Choosing a cordless screwdriver
How to choose a cordless screwdriver
Choosing a cordless screwdriver
How to choose the right cordless screwdriver.
Therefore, the user needs to keep in mind that when choosing a universal tool, he deliberately allows averaging some characteristics according to which the quality of the tool is assessed, for example, the drilling speed or the impact force. over, some of the characteristics of the tool become simply incompatible, for example, hammer drilling and small hole drilling. But the user enjoys all the advantages inherent in universality such as:
- Battery powered tool provides autonomy from household power
- The multifunctionality of the tool provides a wide range of possibilities for its application
- Simplicity and accuracy of work
And this is a far from complete list of the capabilities of universal tools. Currently, manufacturers offer a wide range of different models of cordless universal tools such as: screwdrivers, grinders, planers, and more. In the present, there is a tendency to replace the usual network tools with battery tools, and not only in everyday life, but also in production and in industry. In the article, given the relevance of the issue, the correct choice of tool, the characteristics and parameters of cordless screwdrivers are discussed in detail.
Overview of professional screwdrivers
A rational approach that allows you to save money was demonstrated by the BOSCH company, which released a model line of tools powered by a battery of a GSR 18 VE-2-LI Professional screwdriver. It should be noted that the cost savings are quite significant considering the high cost of a modern Li-Ion battery. Thus, by purchasing an additional tool from this company, there is no longer any need to purchase a battery.
Cordless screwdriver Hitachi DS12DVF3
The instrument is made with a somewhat exotic appearance. This design is not accidental. Firstly, it is simply not economically feasible to forge a tool body, and, secondly, exotic linings protect the tool from falling. In addition, the pads also provide the necessary ergonomics for the screwdriver handle (the user’s hand is protected from vibrations and does not sweat during intensive work).
The delivery set of the screwdriver includes a flashlight, a charger that ensures the restoration of the product’s performance in 1 hour and a battery with a capacity of 1.4 Ah.
The screwdriver has 2 ranges of speeds: the first range of speeds includes values of rotation frequency from 0 to 300 rpm, and the second range from 0 to 1100 rpm.
The screwdriver is equipped with a keyless chuck (10 mm) and 22 torque settings.
When choosing, pay attention to the main disadvantages of the tool:
- A morally outdated, albeit very reliable drill chuck
- Unsuccessful attachment of the removable bit to the bracket (the bit often clings to clothing)
- Small size of the reverse button, although its location is quite convenient for the user
Choosing a screwdriver
In this article, we would like to touch on the topic of choosing a screwdriver, take a closer look at their types and, of course, technical characteristics that you should pay attention to when buying this type of tool in order to fully answer a question that has recently arisen more and more often, namely. How to choose a screwdriver for home, cottage or work.
Applications of the screwdriver
- Twisting / unscrewing screws, screws, bolts and other fasteners;
- Drilling holes in wood, metal and brick.
- Stirring building mixtures and paints;
- Drilling holes for winter ice fishing.
There are a huge number of screwdrivers on the market, different in parameters and manufacturers. They are divided into professional and household, depending on the nutrient, cartridge size, power, a number of additional functions, delivery set and price. This division, however, is inherent in almost any instrument.
To begin with, let’s analyze the division by nutrient. Two types can be distinguished: rechargeable (Li-Ion, Ni-Cd, Ni-Mh) and electric, we will talk more about each of them below.
The most modern and most common, today, type of rechargeable batteries, not only in screwdrivers, but also in many other tools (as well as in portable devices that we all use). Modern Li-Ion batteries are designed for three thousand charge-discharge cycles. The rechargeable battery is lightweight and fast enough to charge; moreover, it has no memory to charge.
The main disadvantages are: battery life, which is three years, the need for constant use to get the most out of it, and significant cost.
They appeared on the market for a long time, they are used in many tools, not only in screwdrivers. Designed for one and a half thousand charge-discharge cycles. The shelf life of such batteries is five years, there is also the possibility of working in the cold, at temperatures up to 15 degrees and it is very important for the average buyer, the lowest price of all types of batteries.
