\An impact driver is the best tool for driving screws to build a deck or drywall a room, etc. It may not be the right tool for everyone, but it will definitely be helpful in completing a Do It Yourself (DIY) project like building your own chicken coop for your backyard faster.

However, there is a fair amount of misunderstanding about the new impact drivers as these cordless tools enable faster completion of home remodeling and construction projects. The new cordless impact drivers are high speed screw drivers or drills. They slightly tap the screw that is being set. With the help of these drivers it is possible to screw even the longest of screws very fast.

You should understand that impact drivers and wrenches are not the same. Impact wrenches produce a lot of noise when mechanics use them to remove or tighten nuts and bolts at the time of repairing cars in the garage. If you search the Internet for impact drivers, you are likely to get confused a little as the original impact drivers are manually operated ones.

When you use these manual impact drivers, you will also require a hammer to hit them to loosen nuts and bolts that are too tight. As regards the rating of the impact drivers, it is generally specified in inch/pounds. Some manufacturers specify in terms of RPM and number of beats in a minute.

Using Impact Driver Drill With Care

Everyone cannot use impact drivers just like that. Some amount of practice is required to use them without damaging the screw, prevent driving the screw too deep, avoid bending of the screw, or stop setting the screw wrongly.

It is a good idea to practice using them on scrap wood and screws, if you have already bought an impact driver, but have not used it earlier.

In case you want to screw into trim, hardwoods, or thinner pieces of pine, drill a pilot hole to prevent splitting of the wood. In order to drive screws into hardwoods, it is advisable to apply a little bar soap on the threads. I always keep one cake of Ivory soap with me before doing any work around our house.

For sheet metal construction work like installing tin roof, drywall and metal siding for barn or chicken coop, a cordless impact driver is very useful. They have the power to drive lag bolts and are delicate enough for duct work using sheet metal.

If you use these impact drivers along with your drill/driver, you will be able to finish your DIY project at home faster. I have been fortunate enough to use or demonstrate some these great tools in the recent past, including that of Bosch, Craftsman, Hitachi, Makita, Milwaukee, Dewalt, and the new Panasonic.

Though the cost of Panasonic impact driver is very high compared to others, it is the best and most versatile as it has three speeds. I found it very difficult to use Craftsman Professional. While trying to use this tool, I damaged the heads of many screws and also broke quarter inch stove bolts.

The Craftsman C3 19.2 volt lithium and the Milwaukee Lithium provide value for money paid and come separately or in drill/driver/battery combination kit. The least powerful impact driver that I used was that of Crafts man NEXTEC. It is meant for new homeowners.

You can get one of this if you already own a NEXTEC auto hammer or multi-tool. This is because you can interchange the batteries. Or else, you can purchase 19.2 Craftsman or the Milwaukee. The other makes are all the same and you can buy any one that you like.

My recommendation to you will be to buy the impact drivers that have the new lithium ion batteries, unless the existing drill/driver still has good battery packs. For example, you can a buy 18v Dewalt impact driver, provided you have a good 18 volt Dewalt Drill. The impact drivers with lithium ion batteries are lighter than those that use Ni-cad batteries and also get recharged faster.

As of now, Makita LCT300W Combo kit offers the best deal. Many, many contractors who use these drills vouch for it because of its weight, power and battery ratio.