How Can You Use An Impact Wrench As A Drill? The Best Tips Of 2023

How can you use an impact wrench as a drill? The answer is yes. An impact wrench can be used as a drill by attaching a drill bit to the end of the wrench.

An impact wrench is a power tool to tighten or loosen nuts and bolts. But if the proper attachment is added, it can also be used as a drill. With a drill bit attached, the impact wrench can be used to drill into wood, metal, or concrete, among other things.

Because it can be used for tightening and drilling, the impact wrench is a helpful tool for DIY projects, construction work, and other jobs that need both.

With the proper technique, an impact wrench can be used easily as a drill, making it a powerful and effective way to drill. In this article, we will look at how an impact wrench can be used as a drill and some of its using benefits.

How Can You Use An Impact Wrench As A Drill?

You can, but it is not advised.

Can You Use An Impact Wrench As A Drill
How Can You Use An Impact Wrench As A Drill

An impact wrench is a powerful tool that can be used for various tasks, including drilling holes. Even though an impact wrench wasn’t made to drill, it can come in handy when needed. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use an impact wrench as a drill:

  1. Select the right drill bit: An impact wrench can accommodate various drill bits, but selecting the right one for your working material is vital. For example, if you are drilling into concrete, you will need a carbide-tipped drill bit.
  2. Insert the drill bit into the impact wrench: Once the drill bit is in place, tighten the chuck until it is secure.
  3. Set the speed: Impact wrenches typically have two speed settings: high and low. For drilling, you will want to use the low setting.
  4. Apply pressure: When ready to start drilling, slowly apply pressure to the trigger. As the drill bit penetrates the material, you can increase the pressure.
  5. Let the impact wrench do the work: An impact wrench is a powerful tool, so you should not have to apply a lot of pressure to the trigger. Let the tool do the work for you.
  6. Stop drilling: When you have reached the desired depth, release the trigger and let the drill bit stop spinning.
  7. Remove the drill bit: To remove the drill bit, loosen the chuck and pull the bit out of the impact wrench.

Impact wrenches are versatile tools that can be used for various tasks. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to drill a hole but don’t have a drill handy, an impact wrench can be a convenient tool to use.

What Are Some Of The Benefits Of Using An Impact Wrench As A Drill?

An impact wrench is a powerful tool that can loosen or tighten large nuts and bolts quickly and easily.

Benefits Of Using An Impact Wrench As A Drill

An impact wrench is a power tool to loosen or tighten nuts and bolts. It is a socket wrench that uses hammering to loosen or tighten the fastener. Impact wrenches are available in both cordless and pneumatic models.

Save Time:

Most of the time, impact wrenches are used in the auto industry, but they can also be used in construction and manufacturing. One of the main benefits of using an impact wrench is that it can save time. For example, if you change a tire, you can use an impact wrench to remove the lug nuts quickly.

Increased Power and Torque:

Another benefit of using an impact wrench is that it can provide more torque and power than a standard drill. This is because the impact wrench has a hammering action that strengthens the torque applied to the fastener. It can be beneficial when trying to loosen a stuck nut or bolt.

Speed:

When drilling holes in materials, impact wrenches are much faster than traditional drills. This is because each rotation makes them produces more power, which speeds up the process.

Ability to Handle Rough Materials:

Impact wrenches are excellent for drilling into hard materials like concrete or metal because they have more torque and speed. Because of this, they are great for jobs like fixing broken pipes or putting up window screens.

Less User Fatigue:

The high-torque pulses of an impact wrench reduce the amount of physical work that needs to be done, which makes tasks less tiring for the user.

More accuracy:

The torque control on an impact wrench ensures that nuts and bolts are tightened to the right level. This reduces the possibility of the item being fastened being damaged.

Versatility:

Impact wrenches can also be used for other home improvement tasks, such as taking light fixtures apart or fixing broken appliances. Impact wrenches are easy to use for any project because they can be used for many things.

An impact wrench is a good choice if you are looking for a power tool that can save you time and provide more torque.

How Does An Impact Wrench Work As A Drill?

It works as a drill by using a hammering action to spin the drill bit.

