Thread 2931921 - /diy/

Anonymous
7/16/2025, 8:01:34 PM No.2931921
c870x524
c870x524
md5: d011399ec6dd9d5cac2b8d11c81c0c7a🔍
How many drills, drivers, and impact wrenches does one person realistically need? I have a drill/driver and a 1/4 impact wrench which do every task I have, but I've been thinking about getting one of the hex head impact drivers and then I was thinking about getting the 12v electric screwdriver for finer work
Replies: >>2931923 >>2931932 >>2931934 >>2931938 >>2931944 >>2931974 >>2933203 >>2933273 >>2933288 >>2933517 >>2933520 >>2933540
Anonymous
7/16/2025, 8:23:13 PM No.2931923
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md5: 3a1b512665abb4039c4d882e3c31c012🔍
>>2931921 (OP)
A 1/4 Hex Impact Driver will be far more flexible and practical than a 1/4 impact wrench, what you have right now is the same power as an impact driver with a less practical chuck. you should go at least 3/8" for impact wrenches due to the larger motors and torque output for larger jobs.

also there is nothing wrong with having multiples of the same tool, when doing larger projects it helps having 2 different drills with different bits ready to go rather than having to swap them all the time.
Replies: >>2931994 >>2933203
Anonymous
7/16/2025, 9:13:56 PM No.2931932
>>2931921 (OP)
I have a drill/driver, a hex impact, and a 1/2" impact. I'm pretty happy with that, except my drill is kinda shitty (cheapest brushless that DeWalt makes, with a plastic chuck etc.) and I'd like to upgrade it to a nicer one with a hammer mode. The only other thing I'd really consider adding is one of those electric ratchets but I think that makes more sense as a 12v tool and I'm not ready to invest into that system. (I'll probably go red when I do, since the yellow 12v system kinda sucks and it seems like DW may abandon it soon.)
Replies: >>2931938
Anonymous
7/16/2025, 9:16:22 PM No.2931934
>>2931921 (OP)
>realistically need
More of a "what can you afford" situation. One drill can do everything you'd normally need. Impact is a bonus thing that helps you with specific stuff. Small impact is bonus thing on bonus thing that you truly do not ever outright need but can be nice in specific situations.
Anonymous
7/16/2025, 9:25:34 PM No.2931938
>>2931921 (OP)
>>2931932
Oh yeah, also, I highly recommend a hex impact. It's probably my most used tool, the quick release makes things so much more convenient and I even bought a set of hex drill bits for it, I barely touch my regular drill now unless I need a bit I don't have a hex version of or I'm doing something where I have to switch back and forth between bits a lot so it's more convenient to have two pre-loaded tools.
Anonymous
7/16/2025, 10:07:57 PM No.2931944
>>2931921 (OP)
I just have a bosh drill with a hammer drill feature. Not the big one either. That gets me through everything besides drilling into hard brick and concrete.
I had an impact but it broke and never got another. Because i dont see how itd make working any easier besides not having to swap bits.

Typically, work until you find yourself in a situation where a new tool would drastically improve your workflow. Then weigh how often youd realistically use the tool and how much it costs.
Anonymous
7/16/2025, 10:58:26 PM No.2931959
Can you put together ikea furniture with a hex head impact driver or will that just destroy the particle board?
Replies: >>2931963 >>2931968 >>2931991 >>2932061 >>2933304
Anonymous
7/16/2025, 11:13:22 PM No.2931963
>>2931959
Id assume you can if you're careful and know how to manage the speed of the impact.
Anonymous
7/16/2025, 11:39:46 PM No.2931968
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md5: 3cc76002d5562b3126077e08b15eb432🔍
>>2931959
I've done it with some stuff (metal bedframe) but you have to be really careful like the other anon says. I probably wouldn't try if I didn't have a shitload of experience using impacts as a mechanic.

