multiple speed impact driver

Archived from the Tools In Action forum (Power Tools). This thread is read-only.

Dylan2077Member since Jul 2015Jul 9, 2015 11:02 PM CT

What are the advantages of having a multiple speed impact driver?

BremonMember since Dec 2014Jul 9, 2015 11:03 PM CT

Working with multiple materials without sinking your screws too deeply. Works like a crappy version of a clutch.

Maxwell Tyler RayMember since Jun 2015Jul 9, 2015 11:18 PM CT

All the different speed settings provide is different RPM rate but same torque rate(Milwaukee anyways)..so slow and delicate to fast and whatever happens happens haha..

it’s nice too have the different speed settings..as stated before..jus depends on what your working with!!

Charles HarrisMember since Apr 2015Jul 9, 2015 11:19 PM CT

It slows the impact down. It’s basically the same thing as holding the trigger partially down.

The nice thing is you get a lot better control of the trigger for smaller fasteners.

FazzmanMember since Apr 2014Jul 9, 2015 11:36 PM CT

I agree with Harris,more control is a nice thing.

DR99Member since Nov 2012Jul 9, 2015 11:49 PM CT

Like people before mentioned some of the new impact drivers have too much power in some situations.

jrsalasMember since Jun 2015Jul 10, 2015 12:48 AM CT

This is good if you don’t know how to feather the trigger. I’ve met a few individuals who just didn’t understand and kept blaming the bits for stripping the screws..

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NERemodelingMember since Aug 2014Jul 10, 2015 9:21 AM CT

jrsalas wrote:
This is good if you don’t know how to feather the trigger. I’ve met a few individuals who just didn’t understand and kept blaming the bits for stripping the screws..
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Exactly. If you can control the trigger properly then it really isn’t necessary and you can usually work faster.. just that most people can’t feather the trigger very well… my makita xdt09 has 3 speeds and a t-mode (mostly used for steel stud framing but pretty neat) I almost never take it out of speed 3..

it’s not a bad feature to have but I wouldn’t let it sway your buying decision a huge amount.

SwaglosrevivalMember since Oct 2014Jul 10, 2015 9:33 AM CT

NERemodeling wrote:
Exactly. If you can control the trigger properly then it really isn’t necessary and you can usually work faster.. just that most people can’t feather the trigger very well… my makita xdt09 has 3 speeds and a t-mode (mostly used for steel stud framing but pretty neat) I almost never take it out of speed 3..
it’s not a bad feature to have but I wouldn’t let it sway your buying decision a huge amount.

Same here I save a Makita td148dz it has 3 mode and a auto detect mode but the variable trigger is really all you need really. I keep it on mode 3.

BremonMember since Dec 2014Jul 10, 2015 9:59 AM CT

There are also tools out there with a bit of trigger delay which can make feathering the trigger for somewhat more detailed work a PITA.

Dylan2077Member since Jul 2015Jul 10, 2015 4:36 PM CT

Thanks guys I was just wondering if I shoud upgrade to the 3speed dcf895d2 from the dcf886d2

comp56Member since Sep 2014Jul 10, 2015 4:47 PM CT

it can also avoid screws braking if screwing in to hardwoods softwoods not so much

chadlanthierMember since Mar 2013Jul 10, 2015 5:10 PM CT

Yep I’ve snapped a few nuts. But as Tim the tool man Taylor would say ” more power, ugh ugh”

bothuhead19Member since Jun 2015Jul 11, 2015 2:44 PM CT

I always thought it was unnecessary to have different speed settings for an impact driver then I discovered the FUEL Impact driver. It pretty much allows you to cover a huge amount of tasks. You can control those small screws used with cabinet hardware in one moment and then drive lags the next! I used mine for drilling pocket holes and then the low speed for driving the pocket screw. Put in a nutshell…Ultimate Precision.

khariVMember since Dec 2014Jul 12, 2015 12:56 PM CT

I learned the hard way driving #10 screws into oak with my M18 Fuel impact driver – I hadn’t quite pre-drilled a large enough hole and I snapped quite a few screws in half just on speed 2. Luckily, I could still use the piece and put the screw holes on the side bolted to the brick wall, but it was a hands on lesson in how oak is not pine.