Ok I have both in 18v. Love both of them. However the issue I’m having is this:
1) Either the scrw heads shred/tare out. Regardless of head type. i.e square, philips or star.
2) Or the head completely snap off.
So, what screws does everyone use when using the impact driver?
Thoughts are greatly appreciated.
Thx
Barney
Replies
McFeelys. Screw Products, or GRK are the go to suppliers for me. For connector hardware Simpson now had their SD9 and SD10 series screws ment for their framing connectors.
The main thing for driving a screw is to make sure you have a good tip that isn't rounded AT ALL. A little lube helps, so does predrilling. If you are snapping off heads, are you trying to drive SS int a knot? I've driven scres into knots before - and couldn't back them back out again. Once stopped, the static friction of the knot could not be overcome by my impact driver!
I use,,, a light touch on the trigger. Regular screws will be fine if you don't overpower them. If a screw is resisting driving all the way, back it out a bit and then drive forward again - you're reaming the threads out and reducing load. Also, if you're not pilot drilling, the thread could be bridging - cutting into both pieces you're fastening. That increases torque close to the screw head. Pilot holes or shanked screws are the solution.
I did have a batch of deck screws where the heads popped off as soon as you pulled them tight.
Sorry it has taken a while to get back to everyone. Been busting my butt to get the project done before christmas to make my wife happy.
Went to HD and found some great deck screws that worked awesome. They were star heads not square or philips. Not a single problem with any of them. Cost more money, but way better than others I have used.
Yeah, I've never been able to destroy a GRK -- the original star-head screw. I see others are now making GRK knockoffs that seem to be pretty rugged, but sooner or later they'll begin to cheapen the sith out of them and they'll be as bad as the others, just as soon as they drive all the distributors away from GRK.
I think those screws are made by Phillips, the previous ones HD used to carry are now carried by Lowes. Those are called DeckMate Square Driv, and I can take a #9 x 3.5" and have it pull itself through a board, head and all.
I haven't yet tried the Star head ones yet - good to hear you like them!
They are great and I have been able myself to drive right on through with the head if not careful... especially when using a driver sleave on the bit.
The star ones are great. They come with a free star bit.... however its not meant for an impact driver. Just a regular driver. It doesn't hold up for the life of an impact star bit you can get.
That's not to say its not good though. It lasted through screwing/gluing and entire kitchen floor down with no problems. I think (2 maybe 3) 5 lbs boxes of these screws would blow through that bit.
I think I got a bad box of those once. I used them for a PT fence and they seemed to rust almost instantly!
Edit: I have never really snapped a screw head off. At least not in wood. Thats the great thing about the impact driver is it slows down when it torques out. You just start feathering the trigger a bit until you get the screw where you it.
I also use both..........
I have the Mikita Lithium at home and work, the DeWALT is NiCad. Makita is the black/white (blue/white is a better impact driver) but is considerably lighter than the NiCad DeWALT. The DeWALT has more power IMO. Both kick A$$ compared to a drill driver for setting screws. I use a #8 phillips chipboard screw and have broke maybe a half dozen in 100,000 screws. They have a cutout on the point and nibs under the screw head that cut their way into material. I used #6 screws for awhile and broke a screw or 10 everyday. I use #8 from 1" to 3" and never have any issues on interior applications, outside I use torx head (star) coated screws for decking for exterior applications.