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Replacing deck boards, impact driver a must tool?
May 28, 2026, 06:23 PM
SchmelbyReplacing deck boards, impact driver a must tool?
Deck is at least 40 years old but I believe the foundation is solid. I have a great Bosch drill but all the Utube videos I watch say to use an impact driver. I don't mind spending the money to buy one if it's worth it. I'll fill all the nail holes and have joist tape
and a thirty year old son as a slave
. I've seen deck screws are crazy expensive. Any advice would be appreciated.
May 28, 2026, 06:42 PM
M1GarandyHow big is the deck and how many boards are you replacing?
I've done it with a drill, but if I had a lot to do, IMO a 1/4 cordless impact driver drives Torx head deck screws significantly better than a cordless drill.
FWIW, I'd consider ear protection when using an 1/4 impact driver. Not painfully loud but it all adds up.
May 28, 2026, 07:03 PM
SchmelbyReplacing all the boards. About 30 ft by 30 ft. Buying from a lumber yard , not Box store. And treads and top rails on the steps.
My back is not looking foward to it.
May 28, 2026, 10:48 PM
Hamden106One answer. Deck screws with torx drive
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May 28, 2026, 11:25 PM
F_Lquote:
Originally posted by M1Garandy:
How big is the deck and how many boards are you replacing?
I've done it with a drill, but if I had a lot to do, IMO a 1/4 cordless impact driver drives Torx head deck screws significantly better than a cordless drill.
FWIW, I'd consider ear protection when using an 1/4 impact driver. Not painfully loud but it all adds up.
I agree with M1. A 1/4" impact is lighter, better suited to driving deck screws. Torx head is best, get some extra bits.
Perfect reason to get another tool.
May 29, 2026, 12:23 AM
Schmelbyquote:
Originally posted by F_L:
Perfect reason to get another tool.
Yeah, I'm a sucker for new tools and gadgets.
I'll hand them all down to my son.
I'm the perfect Jack of all trades, master of none. Son is searching for his first new home, I'll give him a garage full of tools and try to teach him how to use them.
May 29, 2026, 04:20 AM
4MUL8RYou will need
(a) a deck board removal tool. this is somewhat like a prybar.
(b) two sizes of prybars to remove residual nails or screws after a board is raised off the joists
(c) a board bender. this is most important as not even lumber yard wood is straight
(d) about 10% more wood than you think you need, for knots, blemishes, and other nonforming nonsense
(e) a good miter saw. If you are just cutting boards across their short dimension, a less expensive saw can work. If you are going diagonal boards, lots more work and more care needed. make sure the saw can traverse the full width of any boards on a diagonal.
(f) excellent understanding of any frame errors. It may look 90 degrees, but it is likely not. This magnifies itself if you are going diagonal. Set the miter saw angle accordingly.
(g) a circular saw. 30 tooth blade. You will be trimming the ends of the deck boards at the end of the side frame boards. Learn to cut across the set of deck boards without steering the saw into the side boards.
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Trying to simplify my life...
May 29, 2026, 05:09 AM
Schmelbyquote:
Originally posted by 4MUL8R:
You will need
(a) a deck board removal tool. this is somewhat like a prybar.
(b) two sizes of prybars to remove residual nails or screws after a board is raised off the joists
(c) a board bender. this is most important as not even lumber yard wood is straight
(d) about 10% more wood than you think you need, for knots, blemishes, and other nonforming nonsense
(e) a good miter saw. If you are just cutting boards across their short dimension, a less expensive saw can work. If you are going diagonal boards, lots more work and more care needed. make sure the saw can traverse the full width of any boards on a diagonal.
(f) excellent understanding of any frame errors. It may look 90 degrees, but it is likely not. This magnifies itself if you are going diagonal. Set the miter saw angle accordingly.
(g) a circular saw. 30 tooth blade. You will be trimming the ends of the deck boards at the end of the side frame boards. Learn to cut across the set of deck boards without steering the saw into the side boards.
