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Can You Use an Impact Driver as a Drill? Yes, But Here’s What You MUST Know
Yes, you can use an impact driver as a drill for some jobs. You must use special drill bits with a hex-shaped base (called a hex shank). It works well for making holes in wood and soft metals. However, it is not the right tool for precise work or for drilling into very hard materials like concrete.
Have you ever stood in your workshop, holding an impact driver, and wondered if you could just use it to make a quick hole? You’re not alone. An impact driver and a drill look very similar. It’s easy to think they can do the same jobs.
Maybe you only own an impact driver and don’t want to buy another tool. Or perhaps your drill’s battery just died. Whatever the reason, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll explain exactly when and how you can use your impact driver as a drill, and when you should stop and grab a different tool. Let’s walk through everything you need to know, step by step.
What’s the Real Difference? Drill vs. Impact Driver
Before we dive into the “how,” let’s understand the “what.” Knowing how these tools work is key to using them correctly and safely. They might look like twins, but they have very different personalities.
The Power Drill: The Steady Specialist
Think of a standard drill driver as a specialist in smooth, consistent turning. Its main job is to apply steady rotational force.
- Main Action: Pure spinning force.
- Key Feature: An adjustable chuck. This is the “mouth” of the drill that you can twist to open and close. It can grip a wide variety of round or hex-shaped bits.
- Best For: Drilling clean, precise holes. It gives you excellent control over the speed and outcome, which is perfect for delicate tasks.
The Impact Driver: The Powerful Helper
An impact driver is all about power and speed, especially for driving screws. It combines spinning with powerful, hammer-like blows.
- Main Action: Spinning force plus rapid, strong impacts (or “blows”) that follow the direction of the spin. This is the loud, chattering noise you hear.
- Key Feature: A quick-change collet. This is a sleeve that you pull back to insert or release a bit. It only accepts 1/4-inch hex-shank bits.
- Best For: Driving long screws or large fasteners into tough wood. The extra bursts of power prevent the screw from getting stuck and protect your wrist from strain.
Quick Comparison
Drill Driver:
- Smooth, rotational force
- Adjustable chuck for many bit types
- Excellent for precision drilling
- Quieter operation
Impact Driver:
- Rotational force + hammering impacts
- Hex collet for 1/4″ hex-shank bits only
- Excellent for driving screws with high torque
- Very loud when impacting
When Is It OK to Use an Impact Driver as a Drill?
You absolutely can use your impact driver for drilling in many common situations. It can be a real time-saver if it’s the tool you have in your hand. Here are the best-case scenarios:
- Drilling in Softwood: For materials like pine, cedar, or fir, an impact driver works great. It has more than enough power to quickly create holes.
- Making Pilot Holes: If you’re about to drive a screw, using the same impact driver to first drill a small pilot hole is very efficient. Just swap the drill bit for a driver bit.
- Working with Some Hardwoods: For woods like oak or maple, an impact driver can often handle the job, especially for smaller holes. The impacts can help power through denser grain.
- Drilling in Soft Metal: Need a hole in a thin piece of aluminum or copper? An impact driver with the right bit can get it done.
- Using Spade or Auger Bits: These large bits are for making big, rough holes in wood. The power and impacts from an impact driver can actually help drive these aggressive bits through the material.
Pro Tip: When drilling with an impact driver, start slow. Squeeze the trigger gently to get the hole started accurately before you ramp up to full speed. This prevents the bit from “walking” or skipping across the surface.
When Should You Absolutely NOT Use an Impact Driver as a Drill?
While it’s a handy backup, an impact driver is the wrong tool for several important jobs. Using it in these situations can lead to poor results, damaged materials, or broken bits.
Stop! Don’t Use It For These Tasks:
- Precision Work: If you need a perfectly clean, exact-sized hole (like for dowels or fine woodworking), do not use an impact driver. The violent impacts make it nearly impossible to be precise and can create a slightly oblong or messy hole.
- Hard Materials (Masonry, Concrete, Brick): An impact driver is NOT a hammer drill. The impacts are rotational, not forward. It will not drill into concrete or brick. You need a hammer drill, which provides forward-hitting blows.
- Very Small Drill Bits: Tiny drill bits (e.g., 1/16 inch) are brittle. The immense torque and sudden impacts of an impact driver can snap them instantly.
- Hardened Steel: Trying to drill into thick or hardened steel will likely just dull your bit and won’t make much progress. A drill press or a powerful drill with cutting fluid is needed here.
- Creating Very Clean Holes: The impacts can cause “tear-out,” where the wood splinters badly as the bit exits the other side. A standard drill gives you more control to prevent this.
How to Use an Impact Driver as a Drill: A Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to give it a try? It’s easy! Just follow these simple steps to ensure you get the best results safely.
Step 1: Get the Right Drill Bits
This is the most important step. You cannot use the round-shank bits from your regular drill. You must use drill bits designed for an impact driver. These are called impact-rated, hex-shank drill bits.
The “hex shank” refers to the base of the bit, which is six-sided. This shape locks securely into the impact driver’s collet and can handle the high torque. Look for bits that are labeled “impact ready” or “impact rated.”
Step 2: Insert the Bit into the Collet
This is much faster than using a drill’s chuck. On your impact driver, find the metal sleeve at the tip—this is the collet.
