Impact drills are helpful equipment for small and big household tasks and DIY projects. You can use the tool to mount paintings, fix decks, and do other types of handiwork. The versatile tool makes performing a wide range of home and professional jobs much easier.
While impact drills are great for fastening screws, you can also use them to drill into hard materials like concrete. This article will answer most of the basic questions you learn how about buying the best impact drill for concrete. We will also discuss the differences between an impact drill and a hammer drill.
But First, Is an Impact Drill Suitable for Concrete?
Impact drills and hammer drills are both incredibly popular and come with their pros and cons. The direction from which each one exerts its force is what distinguishes a hammer drill from its and impact counterpart.
A hammer drill exerts more direct force on its twisting action and hits the material being drilled with greater force. An impact drill increases perpendicular force or torque that makes it better suited for screwing and unscrewing fasteners.
That said, an impact drill can still drill through concrete and other hard materials like a brick if you’re drilling holes less than 1/4th inch deep.
Buying Impact Drill Concrete- Factors to Consider
Impact drivers or impact drills are critical pieces of equipment that should be in the toolbox of every DIY enthusiast and professional carpenter. You can use one for various projects, including drilling through hard material options and screwing tasks.
Here are a few factors that you should remember when buying an impact drill concrete to add to your collection.
Usability
Many will agree that an impact drill is a versatile tool, but you should remember why you’re buying it in the first place.
You’re better of using an impact drill if you want to perform most run of the mill tasks. Similarly, a single-purpose impact driver is ideal if you specialize in specific tasks.
Some homeowners may also be looking to buy an impact drill to handle specific household tasks, like drilling a hole in the wall to hang a frame.
An impact driver for the home will screw, unscrew and even dig through concrete. So, consider all the functions you expect from an impact drill before buying one.
Power
All kinds of drills come with a speed rating like rotations per minute. Unlike most drills though hammering calculates its speed in beats per minute.
A faster drill is important but its not an accurate measurement of the drill’s power. In fact, the torque rating determines an impact drill’s total force. To make an informed decision, multiply the torque of your impact drill concrete by its speed to determine the power.
You will find the power rating labeled as Units Watt Out or UWO. The UWO refers to the force and speed of your impact drill when subjected to a higher load. Ideally, you will need a high UWO rating for quick and efficient results when working with a rigid material like concrete.
Motor
Impact drills have two types of motors, a brushed and brushless motor. Typically, a brushless motor is the best option when buying an impact drill concrete.
Impact drills with brushed motors are possibly the most powerful drills you can find. That also means that these drills are not suitable for lighter materials like cardboard either. On the flip side, a brushless motor exerts force based on the resistance of the material you’re drilling.
Since brushed motors exert more power than needed, they’re likely to damage faster. If you’re looking for power and endurance, check out four-pole motors.
The Chuck
Chucks typically determine the size of the bits and how quickly you can replace them if needed. “Chuck” refers to the jawed end of an impact drill.
You add bits in the chuck before rotating it to increase your drill’s grip. A firm grip is critical to your impact drill concrete. Loose bits can compromise your tool’s efficiency and affect how your tool turns out.
You will find two primary types of chucks when purchasing an impact drill concrete: keyless and keyed chucks. In simple words, keyless chucks don’t require keys to loosen or tighten bits. However, they’re less durable than keyed chucks.
Therefore, keyed chucks are ideal for heavy-duty work like drilling into concrete. You should also remember that keyed chucks are hard to use as you need to insert and remove the keys every time you use your impact drill concrete.
Weight/ One-Handed Drilling
You have to get the weight behind the screw and push hard when working with a standard impact drill. You can protect the bits from “camming out” and chew the head of the screw you’re using.
But that is not the case with an impact drill. An impact drill concrete also creates forward pressure while producing torque. This torque the tool is ideal for one-handed drilling. However, you still need to find a light impact drill to reduce fatigue. Additionally, a lighter drilling tool also ensures usability in tight, congested spaces.
Unlike pistol grips in traditional drills, modern impact drivers have an ergonomic T-handle that matches the size of a human hand. Furthermore, they have a rubber exterior that prevents slipping if you have wet or sweaty hands.
Bottom Line
Choosing the best impact drill concrete can feel overwhelming if you’re not a professional. So if you’re buying one for your home, you will need to consider some essential factors. That said, you can use the same drilling tool at home and to handle professional projects.
Consider your usage and choose the power, motor, and chuck accordingly. To avoid hand fatigue, you should also look for a lightweight impact drill machine.
