Advantage of an impact driver

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cep32

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Topic # 107105 7-Aug-2012 13:28

Hi All,

I'm putting up plasterboard in a couple of rooms at home and have been using a battery drill to screw in the screws. All of the framing is really old heart rimu and as a result the drill has been rounding out a fair few of the screw heads when it jumps out.

I've never used an impact driver before and am wondering if it might be worth the investment given that there will be 600 or so screw to go in. Has anyone had experiences with them and found them significantly better than a drill?

Cheers,
Chris

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Reply # 668992 7-Aug-2012 14:01

Our house is the same: hard old rimu. I find it's best to drill a pilot hole before putting in any screws and lubricate the screws with silicone spray before putting them in.

I'm just using a normal DeWalt cordless drill for this.

Whatifthespacekeyhadneverbeeninvented?

wellygary

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Reply # 669005 7-Aug-2012 14:13

cep32:
I've never used an impact driver before and am wondering if it might be worth the investment given that there will be 600 or so screw to go in. Has anyone had experiences with them and found them significantly better than a drill?

Cheers,
Chris

Hey, rather than going down this route, have you thought about just renting a proper gib screw gun for a day, (they are not that expensive)

Just set the correct depth and when using collated screws you just keep on going and going, (your back will love you)

Also the screws are really only to hold the sheets up while the glue sets,

Dinuir

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Reply # 669010 7-Aug-2012 14:18

Pretty certain you should never glue and screw gib in the same place.

A couple of builders I had do some work at home told me it was never a good idea to do this. Screw the gib in place and if you use glue, make sure it is away from the screws.

MikeSkyrme

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Reply # 669045 7-Aug-2012 14:38

As per a previous post, try renting a collated screw driver, much quicker than a conventional battery drill / driver.

As for rounding off the screw heads, try using a square drive and appropriate screws.

With regards to glueing and screwing, if you are new to installing Gib (or whatever plasterboard you are using), try downloading the installation guide which clearly states where glue should be applied, screw centers and screw type (you may actually be required to use Gib Grabber type screws if the plasterboard is part of your bracing system).

Michael Skyrme - Instrumentation & Controls

oxnsox

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Reply # 669046 7-Aug-2012 14:40

An Impact driver will probably shear the heads off the screws, if it doesn't simply round the holes out like you're doing already.

As suggested pre drill holes or nail the gib.

Dav4122

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Reply # 669114 7-Aug-2012 16:13

DarthKermit: Our house is the same: hard old rimu. I find it's best to drill a pilot hole before putting in any screws and lubricate the screws with silicone spray before putting them in.

I'm just using a normal DeWalt cordless drill for this.

I agree, pilot hole and some soap on the screw works a treat

timmmay

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Reply # 669143 7-Aug-2012 17:01

Dav4122: I agree, pilot hole and some soap on the screw works a treat

This is also on the "top ten things people learn in prison" list ;)

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gzt

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Reply # 669247 7-Aug-2012 20:12

MikeSkyrme: As per a previous post, try renting a collated screw driver, much quicker than a conventional battery drill / driver.

As for rounding off the screw heads, try using a square drive and appropriate screws.

With regards to glueing and screwing, if you are new to installing Gib (or whatever plasterboard you are using), try downloading the installation guide which clearly states where glue should be applied, screw centers and screw type (you may actually be required to use Gib Grabber type screws if the plasterboard is part of your bracing system).

+1.
- Gib screw guns run at 4000 RPM which is a lot faster and more torque driving in than an average battery drill
- made for the purpose they hold the screw straight the whole way
- the corded ones have more grunt usually

Never tried one in Rimu. Never tried pre-drilling for a gib gun. If you have to pre-drill for the gun it might be pointless. Get a half day hire and try it if it is worth while.

If you have to pre-drill it is a lot faster if you use one drill for drilling and another for screwing.

cep32

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Reply # 669631 8-Aug-2012 14:37

Thanks all. I was hoping to avoid pre-drilling as I have never had an issue before with the screw heads breaking off, just with the screws rounding out and the drill struggling. Hirequip do the gib screw guns for $35 for the weekend which is pretty good.

The only reason I have been considering an impact driver is the fact it will be useful beyond this particular job. Looking at $200 odd for a Ryobi one though so hiring is still looking good.

Cheers,
Chris

stevenz

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Reply # 669648 8-Aug-2012 15:12

Impact driver would be the wrong tool for the job I would've thought. I'm loath to use one unless it's to get stubborn screws/bolts out of something after soaking them with WD40 for a while.

And use Robertson\square screws instead of Philips/Posidrive. Easier to deal with, harder to graunch.

@KnightNZ

Jaxson

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Reply # 669650 8-Aug-2012 15:24

Yeah impacts more for concrete/masonry style tasks I would have thought?

If you're having issues with screws binding then the impact may help but is probably more likely to munt a Phillips head. Square drives work quite well in this instance, easier to locate and typically more resistant to munting. (That's a real word right?)

And nice one Timmmay, someone needs to acknowledge your input there, especially when it's backed by your experiences and all

...

timmmay

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Reply # 669652 8-Aug-2012 15:30

I wondered if anyone noticed that! Fortunately not backed by experience :)

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gzt

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Reply # 669653 8-Aug-2012 15:31

I can see how an impact driver drill is attractive. Probably more efficient on the battery and easier on the motor in a hard material. Easier on the wrist/forearm as well.

Gib screws are weak. Not sure how many have impact torque adjustment + a clutch like a conventional drill/driver. There are stores around that will let you drive a few screws into your Rimu to find out.

gzt

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Reply # 669655 8-Aug-2012 15:33

Jaxson: Yeah impacts more for concrete/masonry style tasks I would have thought?

Completely different thing. That is a hammer drill - but also called an impact drill just to confuse you.

Jaxson

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Reply # 669659 8-Aug-2012 15:41

gzt:
Jaxson: Yeah impacts more for concrete/masonry style tasks I would have thought?

Completely different thing. That is a hammer drill - but also called an impact drill just to confuse you.

Sweet, thanks for the heads up!

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