The negative aspects of this type of battery are the rather long charging process (at best an hour), the presence of memory for a charge and the significant weight of the battery.
At its core, it is a cross between Li-Ion and Ni-Cd batteries. Found in screwdrivers much less frequently than the types of batteries described above. The number of charge-discharge cycles varies about a thousand. It has practically no memory for a charge, and has the lowest self-discharge among all types of batteries. Of the minuses, one cannot but note the weight.
All batteries differ in capacity and battery voltage.
Capacity is measured in amperes per hour (Ah). The higher this indicator, the more the battery is capable of carrying a charge, respectively, more work will be done on a fully charged battery.
Battery voltage is measured in V (Volts). This indicator determines the power that can be obtained from a screwdriver operating on these batteries. Simply put, battery voltage directly affects the maximum possible performance of soft and hard torque, which we will talk about below.
Very similar to drills (don’t miss also the article "How to choose a drill"), the main difference is the torque control. Models of this type of screwdriver are represented by only a few manufacturers of household tools. Renowned manufacturers focus on professional drywall screwdrivers, the cartridge of which begins to rotate the bit only after "drowning" it into the material.
Corded screwdrivers are suitable for one-time work around the house or for professional use in repair and construction. Based on the situation, the absence of the need for charging can be considered a plus. Constraints created by the need for an electrical network, low mobility and tangled wires are definitely the main disadvantages of this tool.
Chucks and reducers
Screwdrivers come with either a quick-release three-jaw chuck (clamping range of the tooling from 0.5 to 13 mm), and with a hexagonal tool seat with a 1/4 inch shank. The keyless chuck is more practical and allows you to use any tool of a suitable diameter. Of course, the larger the chuck diameter, the more versatile the screwdriver is.
The hexagonal chuck is convenient when you need to change equipment frequently and when working in hard-to-reach places. To drill with such a screwdriver, you must use drills with a hex shank. It is possible to install a conventional chuck with a hex shank.
Rotation from the engine to the chuck is transmitted through a gearbox. The gears inside the gearbox can be made of metal or plastic. Metal gears are most common in powerful professional screwdriver models.
They reflect two parameters, measured in Nm (Newtonometer), these are soft and hard torques:
- Soft torque is an indicator of the maximum force of a screwdriver in terms of twisting / unscrewing, the rotational speed in this mode for most screwdrivers varies from 0 to 350 rpm.
- The hard torque, in turn, reflects the maximum force in the drilling mode, in this case the rotational speed is usually calculated from 0 to 1000 or more rpm.
The more these parameters are, the more powerful, productive and practical the screwdriver is. For example, a screwdriver with a torque of 25 to 30 Nm can easily screw a self-tapping screw up to 70 mm long into a tree. To tighten self-tapping screws from 70 to 100 mm, a torque of 40 Nm is required. Longer self-tapping screws require pre-drilling the hole.
Additional features of some screwdrivers:
- The presence of the hammer mechanism is without a doubt quite a useful feature, especially when working with socket heads or when drilling holes in brick and stone.
- The presence of an impulse, periodically increased torque, is useful for easier drowning of fasteners into the material, when unscrewing a stuck self-tapping screw or even a drill if the hammer drill fails. It is especially useful when there is no way to rest in order to press the screwdriver tightly.
- The presence of 3 speeds will make it possible to fully replace the power drill at home, since the rotation speed of the chuck in this mode can be more than 3000 rpm, and the first speed will give out a decent torque.
- The presence of backlighting is very important when working in hard-to-reach places or with poor, or even completely absent lighting. The most successful version of the location of the backlight above the battery pack, there are models with a backlight located above the start button, which is less effective in most cases.
Summing up all of the above, I would like to note that it is impossible to advise a universal screwdriver for everyone, because many components of the choice depend on your goals and tasks that you are going to carry out with this tool, but in the end, I will still share my opinion about the choice, some examples.
