Hikoki’s torque just saved your wrist — tired of drills stalling halfway into hardwood?

May 23, 2025

Bite Through Bolts and Grind Through Grit — Why an Impact Driver Makes the Cut

Ever tried sinking a stubborn screw into hardwood and nearly burnt out your drill?

You’re not alone. Traditional drills can stall, overheat, or worse — strip your screws and your patience. But when jobs get tough, there’s a power tool that steps up without breaking a sweat: the impact driver.

Once reserved for the workbenches of serious tradies, impact drivers are now finding their way into the hands of anyone who’s sick of chewed-up bits, wrist strain, or wasting time on jobs that should already be done. And here’s the kicker: used right, they can halve your effort and double your punch.

What’s an Impact Driver, and Why's Everyone Talking About 'Em?

If a cordless drill is your go-to screwdriver, an impact driver is its aggro cousin who brings the muscle. It looks similar, but what sets it apart is its internal hammering mechanism. As you drive a screw, the tool delivers rapid rotational bursts that practically knock it into place. This results in:

Incredible torque — no more bogging down mid-job
Less strain on your wrist and forearm
Reduced risk of stripping threads or fasteners
Faster, cleaner results on timber, metal, and composites

Before vs. After: The Real Impact

Before: You’re sweating over hex screws into treated pine, stopping every few seconds to swap bits or reset your angle. You question your life choices.

After: You blast through 120mm batten screws like it’s soft butter. One charge lasts the whole job. Your wrist still works, and the jobsite smoko starts early.

When You Actually Need One

Impact drivers shine brightest when things get gnarly. Think:

Driving long screws into hardwood framing
Piercing metal brackets and galvanised plates
Decking projects that demand hundreds of screws
Dislodging rusted bolts on older sheds or trailers

If you’ve ever cooked a battery trying to power through a treated sleeper or cursed your drill chuck mid-sink, you're ready for an upgrade.

Pro Tip:

Pair your impact driver with impact-rated hex shank bits. Standard drill bits won’t survive the torque — and neither will your fasteners.

What It Feels Like to Use One

Unlike a standard drills' steady whirr, you’ll notice a rat-a-tat-tat rhythm under pressure — that’s the impact action doing the heavy lifting. It sounds like controlled chaos, but it feels surprisingly smooth and intuitive. Once you try it, you’ll wonder how you ever did without it.

It’s a bit like driving a Hilux vs driving a supercharged V8. Both get the job done — but only one makes your mates want a turn.

How to Use It Without Wrecking Stuff

The biggest mistakes? Over-tightening, using the wrong bits, or assuming it's the same as a drill. Here’s a quick-start guide:

Start slow: Squeeze the trigger gently to seat the bit in place
Let it hammer: The tool takes over once resistance kicks in — don’t force it
Lift early: Watch for the screw seating flush, then stop. Impact drivers can snap a head clean off if you're too trigger-happy
Use correct bits: Look for 'impact-rated' on the packaging. Better grip, less snap, no drama

Who Should Actually Be Using This Tool (And Why)

If your patch includes DIY renos, fencing, decking, trailer builds, or structural timber fixes — you’re the ideal candidate. This isn’t about collecting tools just for show. It’s about choosing gear that makes your workday smoother, faster, and less exhausting.

"Used to take 40 minutes and a burning smell — now takes 8 and a grin."

What This Means for Anyone Building Anything by Hand

The right tool doesn’t just improve results — it protects your reputation. When you’ve only got yourself (and maybe a gumboot-wearing apprentice) to get it done, investing in equipment that speeds things up without compromising quality is a no-brainer.

And when the job wraps quicker and cleaner? That’s time back in your pocket. That's fewer callbacks. That’s respect earned from crew and client alike.

Final Thought

Don’t let a slow tool make you look slow. The impact driver doesn’t just work hard — it works smart. Give one half a chance, and you’ll wonder how you ever fenced, framed, or fixed without it.

Catch you round the workshed,
Candeece