What is an Angle Driver?

An angle driver is a tool that makes it possible to drive screws into a tight corner. This type of tool is equipped with a 90-degree head that provides the ability to operate in small spaces. This particular design is used in tools such as angle drills, angle impact drivers and cordless angle drivers.

Often in construction, the need to secure a panel or wall arises, but there is not enough room to swing a hammer or operate a pneumatic nail gun. The angle driver allows a worker to drive a screw into the tight location and secure the wall. This handy tool is used in construction as well as plumbing and electrical installations. When running new plumbing through the wall studs and floors of a structure, a plumber often utilizes the angle driver equipped with a hole saw to bore holes used in the routing of water lines through the structure.

Electricians also use the angle driver to bore holes through wall studs that electrical wires need to pass through. The angle driver also makes boring between floor joists possible. In many of the tools, the 90-degree angled head is adjustable. This allows the head to rotate to a position where the user can best control and operate it.

Prior to the introduction of these tools, many holes required boring prior to the stud or joist being installed. This slowed down the construction process immensely and caused many boards to be ruined due to improperly laid out holes being bored in them. By being able to bore the holes after the boards are in place, the job site is able to maintain a better construction rhythm.

Angle impact drivers are often used on heavy machinery. When changing tires or removing large bolts on heavy machinery, the angle impact driver allows the user to have some leverage rather than simply using a tool that goes straight in for the bolt. With the tool angled at 90 degrees, the tool becomes its own handle and an operator can get leverage into loosening a desired nut or bolt.

The design of the angle driver allows the operator to hold the tool closer to the body and saves injury to the wrist. Without the angle, operators are required to hold the tool straight out and it typically catches as the bit is about to break through the surface that is being drilled. This causes the tool to rotate rapidly and uncontrollably, which can lead to injury.