Contents
For some jobs, you have to tighten a lot of screws. You can, of course, do this manually with a screwdriver, but this requires considerable effort and takes a lot of time. To speed up the process, you need to choose a screwdriver. There are very inexpensive models – household ones – which, nevertheless, greatly facilitate the installation and dismantling of screws. And some can work in drill mode.
Household or professional
As you know, professional screwdrivers are more expensive, but this is no coincidence. They are made with a large margin of safety, for which better and more expensive materials are used. In addition, they have more power, which makes it possible to drive longer self-tapping screws and / or work with harder materials.
To decide whether you need a household or professional screwdriver, estimate the amount of work that will need to be done. If you are starting a construction or major renovation, you probably need a professional or semi-professional model. If the tool will be needed periodically – unscrew / twist something from time to time, household is more than enough. With such work, the resource of a pro tool simply will not be in demand. So choosing a screwdriver according to this criterion is not very difficult.
Battery or mains
Having decided on the class, you will need to decide whether you need a cordless or cordless screwdriver. The disadvantages and advantages of both are obvious: the battery has higher mobility and the cord does not interfere with work, but it weighs more. The network does not depend on the presence of a battery charge, but not all construction sites have power supply. In general, the choice is not easy. The decisive moment may be that a cordless screwdriver with a good battery is decently more expensive than a similar model powered by the mains. The difference is formed due to the presence of a battery – good options are not cheap.
If you decide to choose a power screwdriver, pay attention to the length of the cable. The longer it is, the more convenient it will be to work – you don’t have to carry a carrier.
To choose the right screwdriver on batteries, you need to pay attention to the type of battery. This determines the duration of work on a single charge, as well as the order of storage.
- Lithium-ion (Li-lon). Holds a charge for a long time, charges quickly, has a large number of recharges, almost does not discharge during storage. In general, a good option, but expensive. Because, probably, it is more common on professional models, where the duration of work on a single charge is important. The disadvantages include the fear of cold, which is important in our country.
Lithium-ion batteries have a long life, do not self-discharge, but are expensive - Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH). This type of rechargeable batteries is environmentally friendly, they are small in size and weight, and have an average price. Disadvantages – they also do not like low temperatures, they have a short service life – about 3 years. But it is easier to work with such a tool – the hand is not so tired. When storing the battery, the battery is fully charged; discharged batteries cannot be stored. During storage, they are discharged, but moderately.
Nickel-metal hydride batteries are a good option, but they do not have a very long life. - Nickel-cadmium (Ni-CD). The main advantages are low price and a service life of 5 years (the number of charges is about 3000), it is not afraid of frost, that is, you can work outside in winter. Disadvantages – takes a long time to charge (it takes twice as long to charge batteries of other types), has a “charge memory”. Charge memory is a nasty thing. If you charge a battery that is not fully discharged, then the total capacity of the battery will decrease. It will become less just by the value from which the charge began. Therefore, it is necessary to work with such a tool until the battery is completely discharged, which is far from always convenient: it cannot always “tighten” the screw, you have to help with your hands or tighten it with a “fresh” battery. Store fully discharged for storage, otherwise the capacity will decrease again.
The cheapest type of batteries are nickel-cadmium, but they have a “charge memory”
So, if you choose a cordless screwdriver for occasional work, a nickel-cadmium battery will do just fine. If used carefully, it lasts a long time. If you start large-scale work, it is better to use other batteries – there will be less downtime, the work will move faster.
Type of cartridge
There are two types of screwdriver chuck: key and quick-clamping. Quick-release (usually has three petals) allows you to change nozzles in a matter of seconds – the cartridge is turned a little by hand, the nozzle changes, after which it is again turned a little in the opposite direction. In addition, there is another positive point: it is fashionable to install a nozzle of any thickness in such a holder. The main thing is that the shank fit into the holder.
The same operation with a key cartridge requires a special key. It is inserted into a special socket, rotated until the nozzle is released. After replacement, the key is turned in the opposite direction. The disadvantage is obvious: you need to have this key on hand.
By structure, keyless chucks can have one or two clutches. If there are two clutches, one of them fixes the cartridge, the second – the shaft. If there is only one clutch, then there is a shaft lock button on the body.
It is not difficult to choose a screwdriver according to this parameter – usually everyone converges on quick-clamping ones. They allow you to fix nozzles of large sizes, though they are, all other things being equal, a little more expensive.
Technical specifications
Once you have decided on the type of screwdriver and power, you need to focus on the technical specifications. They determine which screws and what material you can screw into.
