Impact drivers

Considering getting myself one of these as a little treat. Currently have a rechargeable Li-ion combi and an SDS hammer for the bigger jobs

I do the usual DIY stuff, nothing fancy and no major project coming up. Am I likely to notice any benefit over a decent drill/driver for the odd DIY job, or is an impact driver mainly of use for larger jobs where saving time is really important?

Also – are they really mega loud? One of the spec sheets (Makita I think) was quoting 106db!

Ta muchly 🙂

Also – are they really mega loud?

Yes. They have their benefits but for DIY / domestic settings I don’t use them as I think the noise is too intrusive – the sound of the machine itself and the fact that its rattling the fabric of the house means it really intrudes on neighbours.

If theres anything you’re failing to do with you current drill driver then theres a case for one but really they do the same thing- drive screws in – a bit quicker and weigh a bit less. If you’re getting through 1000s of screws a day then that speed and lightness is worthwhile but otherwise the benefit is fairly marginal.

They are better at putting screws in, less chance of slipping and less force required by the user, but not essential. If I’m popping screws in then its the tool I grab but I could live without it. They are noisy. Very noisy. Don’t tend to notice when using it but when someone else uses it I then remember. Might annoy neighbours or housemates

I would second the above. I am a DIYer but doing up a whole house so I bought a £400 DeWalt twin pack brushless 18v drill/driver and impact driver.

I reckon if you’re just doing the odd job around the house a quality cordless drill driver and leave it at that. The impact driver comes into its own if you have to do loads of screws, or screw big screws in repeatedly. The way they work means the screw heads don’t strip and they have loads more torque so can put huge screws in without damaging the screw head.

Mine has 3 settings the lowest of which was great for putting plasterboard screws in.

You also don’t have to keep swapping over from drill to screwdriver bit which is nice, and the unit is smaller so you can get it in places the drill/driver won’t go.

The noise I thought wasn’t a great issue. If you’re using power tools it isn’t going to be quiet anyway.

Love my Makita impact drivers. I have a small 7.2v one and a bigger LXT 18V brushless thing. Much easier for putting screws into anything.

No need for one going on your description of usage .
If you need to buy something you might need in the future – buy a corded
multitool like a fein multitalent – it is a really useful sander and the multitool cutting will get you out of trouble one day – forget battery tools
for infrequent use – batteries will be useless when you need them – and a corded tool will last 20 years not 3.

The noise I thought wasn’t a great issue. If you’re using power tools it isn’t going to be quiet anyway.

But with an impact the quietest of the power tool jobs becomes the loudest. It however depends totally on where ‘DIY’ is for you an a sliding scale between Flatpack assembly and back-to-the-bricks refurbishment though.

Thanks all – looks like it’s a bit unnecessary for what I’ll use it for.

OTOH – That Fein Multitalent looks a nice bit of kit – will do some research 😀

I like mine, but yes they’re pretty loud. Brilliant for the heavier duty stuff, driving big long screws with very little effort. Anything too small or fine and it can be way too much, and with no clutch you need to careful to not drive things in too far.

My wife bought me a little Bosch Ixo a few years ago, that gets used a lot for general household stuff, surprisingly powerful and fits in small spaces. You can get an adjustable clutch, right-angle heads, etc for it. If you’re driving smaller screws most of the time than it’s a better accompaniment to a drill than an impact driver IMO. Just use the combi drill for the bigger stuff and put up with switching bits.

Best DIY tool there is, wouldn’t be without one.