Another Impact Driver/Wrench Question

[jseklund]

Alright, many of you probably have noticed that brevity is not my forte, so I'm going to TRY to keep this short. A 14.4V Cordless Hammerdrill and Impact Driver Kit was given to me as a gift yesterday from my parents in exchange for helping them fix some things on my mom's car. I do some work on cars, and obviously am starting to do some woodworking.

I already have a drill, but the hammerdrill is an nice addition. The purchase was really for the Impact Driver with the drill as a bonus.

My research has confused me, and I'm not sure what I should really be going for- an Impact Wrench or an Impact Driver. It appears that the Driver is THE best tool for driving screws/bolts. However, the Wrench seems like it would be superior to everything at REMOVING stuck bolts. I really wanted the Impact Wrench so that I could remove the stuck bolts I come across here and there (maybe about 5-10 times a year).

So I'm torn, should I return this and get the Impact Wrench? Or should I keep it? My thoughts are:

- The Impact Driver will be VERY useful at driving screws, which I will probably be doing more often with the woodworking hobby. It may be able to get by as a tool for removing the stuck screws I mentioned seeing in cars when they DO pop up. I.e.- It would be good as a full time drive and could sub as a part tiem impact wrench with lower torque. I know it wouldn't REALLY be as good in the wrench application, but it's only here and there that I'd need it.

- The impact wrench would be superior to unlocking bolts/screws- but not useful in driving like the ID. While it may not be used as much, it may save me A LOT of headache when I do need it.

What would you do? Would you return the ID and get the IW? Or would you keep the IW? Why?

Thanks for the help!

[Thom2]

In the cordless world, they're essentially the same units with a different drive nose. I have the Makita 14.4 ID that I use with a 1/4 hex > square drive adapter. The Makita is rated at over 90 ft lbs. which is more than enough for most applications including some that you would use a 1/2" drive on.

I originally bought mine with the mindset that I'd only drive screws with it and it wouldn't see much use. I quickly learned how wrong I was once I stuck a 1/4" socket adapter in it. I reach for this tool CONSTANTLY now, and more often for nuts and bolts than for screws (probably 10 to 1).

I say go with the ID, it's much easier to work around the adapter for sockets than it would be to work around adapting an IW to use 1/4" hex bits. For the really heavy stuff, NOTHING is gonna beat pneumatics.

[TheRic]

First off I will tell you that I do not have an impact wrench, so what I say you can take with a grain of salt, since I can not compare one to the other. I'm going to take it that you do know the difference with the ID VS IW on the chuck, so I won't talk about that.

Since I got my impact driver (Ridgid 18V) I love it. I hardly every reach for any other drill. I have gotten pretty good at driving screws of all sizes into things of varying toughness. I seem to have more control than using a regular drill with a clutch. The only thing I use my drill for is to drill a hole.

I have used my impact driver many of times to get bolts in/out, getting screws (even somewhat stripped ones) out is a breeze. Not sure how tight the bolts are you are talking about, but I have removed some tough bolts, even broke the head off of one trying to remove it. I have driven some bolts into concrete, and stopped affraid I would take the head off. I like to hand tighten bolts anyway, you get a better feel for how tight it really is.

I did play around once and took my ID to a bolt I had already had pretty tight, it got it tighter. Didn't want to go further, since I was afraid I was going to break the head off.

I think you would get more use out of the impact driver. I would not be to worried about something that happens a few times a year. Since the impact driver is better than a drill at this, that count probably will come down, maybe to nothing.

Another thing to take into count is the voltage. The higher voltages should give you a higher torque, all other things being the same.

Beside you don't want to hurt your parents feelings.

[jseklund]

Thom and Ric, thanks for the responses. You have caused me to open up my new kit and start charging the batteries. I was thinking that the Impact Driver may be a more useful tool overall, and could be a possible solution to the same problems the Impact Wrench would handle on a less than frequent basis.

Thom- I hadn't thought about the pneumatic issue. You're right, if I want really heavy duty, I don't want cordless anyway.

Ric- Thanks for the feedback on the power. I started thinking more, and it's a Dewalt 14.4V- which has approx. 129 foot-pounds of torque. That's more than any bolt should be tightened down in a car. Now, most of the bolts I'm talking about are locked due to rust or something, but PB Blaster and this should be a good team in that case. If not...I have an excuse for buying a new tool.

I think the impact driver will work on the cars 90% of the time and provide a more useful everyday tool for driving- so I'm keeping them. Thanks again guys.

[ChrisD]

More info on this, in case you still need it: http://www.dewalt.com/us/articles/ar...ordless&ID=899

Also, the latest FWW reviewed a $30 chuck by DeWalt designed for ID's.

[lcm1947]

Now that was a worthwhile read ChrisD. Thanks.

[ChrisD]

You're welcome, Mac. One of these days, this forum -- with the help of that little article -- will push me off the fence and onto one of 'em screw-drivin' monsters.