Rotation speed and torque
The force with which a screwdriver can turn a screw is determined by the torque. It can be quite small for household models – 10-15 Nm, and can reach 130-140 Nm for professional ones. Because pro screwdrivers can easily and quickly tighten large self-tapping screws and work with hard materials.
But a large torque is not always necessary and not with all materials, therefore, screwdrivers provide the ability to adjust the applied force. There is a limiter for this. It is made in the form of a movable ring, which is located behind the chuck.
There is a mark on the ring, setting it opposite a certain number, you set the maximum force that the tool can develop. Upon reaching this value, the cartridge will scroll to idle – the screw will no longer be twisted. The achievement of this value can be clearly tracked – the ratchet is turned on.
Many models of screwdrivers can work in two modes: the actual tightening of fasteners and drilling. Such models are called a screwdriver-drill, but they are now the majority. To switch to the drill mode, the switch is set to its extreme position (having previously replaced the nozzle). This turns on the maximum speed, which allows you to drill even fairly hard materials.
Screwdriver power
Both the torque and the speed of rotation are a consequence of the power of the electric motor. Therefore, you need to look at this parameter as well. But here it is necessary to monitor three quantities at once: so that the power of the screwdriver corresponds to the speed parameters. Powerful models with good parameters can be found from many manufacturers, but such as Metabo (Metabo), Bosch (Bosch) and Makita (Makita) and other well-known prices for them are very high. There are other brands with similar characteristics, but more reasonable prices. For example, RYOBI (Ryobi). The brand is still little known, but according to reviews, it is no worse than the above-mentioned famous brands. In order to be able to compare the main characteristics and price of models of approximately the same power, but different brands, we will summarize them in a table.
| Model | Tool type | Chuck type/diameter | Maximum idle speed | Maximum torque | Number of speeds | Maximum drilling diameter wood/metal | Battery type, charging time | Battery capacity/voltage | Capabilities | Devices | The weight | Equipment | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bosch GSR 1800-LI 1.5Ah x2 Case | hammerless drill driver | quick-clamping 0,8-10 mm | 1300 / min | 34 Nm | 2 | 29 mm / 10 mm | Li-ion | 1,5 Ah / 18 V | reverse, spindle lock, electronic speed control | power button lock | 1,4 kg | case, two batteries, charger | 6,7 tr – 7,5 tr |
| Bosch GSR 18-2-LI Plus 2.0Ah x2 Case | hammerless drill driver | quick-clamping 1,5-13 mm | 1900 / min | 63 Nm | 2 | 38 mm / 13 mm | Li-ion | 2 Ah / 18 V | reverse, spindle lock, electronic overload protection, electronic speed control | bit socket, spotlight, power button lock | 1,49 kg | case, two batteries, charger | 11 tr – 13,5 tr |
| See 6347DWDE | hammerless drill driver | quick-release / 1.5 – 13 mm | 1300 / min | 80 Nm | 2 | 38 mm / 13 mm | Ni-Cd | 2,3 Ah / 18 V | reverse, electronic speed control | socket for fastening bits, blocking of the power button | 1,5 kg | two batteries, charger, bit, case | 13 tr |
| See 6347DWAE | hammerless drill driver | quick-release / 1.5 – 13 mm | 1300 / min | 80 Nm | 2 | 38 mm / 13 mm | Ni-Cd | 2 ah / 18 V | reverse, electronic reverse, electronic speed control | socket for fastening bits, blocking of the power button | 1,5 kg | two batteries, charger, bit, case | 11,3 t.r. – 12 t.r. |
| Hitachi DS18DVF3 | hammerless drill driver | quick-release / 13 mm | 1200 / min | 45 Nm | 2 | 21 mm / 12 mm | Ni-Cd | 1,4 Ah / 18 V | reverse, electronic speed control | bit socket, additional handle | 2 kg | case, flashlight, set of nozzles | 7,6 tr. – 9,5 tr |
| Hitachi DS18DSFL | hammerless drill driver | quick release 2mm / 13mm | 1250 / min | 41 Nm | 2 | 38 mm / 13 mm | Li-ion | 1,5 Ah / 18 V | reverse, electronic speed control | power button lock | 1,7 kg | two batteries, charger, case | 8,7 tr. – 11,6 tr |
| Metabo BS 18 10мм 1.3Ah x2 Case | hammerless drill driver | quick-release / 1-10 mm | 1600 / min | 48 Nm | 2 | 20 mm / 10 mm | Li-ion | 1,3 Ah / 18 V | reverse, spindle lock, electronic speed control | bit socket, spotlight, power button lock | 1,3 kg | two batteries, charger, case | 7,7 t.r. – 8,1 t.r. |
| Metabo BS 18 Li 2012 13мм 2.0Ah x2 Case | hammerless drill driver | quick-release / 1,5-13 mm | 1600 / min | 48 Nm | 2 | 20 mm / 10 mm | Li-ion | 2 Ah / 18 V | reverse, spindle lock, electronic speed control | bit socket, spotlight, power button lock | 1,5 kg | two batteries, charger, case | 10,3 t.r. – 10,9 t.r. |
