I made a major change this summer. It’s one that is making my life so much less stressful. Yes, I made the change to 20-volt cordless impact drivers by DeWalt.
I fought hard against it, thinking my 18-volt Ryobi drill was just fine. But heck, what a difference. Today’s impact drivers are amazing. (I know, I’m late to the party.) I’ve used hammer drills for years for drilling in concrete and masonry. They make a tough job easier with their hammer-like impact that is part of the drilling motion.
Most of us recognize impact drivers as the pneumatic-powered tools – with their rat-a-tat sound – that are used to loosen and tighten lug nuts on our vehicle wheels. Well, it turns out that same repetitive impact is great for quickly driving in (or removing) screws in wood or metal. You don’t have to press hard at all, just enough to keep the drill bit seated in the screw. You also don’t have to “wince” as you use all your strength to push in. Screws with whatever kind of driving head – star, hex, Phillips, square – just go in with ease when you use an impact driver.
One note of caution: Ouch! These powerful tools drive quickly into fingers and hands, so be sure to take care and keep the bit seated.
The DeWalt version I used runs $159 in a kit at Home Depot that also includes a charger, two batteries and a two-speed drill/driver. All the major tool brands make the impact drivers these days, so you have a lot to choose from in price and product.
They will make a great impact on your life.