I've already bought this removal tool,
https://www.crescenttool.com/a...eck-removal-bull-barAnd have plenty of crowbars, pry bars.
I'll wait till my lumber is delivered to see if I need a board bender, (watched utube videos how to install slightly warped boards)
Any suggestions on brand of impact driver and brand of screws?
May 29, 2026, 05:35 AM
marksman41subscribed
May 29, 2026, 07:33 AM
IntrepidTravelerquote:
Originally posted by Schmelby:
...
Any suggestions on brand of impact driver and brand of screws?
Go with whatever battery platform you already own. Get extra batteries. Beware of counterfeits.
Thus the metric system did not really catch on in the States, unless you count the increasing popularity of the nine-millimeter bullet.
- Dave Barry
"Never go through life saying 'I should have'..." - quote from the 9/11 Boatlift Story (thanks, sdy for posting it) May 29, 2026, 07:49 AM
Powers77IMO, spring for the highest voltage impact driver you are willing to pay for.
I have a 10+ year old Rigid (Home Depot brand) that still runs fine. Forget the voltage.
Anyway, did a project just as you described a couple of years ago and used it and a friends newer and more powerful Dewalt. The extra umph makes a big difference, especially on those screws going into knots etc...
You'd be surprised how often the impact drivers come in handy. Mine if my most frequently used tool.
Will be helping a friend build a 16 x 16 deck in the next few weeks. He has a Bauer (Harbor Freight) that I have used on a couple of minor projects. It seems to operate fine.
The difference in the performance between the Dewalt and my Rigid is enough that I'm considering upgrading before the deck project.
May 29, 2026, 07:58 AM
Powers77ETA: you'll be surprised how often you actually use one. My most frequently used tool.
May 29, 2026, 08:01 AM
83v45magnaquote:
Originally posted by Powers77:
ETA: you'll be surprised how often you actually use one. My most frequently used tool.
That is true. I have had a Ryobi 1/4 impact that has been my go to for going on 20 years. Just shifted it to an 18V lithium when all the niCads went tits up.
May 29, 2026, 11:40 AM
sig operatorYes to impact driver.
This is your chance to upgrade to lithium-ion brushless tools. The latest greatest. Many Father's day sales coming up. Maybe get a combo pack? Lots of solid choices out there.
Not all torx screws are exterior rated. Don't ask how I know this.
May 29, 2026, 11:44 AM
CooksterCheck your e-mail, Schmelby.
Regards,
Rob
__________
"I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy."
May 29, 2026, 12:54 PM
4MUL8RI used Milwaukee.
I found having two on hand was useful. One had torx bit. One had drill bit.
I also used an oscillating saw to cut off remaining screws left in the joists as deck boards were pried off.
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Trying to simplify my life...
May 29, 2026, 01:09 PM
HRKImpact driver makes all the difference, I have a small Bosch kit with drill and impact and it does quite a bit of work around the house, came with two batteries that make getting things done easier.
May 29, 2026, 03:41 PM
Schmelbyquote:
Originally posted by HRK:
Impact driver makes all the difference, I have a small Bosch kit with drill and impact and it does quite a bit of work around the house, came with two batteries that make getting things done easier.
Since I have a Bosch cordless drill I'll probably get a Bosch impact driver. I've always heard they make good products. Love my drill, seems to hold a charge forever.
May 29, 2026, 04:54 PM
mark60An impact might be marginally the better tool but it's not a "must". I built several decks in the 20x20 range before I ever bought an impact and when I bought one it was really only to buy another tool. I don't use it much because I hate the noise. If I need some extra oomph I'll certainly grab it but soft pine deck boards or composite decking don't require a lot of oomph.
If you want the easiest on your back they used to make deck screwdrivers that you could use standing up, kind of a cordless drill on a stick sort of thing.
May 29, 2026, 06:59 PM
flesheatingvirusAfter I first tried an impact driver, I will never drive a screw with a drill again. 100% worth it. Drills are for making holes. Drivers are for driving fasteners.
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