Impact or non-impact screwdriver: what to choose and in what case

The main feature that distinguishes a screwdriver from a drill is its compactness and the ability to operate autonomously. Just a few years ago, the operating time of the device without recharging was relatively short, but today, after the advent of more capacious and energy-efficient batteries, manufacturers were able to significantly increase the mobility of screwdrivers and provide them with new functions. One of them is the impact mechanism. What is better - an impact or non-impact screwdriver, and what criteria should you use to choose this tool?

Rating of the best impact and non-impact screwdrivers

Kinds

Before classifying impact screwdrivers, you need to understand the division of tools into drills and screwdrivers. The former are equipped with drills for making holes, while the latter can additionally screw in fasteners. If a tool allows the use of different types of attachments, it receives a compound name, for example, “drill-driver.”

According to the method of power supply, electric and pneumatic tools are distinguished. But the latter are extremely rare and are used only in specialized enterprises (tire fitting, service stations). Therefore, we can assume that all screwdrivers are electric.

According to the type of connection, electric screwdrivers are divided into mains and cordless. The former are lightweight and convenient for use at home. Battery-powered models are indispensable when working on sites without the ability to connect to an electrical outlet.

Differences between an impact screwdriver and a non-impact screwdriver, advantages and disadvantages

An impact screwdriver has advantageous advantages over its non-impact counterpart:

1. Such a screwdriver makes not only circular, but also reciprocating movements, thanks to which it can drill in brickwork, concrete and hard wood.
2. Increased load resistance thanks to the robust spindle.
3. The tool is capable of pulling out even screws with worn edges or a damaged cross.

However, the impact screwdriver also has flaws:

• rapid wear of the pusher mechanism (especially in budget models);
• shock mode affects the speed of operation and increases the noise level during use;
• The use of jaw chucks and torque limiting clutches is excluded.

What to choose and in what case?

For professional work, the best choice would be powerful impact screwdrivers from Bosch, Makita, Einhell, DWT and other well-known brands. They will not let you down in construction and repair, and will help cope with damaged or outdated threaded connections. It is better to give preference to models with a high spindle speed and a capacious battery.

At the same time, for home use you should pay attention to cheaper models. The same companies offer entry-level non-impact tools; in addition, good impact and non-impact screwdrivers can be found from domestic manufacturers and Chinese brands, for example, Zenit, Vityaz, Intertool, Sigma.

Ultimately, the only thing you need to know for sure before choosing any tool is where, for what and under what conditions it will be used. Based on this, it is easy to choose a model that will fully satisfy all your requirements.

Areas of application

The fundamental difference between impact models and standard ones is their compatibility with other devices. You can use a hole saw in parallel, and also replace the functions of a conventional drill to drill holes using special attachments.

An impact screwdriver is needed for minor repairs, fastening parts, and for drilling particularly durable surfaces. Many professional workers appreciate the lightness and compactness of impact models. At high rotation speeds of the drill, there is no damage to either the screws themselves or the fasteners. Manufacturers and stores offer a wide range of models, which allows you to choose a tool at a low price, which will help out both with minor household repairs and with active use in the workshop.

Drill

The main function of a drill is drilling. However, if there is speed and reverse adjustment (and most models now have them), it can also be used as a screwdriver.

However, they lack any mechanism to automatically prevent the bat from falling off.

Often, when tightening a self-tapping screw with a drill, its head may be excessively sunk into the material, or the slots of the bit will rotate in the head, which can cause them to be torn off.

Therefore, here you have to rely only on your hands and head.

According to the drill, the verdict will be as follows. Buy it if you plan to mainly drill. But keep in mind that sometimes it can also be used as a screwdriver - after all, this is in any case more convenient than turning with a screwdriver.

Care Tips

If you purchased a battery-powered model, remember that the battery should always be in the disconnected position except during direct operation. In this case, the nickel-cadmium battery must be completely discharged before turning off the device, and then immediately put on charge. Among other things, it is also not capable of storing a charge for a long time even when idle, so sometimes it needs to be recharged, even if you have not used it.

In the next video you will find an overview of impact and non-impact screwdrivers: AEG BS12CS vs BSB12C2.

Operating rules

Using an impact driver will only be safe and most effective if done correctly. Obviously the first tip. Read the instructions before use, but there are other reasonable tips for use.