The much safer and more useful hack for IKEA stuff is one of those mini bit ratchets, I have the ICON one but most brands have them now. I recently moved into a new house and furnished my bedroom and office from scratch (my old stuff was beat to shit and mismatched, not worth dragging halfway across the country) and the little ratchet made assembling all that furniture a billion times easier than using normal allen wrenches and screwdrivers, while still being very controllable and short enough that it'd be hard to overtorque anything.
Anonymous
7/16/2025, 11:55:41 PM No.2931974
>>2931921 (OP)
"Need"? I don't know, it depends on what you do. Have you had any moment in the past six months where you were doing something and thought to yourself "another drill/driver or impact driver would be real nice right now"? If not, then you don't need it, although I still recommend an impact driver with 1/4" hex.
Replies: >>2932058
Anonymous
7/17/2025, 12:33:23 AM No.2931991
>>2931959
I've put together plenty of furniture with my 12v skil impact driver. trick is to turn it to lowest setting, let it click 3-4 times and move on, then hand tighten each fastener. if its a metal to metal connection and I don't have to worry about stripping out shitty particle board, I will let it hammer ~10 times and call it good. the lowest setting is REALLY weak by impact driver standards
Anonymous
7/17/2025, 12:57:11 AM No.2931994
>>2931923
Impact wrench is very useful if you do a lot of mower and car repairs especially taking off tires constantly and I use mine to raise jacks in certain situations
Replies: >>2933203 >>2933240
Anonymous
7/17/2025, 7:04:22 AM No.2932058
>>2931974
Yeah recently I was putting together IKEA furniture and I thought that my 2pv drill/driver was getting kind of heavy by the end of it. So I bought the 12v hex screwdriver. I find out that if you have AMEX rewards, you can get that tool for half off as a reward.
Anonymous
7/17/2025, 7:15:40 AM No.2932061
>>2931959
You're better off using the drill with the torque setting. Dewalt impacts have a higher gear ratio and more impact force than Ryobi or other low tier brands. If you're impacting RTA furniture like ikea, you want one of the weaker brands with plenty of trigger throttle sensitivity.

I've built all kinda of stuff with the hex or torx on an impact. Sometimes the heads can strip or the screws can snap off as you're driving into solid material. It still saves hours even with an occasional screw to back out.
Anonymous
7/22/2025, 2:55:51 AM No.2933203
>>2931921 (OP)
Tools increase capability. Even my home welding and machine shops were well worth building.

>>2931923
>>2931994

^Facts
Anonymous
7/22/2025, 7:36:12 AM No.2933240
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md5: 294b85fe5ff13a8c90eabb962a4d14df🔍
>>2931994
1/4 impact won't be taking any luggage nuts off, I go straight for my 3/8 Stubby when working on cars or sharpening mower blades. Regular 1/4 impact with some nut drivers is fine for smaller bolts and trim screws.
Replies: >>2933374
Anonymous
7/22/2025, 12:43:50 PM No.2933273
>>2931921 (OP)
1/2" drill and 1/2" wrench will do everything you need. Anything else is jerking yourself off.
Replies: >>2933289 >>2933306
Anonymous
7/22/2025, 4:09:11 PM No.2933287
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md5: 76e305b6d725dfdf5fc44112ad4c71d1🔍
OP here, I have a 3/8 impact not 1/4 I misspoke earlier.

I also got the DCF601 after all. It's very light and small, but more powerful than I expected. I'm definitely going to enjoy this tool.
Anonymous
7/22/2025, 4:19:54 PM No.2933288
>>2931921 (OP)
I have bought several drills over the years. I keep one set of drill and impact driver in my shed, one in my house, and one in my garage.

1 impact driver I bought new.
1 I found in the street
1 I got for $3 bucks at a thrift store

all the drills I bought.