Home / cottage screwdriver
For the most part, the network version will be sufficient, due to the availability, light weight and lack of the need for special mobility. If we consider rechargeable versions, then it is worth paying attention to Ni-Cd and Ni-Mh, if you do not plan to use them often, this way you will save money and get a longer battery life.
In cases where frequent use is planned requiring continuous workflow, there is no doubt that choosing a Li-Ion battery will pay off 100%. Why don’t I advise taking more modern batteries for rare jobs? Everything is very simple, they are more expensive and are designed for stable use, do not forget that their shelf life is 2 years less, and therefore, there will be much more missed opportunities in this case.
For domestic needs, the maximum torque of 25-35 Nm will be quite enough, of course you can take a more powerful one, it all depends on your desire and financial capabilities. Battery capacity is not so important for occasional use at home, so 1.5-2 Ah will be just right.
Professional screwdriver
When working in hard-to-reach places, it will be logical to choose a more compact model. The features of frequent and long-term continuous use in many cases justifiably lead to the purchase of a Li-Ion screwdriver with a maximum torque of 40 Nm and higher, depending on the type of materials with which to work in the future.
Li-Ion batteries, in this case, are relevant because of the continuity of the workflow provided by fast charging of batteries, and they are simply lighter, which is important for your hand during prolonged use.
The choice of additional features of the screwdriver directly depends on your needs. Try to clearly define for what needs you will use it, decide on a budget. Last but not least, if you have other tools, like a drill or a hammer drill, with rare use, these points will allow you to weed out unnecessary functions and highlight those that are clearly necessary.
In conclusion, I would like to note that the screwdriver market is full of various variations and choosing exactly what suits you will not be difficult. We hope we were able to help you decide on the choice of a screwdriver. We wish you the maximum return from the instrument and more positive emotions!
Tool chucks
Buyers often ask: "How to choose the right screwdriver for home, focusing on the type of chuck?" The answer is to remember the information and learn to distinguish one type of cartridge from another. There are 3 of them:
- The key is that the drill holds in it a device resembling "cams" – the two sides of the chuck are connected with the fastening side to the center and in this way clamp the tool. The chuck nut is tightened with a special key that comes with the kit. It takes some time to change the rig, but the hold is strong and secure, ideal for working with hard material.
- Keyless – one- and two-clutch. The main difference is that in single-cartridge cartridges, the nozzle changes with one hand – press the cartridge, remove the rig, put the other. For two-clutch ones, you will have to use both hands, which is already inconvenient.
- Hexagon. A special "socket" for bits, which are necessarily included in the tool kit with such a chuck.
Looking through the assortment of cordless screwdrivers with different cartridges, it is difficult to answer which one is better. Here, rather, you need to look at the diameter of the hole in the chuck, it depends on it what kind of equipment can be used when working. In household tools, nozzles no more than 1 cm thick are used.
All about battery-powered screwdrivers: pros and cons
The main difference between the cordless screwdriver and the network model is the absence of a cord. Autonomy of work and non-attachment to an outlet are the main advantages of a tool with a battery inside.
The advantages of the device also include:
- Mobility. The tool and the charging battery are in the same housing, no additional elements are needed for operation. It is enough to take the device in hand, and it is already ready to work. Can be transferred to any location.
- Compactness. Typically, household autonomous screwdrivers are small in size. This makes the device especially convenient in hard-to-reach places.
- Universality. Technique replaces screwdriver and drill.
In practice, a cordless instrument is indispensable in objects without electricity, when it is necessary to frequently move or climb to a height. The device can be operated outdoors or indoors.
The only drawback here is the need to periodically charge the battery. Manufacturers are trying to solve this problem in every possible way, for example, offering 2 batteries with the tool. While one is in the working process, the second restores energy.
Manufacturer focus
A hackneyed truth – a brand beyond competition. Yes, branded tools are more expensive, but they have a quality guarantee and service centers for repairs, and the screwdrivers themselves are made of durable components.
Quite good screwdrivers with a removable battery are also offered by Varo Kreator, Sparky, Dnipro-M and others.