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Can an Impact Driver Be Used as a Drill? A Complete Beginner’s Guide
Yes, you can use an impact driver as a drill, but only for certain jobs. You must use special hex-shank drill bits. It’s great for making small holes in soft materials like wood. However, for precise holes or drilling into hard surfaces like metal or brick, a standard drill is a much better choice.
Have you ever been ready to start a project, only to pause and stare at your tools? You have an impact driver. You need to make a hole. You wonder, “Can this tool do the job, or do I need something else?”
It’s a very common question. Impact drivers are powerful and popular, but they look a lot like drills. It’s easy to get them confused. Many new DIYers and homeowners aren’t sure if they need both tools.
You’re in the right place. We are here to clear up the confusion with simple, practical advice. In this guide, we’ll explain the key differences, show you exactly how to use your impact driver for drilling, and help you understand when it’s the perfect tool—and when it’s not.
First, What’s the Real Difference? Impact Driver vs. Drill
Before we talk about drilling, let’s understand the tools. They look similar, but they work in very different ways. Knowing this difference is the key to using them correctly.
The Standard Drill/Driver
Think of a standard drill as a tool for smooth, consistent turning. It applies constant rotational force.
- Main Job: Drilling clean, precise holes.
- How it Works: It spins a bit at a consistent speed. You control this speed with the trigger.
- Key Feature: Most drills have an adjustable clutch. This lets you set the torque (turning power). When the screw is tight enough, the clutch “slips” with a clicking sound to stop you from driving the screw too deep or stripping the head. This is great for delicate work.
The Impact Driver
An impact driver is a specialist. Its main job is to drive long screws and bolts with extreme force.
- Main Job: Driving screws, especially large ones, with high torque.
- How it Works: It combines normal rotation with powerful, quick rotational bursts or “impacts.” An internal hammer strikes an anvil thousands of times per minute, creating massive torque. This is why it’s so loud!
- Key Feature: It has a quick-release chuck that only accepts 1/4-inch hex-shank bits. It doesn’t have a clutch like a drill. Its power is its main feature.
Simple Analogy: A drill is like using a screwdriver with steady, even pressure. An impact driver is like using a wrench and hitting it with a hammer to loosen a stubborn bolt. One is for finesse, the other is for brute force.
When Is It OK to Use an Impact Driver as a Drill?
Now that you know the difference, you can see that an impact driver can drill, but it’s not its primary design. It works well in a few specific situations.
Use an Impact Driver for Drilling When:
- Drilling in Softwood: For making small to medium-sized holes in pine, cedar, or other softwoods, an impact driver works just fine. It’s fast and effective for tasks like drilling pilot holes for screws.
- You Need Speed for Small Holes: If you’re drilling many small holes (e.g., for a shelving project), the speed of an impact driver can be a time-saver.
- Driving Spade Bits: For rough holes in wood, a spade bit (with a hex shank) can be powered by an impact driver. The extra torque helps power through the wood quickly, though the hole won’t be as clean as one made with a drill.
- Working in Tight Spaces: Impact drivers are often more compact and lighter than drills. If you’re working inside a cabinet or between joists, an impact driver might be the only tool that fits.
When You Absolutely Should Use a Regular Drill Instead
Using the wrong tool can lead to frustration, broken bits, and damaged projects. For many tasks, a standard drill is not just better—it’s necessary.
Do NOT Use an Impact Driver for Drilling When:
- You Need Precision: The hammering action of an impact driver can cause the bit to “walk” or wander when you start a hole. For clean, perfectly placed holes needed for fine woodworking or hardware installation, a drill is a must.
- Drilling into Hardwood: While it can work, the impacts can cause splintering and tear-out in dense hardwoods like oak or maple. A drill provides the smooth control needed for a clean entry and exit.
- Drilling into Metal: This is a big one. Drilling metal requires steady speed and constant pressure. The impacts of an impact driver are terrible for this. They will dull or break your drill bits very quickly and can make the hole messy or oversized.
- Drilling into Masonry (Brick, Concrete): An impact driver is not a hammer drill. A hammer drill combines rotation with a forward-and-back chiseling action. An impact driver’s rotational impacts do nothing to help penetrate concrete. You will make no progress and destroy your bit.
- Using Large Hole Saws: While it has the torque, an impact driver’s impacts can cause a large hole saw to bind and kick back violently. This is dangerous. A drill, especially one with a side handle, gives you the control needed to manage a large cutter safely.
- You Need a Delicate Touch: When working with soft materials like plastic or drywall, the immense power of an impact driver can easily cause cracks or damage. A drill with its adjustable clutch is far safer.
How to Use Your Impact Driver as a Drill: A Step-by-Step Guide
So, you’ve decided your task is right for an impact driver. Great! Let’s walk through the process safely and effectively. The key is having the right kind of drill bits.
What You’ll Need
- Your Impact Driver: Fully charged and ready to go.
- Impact-Rated Hex-Shank Drill Bits: This is non-negotiable. Regular, round-shank drill bits will not fit in an impact driver’s chuck. You need bits with a 1/4-inch hexagonal base. It’s best to get “impact-rated” bits, as they are built to withstand the tool’s intense torque.