 An Impact Wrench works As A Drill


An impact wrench is a power tool to loosen or tighten bolts and nuts. It uses a hammering action to drive the socket onto the fastener. Impact wrenches are available in cordless and pneumatic models.

How does an impact wrench work as a drill?

An impact wrench can be used as a drill by attaching a drill bit to the chuck. The impact wrench will need to be set to drill mode. This can be done by turning the mode selector to the drill icon. The impact wrench will work like a normal drill once the drill bit is attached and the mode is set.

Real-life example: You can use an impact wrench as a drill to drill holes in wood.

What Are Some Of The Advantages Of Using An Impact Wrench Over A Regular Drill?

An impact wrench provides more torque than a regular drill, making it ideal for loosening and tightening lug nuts.

An impact wrench is a powerful power tool that can loosen or tighten large bolts and nuts with ease. Here are some of the advantages of using an impact wrench over a regular drill:

  • More power: An impact wrench delivers more power than a regular drill, making it ideal for loosening or tightening large bolts and nuts.
  • More torque: An impact wrench also delivers more torque than a regular drill, meaning it can apply more force to a bolt or nut to loosen or tighten it.
  • More control: An impact wrench is easier to control than a regular drill, making it less likely that you’ll accidentally strip a bolt or nut.
  • Faster: An impact wrench can loosen or tighten a bolt or nut much faster than a regular drill, saving you time.
  • Safer: An impact wrench is also safer than a regular drill, as it is less likely to cause injury if it slips.

What Are Some Of The Disadvantages Of Using An Impact Wrench As A Drill?

The disadvantages of using an impact wrench as a drill are that it is less powerful and has a shorter battery life.

Disadvantages of using An Impact Wrench As A Drill


An impact wrench is a powerful tool that can make quick work of driving or removing large screws and bolts. However, there are some disadvantages to using an impact wrench as a drill.

  1. Impact wrenches are designed to deliver high torque in a short burst. This can make it difficult to control the tool, especially when drilling smaller holes.
  2. Impact wrenches can be loud, which can be a problem if you try to work in a quiet area.

One way to overcome some of the disadvantages of using an impact wrench as a drill is to use a lower setting on the tool. This will help you to have more control over the tool and to drill smaller holes more accurately. You can also use earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones to help reduce the noise level.

FAQ

How Much Torque Does An Impact Wrench Have?

An impact wrench typically has a torque rating of around 700 ft-lbs. This means that it can generate enough force to break loose nuts and bolts that are tightened to that level of torque.

What Is The Difference Between An Impact Wrench And A Regular Drill?

An impact wrench is a power tool that delivers a high torque output with little effort from the user. It is used for loosening and tightening nuts and bolts. A regular drill is a power tool that is used for drilling holes.

Which Is Better For Drilling, An Impact Wrench Or A Regular Drill?

It depends on what you are trying to drill. If you are trying to drill through metal, then an impact wrench is better because it has more torque. If you are trying to drill through wood, then a regular drill is better because it is more precise.

How Do You Drill With An Impact Wrench?

To drill with an impact wrench, you need to set the drill to the correct speed and then apply pressure to the trigger. The amount of pressure you need to apply will depend on the material you’re drilling into.

What Are Some Safety Tips For Using An Impact Wrench As A Drill?

There are a few safety tips to keep in mind when using an impact wrench as a drill:

  1. Always wear eye protection when using an impact wrench as a drill.
  2. Make sure that the bit you use is the correct size for the impact wrench.
  3. Be careful not to over-tighten the bit.
  4. Use a clamp or other device to secure the workpiece if necessary.
  5. Always disconnect the power source before changing the bit or making any adjustments.

Conclusion

An impact wrench is a versatile tool used as a screwdriver and a drill. When using an impact wrench as a drill, it is crucial to use a lower speed setting and to hold the tool firmly to avoid injury.

With the proper attachment, an impact wrench can quickly drill, making it an excellent tool for do-it-yourself projects and building work.

Whether you’re doing a minor repair or a significant building job, an impact wrench that can also be used as a drill can save you time and make the job easier and more efficient. If you want a power tool that can do more than one thing, you should consider getting an impact wrench.

If you still have questions after reading this blog: “How can you use an impact wrench as a drill?” feel free to comment below.