How to turn a cordless electric screwdriver into an electric screwdriver

How to turn a cordless electric screwdriver into a cordless screwdriver

The battery of an electric screwdriver again “gave orders for a long time”? Tired of wasting hours on recharging? What a pity that you can’t just connect this very useful tool to the mains. Alas, most modern models are completely deprived of this function. However, with the proper desire and the availability of the necessary materials, each owner can implement a makeshift conversion of an electric screwdriver to work with a voltage of 220 volts. In this article, the master plumber will tell you how to remake an electric screwdriver for a voltage of 220 volts.

Without batteries, a screwdriver becomes a piece of metal. When batteries stop holding a charge, you have to look for new batteries. First of all, it is expensive. the price of batteries is up to 80% of the cost of a screwdriver, it is more effective to buy a new tool. Secondly, batteries are not always available, for example, if the model is discontinued. Third, the diligent owner wants to use every opportunity to save money.

Remaking a cordless screwdriver to work from the electric network. a good way out. What it gives:

  • The tool gets new life.
  • No more need for batteries that require charging.
  • Tool torque is not dependent on battery charge.

The disadvantage of the converted design is the dependence on the socket and the length of the mains cable.

Since an electric screwdriver requires a much lower voltage than the centralized mains, the mains tool requires an electrical adapter. a power supply that will convert 220 volts AC to 12, 16 or 18 volts DC. There are several power supply options.

Pulsed units. inverter system. This kind of power supply first rectifies the input voltage, then converts it into high-frequency pulses, which can either be fed through a transformer or directly. Voltage stabilization due to feedback is achieved in two ways:

Experienced craftsmen prefer the switching power supply unit, because it is small-sized. Small size thanks to the absence of a power transformer.

Such a power supply, as a rule, has a fairly high efficiency. about 98%. Impulse units provide short-circuit protection, which ensures the safety of the device, as well as locking in the absence of the load.

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The obvious disadvantages are the lower capacity compared to the transformer version. In addition, the action of the unit is limited to the lower load limit, that is, at a power below the permissible level the power supply will not work. Users also note the higher repair complexity compared to the transformer.

Transformers are considered a classic version of the power supply. A linear power supply is a symbiosis of several components:

  • Step-down transformer. The winding of the power unit is designed for the mains voltage.
  • Rectifier, whose function is to convert alternating current of the mains into direct current. There are two types of rectifiers: single half-period and double half-period. The first one contains 1 diode, while the second one has a diode bridge of 4 elements.

Also the circuit may include other components:

  • High-capacitance capacitor, necessary for smoothing ripples, located after the diode bridge;
  • Stabilizer, which conditions the constant output voltage, despite any jumps in the external network
  • A short-circuit protection unit;
  • High-pass filter to eliminate interference.

The popularity of transformers is due to their reliability, simplicity, repairability, absence of interference and low cost.

Disadvantages are only bulky, heavy weight and low efficiency.

When selecting or self-assembling transformer power supplies, note that the output voltage should be slightly higher than necessary for the operation of the tool. The fact is that part of it is taken by the stabilizer. For example, for an electric screwdriver with a 12 volt power supply, choose a transformer power supply with an output voltage value of 12-14 volts.

How to convert a cordless electric screwdriver to 220 V

Over time, the battery of a cordless electric screwdriver wears out, so it has to be charged more often and for longer periods of time. To avoid having to change it, you can convert the tool to mains power, thereby ensuring its uninterrupted operation. If you have a power supply, this can be done in literally half an hour.

Basic materials:

To transfer the power of an electric screwdriver from the battery to the mains, you need to get to its power contacts. To do this, you need to disassemble the case of the battery pack. The batteries present in it are removed.

Since the contacts of the batteries remain on the removed batteries, in order to return them to the case, you need to refine it. To do this, I cut two short tubes from a 20-gauge polypropylene pipe. Their length should match the height of the battery pack that has been removed. It is necessary that the segments fit into the battery housing of the electric screwdriver.

Most likely one of the edges of the tubes will have to be trimmed a bit, as it will be against the protrusions on the cover.

Next you need to remove the contact plates from the batteries and move them to the tubes. To make sure they fit snugly, each tube should be wrapped with electrical tape, thus increasing the seating diameter. After that, a cable of a convenient length is soldered to the contacts, and they are finally fixed on the tubes.

