Drill Vs. Impact Driver

Drill and impact drivers are essential and handy tools to have around the home. Both tools perform the same basic function i.e., driving (or loosening) bolts, screws and other fasteners into different surface materials.

Identification

Drill and impact drivers are powered, hand-held tools that consist of a handle, main body, switch buttons and bits for different applications. Except for their functional differences, most hand-held drill and impact drivers are more or less similar in overall appearance.

Background

Drill drivers have been in use much before the advent of the impact driver. However, some functional limitations of the former led to the development of the latter, with the addition of an innovative, rapid and repetitive "concussion-blow" function for added convenience.

Function

Drill drivers are more suitable for drilling applications, while impact drivers are ideal for driving fasteners into harder surfaces and loosening those that are extra tight and unyielding that drill drivers cannot.

Torque

Impact drivers deliver virtually double the torque of standard drill drivers. Most impact driver models deliver in excess of 1000 pound-feet torque to a bolt or screw head, while standard drill drivers can only deliver between 400 and 600 pound-feet.

Expert Insight

Drill drivers are suitable for standard, drilling applications that do not require powerful force. Impact drivers are not suitable for drilling applications.

References

• Drill Infomation