going to need to have excellent construction. While impact drivers are made of plastic and metal, the ideal impact driver is made out of tough, durable metal.
Ease of Use
For the most part, impact drivers are fairly simple power tools to operate. However, there are some on the market which can cause trouble due to excess safety locks, poor construction, and power source restrictions. Make sure you’re comfortable with your desired impact driver before making a final purchase.
Power Source
Milwaukee 2753-20 M18
Powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, this Milwaukee impact driver is capable of being used anywhere as long as it’s got a sufficient charge. Unfortunately, it does not come with a battery included. A battery must be purchased separately.
DEWALT DCD995M2 20-Volt Max XR
Like the Milwaukee impact driver in our top 3, this DeWalt impact driver is powered by a rechargeable, lithium-ion battery. This battery possesses 33% more energy than standard batteries of its voltage, providing you with even more continuous use time.
Craftsman C3 19.2-Volt
When it comes to its power source, this Craftsman impact driver is very similar to the DeWalt and Milwaukee impact drivers in our top 3. It’s powered by a rechargeable, lithium-ion battery which allows for ultimate power and freedom.
Power
DEWALT DCD995M2 20-Volt Max XR
Supplying up to 20 volts of power, this DeWalt impact driver is the most powerful of all impact drivers in our top 3. Whether you’re working on wood, metal, or plastic materials, this driver is beyond powerful enough to get the job done.
Craftsman C3 19.2-Volt
Falling just between the DeWalt and Milwaukee impact drivers in our top 3, this Craftsman impact driver supplies 19.2 volts of power. This makes it a great driver for driving and removing screws from wood, metal, and plastic.
Milwaukee 2753-20 M18
While it doesn’t supply quite as much voltage as the DeWalt and Craftsman impact drivers in our top 3, this Milwaukee impact driver is still plenty powerful. Supplying up to 18 volts, it drives and removes screws effortlessly from all types of wood.
Construction
Milwaukee 2753-20 M18
Made out of equal parts steel, plastic, and rubber, this Milwaukee impact driver is easy to handle, yet as durable as any impact drive you’re going to find. Weighing in at just 2.2 pounds, it’s easy to pick up and transport from place to place.
DEWALT DCD995M2 20-Volt Max XR
Constructed out of steel, rubber, and plastic, this DeWalt impact driver is as durable as any impact driver you’re going to find. Equipped with two separate handles and weighing in at just over 4 pounds, it allows for maximum handle and control.
Craftsman C3 19.2-Volt
When it comes to its overall construction, this Craftsman impact driver is right on par with the DeWalt and Milwaukee impact drivers in our top 3. Made out of steel, plastic, and rubber, and weighing in at around 5 pounds, it’s both supremely durable and ridiculously easy to handle.
Ease of Use
Milwaukee 2753-20 M18
As far as ease of use goes, this Milwaukee impact driver is as good as any impact driver you’re going to find. You simply push down on the trigger, allowing you to drive and loosen screws with the use of just one hand.
DEWALT DCD995M2 20-Volt Max XR
While this DeWalt impact driver is fairly easy to use, it is not quite as user intuitive as the Milwaukee impact drive in our top 3. Though it can drive in and remove screws at incredible speeds with minimal effort, it struggles to act as a steady screwdriver.
Craftsman C3 19.2-Volt
Sporting a 24-position clutch, this Craftsman impact driver can be set at different speeds with the turn of your wrist. By simpling pushing down on the trigger, you can drive and remove screws with ease.
Conclusion: Our Impact Driver Reviews
BLACK+DECKER LDX120C – Best Cheap
Though it’s certainly not the best impact driver on the market today, this Black & Decker impact drive is a great power tool at an affordable price. With 11 different clutch positions, it can adjust its torque to accommodate different densities of wood, metal, and plastic, Sporting a rechargeable, 20-volt, lithium-ion battery, it provides powerful, cord-free driving capabilities regardless of where you need to use it. Looking for a great impact driver at a bargain price? You should definitely consider this one.
Pros:
- 11 different clutch positions
- Powered by 20-volt lithium-ion battery
- Possesses durable metal, rubber, and plastic construction
Cons:
- A little underpowered for some purposes
Craftsman C3 19.2-Volt – Best for the Money
Perhaps you’re looking for a high-end impact driver, but don’t want to spend the absolute maximum amount of money that one might cost. If so, you might consider this impact driver by Craftsman. Capable of 250 pounds of torque, it possesses a 24-position clutch which allows you to adjust for woods, metals, and plastics of different densities. With a tough, contoured rubber, metal, and plastic construction, it’s as easy to handle as any impact driver you’re going to find. If you’re looking for the best impact driver for the money, this is it.
Pros:
- 250 pounds of torque
- Possesses a 24-position clutch
- As easy to handle as any impact driver you’re going to find
Cons:
- No major cons to speak of
Milwaukee 2753-20 M18 – Best Overall
While it’s certainly up for debate, in our opinion, this Milwaukee impact driver is the best impact drive you’re going to find. Made of heavy-duty plastic, metal, and rubber, and weighing in at just 2.2 pounds, it is beyond easy to handle. Powered by a rechargeable, 18-volt, lithium-ion battery, it’s provides powerful, cord-free performance regardless of where you need to use it. Looking for the best impact driver around? You should definitely give this one a look.
Pros:
- Ridiculously easy to handle
- As powerful as any impact driver you’re going to find
- Long-lasting battery duration
Cons:
- No cons to speak of
In Summary
If you’re a carpenter, maintenance man, or just have a need for driving a great deal of screws, an impact driver is just the thing you need. There is no faster and more effortless way of driving screws into wood, plastic, or wood.
Durable and easy-to-handle tools like the Milwaukee 2753-20 M18 Fuel 1/4 Hex Imp Driver provide superb, powerful, cord-free performance regardless of what you’re driving screws into. Don’t spend days trying to drive screws. Invest in a high-quality impact driver to drive them in for you.