Can you drill with an impact driver?

In this episode of Lessons from a Dad, we are going to answer the question, "Can you drill holes with an impact driver?" I was pretty excited to see the results. I've always been told you only drive screws/bolts with impact drivers and I wanted to see for myself. Here are some options for bits that fit impact drivers if you want to try it for yourself:

[Timsusername]

I'm a handyman and do a lot of electrical work. I always use an impact to drill holes in joists to run wire, since with a portable drill there is no way you can drive a 1/2" bit through several inches of old, hard timber. However, with a driver, you can even drill holes through two beams back-to-back. Try that with a high-torque drill and you'll either get the bit stuck deep in the wood, or strain your wrist when it binds up. Driver every time.

[goggutube]

Started my woodworking, to save money, I only bought a circular saw and an impact driver. Mainly went for impact driver because I can get in tighter places. So I drill holes with my driver. Got tired of changing bits though, so bought another impact driver. Hope they last.

[johnsiu]

Thanks for this! I’m going to start drilling holes with my impact drive just to piss people off who say you can’t.

[oevr]

Cool way to approach this subject! BTW an impact driver although also impcating front to back slightly, is actually designed predominantly to impact rotationally. This means that it is striking the spindle clockwise (or counterclockwise) to basically hammer it around with powerful impacts instead of a spread out continuous torque. So the impact is adding to the rotational torque and is actually not directed in line with the sspindle as you pointed out.

[santiago]

The impact force on impact drivers is distributed to the rotation, not downwards, providing more torque. You were describing a hammer drill’s impact distribution.

[MdR]

I use an impact driver to do holes through joists (for cable), as impact drivers deliver a massive rotational energy, (in a series of impacts) so it's faster. The hole it produces will be rougher, but you'll get there far quicker and easier.

A normal drill delivers a smoother, continuous torque, so a cleaner/ neater hole, but is no where near as powerful in terms of rotational force so it may take a lot longer. A drill would be good for smaller holes which you need to look/be cleaner, or less rough.

So for me, the rule is as long as the bit I'm using is impact-rated, the impact driver will get the job done easier than the drill will. Sometimes it's necessary to do a clean a hole as possible but I find myself sticking to the impactor 90% of the time!

[scotts.]

I'm your newest subscriber and I can't believe I found your channel. Im embarrassed to say that just the other day I tried to figure out why I couldn't put a drill bit into my impact driver and I couldn't figure it out. Now I know why. Thank you. As you can tell, I'm not mechanically inclined...but I can learn. I now look forward to seeing what other topics you cover.

[MickTattersall]

Part 2 Can you drill a hole with a firearm.
I REALLY hope this becomes a series ♥️

[paulst]

Thank you for answering a question I didn't realise needed answering until you asked it! And now I can't stop wondering how the impact driver will cope with a masonry bit. I hope you make more videos questioning received wisdom.

[julianweiser]

For smaller drill sizes, under 1/8" the impact may be better because its rpms are way higher to keep the cutting velocity constant.

[s]

Honestly on site I've began to use my drill less and less and use my impact for everything. Gets the job done so why not unless I need a specific bit

[sidwills]

I'm strongly considering buying a 1/2 inch impact wrench and 7/16 adapter to run long auger bits for setting hinges and anchors on agricultural gate posts. Apparently guys who work on utility poles favour that setup. My DeWalt 996 drill is a beast but there's a lot of friction sometimes in deep holes and I'm scared one day it'll bind up and snap my wrist!

[surecom]

Thanks for the video! Answers my question. Also wanted to see how it goes through concrete.

[rafaeldeleon]

The question goes for drilling thick metal, does it shorten the bit's lifespan?

[alanhughes]

i brought a 13mm 9/16 chuck with a 12 drive socket adaptor for my impact driver to test out, it also fits a standard 4/12" angle grinder, the things what are around these days is mind boggling.

[pocu]

I didn't know everyone didn't already do this. My electric drill for some reason is never powerful enough to screw in anything and definitely won't make a pilot hole through layers of wood. I've been using the impact driver for about two years now. Only today was I searching for more information on how to get the larger size pilot bits to fit into the impact driver and I stumbled across this video. I guess I have to go find more of the adaptable pilot bits hopefully at Lowe's.

[dancearoundtheworld]

Im using a 1/2 impact as a drill and driver, it has a belt clip and rafter hook on it
👌mint

[kvernesdotten]

2:45 - Impact drivers will only create sideways impacts. Hammer drills however do impact forwards. I really like the video though, good job! I tried a similar thing with an impact wrench a while back for fun and it snapped the drill bit haha

[alfonsoperez]

By the way, not only young men are interested in this "knowledge" ... women are also interested. :)

Thanks for the video!

[harisjaved]

Great video! I agree with another poster that impact drivers deliver rotational impacts. Imagine the drill but trying to twist into your material by twisting and stopping very rapidly…so the torque delivered increases over time.