For example, if possible, do not set the equipment to maximum torque, because many fragile materials with a machined surface can simply be torn off this, and you will ruin the workpiece. In addition, working at maximum speeds wears out the tool, not to mention the fact that in this mode you need to hold it tightly, otherwise you can even get injured.

The operating modes, by the way, are described in the instructions for a reason. Each of them provides optimal settings for performing a given task, while for another it may not be suitable. So, drilling is required to make holes, and the screwdriver mode. Screwing in fasteners, when using them, on the contrary, efficiency decreases, but the risk of injury increases.

Always wear safety glasses and gloves, especially for delicate materials. When covering walls, make sure there are no electrical wires in advance. Please note that the continuous operation of the device is limited. If the attachment or any other device is noticeably warm, allow it to cool.

By the way, if drilling is not provided for in a particular screwdriver model, then it is better not to try to drill something with it. Such experiments often end in a burned out engine.

How is each of these tools different from the others?

The purpose of any drilling device is obvious. Make holes in various materials. Depending on the characteristics of the workpiece, drilling requires a certain amount of energy. Different types of drills make the operator's job easier, but there are more advanced ways to improve the tool's efficiency.

For example, to impart forward vibrations to the nozzle. Then the drill acts as a chisel or bolt. Moreover, with a classic drill, even with diamond coating, it is impossible to drill a hole in reinforced concrete in a short time and with one copy of the attachment.

What to look for when choosing?

If you want to purchase an impact screwdriver (corded or cordless), you need to pay attention to the factors that determine your choice. First of all, experts recommend identifying the scope of application of this equipment. If the master uses the device once or twice a year, you can give preference to simple models. Their cost will be less than that of more powerful equipment.

However, even for a one-time use of an impact driver, it is worth considering the future load. For example, when assembling a garage or other metal structure, you should not purchase the simplest, low-power devices. In this case, the work will take more time and effort. Also, experts do not advise purchasing the cheapest power tools from unknown manufacturers. Such equipment quickly breaks down.

If a master uses a tool in his professional activities, it is better to give preference to a more durable, powerful screwdriver. It will allow you to solve even complex repair problems. The cost of this equipment will be higher than that of simple models. But a screwdriver quickly pays for itself when carrying out repairs or other work at a professional level.

The work of a home craftsman or professional builder requires the use of special tools. It must be universal, allowing several actions to be performed using the same equipment when carrying out repairs. Among the electrical tools, one of the most popular is the screwdriver. It may have various additional qualities. These include the possibility of impact during operation of the mechanism. This expands the scope of the tool.

Users also note such a model as Ryobi R18PD-LL15S. The set includes 2 batteries. Thoughtful ergonomics allow you to work for a long time without hand fatigue. There are 2 speeds, which increases the range of capabilities of the presented device.

Characteristics

Knowing what work needs to be done, you can choose a drill according to the technical specifications. Let's look at them in more detail.

Motor power

The more powerful the electric motor, the more active and longer the drill operates, and the denser the obstacle it can overcome. It is suitable for drilling heavy structures, long continuous periods of work. The speed of rotation and the price of the product depend on the power of the motor. Those who are not financially constrained may decide that for domestic purposes, just in case, it is better to choose a model with a powerful engine, since you do not know in advance what you will need to do in everyday life. But such a tool will be quite heavy. When assembling furniture or doing home renovation work using a drill, the stress of a heavy tool can be felt very quickly. Therefore, it is better to choose the optimal option in terms of power and weight ratio.

Rotational speed

The more revolutions per second the drill makes, the faster it rotates, and the more intensively it produces holes. If you have to make a lot of small holes while working on various simple surfaces, a high rotation speed will come in handy. The rotation speed of hammerless drills is 2500-3500 rpm. The higher the intensity, the better, but sometimes it is necessary to reduce the speed; for these purposes, a speed regulator is provided.

Drill diameter and torque value

To extend the life of the electric motor, do not violate the specified drilling parameters. The instructions should indicate the maximum sizes of drills intended for materials of different densities. An unintended drill diameter and material strength will increase the load on the motor and may damage it. And the torque characteristic is also important, which determines the screwing of screws into materials of different densities. If a drill is also purchased for construction batches, you should choose a model with a higher torque.