Impact driver used for drilling through joists for electrical

[Ole Anderson]

A while back someone said they used their impact driver to drill holes for electrical runs in joists. I critiqued that as an improper use of an impact driver. I am now here to "eat crow" and I hereby withdraw that opinion. Using a Bosch Daredevil self feed 3/4" spade bit I drilled a series of holes in joists spaced 16" on center using a PC 20 volt impact driver. Total length of the combination was such that the drill and bit fit between joists so a 90 degree hole could be drilled. (that was my primary reason for trying the idea) I was amazed how fast that combination popped those holes through 25 year old joists. Faster than using the drill version of the PC combo pack. And no impact driver was harmed in the demonstration. And if you hit a nail ( I didn't), it won't twist your wrist into submission like a drill might. I wouldn't try using it for plumbing size holes, but for smaller holes it worked great without having to go out and invest in an right angle drill like a Hole Hawg. Heck, the combo pack is about half the cost of Milwaukee's monster drill. Ok, I am comparing apples and eggs, I get it. By the way, I would love to have a Hole Hawg in my stable of drills, but I just can't justify it as my DIY skills don't yet include drilling 4 inch holes for drain pipes.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_234292-34252-PCCK602L2_0__?k_clickID=1785ab74-fbb7-4f20-bb78-3f72d11dbcbf&store_code=2570&productId=4751832&selectedLocalStoreBeanArray=%5Bcom.lowes.commerce. storelocator.beans.LocatorStoreBean%4049644964%5D&storeNumber=2570&kpid=4751832&kpid=4751832&cm_mmc=SCE_PLA-_-ToolsAndHardware-_-CordlessDrillsAndComboKits-_-4751832%3APORTER-CABLE&CAWELAID=&CAWELAID=320011480000348045

http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/885911/885911303507lg.jpghttp://mdm.boschwebservices.com/files/Bosch%20Daredevil™%20Spade%20Bits,%20Daredevil™%20 Spade%20Bits,%20Dar_%20(EN)%20r37068v31.png



http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-7-5-amp-1-2-in-Hole-Hawg-Heavy-Duty-Drill-1675-6/100000548

http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/400/e3/e3f4d4cf-1f96-484f-9080-31b099754cda_400.jpg

[Valk Wilkinson]

I just used the impact in my Makita set to bore some 1" holes in a tree stump with a self feeding Irwin bit 320944 and man I agree. I honestly thought I would never find a use for the damn thing. It just powered thru it where I was worrying about the actual drill in the set overheating with the same bit (not to mention almost breaking my wrist).

[Peter Quinn]

I've been using the spade bit/impact for years, not my idea, a contractor friend was helping me do some remodeling and used his, at first I though he was a bit off until I saw the results and tried it. It certainly doesn't replace my drills for everything but it speeds up rough ins for sure. I watched another contractor drill a 5" hole through my mud sill to install a tankless water heater using a hilti percussion drill, it had several different drilling modes,don't know which he was using but it ripped through that sill in under 3 minutes....and these are old 6X8 beams which are super hard at this point, he was going through 8" of material! He told me the drill had cost around $1500 but paid for itself in the first month because it was so effective.

[Izzy Camire]

I have used my impactor with the Irwin self feeding bit and it works great. It is short that with the drill so easier to get between the studs.

[Steve H Graham]

Impact drivers are life-changing. One of the many neat things about them is that a cordless impact driver will run much longer than a drill.

[Kent Adams]

Torque is a lovely thing isn't it :)

[Jim Finn]

When I worked as a construction sheet metal worker we used Makita impact drivers all day long to run in self tapping sheet metal screws. We also used them to tighten 3/8' nuts and bolts and lag screws. I have broken off many jammed 3/8" bolts with this cordless impact driver. Strong tool! Ours were 9.4 volt but now-a-days they are using 18 volt Makitas. Very durable tool. Much better than a drill for this purpose.

[Bruce Wrenn]

A while back someone said they used their impact driver to drill holes for electrical runs in joists. I critiqued that as an improper use of an impact driver. I am now here to "eat crow" and I hereby withdraw that opinion. Using a Bosch Daredevil self feed 3/4" spade bit I drilled a series of holes in joists spaced 16" on center using a PC 20 volt impact driver. Total length of the combination was such that the drill and bit fit between joists so a 90 degree hole could be drilled. (that was my primary reason for trying the idea) I was amazed how fast that combination popped those holes through 25 year old joists. Faster than using the drill version of the PC combo pack. And no impact driver was harmed in the demonstration. And if you hit a nail ( I didn't), it won't twist your wrist into submission like a drill might. I wouldn't try using it for plumbing size holes, but for smaller holes it worked great without having to go out and invest in an right angle drill like a Hole Hawg. Heck, the combo pack is about half the cost of Milwaukee's monster drill. Ok, I am comparing apples and eggs, I get it. By the way, I would love to have a Hole Hawg in my stable of drills, but I just can't justify it as my DIY skills don't yet include drilling 4 inch holes for drain pipes.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_234292-34252-PCCK602L2_0__?k_clickID=1785ab74-fbb7-4f20-bb78-3f72d11dbcbf&store_code=2570&productId=4751832&selectedLocalStoreBeanArray=%5Bcom.lowes.commerce. storelocator.beans.LocatorStoreBean%4049644964%5D&storeNumber=2570&kpid=4751832&kpid=4751832&cm_mmc=SCE_PLA-_-ToolsAndHardware-_-CordlessDrillsAndComboKits-_-4751832%3APORTER-CABLE&CAWELAID=&CAWELAID=320011480000348045

http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/885911/885911303507lg.jpghttp://mdm.boschwebservices.com/files/Bosch%20Daredevil™%20Spade%20Bits,%20Daredevil™%20 Spade%20Bits,%20Dar_%20(EN)%20r37068v31.png



http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-7-5-amp-1-2-in-Hole-Hawg-Heavy-Duty-Drill-1675-6/100000548

http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/400/e3/e3f4d4cf-1f96-484f-9080-31b099754cda_400.jpgAround here, Hole
Hogs run $70-- $100 in pawn shops depending upon cosmetic condition. HF sells a "look alike" of the Hole Hog in that price range.