What Is an Impact Drill Used For? | Beyond Basic Drilling

If you’ve ever watched a regular drill spin helplessly against a brick wall, you already know why the impact drill exists. The tool delivers rapid, concussive blows along the drill bit’s axis while it turns, pulverizing hard materials. Bosch Professional describes its impact drills as suitable for “impact drilling, drilling and screwdriving into a wide range of materials,” which neatly captures the two jobs the tool handles: making holes and driving screws.

Impact Drilling: The Core Job

Impact drilling is the hammer-and-rotation mode that defines the tool. The mechanism creates a rapid succession of blows—thousands per minute—that shatter the surface as the flutes clear the debris. This makes the impact drill the right choice for:

• Masonry, brick, and light concrete for anchors, shelf brackets, and wall plugs
• Wood and metal in standard drilling mode, where the impact action is switched off

Bosch DIY publishes drilling-capacity figures for its impact-drill line in both wood and masonry, which confirms the tool’s split personality. The hammer mode chews through block and brick; flip the selector and the same chuck turns clean holes in a pine board.

Is an Impact Drill the Same as an Impact Driver?

No—the two tools share a name but not a purpose. An impact drill bores holes and drives screws, with a chuck that accepts round drill bits. An impact driver is built for fastening: it delivers rotational impacts to a hex-shank bit and is not designed for general hole drilling. Many homeowners own both, but the impact drill is the more versatile first purchase because it replaces a standard drill and adds masonry capability.

If you’re weighing which tool fits your workshop, our roundup of the best impact drills compares current models on power, chuck size, and battery system—useful once you’ve settled on the type.

Screwdriving and Everyday Fastening

Beyond drilling, the impact drill pulls double duty as a powered screwdriver. The impact mechanism delivers bursts of rotational force that help the bit keep turning when resistance spikes—jammed screws, dense hardwood, or a long fastener sinking into a stud. Bosch Professional lists screwdriving alongside impact drilling in its stated applications for the tool line.

That said, an impact drill is heavier and bulkier than a dedicated screwdriver. For a full day of driving hundreds of screws, a compact driver is easier on the wrist. For occasional projects—assembling a deck, hanging drywall—the impact drill’s extra grunt is a feature, not a flaw.

Staying Safe With an Impact Drill

Impact drilling is physically demanding on both the tool and the operator. Manufacturer guidance for cordless drill/drivers in the Bosch range emphasizes the basics: wear hearing protection, secure the workpiece, and grip the tool firmly with both hands when using the hammer function.

Three hazards deserve special attention. First, kickback: if the bit binds in a hole, the tool can twist violently in your hands—release the trigger immediately and let the chuck stop before withdrawing. Second, what’s behind the wall: use a stud finder to avoid drilling into hidden wiring or pipes. Third, the bit itself: match the bit to the material and never exceed its rated maximum speed. Bosch also specifies that its battery systems be used only with compatible products from the same manufacturer—mixing brands can damage the tool or the pack.

FAQs

Can an impact drill be used as a regular drill?

Yes. Most impact drills have a selector switch that disengages the hammer action, leaving standard rotation for drilling wood, metal, and plastic. In this mode the tool behaves like a conventional drill, which is why it can replace one in most home workshops.

What is the difference between an impact drill and a hammer drill?

The terms are often used interchangeably for cordless tools. Both deliver a hammering action for masonry work. The practical difference is size and mechanism: a hammer drill’s blows are coupled to the chuck, while an impact driver uses rotational impacts on the bit—but for buying purposes, treat “impact drill” and “hammer drill” as the same category.

Do I need an impact drill for drilling into brick?

For occasional brick, block, or light-concrete work, the impact drill is the right home-tool choice. Standard drill bits will stall against masonry, so use carbide-tipped masonry bits with the hammer mode engaged. For daily professional masonry work, a rotary hammer with SDS bits is faster, but it’s overkill for household projects.