- Safety Glasses: Always protect your eyes from flying debris. This is mandatory for any power tool use. For more information on proper PPE, visit the OSHA Eye and Face Protection page.
- Work Gloves (Optional but Recommended): For better grip and protection from splinters.
- A Clamp: To hold your workpiece securely in place.
Step 1: Choose the Right Bit
Select a hex-shank drill bit that is the correct size for the hole you need to make. Remember, impact drivers are best for smaller holes. Avoid using very large bits.
Step 2: Insert the Bit Securely
Your impact driver has a quick-release chuck. To insert the bit, simply pull the collar of the chuck forward, push the hex shank of the bit all the way in, and release the collar. It will snap back into place. Give the bit a gentle pull to ensure it’s locked in and won’t fall out.
Step 3: Mark Your Spot and Secure Your Work
Use a pencil to mark exactly where you want to drill. If possible, use a center punch or even a sharp nail to create a small indent. This tiny guide will help prevent the drill bit from wandering when you start. Most importantly, clamp your piece of wood or material to a sturdy workbench. Never hold a small piece by hand while drilling.
Step 4: Start Slow to Set the Hole
Place the tip of the drill bit on your mark. Squeeze the trigger on your impact driver very gently. You want the bit to turn slowly for the first few rotations. This will create a small starting hole and ensure the bit doesn’t slip. Most impact drivers have variable speed triggers, so a light touch is key.
Step 5: Apply Light, Consistent Pressure and Increase Speed
Once the hole is started, you can increase the speed. Apply light, steady forward pressure. Let the tool do the work. Don’t force it. You’ll hear the impacting mechanism kick in—that’s the loud, chattering sound. This is normal. Keep the driver straight and continue until you’ve drilled through the material.
Pro-Tip: If you’re drilling a deep hole, pull the bit out periodically to clear wood chips from the flutes (the spiral grooves). This reduces friction and heat, leading to a cleaner hole and a longer life for your bit.
Pros and Cons: A Quick Summary
Let’s boil it all down. Here’s a quick look at the advantages and disadvantages of using an impact driver for drilling.
Pros
- High Torque: Powers through wood with ease, especially with spade bits.
- Compact Size: Excellent for working in confined areas where a drill won’t fit.
- Fast: For repetitive, small-hole drilling in soft materials, it can be quicker than a standard drill.
Cons
- Lack of Precision: The impacts make it difficult to start a hole accurately and can result in a messier hole.
- No Clutch: There’s no way to control the final torque, making it easy to damage delicate materials.
- Limited Application: It’s ineffective and damaging to use on hard materials like metal or masonry.
- Requires Special Bits: You cannot use your standard round-shank drill bits.
- Very Loud: The impacting mechanism is noisy and requires hearing protection for extended use.
The Final Verdict: Do You Need a Drill Too?
So, can an impact driver replace a drill? For most people, the answer is no.
An impact driver is a powerful specialist, and a drill is a versatile all-rounder. They are best thought of as teammates, not competitors. The impact driver excels at its primary job: driving screws and bolts. The drill excels at its primary job: making clean, precise holes.
If you are a serious DIYer or plan to do a variety of projects, owning both is the ideal solution. You’ll use the impact driver to build your deck and the drill to install the cabinet hardware.
If you can only afford or store one tool, a good quality cordless combi drill is the most versatile choice. It can drill holes, drive screws (with its clutch for control), and often has a hammer setting for occasional light masonry work. It’s the true jack-of-all-trades.
But if you already own an impact driver, you can rest easy knowing that for quick jobs and small holes in wood, it will work just fine. Just be sure to use the right bits and know its limits.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What kind of drill bits do I need for an impact driver?
You must use drill bits with a 1/4-inch hex shank. Standard round-shank bits will not fit. For best results, look for bits that are specifically “impact-rated,” as they are made from more durable steel designed to handle the high torque.
2. Can I put a regular drill chuck on my impact driver?
Yes, you can buy a keyless chuck adapter with a hex shank. This allows you to use round-shank bits in your impact driver. However, this setup is often wobbly and doesn’t eliminate the core problem: the impacting action is still bad for drilling precise holes or drilling in metal.
3. Can an impact driver drill into concrete or brick?
No. An impact driver’s rotational impacts are not designed for masonry. You will make little to no progress and will likely burn out your drill bit. For concrete or brick, you need a hammer drill, which provides a forward hammering motion.
4. Is an impact driver better than a drill for woodworking?
It depends on the task. For driving screws (especially long ones), the impact driver is far superior. For drilling clean, precise holes for dowels or hardware, the drill is much better. They are both excellent woodworking tools for different jobs.
5. Why is my impact driver so loud?
The loud noise is the sound of the internal hammer striking the anvil at high speed. This is what creates the tool’s incredible torque. It’s a normal part of its operation, but it’s also why wearing hearing protection during prolonged use is a good idea.
6. Will an impact driver strip screws?
Yes, it can. Because it has so much power and no clutch, it’s easy to overtighten a screw and strip the head or drive it too deep into the wood. It takes practice to develop a feel for the trigger to avoid this. A drill with a properly set clutch is much safer for preventing stripped screws.
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