Choosing a screwdriver In this article, we would like to touch on the topic of choosing a screwdriver, to take a closer look at their types and, of course, technical characteristics that you should pay attention to when buying this type of tool.
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 How to Choose a Drill), the main difference is the torque adjustment. 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 it is drowned in 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!
Torque
The numbers in the characteristic show with what force the screwdriver twists the self-tapping screw or how much force is required to overcome the load during drilling. What is the practical use of knowing the parameter? The diameter and length of the bolt to be screwed in depends on the torque. The higher the indicator, the longer and thicker the screws can be used in work without fear of failures or breakdowns. For example, at 40 N / m, it will be possible to freely drive a self-tapping screw 10 cm long into the tree.
In small household models, the torque is from 10 to 30 N / m, but the indicator can be adjusted by adjusting to the nozzle. For adjustment, a stop ring is provided on the screwdriver body, which goes immediately after the chuck. The user can coordinate the effort for a specific screw by scrolling the limiter. Result: as soon as the self-tapping screw is tightened to the desired level, the chuck will stop, although the motor will still work.
Interesting: The stop not only helps to tighten the bolts, preventing excessive sinking into the material, but also protects the tool from wear.
Voltage and other parameters
For an ordinary buyer of a screwdriver, it is enough to know:
- For household appliances, the voltage ranges from 10-14 V;
- For professional, the indicator should be more than 18 V. Some instruments boast a level of 36 V.
The next characteristic is power. The parameter informs the user about the speed of the device. It is logical that the higher the power, the faster the screw will be screwed in. But you should not overdo it, for household purposes and do-it-yourself flow repairs, a 500-700 W model is quite enough.
In order not to send the device for charging every half hour of operation, you should pay close attention to the battery. Modern screwdrivers use:
- Lithium-ion batteries are not subject to self-discharge, the most common. They can be charged up to 3000 times, and at any stage and discharge level.
- Nickel-cadmium are not afraid of cold, they work efficiently at subzero temperatures. However, there is a slight downside to self-discharge. You need to store such a battery with 0% charge in order to save capacity to the maximum.
- Nickel-metal hybrid eco-friendly batteries found in some European brands. These batteries are compact and lightweight, but they are frost-resistant.
When comparing battery specifications, it’s also worth looking at capacity. The autonomy of the device and the number of possible recharges depend on it. Over time, the capacity decreases, this also needs to be taken into account.
How to choose a cordless screwdriver: 6 tips and a rating of 5 cool models
A screwdriver is essentially an electrical substitute for a screwdriver. It performs the same functions as its younger brother, only makes the process of tightening / unscrewing screws and bolts much faster. Such a tool is especially effective if there are tens or even hundreds of screws. The device can not only twist the screws. By installing a special drill, you can make holes in wood, plastic and thin metal with a screwdriver. powerful devices even take bricks and concrete. In general, the tool is indispensable in everyday life and during repairs.
Also at this point it should be said about the types of batteries. There are three of them:
- Lithium ion
- Nickel-cadmium
- Nickel metal hydride
It is believed that nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride batteries do better than lithium-ion batteries in the cold. However, my tests show that modern lithium-ion batteries do well in freezing temperatures as well.
But even if it turns out that your lithium-ion batteries refuse to work in a cold state, they can simply be kept warm. And where to get the heat on winter fishing? You ask. And I will answer: you yourself are the source of heat. Make additional internal pockets for batteries in your jacket, sheepskin coat (or whatever you go fishing in). Lithium-ion batteries are lightweight, so keeping them there is convenient. When you need to drill the next hole, you take out the battery. When you sit down to fish, clean it up.
And the next point on this point is that nickel-cadmium batteries have a capacity of no more than 2 Ah, and nickel-metal hydride batteries no more than 2.5 Ah. Lithium-ion ones can also have 5 Ah. Proceeding from the fact that we need to have more than 3 Ah, we discard the nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride types aside, especially since they gradually cease to be produced as obsolete.
So, having considered the three main factors that will affect the operation of the screwdriver in winter fishing conditions, we found out that we need a professional non-impact screwdriver with a torque of at least 60 Nm, lithium-ion batteries from 3 Ah and an additional handle in the kit.
Which models meet these requirements?
Heavy Duty Performance
Agree that the rotation of the drill in ice requires quite a lot of effort from the screwdriver. My tests have shown that a unit with a torque of at least 60 Nm can cope with such work. The same figure is confirmed by other fishermen who are already drilling holes with a screwdriver. Therefore, when buying, you need to build on this value.
But in this place we must make the following reservation: not all screwdrivers, which will have a torque of over 60 Nm, will suit us. Among them there are those in which a large torque is achieved due to the impact mechanism. It is good for tightening nuts and bolts, but absolutely useless when drilling ice. Therefore, for ice fishing, models that achieve high torque due to impact are not suitable.
