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Can You Drill Holes with an Impact Driver? Yes! Here’s How
Yes, you can absolutely drill holes with an impact driver. You just need the right drill bits—ones with a 1/4-inch hex shank. It’s perfect for drilling into wood and soft metals. However, for precision work or drilling into hard materials like concrete or brick, a standard drill is still the better choice.
Have you ever been ready to start a project, but you only have an impact driver? You look at your tool and wonder, “Can this thing actually drill a hole?”
It’s a very common question. You’re not alone in asking it! Many people own an impact driver for its amazing power in driving screws, but aren’t sure if it can do more.
Good news: you are in the right place. We will show you exactly how to do it safely and easily. This guide will cover everything you need, from the right bits to the best techniques. Let’s walk through how to turn your impact driver into a capable drilling machine.
First, What’s the Real Difference? Impact Driver vs. Drill
Before we start drilling, it’s helpful to know why these tools are different. At a glance, they look similar. But they work in very different ways.
The Standard Drill
Think of a standard drill (or drill/driver) as a tool for smooth, consistent turning. It applies constant rotational force. This is perfect for creating clean, precise holes. It has an adjustable chuck with three “jaws” that can grip a wide range of round or hex-shank bits. It also has a clutch with different torque settings, which helps prevent you from driving a screw too deep.
- Best for: Precision drilling, delicate materials, and tasks requiring a consistent speed.
- Key Feature: Adjustable chuck and torque clutch.
The Impact Driver
An impact driver is all about power and short bursts of force. It combines rotation with a strong, rapid hammering action (called impacts). This “impact” force happens in the same direction the bit is turning. These impacts deliver a massive amount of torque, making it incredibly effective at driving long screws into tough materials without stripping the screw head.
- Best for: Driving long screws, working with dense wood, and high-torque applications.
- Key Feature: High torque from concussive impacts and a 1/4-inch hex collet.
Because of this hammering action, an impact driver is much louder than a drill. It’s a powerful tool designed for a specific job, but its abilities can overlap with a drill’s.
When Should You Use an Impact Driver for Drilling?
So, you can drill with an impact driver, but should you? It depends on the job. Here’s a simple breakdown of when to grab your impact driver and when to reach for a standard drill instead.
Great Times to Use Your Impact Driver for Drilling:
- Drilling into Wood: For general-purpose drilling in softwoods (like pine) and hardwoods (like oak), an impact driver works very well. It’s great for pilot holes for screws or for drilling holes for small bolts.
- Soft Metals: You can drill into thin aluminum or mild steel. The key is to use the right bit and go slow to avoid overheating.
- Plastic and Composites: It handles these materials easily, but be careful not to apply too much pressure, which can cause cracking.
- When You Need Speed, Not Precision: If you’re quickly boring a bunch of holes in a 2×4 for a rough construction project, an impact driver will get the job done fast.
When a Standard Drill is the Better Choice:
- Masonry (Brick, Concrete, Stone): An impact driver is not a hammer drill. A hammer drill has a different hammering action that chips away at masonry. An impact driver’s rotational impacts won’t work on these hard materials and will just ruin your bit.
- Large Holes: For drilling large holes (over 1/2 inch) with hole saws or spade bits, a standard drill provides more control and consistent torque without the violent impacts, which can cause the bit to bind and jerk.
- Precision Work: If you need a perfectly clean, exact-sized hole for fine woodworking or metalworking, a standard drill is superior. The impacts from an impact driver can cause the bit to “walk” or create a slightly oblong, messy hole.
- Delicate Materials: The powerful impacts can easily crack or damage brittle materials.
Getting the Right Gear: Bits and Safety
You can’t just use any old drill bit. Using the correct gear is the most important part of drilling successfully and safely with an impact driver.
What You’ll Need
- Impact-Rated Hex-Shank Drill Bits: This is non-negotiable. These bits have a 1/4-inch hexagonal base (a hex shank) that locks securely into the impact driver’s collet. Standard round-shank bits will not fit. Look for bits labeled “impact-rated,” as they are made from more durable steel designed to withstand the tool’s torque and impacts.
- Safety Glasses: Always protect your eyes. Wood chips, metal shavings, or even a broken bit can fly out at high speed. This is a must for any power tool use.
- Gloves (Optional but Recommended): A good pair of work gloves can protect your hands from splinters and hot bits.
- A Center Punch or Nail: This helps you create a small indent to prevent the drill bit from wandering when you start the hole.
How to Drill a Hole with an Impact Driver: A Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to give it a try? Follow these simple steps for a clean and safe result.
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Step 1: Choose and Secure the Right Bit
Select an impact-rated, hex-shank drill bit of the correct size for your hole. To insert it, pull the collet (the sleeve at the tip of the driver) forward, push the hex shank of the bit all the way in, and release the collet. It should snap back into place. Give the bit a gentle tug to make sure it’s locked in securely.