Now you need to connect the cable from the electric screwdriver terminals to the power supply wire. It is important to observe the polarity here. The plus of the unit should connect to the plus terminal, and the minus to the minus. It is better to solder the twist to be sure. Its insulation can be done with electrical tape or heat shrink.

Next, the contacts with tubes are placed in the battery case. To do this, a side hole is made in it right at the junction with the cover to enter the wire. Everything is fixed with hot melt adhesive to prevent the contact tubes from slipping or falling out. You can also apply it to the joint between the housing and the cover to make sure it doesn’t open.

Now when you plug the power supply into the socket, the electric screwdriver can work from the mains for as long as you want without recharging.

How to convert a cordless screwdriver for 220 V operation

Craftsmen have come up with several ways to convert the screwdriver to run on mains power. They are all about providing the motor with the required supply voltage through an intermediate source or converter.

Table: options for power sources for mains screwdriver

  • Uncomplicated remodeling.
  • Uses existing charger.
  • No need to adjust the voltage of the power supply.
  • No intervention in the electrical circuitry of the screwdriver is required.
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  • Easy rebuild.
  • Nice engineering solution. only the power cord comes out of the screwdriver.
  • No loss in low-voltage cable.
  • No need to tamper with the electric circuitry of the screwdriver.
  • Finding an off-the-shelf compact power supply for the voltage you need.
  • Power supply gets hot in an enclosed case, you need to take a break.
  • Nice engineering. only the power cord comes out of the screwdriver.
  • No loss in low-voltage cable.
  • No need to tamper with the electrical circuitry of the screwdriver.
  • Need to pick up a circuit and find radio components.
  • The wizard must have experience in soldering, assembling and debugging electrical circuits.
  • You have to disassemble the screwdriver and connect to its circuitry.
  • Power supply takes up space on the table.
  • Need to find a power supply that works.
  • Easy to rebuild.
  • Computer power supply is easy to find.
  • Any PSU over 300W will do.
  • Must disassemble screwdriver and connect to its circuitry.
  • Power supply takes up a lot of space on the table.

The variants of making a power supply

You can use the regular charger for this purpose. Here’s how to turn a cordless electric screwdriver into a mains screwdriver: you need to do the following:

  • You need to remove the cover from the charger body.
  • In it you need to make a hole for the connected two-core wire.
  • On the board, you can see the terminals to which the battery used to be connected for recharging. To them you need to connect the strands of the prepared wire to convert an electric screwdriver for such work. The polarity of the terminals must be observed. To determine it, you need to look at the inscriptions on the board or on the body of the device.
  • It is necessary to open the battery case of an electric screwdriver and remove all the galvanic elements from it.
  • Holes are made in it for the wire.
  • The wires that have been soldered to the terminals of the charger are connected with observance of polarity to the output contacts of the battery.
  • Once the case is assembled, the tool can be used.

Although it is recommended to connect the power supply with regard to polarity, nevertheless, if you connect the contacts in a different order, it will mean that this is how you can convert a cordless electric screwdriver to a power supply. the direction of rotation will change to the opposite. Most screwdrivers have the ability to switch it, so you do not have to depend on polarity compliance when switching.

Laboratory PSU

Using a laptop charger

The battery charger from a laptop can be substituted for this tool, making only minor changes. It receives AC voltage from the 220v mains at the input and outputs 12v DC current at the output.

However, it will still be necessary to rework the wires:

  • The plug that is used for a laptop will not fit an electric screwdriver. Therefore, it will be necessary to cut the wire coming out of the charger and strip it.
  • If necessary, a cable of the right length should be attached to it.
  • The case of the tool needs to be disassembled.
  • The cable is connected to the terminals that supply power to the electric screwdriver. A hole needs to be made in the body of the tool.
  • The tool, once assembled, will be ready for use.

Important. After the redesign is complete, you will need to connect the power supply to the mains and make sure that the tool is in working order.

