General contractor Tom Silva shows host Kevin O’Connor the differences between impact drivers and drills before explaining when to use one or the other.
How Drills Work
A power drill is used to drill holes into materials or drive a few fasteners. They have an adjustable chuck that clamps down on a wide range of drivers and bits and an electric motor that drives the chuck. They typically have adjustable settings, allowing users to regulate the torque.
How Impact Drivers Work
Impact drivers are similar in theory, as they can be used for drilling or driving, and they also have an electric motor that spins the chuck. However, they have a ¼-inch hex collet, which means they can only use bits with a six-sided base that snaps into the chuck. Also, Impact drivers have anvils inside that strike the chuck, providing short bursts of power for long fasteners and dense materials and preventing slipping.
How to Use Them
A drill should be used when drilling holes into materials and driving just a few fasteners. When switching between bits, an impact driver is more handy. Also, impact drivers should be used for driving fasteners into dense materials like engineered lumber.
Can Both Drill and Drive?
Yes, both tools can be used for drilling and driving. However, an impact driver can only accept hex-bit bases and should only be used with impact-ready bits. Drills can be used with just about any bit as long as they fit in the chuck.