Heavy loads also require the screwdriver to be of a professional grade, since only then can it last a long time. Professional tools are made by the following manufacturers:
- Aeg
- Bosch (blue)
- DeWalt
- Makita
- Metabo
The household class will not work, therefore we do not consider all sorts of bison, calibers, encores and other Chinese.
If you have drilled by hand before, you may remember how you sometimes got jammed during this process. Now imagine what happens if wedging occurs while drilling with a screwdriver your hands can easily bend. To protect yourself from this, it is necessary that the screwdriver has an additional handle in the kit, which is installed on the back of the main one. This way you can confidently hold the device by grasping it from both sides. This will keep your hands intact.
Let’s summarize this part like this: a large load requires a professional shockless screwdriver with a torque of 60 Nm. And for convenience and safety, an additional handle is also needed in the kit. With the factor of heavy load sorted out, let’s move on to the need for long-term work without recharging.
Features for long battery life
On the pond, no one will let you down, so the operating time of the screwdriver will depend on the amount of the stored charge. The charge reserve is equal to the battery capacity and is measured in ampere-hours. I think you understand that for drilling ice on winter fishing it is better to purchase a screwdriver with an increased battery capacity, which is at least 3 Ah. And you need to have at least two of them. Although, as I already wrote, we need a professional-grade device, and they are always equipped with at least two batteries.
By purchasing a screwdriver with a 3 Ah battery, you can drill at least 100 holes, and if at 5 Ah, then 150-170. Although this indicator, as mentioned above, also depends on the thickness of the ice.
Thus, when buying, we give preference to devices with the most capacious batteries. Now is the time to move on to such a factor as cold.
Which screwdriver for an ice screw to choose in 2020?
Hello! Do you love ice fishing but tired of manually drilling holes? A cordless screwdriver can make your life easier. You can easily fix an ice screw into it and drill 100-150 holes with one charge, depending on the thickness of the ice. True, not every model is suitable for this job. What characteristics a screwdriver should have in order to confidently cope with drilling will be discussed in this article. Read it to the end, as below will be presented specific high-quality models that can withstand the required load, but have the lowest price. This article is regularly updated, so it is always up to date.
I work as a sales assistant for power tools, so I am well versed in the range. In addition, I myself sometimes go on a winter fishing trip, so I can imagine the conditions in which a screwdriver will have to work. In general, having estimated these conditions, tested some models and talked with other fishermen, I figured out which screwdriver to choose for an ice auger so that he could handle this business with honor. Let’s start describing the required characteristics.
Characteristics for working in cold conditions
This point is closely related to the previous one, since it is again about the battery capacity, which becomes less at low temperatures. Therefore, this condition again requires the purchase of a screwdriver with a large-capacity battery.
Also at this point it should be said about the types of batteries. There are three of them:
- Lithium ion
- Nickel-cadmium
- Nickel metal hydride
It is believed that nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride batteries do better than lithium-ion batteries in the cold. However, my tests show that modern lithium-ion batteries do well in freezing temperatures as well.
But even if it turns out that your lithium-ion batteries refuse to work in a cold state, they can simply be kept warm. And where to get the heat on winter fishing? You ask. And I will answer: you yourself are the source of heat. Make additional internal pockets for batteries in your jacket, sheepskin coat (or whatever you go fishing in). Lithium-ion batteries are lightweight, so keeping them there is convenient. When you need to drill the next hole, you take out the battery. When you sit down to fish, clean it up.
And the next point on this point is that nickel-cadmium batteries have a capacity of no more than 2 Ah, and nickel-metal hydride batteries no more than 2.5 Ah. Lithium-ion ones can also have 5 Ah. Proceeding from the fact that we need to have more than 3 Ah, we discard the nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride types aside, especially since they gradually cease to be produced as obsolete.
So, having considered the three main factors that will affect the operation of the screwdriver in winter fishing conditions, we found out that we need a professional non-impact screwdriver with a torque of at least 60 Nm, lithium-ion batteries from 3 Ah and an additional handle in the kit.
But in this place we must make the following reservation: not all screwdrivers, which will have a torque of over 60 Nm, will suit us. Among them there are those in which a large torque is achieved due to the impact mechanism. It is good for tightening nuts and bolts, but absolutely useless when drilling ice. Therefore, for ice fishing, models that achieve high torque due to impact are not suitable.
If you have drilled by hand before, you may remember how you sometimes got jammed during this process. Now imagine what happens if wedging occurs while drilling with a screwdriver your hands can easily bend. To protect yourself from this, it is necessary that the screwdriver has an additional handle in the kit, which is installed on the back of the main one. This way you can confidently hold the device by grasping it from both sides. This will keep your hands intact.
Let’s summarize this part like this: a large load requires a professional shockless screwdriver with a torque of 60 Nm. And for convenience and safety, an additional handle is also needed in the kit. With the factor of heavy load sorted out, let’s move on to the need for long-term work without recharging.