when to use a hammer drill vs impact drill

Since the weight of any tool over an extended period of time is enough to tire any user, keep in mind that on average impact drivers are nearly 50 percent lighter and 35 percent smaller than drill/drivers. In the case of an impact driver, internal mechanics help prevent torque from reflecting back into the user, an action commonly known as “torque reaction.” The impact driver traditionally requires less effort and only one hand to control. In these situations, especially after heavy use, most users become fatigued in their arm or wrist.

To deliver direct torque in larger fastening applications, a drill/driver requires the user to brace the tool or utilize a side-assist handle to help prevent it from rotating out of control.

of torque at about 1,500 rotations per minute (RPM) with permanently engaged gears for high-speed hole drilling or driving simple fasteners. Striking at 3,200 blows per minute (BPM), this action is the driver behind the tool’s high torque output.Īn impact driver’s hammer and anvil system only engages when additional torque is needed, making it a versatile tool for all types of fastening applications.Ī drill/driver powers a constant 550 in/lbs. The motor-driven, spring-loaded hammer rotates against the anvil and strikes the sides of the anvil, which turns along with the hex chuck holding the bit. Referred to as the hammer and anvil system, the power train is made up of the two namesake components.

While an impact driver may appear similar to a drill/driver, it stands on its own with a strong power-train system that delivers nearly three-times more torque – up to 1,350 in/lbs. The key to a cordless impact driver is torque.

When to use a hammer drill vs impact drill