Impact driver recommendations?

[Afo3]

This is probably a stupid question but going to be putting together an increasing amount of gear. Any recommended impact drivers? Looking for something that can handle 1” hardware if that makes a difference (Rogue monster etc). Thanks!

[EricAtl]

This is probably a stupid question but going to be putting together an increasing amount of gear. Any recommended impact drivers? Looking for something that can handle 1” hardware if that makes a difference (Rogue monster etc). Thanks!

Regular drill with one of these:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-3...2542/100495100

[rpark]

Milwaukee tools

But rogue 1” hardware..... requires a 1 1/2” socket or wrench.... just use a wrench.... it’s not as much turning as you’d think..... unless you are talking multiple racks..... still I disassembled and reassembled mine with just two wrenches.

[radrd]

I like Milwaukee and Makita tools.

[Hutrapper]

Hilti tools all around here.

[daniel327]

Any recommended impact drivers?

There is no need whatsoever to use an impact driver to assemble or disassemble gym equipment.

A decent socket set with a ratchet and some wrenches are all you'll ever need. This will also reduce the risk of squashing the sh!t out of the frames by over tightening the fasteners.

Thanks!

No worries, glad to help.

[boxer_for_life]

There is no need whatsoever to use an impact driver to assemble or disassemble gym equipment.

A decent socket set with a ratchet and some wrenches are all you'll ever need. This will also reduce the risk of squashing the sh!t out of the frames by over tightening the fasteners.

Milwaukee impact drivers have multiple drive modes to avoid over tightening.

I agree that an impact is not necessary, but I found it convenient when assembling a leg press I recently acquired.

I've used the impact (with an adapter to reduce the size, a socket, and screwdriver bit) to assemble a steel gazebo and had zero issues with stripping captive nuts or screw heads.

[supramax]

This is probably a stupid question but going to be putting together an increasing amount of gear. Any recommended impact drivers? Looking for something that can handle 1” hardware if that makes a difference (Rogue monster etc). Thanks!

I like MasterCraft power tools. Get the drills/drivers that have torque adjustment.

[Bench905]

I really like the M12 ratchet better for taking apart / putting together equipment. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...7-20/302451803

There's a few advantages over an impact:
1. You can manually turn it like a regular wrench. Great for the last tighten, getting it started, etc.
2. Easier to avoid overtightening / stripping - half the torque and you can hand tighten by turning at the end.
3. Fits in tighter spots than impacts
4. Don't need a hex to 3/8" socket adapter like impact drivers (impact wrenches are different story)

I haven't taken an impact driver on a pickup since getting it.

I have this Dewalt hex drive socket set too. They fit right on the m12 ratchet. Great for UCS / Wynmor stuff that has hex bolts...AND putting together bunk beds...personal experience.
https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DWMT73.../dp/B00TI6QAZG

[paulinkansas]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned their Superman handgrip strength, they don't need any sissy wrenches or hand tools.

[sera310]

There is no need whatsoever to use an impact driver to assemble or disassemble gym equipment.

A decent socket set with a ratchet and some wrenches are all you'll ever need. This will also reduce the risk of squashing the sh!t out of the frames by over tightening the fasteners.



No worries, glad to help.

+1 I have air & battery impact drivers, but I don't use them on my rack, I just use ratchets and sockets for these very reasons--no need & too much risk of creating a bigger problem. I sure wouldn't go out and spend the money to buy 1, unless you are going to be using it a lot. At the most I'd use a regular battery drill and then tighten the final couple of turns with a ratchet and socket.

[sera310]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned their Superman handgrip strength, they don't need any sissy wrenches or hand tools.

For The Win

[Mech6]

I don't know, maybe for crappy designs you can't use one. I've used a full size 1/2" drive impact to assemble all my stuff (and rotate my wheels). Never had an issue, as long as there are backing plates. If you're tightening right up to 1/8" tubing, ya, that would be dumb, although I still do it. Just have to be careful. I also use nylock nuts on everything and doing those by hand would take an eternity.

[BenMcLeodNZ]

Ryobi is what you want, it's not as powerful as the better but way more expensive brands like Milwaukee, but punches above it's weight and absolutely can handle the type of work you need it for. Any cheaper and you start getting into the junk category, although the ****tiest impact driver you could find would still handle that work super easily.