Laptop charger power supply schematic

Computer power supply as the base

You can power the tool so that it uses a computer power supply. Here’s how else to make a power supply for an electric screwdriver: to remake in this way, you need to do the following:

  • It is necessary to find or purchase a power supply, the power of which will not be less than 300 watts.
  • The body of the electric screwdriver needs to be disassembled and find where to connect the wires to power the motor. The strands of wire prepared in advance are connected to them.
  • In the case must be made a hole for the output wires.
  • For connection to the power supply unit will need special connectors. One of them is soldered to the wires coming from the electric screwdriver, the other is already installed on the wire, which is connected to the computer power supply. It is necessary in order to power the electric screwdriver from the mains
  • Now it is necessary to assemble the housing of the electric screwdriver.

Now it remains to test how the tool works. To do this, connect the power supply to a 220V socket, and turn the electric screwdriver into it.

Power from the car charger

You can remake this tool to get power from a car battery. In this case, the autonomy is increased because it will be possible to use the electric screwdriver in the vicinity of the car.

In order to convert the volt voltage to 220V you need:

  • Disassemble the tool body. In doing so, you can see the pins to which the power must be connected.
  • It is necessary to prepare the wires that are used to charge car batteries. There are “crocodile” clips on them. The other ends need to be carefully deburred with a knife.
  • The wires are attached to the contacts for powering the electric screwdriver. They can be attached with cable ties or soldered. The latter option would be more reliable.
  • Make a hole in the tool body for the wires.
  • Now the body of the screwdriver needs to be assembled.

To do the job, you will need to connect the wires with clamps to the car battery.

Power from the battery charger

Homemade power supply

Having made a power supply for an electric screwdriver with your own hands according to one of the diagrams, it must be inserted into the housing and connected with the wires to the motor of the tool.

The mains unit built into the battery

One of the options for converting an electric screwdriver into a corded tool is that the power supply, which converts alternating current of 220v to direct 12v, can be placed directly in the battery case. To do this, you need to perform the following steps:

  • It is necessary to disassemble the case of the battery.
  • Remove the battery’s contents.
  • In advance, it is necessary to purchase a power supply that has the necessary characteristics for the operation of an electric screwdriver.
  • From a purchased device, you need to remove the system board and install it in the housing, where the battery of the screwdriver was previously.
  • The output wires are connected to the battery terminals.
  • For the input wires, which will supply 220V voltage, it is necessary to make a hole in the case.
  • Now the electric screwdriver needs to be assembled.

After the changes have been made, this tool can be used wherever there are electrical outlets.

How to make a power supply

You can use the built-in battery charger for this purpose. Here’s how to make a cordless electric screwdriver into a power supply: you need to do the following:

  • You have to remove the cover from the charger housing.
  • In it, you need to make a hole for the connectable two-wire wire.
  • On the board, you can see the terminals to which the battery was previously connected for recharging. To them it is necessary to connect the cores of the prepared wire to convert the electric screwdriver for such work. Note the polarity of the terminals. To determine it, you need to look at the inscriptions on the board or on the body of the device.
  • It is necessary to open the battery case of an electric screwdriver and remove all the galvanic elements from it.
  • In it, make holes for the wire.
  • The wires that were soldered to the terminals of the charger are connected with observance of polarity to the output contacts of the battery.
  • Once the case is assembled, the tool can be used.

Although it is recommended to connect the power with regard to polarity, nevertheless, if you connect the contacts in a different order, it will mean that this is how you can convert a cordless electric screwdriver to a mains one. the direction of rotation will be reversed. Most screwdrivers have the ability to switch it, so you don’t have to depend on the polarity to switch it.

Lab PSU

Using a laptop charger

The battery charger from a laptop can be substituted for this tool with only minor changes. It takes AC voltage from the 220v mains at the input, and gives 12v DC current at the output.

However, it will still be necessary to modify the wiring:

  • The plug used for a laptop is not compatible with an electric screwdriver. Therefore, it will be necessary to cut the wire coming out of the charger and strip it.
  • If necessary, it is necessary to attach a cable of the desired length.
  • The housing of the tool should be disassembled.
  • The cable is connected to the terminals from which the power supply to the electric screwdriver. A hole must be made in the housing of the tool to accommodate it.
  • The tool, once assembled, will be ready for use.

Important. After the redesign will be finished, you will need to connect the power supply to the mains and make sure that the tool is in working order.

