Small Tools, Serious Power: The Complete Guide to Impact Drivers

Need a powerful, high-torque, and compact tool for working with large fasteners and fixings? Impact drivers may look similar to drills, but they generate more force and have a hammering mechanism when driving even the biggest fasteners. They’re the go-to power tools for roofing and flooring applications, building furniture, installing indoor or outdoor lighting and in demanding woodworking projects, such as backyard patios and fences. 

Impact Drivers – What They Are and How They Work 

In short, a user-friendly and powerful impact driver is a tool used for driving fasteners. They’re exceptionally efficient and fast when driving hex bolts, lag bolts and large screws in concrete, wood and other hard materials. 

And they do this with much more torque of drills almost twice their size, using the power of efficient brushless motors and a hammer and an anvil mechanism. The hammer spins dozens of times each second, moving the anvil in a two-step forward, one-step back pattern to create significant torque (and hammering sound) when driving larger fasteners and fixings. 

Compared to Drills and Impact Wrenches 

While similar to drills, impact drivers differ in several key areas. These tools are designed to drive fasteners, while drills are designed to bore holes. Impact drivers are essentially powered screwdrivers with the benefit of an impact mechanism for increased drive torque. There are also obvious size and design differences. 

These tools more compact, use a 1’4″ hex head collet compared to cylindrical drill chucks, rotate at slightly slower RPMs, but muster up to 300Nm of torque or roughly 10 times more than a regular drill. They take hex shank bits that connect to screws and fasteners with different head types, including slotted, square, Torx, Phillips and more. And can double as drills when fitted with compatible hex-head impact-rated drill bits. 

Impact wrenches are heavier, bigger and more powerful and use square socket bits for tightening or fastening nuts and bolts. Another difference is the power source. While there are cordless impact wrenches, most mechanics prefer pneumatic wrenches. Lastly, impact wrenches generate even more torque, but turn at lower speeds, creating a recognisable whizzing sound we’re accustomed to in lightning-fast pitstop wheel changes. 

Common Uses of Impact Drivers 

The hammering rotational force of impact drivers makes them the ideal tool to drive longer screws or larger fasteners in hard surfaces like concrete, brick, metal and wood. Carpenters, woodworkers, plumbers, roofers, electricians and furniture makers use impact drivers for installing flooring or roofing, building cabinets and shelves, in larger woodworking projects such as installing decking and patios, fitting lighting fixtures to ceilings and walls, installing plumbing fittings and fixtures, building fences and sheds and other tasks that require joining with fasteners. The tools are also common when removing stuck or rusted screws and bolts. 

With the right bits, impact drivers can also drill larger holes. They are, however, outmatched by drills for precision and speed, especially when working with smaller fasteners. With a wrench attachment tool, drivers also double as impact wrenches, though they lack the higher torque and power of full-blown impact wrenches. Still, the versatility is there if you need it. 

Key Benefits 

• High torque –  cordless impact driver drills from professional-grade brands such as Festool, Makita, DeWalt and Milwaukee average around 200Nm of torque. This is enough to drive the largest fasteners, or remove even the most stubborn stuck screws. Standard drills from the same average 30 to 40Nm, and will struggle to do the same job, before they start to overheat. 
• Efficiency and speed – if your primary task is driving fasteners of any size, then a decent impact driver gets the job done faster and with less hassle. 
• Less kickback – the unique impact mechanism significantly reduces kickback, or the risk of sudden or unintentional movement in the tool or workpiece. Kickback is responsible for flying debris (metal or wood chips), sparks, jolting and potential injuries. This is more common with drills. 
• Fewer stripped screws – stripped fasteners are those with damaged slots in the drive head. Since they deliver their torque in intermittent bursts, there’s less risk of damaging stuck fasteners than there is with a drill. 
• Low weight and compact designs – impact drivers are easy to handle (with no wrist strain), extremely lightweight and have a very small footprint. They don’t take up too much space in toolboxes and are extremely useful in confined spaces. 

Why Have the Festool TID 18 on Your Shopping List? 

High-end German specialist power tool brand Festool is known for its build quality, exceptional engineering, unmatched performance and longevity and integrated solutions that increase efficiency, workplace safety and productivity, The company’s cordless TID 18 impact driver is the ideal woodworking and carpenter’s tool, fitted with a long list of performance features, including a three-speed adjustable brushless motor, 180Nm of usable torque, and a separate T-mode for self-tapping screws. The ergonomic handle sits snug in the hand, with overall weight limited to just 950 grams -ideal for all-day use in tight spaces. 

Powered by a 4.0Ah battery that’s also compatible with other Festool power tools, the TID features a kickback-free tangential hammer mechanism for precise work and reduced fatigue, low operational noise levels, a keyless 1/4′ holder for quick bit changes, integrated bit storage and LED lighting. And Festool’s famed Systainer storage system in stainless steel when storing or transporting your tools. Get it separately, or pair it with the T18 drill driver or TPC hammer driver with additional batteries and a charger for all-around versatility in any drilling job.