You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Dewalt DCF787N - £49.99 at Screwfix
As is the Bosch equivalent.
I don't personally rate this driver. It's way too aggressive so useless for anything you can't properly press on to keep the bit in the screw. For example it's no good for plasterboarding whereas I've used other brands that made it easy. Shame, because I really like the equivalent drill. However, £50 is darn cheap...
Why the heck are you using an impact driver for plasterboard ? Impact drivers were originally for really long woodscrews, 100mm+
Because you get far less fatigue wanging in a load of plasterboard screws with an impact driver than you do with a drill. Your hand doesn't spend most of the time trying to resist the twist.
I spent ages thinking they were unnecessary. Then I bought one, and I bloody love it
Because you get far less fatigue wanging in a load of plasterboard screws with an impact driver than you do with a drill. Your hand doesn’t spend most of the time trying to resist the twist.<br style="box-sizing: border-box; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; color: #000000; font-family: Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Noto Sans', sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; background-color: #eeeeee;" />I spent ages thinking they were unnecessary
Collated screw gun hire if your doing so much plasterboard work your getting fatigued.
This is the cheaper one as they do 2 or 3 models.
I use mine for most tasks daily as it’s fast, light and powerful. I find mine very controllable, once you realise it’s a trigger controller not an on/off switch, so possibly there’s other difference between the models than just lack of lights etc. I do use mine for drywall (have been thinking about a collated gun though), I fit kitchens with it, can adjust hinge screws with precision etc. It’s possibly my most used tool.
Awesome PSA. Thanks!
Tool station have a milwakee drill and impact driver set with 2 bats, charger and case for £180. That's £120 off. I do not need as I've bosch stuff that is more than adequate for diy me, but.... its...milwakee!
Do I need an impact driver? I have a Dewalt drill which has served me very well for most DIY screwing and drilling needs. What advantage would an impact driver have over it?
Do I need an impact driver?
Depends what you are doing, and how much. Its a nicer tool for putting screws in, especially big ones, but if you are only doing a few and not very often then its not that big a deal. If you are building a deck or a shed then its a must have. They do have some good other uses like doing bolts on the car. If you already have the batteries then picking up a cheap bare unit is worthwhile.
Because you get far less fatigue wanging in a load of plasterboard screws with an impact driver than you do with a drill.
You should try using plasterboard nails, especially when its overhead. That gives the old forearm a fair workout.
You have to press your head onto the board to hold it in place,while trying to balance on a trestle. Then with your arm parallel to the board, try to hammer the nails home in a sideways action 😆
Do I need an impact driver?
Have you got a tracksaw?
You have to press your head onto the board to hold it in place,while trying to balance on a trestle. Then with your arm parallel to the board, try to hammer the nails home in a sideways action 😆
Could you not put metal toe caps on and karate kick them in?
Its not really a great deal (having bought one previously for £50) considering the usual suspects have better models for not much more on eBay, such as ones with different speed settings.
On the flip side, mine takes an absolute pounding and is on its 3rd year in regular use
I am tempted to pick up one of these. What bits would people recommend to go with it?
Im under the impression you need to use bits designed for impact drivers or apparently standard bits could shatter. Not having used an impact driver,(though i have a bosch blue one) perhaps someone who has could say whether this is true or not.
Ideally you need impact bits as standard ones can indeed break fairly easily.
I've found that normal ones can snap but the impact ones wear faster and usually cost more. Pros and cons but no massive advantage or disadvantage with one over the other in general. Depends on the job and screw. I usually use standard bits for general screwing and an impact but for trickier jobs (hard wood, removing old screws, etc)
Get yourself an adaptor to 3/8 or 1/2 inch for small sockets. Removes cassette lockrings double quick :o)
Removes cassette lockrings double quick :o)
Anyone able to advise the spec I should be looking for if I want to undo nuts and bolts more than insert screws? I see NM values quoted but no idea how they translate to real world fastenings (or unfastenings).
Well, I've got one of these Dewalt 18V rattle guns For day to day use in the workshop it takes care of most jobs. Wheel bolts on vans & cars easily removed & can be bought for less than a ton. Not the most powerful tool but it's light & portable. Batteries last for ages :o)
Thanks, the 1/2” drive on that is probably a good indicator it’d be more appropriate