- Pull the collet forward (away from the tool’s body).
- While holding it forward, insert the hex shank of the drill bit.
- Release the collet. It will snap back into place, locking the bit.
- Give the bit a little tug to make sure it’s secure.
Step 3: Prepare Your Work Surface
Just like with a regular drill, preparation is key. Mark the exact spot where you want to drill your hole with a pencil. For metal or very smooth surfaces, use a center punch to create a small dimple. This tiny indent will keep your drill bit from wandering when you start.
Step 4: Start Drilling Slowly and Steadily
Put on your safety glasses! Place the tip of the drill bit on your mark. Squeeze the variable-speed trigger very gently at first. Your goal is to get the hole started without the bit slipping.
Once the hole is started, you can increase the speed. Keep the impact driver straight and apply firm, steady pressure. Don’t lean on it with all your weight.
Step 5: Let the Tool Do the Work
If you hit a tough spot in the wood, you’ll hear and feel the impacting mechanism kick in. That loud chattering sound is normal! It’s the tool delivering extra power to get through the resistance. Don’t push harder; just maintain steady pressure and let the impacts do their job.
To reduce tear-out on the back side, you can either drill slower as you’re about to break through or clamp a scrap piece of wood to the back of your workpiece.
The Best Drill Bits for Your Impact Driver
Choosing the right bit is crucial. Here are the main types of hex-shank bits you’ll find:
- Impact-Rated Twist Bits: These look like standard drill bits but have a hex shank. They are often coated in titanium or black oxide for durability. These are your go-to for general-purpose drilling in wood and soft metal.
- Spade Bits (or Paddle Bits): These have a flat, paddle-shaped head for boring large-diameter holes in wood quickly. They aren’t precise, but they are fast. An impact driver can power these through thick wood with ease.
- Auger Bits: These have a screw-like tip that pulls the bit through the wood, and deep flutes to clear out wood chips. They are great for drilling deep holes.
- Nut Drivers: While not for drilling, these are essential attachments for an impact driver, used for tightening or loosening hex-head bolts and nuts.
Is It Worth Buying a Separate Drill?
For any serious DIYer or homeowner, the answer is a resounding yes. While an impact driver can drill in a pinch, a dedicated drill driver is a core tool that offers far more versatility and control.
Think of it this way: you can use a wrench to hammer a nail, but a hammer works a lot better. The same logic applies here.
A good cordless drill will allow you to:
- Drill perfectly round, precise holes.
- Use a huge variety of bits, including round ones.
- Use hole saws for cutting large circles.
- Work more quietly and with less vibration.
- Adjust the torque with a clutch to avoid over-tightening screws.
Best Value: Look for a drill and impact driver combo kit. Brands like DeWalt, Milwaukee, Ryobi, and Makita often sell both tools, two batteries, and a charger in one case. This is usually the most cost-effective way to get both and be prepared for any project.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can an impact driver drill into concrete or brick?
No. An impact driver’s impacts are rotational (twisting). To drill into masonry, you need a hammer drill, which provides forward, hammer-like blows to pulverize the material as it drills.
2. What’s the difference between an impact driver bit and a drill bit?
The main difference is the base, or shank. Impact driver bits have a 1/4-inch six-sided (hex) shank. Regular drill bits usually have a round shank. Impact-rated bits are also made from more durable steel to withstand the high torque and impacts without shattering.
3. Can I put a regular round drill bit in my impact driver?
No, you cannot. The collet on an impact driver is designed to grip a hex shape only. A round bit will not lock in place, will spin loosely, and is extremely unsafe to use.
4. Will using my impact driver as a drill damage the tool?
Generally, no. As long as you are using the correct impact-rated, hex-shank drill bits and not forcing the tool into materials it can’t handle (like concrete), you will not damage your impact driver. They are built to be tough.
5. Is an impact driver or a drill better for a beginner?
For a beginner who can only buy one tool, a cordless drill driver is more versatile. It can drill holes of all sizes and drive screws effectively. An impact driver is more of a specialized tool that excels at driving fasteners but is less flexible for general tasks.
6. Why is my impact driver so loud?
The loud, rapid clicking or hammering noise is the impacting mechanism engaging. This happens when the tool senses resistance. An internal hammer is striking an anvil, delivering powerful bursts of torque. This is normal, but it’s also why you should always wear hearing protection!
7. What does the variable-speed trigger do?
The trigger on most modern impact drivers and drills is pressure-sensitive. The harder you squeeze it, the faster it spins. This gives you incredible control. You can start a hole or a screw slowly and accurately, then ramp up the speed to finish the job quickly.
Conclusion: The Right Tool for the Right Job
So, can you use an impact driver as a drill? Absolutely. For quick jobs in wood or soft metal, it’s a fantastic and powerful option, as long as you have the proper hex-shank drill bits.
However, it’s not a true replacement for a dedicated drill driver. For precision, control, and the ability to drill into a wider range of materials, a drill is essential. The impact driver’s true calling is driving screws and fasteners with unmatched speed and power.
For the best workshop, having both tools is the ideal solution. A combo kit gives you the best of both worlds: the finesse and versatility of a drill and the raw power of an impact driver. Now you can tackle any project with confidence, knowing you’re always using the right tool for the job.
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