Power supply circuit from a laptop charger

Computer power supply as a base

It is possible to make the power supply of the tool so that it uses the power supply of the computer. Here’s how else to make a power supply for an electric screwdriver: To convert in this way, you need to do the following:

  • It is necessary to find or buy a power adapter, which power is not less than 300W.
  • The case of an electric screwdriver you need to disassemble and find a place to connect the wires to power the motor. Connect the wires prepared beforehand to them.
  • In the case you need to make a hole for the wires.
  • You will need special connectors to connect to the power supply. One is soldered to the wires coming from the electric screwdriver, the other is already installed on the wire that is connected to the computer power supply. This is to power the electric screwdriver from the mains
  • Now we need to assemble the housing of the electric screwdriver.

Now all that’s left to do is to check how the tool works. To do this, you need to connect the power supply to a 220v socket, and turn it on the electric screwdriver.

Power from the car charger

You can modify this tool to be powered by a car battery. In this case, the autonomy is increased because you can use the electric screwdriver in close proximity to the car.

In order to convert the volt voltage to 220V you need:

  • Disassemble the body of the tool. In doing so, you can see the pins to which the power must be connected.
  • It is necessary to prepare the wires that are used in order to charge the car batteries. They have alligator clips on them. The other ends have to be carefully deburred with a knife.
  • Wires are attached to contacts to power an electric screwdriver. They can be attached by cable ties or soldered. The latter option will be more reliable.
  • In the case of the tool you need to make a hole for the wires.
  • Now the body of the screwdriver must be assembled.

To perform the work it will be necessary to connect the wires with clamps to the car battery.

Power from the charger

Homemade power supply

Making a power supply for an electric screwdriver with your own hands according to one of the diagrams, you need to insert it into the housing and connect the wires to the motor of the tool.

The mains unit is built into the battery

One option for modifying an electric screwdriver in the network is that the power supply unit, which converts alternating current of 220v to direct 12v, can be placed directly in the battery case. To do this, you need to do the following steps:

  • It is necessary to disassemble the case of the battery.
  • The contents are removed from it.
  • Beforehand, it is necessary to purchase a power supply that has the characteristics necessary for the operation of an electric screwdriver.
  • It is necessary to remove the system board from the purchased device and install it in the housing, where the battery of the screwdriver used to be.
  • Output wires are connected to the battery terminals.
  • For the input wires, which will supply 220 volts, it is necessary to make a hole in the housing.
  • Now the electric screwdriver has to be assembled.

After the modifications have been made, this tool can be used wherever there are electrical outlets.

Device device

The screwdriver consists of several basic elements:

  • Cylindrical electric motor powered by current. There are permanent magnets inside the body, which allow the construction to gain sufficient torque. They are also handy when repairs are needed. The motor shaft contains a planetary gear wheel.
  • Torque limiter. Needed for limiting torque when working with a screwdriver. Transmits torque through hinges pressed by an internal spring.
  • Planetary gear unit. Named after Honor Solar System, which is similar when assembled. Located in a separate housing and consists of several gears and other parts. Acts as a force on the load regulator. In drill mode works harder.
  • Speed regulator with reverse. Is used when reversing the polarity.
  • The unit’s battery. Represents several individual power elements in a single casing. Voltages range from 9 to 25V in different units.

Device in disassembled condition Source stroy-podskazka.In the event of a battery failure, exchange or repair options are available. It is usually expensive to replace such batteries, because in a cheap device the replacement will be about equal to the full cost of the screwdriver. Repair is not always possible, in addition, as in the first option, its cost will be close to the full price of the device. But there is also a third option, such as to convert the screwdriver to work on the mains, which will allow to use the tool further without much cost and effort.

Self-contained power supply for the screwdriver

Work with a hand-held tool can also be done in a building where there is no electricity. In such cases, the device is connected to the car battery or any other power supply device that has the appropriate parameters for the operation of the screwdriver.

To connect a car battery, you need to take a wire with crocodile clips, bare one end and solder directly to the contacts of the electric motor of the tool. The second end is clamped to the battery terminals, observing the polarity.

The principle of connection of a portable battery is similar to the car device. Only the wire ends are fitted with copper clamping terminals suitable for attachment.

An electric tool lasts much longer than a cordless tool. So do not throw the screwdriver away if the batteries have run out of power. The handy man will be able to convert his power tool to mains power, thereby prolonging its life.

