How to choose a good screwdriver for home and renovation: professional advice

A screwdriver is a necessary tool for a home craftsman

How to choose a screwdriver for home or work

The screwdriver is a hand tool. Its main task is to screw in self-tapping screws. There are simple screwdrivers that can do nothing more than screw fasteners. And there are models that can make preliminary holes for installing screws. This is already a complicated option. In addition to screwing in, screwdrivers have the function of unscrewing, that is, reversing.

When choosing a tool, there are many important aspects: engine power, battery capacity, torque, chuck type and ergonomics. An important factor is the availability of various adjustments. But let's take a look at the basic types of screwdriver.

The simplest screwdriver and a model with a screw depth adjuster

The simplest model has nothing but a reverse button toggle and a speed governor. There are even single-speed devices.

The model with the screw depth gauge looks a little more complicated. When can it come in handy? This addition is important if you are going to mount drywall or assemble furniture. Agree, it will not be very pleasant if the self-tapping screw will slip through the furniture panel? The limiter allows you to adjust the depth of entry of the fastener, each click changes this figure by 0.4 mm.

Screwdrivers, drills, screwdrivers and wrenches - why do you need additional functions

We have already mentioned the electric drill / screwdriver. It is a versatile tool that can drill holes for fasteners. Such a device can be operated from a mains or rechargeable battery. The corded drill / screwdriver is always a powerful and versatile tool.

The use of a battery makes work more convenient, because there is no need to be tied with a cord to a power source and even work in places where there is no power supply

A wrench is a special type of tool that is "sharpened" for working with nuts and bolts. Such devices can be manual and stationary depending on the purpose and have an electric, hydraulic or pneumatic drive. Here, instead of a chuck, a rod is used to secure the nut head. Wrenches are always single-speed and are equipped with external torsion bars to adjust the torque.

A screwdriver is, in fact, an analogue of a screwdriver. It differs only in the number of bar faces. It is used to work with screws and self-tapping screws. Powered by pneumatic or electric drive. What is the difference between a drill and a screwdriver - in a small video.

What are the parameters for choosing a professional or household tool

A good cordless screwdriver is a valuable thing not only in the household, but also in professional activities. But do not try to buy the most expensive instrument right away. Professional models have a number of characteristics that are not so necessary for simple home repairs, and you will pay a lot of money for them. What is important for using a screwdriver in everyday life: so that it can screw and unscrew fasteners and can handle wood, metal and other surfaces.

Professional toolkit must handle a lot of hard work

What are the criteria for choosing a professional cordless or corded screwdriver

Choose cordless screwdrivers you need a torque of at least 120 Nm, and a speed of revolution - from 1200 per minute. For constant work, you will need a powerful device and a capacious battery. There is no time to put the battery on a constant recharge if the working day is in full swing. Another important point is the ability to quickly and easily change attachments - which is why professionals prefer the three-jaw chuck.

The rotation speed of the rod in professional models has at least three levels

It should be noted that the need for long-term operation leaves an imprint on other characteristics of the device. Its body is mostly metal, which means that such a device is heavier than an ordinary household one.

How to choose the right inexpensive cordless screwdriver for your home

Before you start choosing a screwdriver for your home, decide for what tasks you plan to purchase a tool. For minor repairs, there is no need to purchase an expensive powerful device, an inexpensive household model is quite enough. She will cope with bolts and screws with dignity, install anchors and dowels, drill holes in wood, drywall and metal.

If you are planning something more serious, opt for a drill with a screwdriver. There are about 3000 rpm. The only thing that should be taken into account in this case is the ability to adjust the speed.

For a light household tool, it is not necessary to have a super-capacious battery, but it is convenient if the set includes two batteries and a charger. While you are planting one, the second can be powered from the mains.

And although many manufacturers persistently offer screwdrivers in a plastic case for household use, still pay attention to metal models. In them, the gearbox cools down faster, and the tool itself lasts much longer. And the last thing in the choice of a household device: do not get fooled like a pop by cheapness.

A good tool cannot be too cheap. Choose from renowned brands that guarantee build quality

Rating of the best manufacturers of budget cordless screwdrivers: who you can trust

Our goal is to choose the best screwdriver for your home. We examined various technological nuances, and only one question remained: which of the timely manufacturers can you trust? Based on our own experience and the recommendations of our experts, Tehno.guru has compiled a rating of manufacturers of screwdrivers, in which the price corresponds to the quality of the products.

6th place - Interskol

Inexpensive and reliable domestic tool is deservedly popular with buyers. The powerful electric drive easily handles thin metal, wood and drywall. On Interskol screwdriver models, you can adjust the torque, they are equipped with keyless chucks. The advantage of Interskol devices is their light weight and good ergonomics.

Interskol DA-18ER

5th place - Sparky

The Bulgarian instrument, in addition to its lightness and convenience of settings, has LED backlighting, which is very helpful when working in hard-to-reach places. The two-speed engine is highly reliable. This company also offers a network tool that is affordable and excellent in power. The battery models have a battery charge indicator, so you can send the device in time for recharging.

Sparky screwdriver

4th place - Dewalt

Americans strictly adhere to power tool quality and safety standards. Their screwdrivers are compact, powerful and feature minimal vibration during operation. The products are equipped with high-capacity lithium-ion batteries. The keyless chuck has an automatic locking. The model range includes specimens with a percussion mechanism that allows you to work with metal and concrete.

