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Depending on your projects -woodworking(carpentry), metal(think of metal roofing), etc.-you’ll definitely need either of these tools: a screw gun or an impact driver – or both.
Now, if you’re a beginner, you might have difficulties choosing between Screw Gun Vs Impact Driver for your upcoming jobs.
So I have compared the two tools (Screw Gun Vs Impact Driver) in detail in this article to help you in choosing the right tool to add to your toolbox.
Let’s dive in:
Screw gun vs impact driver compared
Below is a detailed impact driver vs screw gun breakdown (key features, pros and cons, best uses, and more).
Perhaps we can quickly define each too just before we get into the specifics:
What is a Screw gun?
A screw gun is simply a handheld powered tool that operates at super high speed and low torque.
To be clear, the tool consists of a handle, a motor(turns the chuck), a chuck (for holding the screw in place), and a nosepiece that guides the screw into the material.
Besides, there is a trigger that rotates the screw.
What is an Impact Driver?
On the other hand, an impact driver is a power tool that uses a hammer action to create the force required to drive screws into surfaces.
Bear in mind that this handheld tool uses strong rotational force when it comes to driving screws and it typically produces powerful bursts of power pretty quickly on encountering resistance.
It follows that an impact driver drives screws fastest.
It’s worth mentioning that an impact driver is also called an impact drill(by some).
Difference between impact driver and screw gun
On speed and torque
A screw gun is engineered to operate on low torque at high speeds whereas an impact driver is built to operate at higher levels of torque.
On size and weight
A screw gun is larger in size and hence heavier as compared to an impact driver, which is much smaller and lighter.
On operating mechanism/technology
Another difference is that a screw gun feeds screws automatically, making it great for installing drywall- or any application that requires many screws of the same size.
On the other hand, an impact driver combines a hammering action with the rotational impact force, making it easier to drive screws into tougher surfaces.
Similarities of screw gun and impact driver
The two tools share a few similarities too.
Here are their most prominent similarities:
- Both the screw gun and impact driver are available cordless and corded
- Both are powerful enough to drive screws into surfaces.
- Not only do they both have a chuck that holds the screw but also a trigger that spins the screw.
Screw gun vs impact driver- what is each tool used for?
Screw gun uses
Basically, you use a screw gun to drive screws into surfaces (either wood or metal).
Indeed, it’s the most ideal tool if you want to drive smaller screws that require to be driven in a specific direction.
Impact driver uses
Now, an impact is designed to do the following:
- Tighten and loosen screws and nuts that may have jammed or rusted on surfaces.
- Drive longer screws into hard surfaces quickly and efficiently.
So you have two main take-aways regarding each tool’s applications (and it is very important you note this)…
First is that a screw gun is specifically designed to drive screws while an impact driver is more versatile- you can use it to drive screws, tighten nuts, and drill holes.
Secondly, an impact driver is better than a screw gun if you often drive longer screws..
Pros and cons of screw gun and impact driver
Each tool has its unique advantages and disadvantages.
Let’s take a look at the upsides and downsides of each one of them:
Screw gun pros
- Operates at high speeds.
- It lets you determine how far to drive your screws.
- It drives more screws over a short time as it automatically feeds screws.
- It’s quite affordable for most folks.
Cons
- Unlike an impact driver, a screw gun is not designed to drill holes
- It has more limited uses as you cannot use it to drive screws on harder materials – it is best for drywalls and flooring since screws here face minimal resistance since you drive into wall studs/floor joists
Impact driver pros
- Has the ability to drive screws and nuts more quickly.
- Drive screws best on tough materials.
- It is more compact and easier to hold and use over a long period of time (remember it’s lighter and small in size).
- It is also convenient when using self-driving screws so that you don’t need to drill holes.
Cons
- An impact driver is, for the most part, a little more expensive compared to a screw gun (both in terms of the initial price and maintenance- you’ll need to keep buying new bits).
- It doesn’t have a torque control, a feature that lets you control how much torque is applied when you press the trigger on the driver.
Thus, when using an impact driver on delicate projects containing small screws and soft materials, it’s easy to damage your work surface and the screws.
Which is better to use: screw gun or impact driver?
Now, the best tool to use will entirely depend on the kind of project you are undertaking.
But the bottom line is that a screw gun is the best tool to go for if you are driving small screws into softer surfaces.
In contrast, an impact driver will probably be better when it comes to driving screws/bolts in tougher materials including steel thanks to its powerful rotational bursts.
Screw gun vs impact driver – Frequently asked questions [FAQs]
Can one use a screw gun as a drill?
No, a screw gun cannot function like a drill.
The thing is each of them serves a different purpose-a screw gun drives screws while a drill is designed to bore holes.
Can one use an impact driver in place of a screw gun?
Yes, you definitely can. An impact driver excels not only in driving longer screws but also in driving tons of fasteners faster and even lag bolts.
Screw gun vs impact driver – In summary
To wrap up, a screw gun is best used to drive screws in wood and metal.
On the other hand, an impact driver drives both screws and nuts best into tougher surfaces thanks to its high levels of torque when you’re using it.
Don’t forget that an impact driver is also good at tightening and loosening screws that may have rusted on surfaces.
Finally, the best tool to use will entirely depend on the kind of project you are working on-If your project entails the use of long screws on hard surfaces, an impact driver works well.
But if your project requires many similar, smaller screws to be driven into a material, then go for a screw gun.
Check Impact Drivers prices on Amazon
Check Screw guns prices on Amazon
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