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Steps of work

The first thing to remake the screwdriver to work from the mains you need to solder the electrical cord to the charging terminals of the device. The connection can be tricky. the wire is largely copper, and the charger contains brass terminals, which makes them difficult to solder. Acid, which is excellent as a connecting element, will just help with this. It is necessary to treat the brass charging terminals with it and solder the power cord to the contacts. Qualitatively performed soldering will ensure the smooth operation of the screwdriver for a long time.

Next, you need to remake the faulty battery. To do this, it is completely disassembled and removed all the insides, against the manufacturer’s recommendations. Do not throw the insides in the trash. There is no need to throw out the casing. a weight for counterweight is placed inside it.

The next step is to solder the pins of the cord to the battery terminals, which are located inside the case. During the work, it is important to observe the polarity, otherwise the screwdriver will screw in the opposite direction. This is corrected with a simple switch.

After that, the cord is led into the battery from the outside of the case, for which a hole must be made to match the diameter of the wire. In order to reliably secure the wire in the case it is advisable to wrap it with insulating tape inside and outside, making a special lock which will reliably secure the resulting design.

The last step is the direct installation of the finished battery case into the screwdriver from the mains and its subsequent operation.

Unit from PC

If the power supply itself is broken, there are several options for replacing it to operate the device. The easiest and most convenient option. to use unnecessary power supply from a PC with a capacity of not less than 250 watts.

In modern power supply units for switching on is usually enough to short-circuit the wires, the color of which can be different. You can find out the correct sequence on the Internet or try to guess the right one. The connector on the power supply for a 12 V screwdriver is in the four-pin plug: minus for black, plus for yellow. Such models are equipped with a fan, which should be installed outside the device. To maintain the aesthetics and convenience when remaking screwdriver from a computer power supply wires hidden in the case.

Car battery

Another interesting and practical option. this is how to make a screwdriver from 220v with a car battery charger. The only disadvantage of this solution is the rapid discharge of the car power supply, so you will not be able to work for a long time. This option is great for those who have a failure of the regular power supply of the device, which happens quite often. With a few hours of time, an experienced craftsman can convert the device to run on autobattery, which will make the screwdriver work even more efficiently than the original battery.

Safety Precautions

After converting the unit to mains power, safety and operating procedures must be followed:

  • Take a break every 30 minutes to extend the life of the device and avoid malfunctions.
  • Do not work above two meters above ground.
  • It is important to periodically clean the power supply of the device from dust.
  • Check the condition of the power cord. It must not be crushed or exposed to moisture and other negative factors. Ignoring this rule may cause the device to short circuit.

Compliance with these simple recommendations will allow the old screwdriver to work longer than the new one, while maintaining its power and convenience in operation.

Materials and tools needed

Materials and tools when remaking an electric screwdriver depend entirely on the type of tool and the type of power source, as well as its features. But if you summarize, there are a few basic tools:

  • screwdriver;
  • pliers;
  • knife;
  • insulating materials;
  • a cable for connecting electricity;
  • soldering iron and materials for soldering;
  • Any case for the future power supply.

How to remake with your own hands

Before you convert an electric screwdriver, you need to clearly determine how much power and what voltage the tool needs to work. This will have to be the starting point.

It is important to choose a power supply that is not very large and relatively light, so as not to make the work of an electric screwdriver completely inconvenient. If the unit is planned to be installed directly into the electric screwdriver itself, it is important to keep the dimensions.

Then the body of the tool is opened. The two halves of the case can be fastened together with screws or with glue. A knife can be very helpful during disassembly.

After opening the case, the power supply unit or wire is inserted inside, the contacts of which should be soldered to the charger. Soldering should be as efficient as possible, using special solutions.

The other end of the wire should be for mains feeding. So there should be a plug. It is recommended to make a hole in the case beforehand, through which the cable will pass.

A homemade power supply can be obtained in several ways. In any case, you will get a complete tool, which can be used for work after connecting it to the mains. It is desirable to prepare a schematic diagram beforehand, which will help you to create the block correctly.

Remaking a Chinese-made power supply

Perfect to create a power supply for an electric screwdriver 12 volts with his own hands fit an ordinary Chinese power supply with an output voltage of 24 V and a current strength of 9 A. But since the tools use a lower voltage, you need to lower it first.

