What To Look For in an Impact Driver
The impact driver is one of the most powerful tools available for overcoming resistance when driving screws or bolts into hard materials or for tightening or loosening rusted bolts. It uses clever onboard technology that can sense resistance, and then apply rotational force and hammer action to get the job done.
Most impact drivers are cordless, but there are corded impact drivers and pneumatic versions too. The best cordless impact drivers have brushless motors, but having a brushless motor is in no way essential.
Impact drivers are relatively lightweight, weighing around 1kg, have a ÂĽ” collet, and can deliver well over 3,000 ipm (impacts/beats per minute). Maximum torque ratings can be over 200Nm, around 3 times that of a drill driver or combi drill.
Although there are no torque settings, some impact drivers come with an integrated clutch. This is useful because it can be engaged if you think you are going to over-tighten a screw, on account of more torque being delivered. More expensive models may have more than one gear. LED lights are also very handy.
I’ve heavily researched and tested the best impact drivers available so read on to see what I discovered.