Choose a drill - screwdriver
A lot of forces are damped in the construction and installation works in order to facilitate labor and reduce repair time; cordless screwdrivers came to replace ordinary screwdrivers. New generation screwdrivers are constantly evolving in their technical indicators, for this reason, the selection of a suitable tool should begin with an introduction to these devices, their characteristics and differences.
Content
- How to choose a cordless drill screwdriver? video
- Cordless Screwdriver Voltage
- Battery for screwdrivers
- Battery capacity
- Torque
- Tool weight
- Screwdriver body
- Cordless screwdrivers, prices compared to performance
- What else to look for?
How to choose a cordless drill screwdriver?
Cordless screwdrivers, about which the Internet is so crowded, vary in weight, voltage, power, maximum diameter of screws and bolts, price, workmanship and appearance. All this should be taken into account before buying, in order to choose the best cordless screwdriver for yourself, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the functions of this technique closer.
Cordless Screwdriver Voltage
The choice of voltage depends on the type of work and the intensity of use. For small housework, joining furniture parts, a tool with a voltage of 3.6 V - 4.8 V is enough. A voltage of 12V or 14.4V will allow you to use a screwdriver to tighten bolts on wooden and metal surfaces. During a major repair, the best choice is a device with a voltage of 18V. A screwdriver above 18V is intended for professional use.
Battery for screwdrivers
When buying a screwdriver, be sure to check the type of battery installed. Currently, manufacturers prefer two main types of batteries - nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) and lithium-ion (Li-Ion), another type of battery nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) is rarely used by manufacturers, in more detail and the advantages and the disadvantages of each power source, read below.
nickel cadmium battery
This battery is gradually leaving the market, but is still found. Some manufacturers use a Ni-Cd battery because of its low price, and it also works for a long time in difficult conditions - at high and low air temperatures.
The most unpleasant drawbacks of this energy source are the content of heavy metals harmful to humans, the large mass of the product, and battery charging is possible only with complete discharge (the effect of electrochemical memory).
nickel metal hydride battery
The Ni-MH battery has a higher capacity and is not so burdened by the effect of electrochemical memory. It is much lighter than the previous battery, does not contain harmful metals. The main disadvantages are quick discharge, shorter service life.
lithium ion battery
Li-ion batteries are the best in all respects. Lightweight, do not have a chemical memory effect (charging is possible at any time, a partially charged battery does not lose energy during storage), they work for a long time.
But, the battery is not without drawbacks, it is sensitive to high and low temperatures, working in the sun or indoors without heating significantly speeds up the aging process of the power source.
To avoid overheating, some manufacturers produce Li-Ion batteries with a cooling function.
Battery capacity
Capacity is measured in ampere-hours (Ah) and indicates how long the equipment will operate on a single charge. For home use, a screwdriver will have enough power of 1.2-1.5 Ah, continuous operation will provide a battery with a capacity of 3-4 Ah.
Torque
Obviously, a device that has a high torque (Nm) can overcome any resistance. In most screwdrivers, the maximum torque is set by the manufacturer, the speed Nm is changed using the regulator on the tool body.
Usually these are 2 levels of speed, the first is designed to tighten the nuts and drill a hard surface, the second speed slows down the rotation for accurate work with brittle materials.
Tool weight
The higher the power of the device, the greater the weight of the battery. In addition to the battery, the screwdriver can be equipped with many useful functions, which also increases weight. This fact contradicts comfortable work, the heavier the tool, the more difficult it is to perform precise operations.
The standard weight of a cordless drill is a screwdriver for home use from 1.5 to 2 kg. Professional equipment weighs from 2.5 kg and above. To work with drywall, it is recommended to choose a small device with a relatively low power, an easy and convenient screwdriver in this case is the best option - it will not damage the material and tighten the screws with high accuracy.
Screwdriver body
Screwdrivers introduced by the market have two types of cases T and P. Form T is preferable for work related to tightening the screws, form P resembles a gun and is convenient for drilling walls.
Pay attention to the location of the buttons and controls on the model’s body, is it convenient to hold the instrument in hand. The metal case of the tool speaks of its professional purpose, household screwdrivers are usually made of durable plastic with a rubberized handle.
Cordless screwdrivers, prices compared to performance
One of the main selection criteria is price. For specialists, the equipment is much more expensive, because it is designed for continuous operation on construction sites. Universal screwdrivers are cheaper, but with frequent use, the tool battery runs the risk of wearing out quickly.
Among manufacturers, in the best ratio, the quality is positioned by the Bosch cordless drill / driver, the tools of this company are a good choice, both for home and for more serious use. A professional Makita cordless screwdriver will cost an order of magnitude higher, but the quality and power of this tool is quite consistent with the price.
What else to look for?
Screwdriver manufacturers are constantly improving their tools, increasing comfort during use. Below is a list of what to look for when choosing a screwdriver:
- Sound power
- Vibration level
- Backlight (yes / no)
- Maximum screw diameter
- The maximum diameter of drilling in wood, steel, concrete
- Manufacturer, warranty service