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Step 2: Mark Your Spot
Use a pencil to mark exactly where you want to drill. For extra precision, especially on metal or smooth surfaces, use a center punch or a nail and hammer to create a small dimple on your mark. This little indent will give the tip of the drill bit a place to sit and prevent it from “walking” away when you start drilling.
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Step 3: Start Slow and Steady
Place the tip of the drill bit into your marked dimple. Hold the impact driver firmly with both hands and make sure it is perpendicular (at a 90-degree angle) to the surface. Squeeze the trigger very gently to start the bit spinning at a low speed. This gives you maximum control as the hole begins.
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Step 4: Increase Speed and Apply Pressure
Once the hole is started, you can increase the speed by squeezing the trigger more. Apply firm, steady, straight pressure behind the driver. Don’t force it—let the tool do the work. You will hear and feel the impacts kick in as the tool meets resistance. This is normal! The impacts are helping the bit power through the material.
Pro-Tip: If you are drilling a deep hole, periodically pull the bit out to clear away wood chips or metal shavings. This reduces friction and heat, which helps the bit last longer and results in a cleaner hole.
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Step 5: Finish the Hole
Ease up on the pressure just as the bit is about to break through the other side of the material. This helps prevent “tear-out,” which is when the wood splinters badly around the exit hole. Keep the driver running as you pull the bit straight back out of the finished hole.
Potential Problems and How to Avoid Them
While drilling with an impact driver is effective, there are a few things to watch out for.
Common Issues & Solutions
- Messy Holes or “Tear-Out”: The high power can cause splintering, especially in plywood or when exiting the hole. Solution: Place a piece of scrap wood behind the material you’re drilling. This supports the wood fibers and gives you a much cleaner exit hole.
- Bit “Walking”: This is when the bit slides across the surface before it starts digging in. Solution: Always use a center punch to create a starting dimple. Starting at a very low speed also gives the bit a chance to bite in.
- Overheating the Bit: Drilling into metal generates a lot of heat, which can dull or break your bit. Solution: Use a cutting fluid or all-purpose oil when drilling metal. Also, drill in short bursts rather than all at once to let the bit cool down.
- Broken Bits: Using a non-impact-rated bit is the fastest way to break one. The intense torque can easily snap brittle steel. Solution: Only use high-quality, impact-rated drill bits. They are built to flex and withstand the force.
Conclusion: A Great Tool with a Hidden Talent
So, can you drill holes with an impact driver? The answer is a resounding yes. For many common tasks around the house or on a construction site, an impact driver with the right hex-shank bit is more than capable of drilling clean holes in wood and soft metals.
It combines the convenience of the tool you already have in your hand with the ability to handle basic drilling jobs, saving you time and effort.
However, it’s important to know its limits. For jobs that require ultimate precision, very large holes, or drilling into hard materials like concrete and brick, a dedicated drill or hammer drill is still the undisputed champion. By understanding the strengths of each tool, you can choose the right one for the job every time and get professional-quality results. Happy building!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I use regular drill bits in my impact driver?
No. Regular drill bits have a round shank and cannot be secured in the 1/4-inch hex collet of an impact driver. You must use drill bits specifically designed with a 1/4-inch hex shank. For best results, choose bits that are also “impact-rated.”
2. Is an impact driver better than a drill for wood?
It depends on the task. For driving screws into wood, an impact driver is almost always better—it’s faster and less likely to strip the screw. For drilling holes in wood, a drill offers more precision and control, while an impact driver offers more speed and power for general-purpose holes.
3. Will an impact driver work for concrete or brick?
No. An impact driver is not a hammer drill. It lacks the forward-and-back “chipping” hammer action needed to drill into masonry. Attempting to do so will be ineffective and will quickly destroy your drill bit. You need a hammer drill for concrete, brick, or stone.
4. Why is my impact driver so loud when drilling?
The loud, chattering noise is the sound of the internal hammer mechanism engaging. This is completely normal. It happens when the tool senses resistance, and it’s what provides the immense torque. Because of the noise, it’s a good idea to wear ear protection during extended use, which is always a good practice recommended by the National Safety Council.
5. Can I use a hole saw with an impact driver?
While some smaller hole saws come with a hex shank, it’s generally not recommended. The violent impacts can cause the large saw to bind, which can be dangerous, potentially wrenching the tool from your hands. A standard drill with a side handle provides much better control and safety for this task.
6. What does “impact-rated” mean for a drill bit?
“Impact-rated” means the bit is made from a more flexible and durable type of steel (like chrome-vanadium) that can absorb the shock and high torque of an impact driver without shattering. Standard bits are more brittle and can snap under the same force.
7. My bit got stuck in the wood. What should I do?
If your bit gets stuck, don’t try to force it. Put the impact driver in reverse and gently pulse the trigger to back it out. If that doesn’t work, you may need to release the bit from the driver and use a pair of locking pliers to twist it out manually.
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