all are makita.
Anonymous
7/22/2025, 4:21:06 PM No.2933289
>>2933273
I bet you jerk off with gravel internet tough guy...
Replies: >>2933405 >>2933454
Anonymous
7/22/2025, 5:34:38 PM No.2933304
>>2931959
yes, just dont be a retard but seeing as you asked here...
Anonymous
7/22/2025, 5:41:12 PM No.2933306
>>2933273
2 drills
2 sds drills
3 hex impacts
3 impact guns
2 sawzall
3 circ saws
band saw
3 125 grindrs
leaf blower
blower
probs something else too
Replies: >>2933312 >>2933454
Anonymous
7/22/2025, 6:26:34 PM No.2933312
>>2933306
You forgot a random orbital sander
Anonymous
7/22/2025, 6:39:02 PM No.2933316
maxresdefault (18)
maxresdefault (18)
md5: de9197ccda0d8cbaa759b2d6318c32de🔍
Since this is the "is this necessary" thread, should I buy the DeWalt shop blower? I already have a shop vac that can blow if you screw the tube onto the exhaust port, but it's kind of unwieldy. I wish I had one of these little guys every time I'm faced with sawdust and spiders going under my motorcycles and behind the tables
Replies: >>2933350 >>2933366
Anonymous
7/22/2025, 8:01:00 PM No.2933350
>>2933316
I got the red one of these at a pawn shop on a whim, it's reasonably handy. If you have shop air in theory you wouldn't need it but I use that thing to clean inside the house too all the time (blow out under the couch and sweep what comes out)
Replies: >>2933367
Anonymous
7/22/2025, 9:38:30 PM No.2933366
>>2933316
I've been thinking about one of those too. I also have the DW shop vac but its blow mode is pathetic and useless. (Honestly the whole thing is kinda shit but DW are the batteries I have and a cordless vac is shockingly useful.)
Anonymous
7/22/2025, 9:39:32 PM No.2933367
>>2933350
I have a tiny air compressor but it doesn't generate enough air to really blow the floor. I just use it for tires and cleaning carbs and small parts
Anonymous
7/22/2025, 10:13:01 PM No.2933374
>>2933240
>sharpening mower blades
How do you accomplish this with an impact? was a wrench let before getting my house and this is something I want to try
Replies: >>2933378 >>2933407
Anonymous
7/22/2025, 11:23:47 PM No.2933378
>>2933374
He means using the impact to remove the mower blade so he can sharpen it with a grinder or stone
Anonymous
7/23/2025, 12:48:52 AM No.2933405
>>2933289
Your mother's mouth works good enough for me. Frupg84jitcake
Anonymous
7/23/2025, 1:09:08 AM No.2933407
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md5: d59f528c70a44c34fe9ed66e6b49085c🔍
>>2933374
Got to take the blades off to sharpen them...
Anonymous
7/23/2025, 2:35:11 AM No.2933428
I've found it very convenient having two cordless drills for projects where there is a lot of drilling and screwing. Keep the drill bit in one and the t25 bit in the other.
Anonymous
7/23/2025, 4:24:57 AM No.2933454
>>2933289
>>2933306
I can walk and chew gum at the same time too
Anonymous
7/23/2025, 10:55:06 AM No.2933517
>>2931921 (OP)
If you want to go the completionist route, then a big ~100+Nm combi drill, small imact driver, a bigass and a small impact wrench, maybe a pneumatic one too and a small drill/electric screwdriver, optimally with a exchangeable drill chuck and a 1/4'' bit holder
Bepis Van Dam !ZNBx60Gj/k
7/23/2025, 11:24:54 AM No.2933520
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md5: 28a58564e1b8bca434c49fa1896e326e🔍
>>2931921 (OP)
Here’s what I got and what I would say as a weekend warrior and shadetree mechanic:

Drills: 12V drill, 18V subcompact drill, 18V full size hammer drill

12V could be replaced by 18V subcompact, both are nice for overhead work and jobs where you’re not doing 1/2” holes all day. I wouldn’t mind a second high torque hammer drill for when I’m switching between two different hole saws or masonry bits.

Impacts: pic related

Notes on those… if you’re a weekender, you probably don’t need a high torque 1/2” right away if you get a good 600lb range mid torque.

The 12V and 18V subcompact impact drivers get used a ton because the modern 2000in-lb+ full size impact drivers will rape smaller fasteners.

The stubby 3/8” is real nice for automotive, but a full size 1/4” hex impact driver with a socket adapter will do a lot of what the stubby 3/8” will do.

The right angle impact wrench is nice to have in like 2 spots on a car. If you don’t do a lot of automotive, wouldn’t spend the money.

I would shill people on a decent 18V brushless 1/4” impact driver and a good mid-torque 1/2” as their first impacts.
Anonymous
7/23/2025, 1:54:00 PM No.2933540
>>2931921 (OP)
I've got a dewilt 18v cordless hammer drill that will twist my arm off in low gear, and a 1/2" cordless impact for the car.

Never find myself needing anything else other than maybe a second drill for pilot hole/deburr bit
Anonymous
7/23/2025, 8:23:00 PM No.2933634
My intention was to go Ryobi and I bought a large set. Then I used their drill to drive in some screws for window blinds and the thing started smoking like I was making it drive into concrete. So I got Dewalt Brushless for my expensive tools. If I need an impact to bust lugnuts I go Dewalt. If I need an orbital sander my ryobi worked fine for sanding my car hood.
Replies: >>2933637
Anonymous
7/23/2025, 8:26:46 PM No.2933637
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md5: 0de63d75d7a15aad69ca3adba0f10224🔍
>>2933634
Pic related