| RYOBI RCD18021L | hammerless drill driver | quick-release / 1,5-13 mm | 1600 / min | 45 Nm | 2 | 38mm / 13mm | Li-Ion | 1,4 Ah / 18 V | reverse, spindle lock, electronic speed control | socket for fastening bits, magnetic holder on the body, spotlight, power button lock | 1,2 kg | one battery, charger, bit, bag | 7,1 t.r. – 7,8t.r. |
| RYOBI R18DDP-0 | hammerless drill driver | quick-release / 13 mm | 1600 / min | 45 Nm | 2 | 32 mm / 13 mm | In 18 | reverse, electronic reverse, spindle lock, electronic speed control | socket for fastening bits, magnetic holder on the case, blocking of the power button | 1,81 kg | bit (without battery and charger) | 2,7 t.r. – 2,9 t.r. |
It is worth saying a few more words about the number of speeds of work. Do not confuse with the number of rotation speeds. These are two modes of operation that are used when working with different sizes of screws or drills. When working with small screws / drills, you can select a higher speed, when screwing in large self-tapping screws or drilling large holes, a lower one.
Battery parameters
To choose the right screwdriver with batteries, in addition to the type of batteries, you must select their operating parameters:
- Capacity. Reflects the amount of energy that can be stored. It is clear that the larger this parameter, the better (but also more expensive).
- Voltage. There is a battery for a screwdriver for 10 V, 12 V, 14,4 V. Household models usually come with such parameters. A more serious tool works with a voltage of 18 V and 24 V.
With what characteristics to choose a screwdriver? - The ratio of current strength to charge time (A / h). The higher this value, the longer the battery will last before being discharged.
To choose a screwdriver for home or professional use and not regret it, you must look at these parameters. If you have selected several models, compare them according to these characteristics, because it depends on them how long the interval between screwdriver battery charges will be.
Additional functions
As usual, these features are optional, but they greatly improve usability. Some prices, if they raise, are not at all significant, and some are quite noticeable. To choose the most inexpensive screwdriver, you can get by with a minimum – reverse and the presence of illumination of the place of work. The rest, of course, are useful, but are more suitable for professionals.
Reverse or reverse
The presence of this option allows you to unscrew a screw or a drill stuck in the material. The direction of rotation is changed by changing the polarity of the power supply, which is carried out through a special button. It is usually installed close to the trigger lever.
Most often, the travel direction switch button has three positions: on average, the tool is blocked. This increases safety: if you accidentally hit the lever, the screwdriver will simply stop and not immediately start to rotate in the opposite direction.
Illumination of the working area
A very convenient option that does not really affect the price of a screwdriver is the illumination of the place of work. With good lighting, it is much easier to control the instrument.
An LED is built into the handle or body of the tool near the cartridge, which lights up when the start button is pressed. If you want to choose a screwdriver that is convenient to work with, make sure that there is a backlight for the place of work.
Battery indicator
If you decide to opt for a cordless screwdriver, it would be nice to have a battery indicator. These are LEDs of different colors – green, yellow, red, which are located on the case. If it is green, the charge is full; if it is red, it is almost empty.
The location of the indicator depends on the company, but is usually located on the thickening of the handle, in the same place as the backlight LED, or in the upper part of the case.
Automatic feeding of self-tapping screws
Such screwdrivers are also called store-bought. This option is useful for professionals, especially those who work with drywall, where fasteners need to be placed in small increments. Self-tapping screws are mounted on a special tape, tucked into guides, automatically fed to the holder.
This option can be implemented in two ways: there are store screwdrivers (in the photo on the left) and there are nozzles for a conventional screwdriver. For home use, the second option is preferable, since the tool can work as a drill or reverse. A shop screwdriver is highly specialized equipment for professional use.