To achieve the goal, replace the original resistor R10 with a tunable resistor, with which you can achieve the desired voltage. This is done in several steps:

  • the constant resistor is taken out;
  • in its place is inserted the pre-prepared adjustable resistor, which will be set resistance of 2300 ohms;
  • in the meantime, the voltage is still 24 V;
  • by adjusting the resistor to achieve the necessary voltage at the contacts.

After all the manipulations you need to check that the output voltage is the right value (12 V, 14 V, etc).д.), and that the current capacity is greater than 9A.

Conversion of purchased units

You can also use any other commercially available power supplies. The remaking process is in this case almost the same, but beside the resistor you might have to solder in some diodes. The most important thing is to achieve the necessary output parameters. And this can easily be done with a combination of components.

After remaking it is important to ensure a good air flow to the box with the power supply. To do this, drill holes. You should not allow the device to overheat.

Using a laptop charger

An excellent option is the use of the charger from a laptop. Such devices usually work with voltages from 12 to 19 V. This is quite enough to ensure the quality operation of the electric screwdriver. But do not neglect the output current. The closer it is to the required, the better.

In this case, conversion of an electric screwdriver to power from the mains boils down to the elementary soldering of wires from the charger to the board in the tool. It is desirable to insulate everything with duct tape or other similar materials. The cable is then brought out and the tool can be used.

The power supply from the computer

You can make an electric screwdriver from the mains using an unnecessary power supply from a computer. There are many varieties of such devices, but almost all of them will fit an electric screwdriver. The necessary wires can be located by color by referring to the manufacturer’s website.

Power supplies from computers are characterized by durability, advanced overload protection and a host of other advantages. They may not be very handy because of their size, but a long wire can help solve this problem.

The procedure for connecting a computer power supply to a screwdriver:

  • disassemble the unit;
  • remove the power protection by disconnecting the green wire from the board;
  • this wire should be connected to the black connector on the device;
  • Separate all wires except the yellow and black;
  • The two wires are soldered to the extension cable;
  • the other end of the cable is directly connected to the screwdriver;
  • All exposed contacts are insulated if possible.

Thus, the computer device will turn out a power supply for a 14 volt electric screwdriver.

Power supply from the car charger

Even quite common are power supplies converted from car battery chargers. The principle of conversion here is about the same as that of a computer power supply, but there are a few peculiarities.

The main feature is that usually such devices allow you to easily adjust the voltage and amperage. This makes it much easier to use and allows the method to be applied to all screwdrivers.

Using a car battery charger comes down to a few simple steps:

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  • It is necessary to prepare special wires with which to connect the power unit and the electric screwdriver;
  • the edges of the wire are stripped and inserted into the terminals on the tool (clamps can be used for better retention);
  • When connecting, it is necessary to observe the polarity, which is usually marked on the fasteners or the wires themselves;
  • All connections are now carefully reinforced and insulated.

After all these procedures, the user will get a functional electric screwdriver, which is able to work from a network of 220 volts.

All of the above methods are effective enough to create a mains tool from a cordless tool. But do not forget that in such a case, the mobility of the electric screwdriver will be significantly reduced, which may affect the quality of work. But if the battery is out of order, and the work is urgently needed to continue. it is logical to connect an external power source.

Circular saw

The nutrunner can be used to make a circular saw. To mount the future equipment, a plywood sheet is used, in the central part of which a hole is sawed according to the size of the electric screwdriver. At the top and bottom of the base, the tool is fastened with self-tapping screws or clamps.

The cutting element of the saw can be mounted with the bolt M10X 50, onto which a washer and a rubber washer are put. The cutting part is tightened in the upper and lower part of the frame.

To make the sides of the circular saw a plywood sheet with the dimensions of 11,5X15 cm is used. They are assembled with self-tapping screws. In the central part of the base a cut (27×40 cm) is made for mounting the blade. It is important to fix the saw firmly to the base to prevent slackening during the work.

Winch

Invaluable help in the household will have a simple winch, made on the basis of an old electric screwdriver. The motor of the winch can be manufactured at home from an electric screwdriver battery. A strong rope is attached to the body of the tool for lifting weights.

As you can see, a lot of different devices can be made from an electric screwdriver. So if you are a jack-of-all-trades, be sure to try to build something.