Home DIY

Do I need an impact driver? If so thoughts?

https://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-dcf787n-xj-18v-li-ion-xr-brushless-cordless-impact-driver-bare/437gt

(I have a dewalt cordless drill already)

I’m pretty sure this is what I borrowed:
https://www.toolstation.com/qep-diamond-wheel-wet-tile-cutter/p10565

Not sure how it would hold up for a commercial job but I made 40 cuts in next to no time, with zero chips.

I don't have that model but I have an impact driver (makita) and I can't believe I went as long as I did without one. Depends how much time you spend screwing things. If its just for the odd job here and there a drill driver will do the job. For any kind of construction though for that price it would be daft not to

Impact drivers let you drive things with far more power and less strain on your wrists.

Impact driver changed my life
Impact driver showed me the way
"Do be good; don't be bad"
Thank you, impact driver!
"Do be happy; don't be sad"
Thank you, impact driver!
And if you want to have a better day,
You must listen to what de impact driver say!

And you can unscrew pedals in literally a second.

That's a very good tool at a very good price.

I know you've got the drill already but do you have 2 battery packs? I only ask because it's very useful to be able to pilot and screw without changing bits and batteries.

Cheers all. So the specs all make sense for the £s then?

Max. Torque: 170Nm
6.35mm Hex Tool Holder
Variable Speed

@Bobbo - yes, two batteries one charger.

That's what attracted me to it.

I know it's not apples and apples, but it's half the price of the equivalent Milwaukee or Makita ones from what I can see (obvs at sale price).

🥔

big up George's song

The only DeWalt tools I've ever owned are these:

So can't offer opinion about ownership of the impact driver but I have used it and it's good.

Impact drivers are great, you can also get adaptors that allow you to use sockets on them, well worth the £7

Careful with those, I’ve seen chrome sockets split/shatter and it can be quite violent.

Edit: as in there are proper sockets for use with impact drivers, don’t use the standard ones.

Yes, I only use high quality impact sockets, so adapter will break long before the socket

Mine is 175Nm which was enough to drive concrete screws 15cm deep.

“Just going to give it a light scrape before repainting”

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New piece cut and test fitted, ready to fix on tomorrow, then I’ll almost be back at the point where I started yesterday...

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Anyone got any inspiration to share for a neat method of having a desk/work space in an alcove?

Won't be my main work area so don't need a ton of space, just want something built-in rather than an ill-fitting desk/bureau. If anyone has the same and put together a Pinterest of it feel free to share. Ta

Grumpy frog LOL

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My study, a long long time ago (the last time it was tidy, I think.) Every plant in this picture is now dead.

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Hahaha. Seems a shame to mortar the gap now.

That's a game changer

Reckon I'd be able to get wheel nuts off a car with these and a 175Nm impact driver?

In theory, yes, but an impact wrench is the proper tool for the job (1/2 inch square drive, not 1/4 inch hex).

Bosch do an impact driver that takes both 1/2 inch square and 1/4 inch hex:

https://www.powertoolworld.co.uk/bosch-gdx-18-v-180-impact-driver-wrench-body-only-no-box?gclid=CjwKCAiA_f3uBRAmEiwAzPuaMyif3WEoRN_EcWFWMNrLvkjokvrsM9LgHl7TWC5IgzPJT5mWOdxyiRoCofYQAvD_BwE

But like all tools that try to do too many things it's too torquey for an impact driver but not torquey enough as an impact wrench.

As others have said, an impact wrench is the right tool, but I have used a driver in the past at a push. Where it does come really useful is for things like hex head screws in wood.

And it’s on the heavier end for an impact driver. Less of an issue for small jobs, but annoying if you’ve got it in your hand all day.