[ampire]

Regular drill with one of these:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-3...2542/100495100

Probably would burn the clutch or round out the chuck out on a regular drill, they aren't made for that.

Makita, Dewalt, Ryobi etc all make good electric cordless impacts.

[playerofwar]

Do you already have batteries for a brand?
Are you planning on using these tools in the future?
Are you planning on buying more tools in the future?

I own about 15K in Makita tools, so I might be biased, but the 18V system of Makita really made my life so much simpler. And I'm not even a full-time tradie.
Answer these questions and I'll tell you what you need for the price-point you need.

[chadsalt]

Probably would burn the clutch or round out the chuck out on a regular drill, they aren't made for that.

Makita, Dewalt, Ryobi etc all make good electric cordless impacts.

ROFLMAO What? Unless your an idiot who just holds the trigger when it clicks, you won't wear the clutch out. And I won't even comment on the round the chuck out nonsense.

A regular drill with socket drive is exactly what I've used for for decades. I'm lazy and much screwing or ratcheting aggravates my tennis elbow.

[BenMcLeodNZ]

ROFLMAO What? Unless your an idiot who just holds the trigger when it clicks, you won't wear the clutch out. And I won't even comment on the round the chuck out nonsense.

A regular drill with socket drive is exactly what I've used for for decades. I'm lazy and much screwing or ratcheting aggravates my tennis elbow.

Yeah, a drill will handle it fine, and has the advantage of being able to actually drill holes in **** if you want to screw things to the floor etc.

[JustTheDad]

Yeah, a drill will handle it fine, and has the advantage of being able to actually drill holes in **** if you want to screw things to the floor etc.

The drill is more versatile and quieter, which is important in some places, but you can drill pilot holes with a battery powered impact driver. I might not buy one just for gym equipment assembly, but then again, I might. Any excuse to buy one ...

I find I use my impact driver at least 5x as much as my cordless drills. It's smaller, doesn't strip screws as much, and there's no torque on my wrist. Even if you do have superman's wrist strength, that no torque aspect is nice when you're doing something borderline stupid on a ladder. The only time I use the drill as a driver now is when I'm putting self tapping screws into thin steel studs and don't want to strip them. The clutch is nice for that.

I'm a firm believer everyone should have both, and it's only 9 days to Christmas... .

[radrd]

The drill is more versatile and quieter, which is important in some places, but you can drill pilot holes with a battery powered impact driver. I might not buy one just for gym equipment assembly, but then again, I might. Any excuse to buy one ...

I find I use my impact driver at least 5x as much as my cordless drills. It's smaller, doesn't strip screws as much, and there's no torque on my wrist. Even if you do have superman's wrist strength, that no torque aspect is nice when you're doing something borderline stupid on a ladder. The only time I use the drill as a driver now is when I'm putting self tapping screws into thin steel studs and don't want to strip them. The clutch is nice for that.

I'm a firm believer everyone should have both, and it's only 9 days to Christmas... .

Agreed. You probably don't need an impact driver to assemble gym equipment, but I use mine for projects and repairs constantly. Everyone should own one.

[paulinkansas]

A pneumatic impact driver does come in quite handy, especially when you have a lot of lug nuts. 6 vehicles with 4 wheels each, 2 ag tractors, a skid steer, 3 trailers, 2 riding mowers. They also come in handy for removing the nut that holds rider mower blades on the spindle. Blades are much easier to sharpen when removed.

[lsi1]

bought my dewalt 20v drill and 1/4 impact driver as a set when the local Sears was closing about 6 years back. Bought a refurb 1/2 impact to go with the set and I have never regretted it. Finally wearing the drill out but its drilled a crap ton of holes in its life.

[ripper238]

Cordless drills didn't exist when i was delivering and installing this equipment. But any drill with an adjustable clutch so you don't end up hurting your self or over tighten will be fine. I use a 6.5v 3/8 DeWalt drill.

[JustTheDad]

I use a 6.5v 3/8 DeWalt drill.

You sure? I've never seen a DeWalt with that low a voltage. Ryobi and Black and Decker maybe, but even for those it would have been over a decade ago, and I'd be surprised if those old batteries still worked today.
The Panasonic I bought over 18 years ago was 15.6V I think, so 6.5V is going be from a long long time ago.