Dewalt DCD 791 D2

3rd place - Bosch

Bosch German quality has earned respect and a respectable reputation. Users note the endurance of the electric drive and the comfortable ergonomics of the screwdrivers. Basically, such a tool is suitable for working with plastic and wood, but there are copies that can even handle a stone. Household screwdrivers are painted green and professional screwdrivers blue. In addition to the tool, there is a set of attachments and various tips.

Bosch CSR 1440

2nd place - Hyundai

The South Korean automotive giant started making construction tools just 12 years ago, but its potential has easily met the challenge. Professional and household, this tool is renowned for its quality and reliability. The developers are working very carefully on ease of use and even added a strap to the screwdriver that will prevent the device from accidentally falling. Hyundai batteries can run up to 10 hours non-stop and are considered the quietest tool possible.

Hyundai screwdriver

1st place - Makita

Our editors' choice - Japanese quality from Makita. More than half a century of experience in building power tools and an impeccable reputation - this is how to choose a drill / screwdriver. Especially powerful models with an impact mechanism easily screw fasteners into concrete, the powerful motor is distinguished by high endurance. And all this power is contained in a compact body with a comfortable grip and LED lighting.

Makita

Which battery is considered the best for a screwdriver

Power tools with rechargeable batteries use two types of batteries: lithium and nickel cadmium. It is extremely rare to find devices with nickel-metal hydride batteries on sale. They are not very popular due to overheating during prolonged use. Let's take a look at two of the most popular types of elements and their features.

Lithium battery screwdrivers: capricious and explosive

Lithium cells are now included in the batteries of almost all gadgets, from smartphones to large household appliances. This is a relatively new technology with only three decades of experience. The first lithium batteries exploded very often, it's true. The reason was imperfect technology. Now manufacturers equip them with controllers that prevent overheating and overcharging.

Modern lithium batteries surpass other models in capacity, do not suffer from memory effect

They also have disadvantages: such batteries are very sensitive to temperature changes. They are capricious when moving from warm to cold and vice versa. Lithium batteries will lose their capacity if not used regularly. These batteries are not stored for more than two years.

Nickel-cadmium batteries and their features

Alkaline nickel-cadmium batteries were invented back in the 19th century. But the massive use of this energy source was delayed until the middle of the 20th century. You may hear a lot of unflattering comments about this type of battery, but don't believe everyone. Yes, they really do not contain so much energy as, for example, lithium-ion, but they do not heat up during operation. This is precisely the main advantage of such Battery for screwdrivers and other power tools. Such batteries do not burn out, are equipped with a metal case and work flawlessly in heat and frost down to -40 ° C. Such batteries work up to 10 years and are cheaper than lithium-ion counterparts.

To extend the life of a nickel-cadmium battery, you need to use it until it is completely discharged. And if you do not use the device for a long time, you need to store it with a discharged battery.

To prevent Ni-Cd batteries from suffering from the memory effect, you need to bring them to the final discharge and carry out a full charge.

Which batteries to choose

We have considered the question of the advantages and disadvantages of different batteries, so which one is better for a screwdriver? The answer is not so straightforward: you need to select a battery in accordance with the tasks that your home tool should perform. Lithium batteries are more capacious, while cadmium batteries are safer. Lithium ones will stop working in a couple of years, even if they have not been used, and cadmium ones will last at least 10.

Professionals will advise you to opt for cadmium. And he is not afraid of temperature changes, and does not discharge during storage. This is the best option for a household appliance that is not used as often.

Screwdriver with which cartridges is it better to buy for home

Chucks in a screwdriver are quick-release and key. The quick-release has a three-blade shape that instantly grips the bit. By the way, on such a cartridge it is permissible to use nozzles of different thicknesses.

The key chuck needs a special key - it looks like a hexagonal pin with a bend. To fix the nozzle, the key must be inserted into the socket and turned until it stops. If you have lost the key, changing attachments will be a real problem. In addition, only bits with a diameter of a quarter of an inch can be fixed on such a chuck.

Our tip is to opt for a device with a keyless chuck. With it, the screwdriver costs a little more, but this is the right choice.

Experienced builder tips: how to choose a cordless screwdriver

We've covered the theoretical foundations of choice, but what about practice? Now recommendations from repairmen and finishing masters will be very useful to us. They are the ones who most often use such a tool.

How to choose a torque screwdriver

“If you choose a screwdriver, pay attention to two related parameters: its power and torque. For self-tapping screws up to 7 cm in length, you will have enough power of 12 Volts, for ten-centimeter ones you need 14.5 Volts. To prevent your tool from overheating, it is best to pre-drill the holes. If you need a screwdriver for simple housework, 40 Nm of torque is sufficient. "

Chuck rotation speed

“The speed of rotation directly affects the pace of work, but the tool and fasteners get very hot. This is not always good. Optimal for home use - 500-600 rpm. Our company uses faster screwdrivers, but it is important for us to fulfill the order quickly. If you do not have enough experience, do not seek to buy a high-speed tool. "

Reverse and tape feed

“Sometimes, when working with wood, you have to twist the fasteners. This is simply impossible without reverse. Never take a screwdriver without a reverse! He will save you even if the drill gets stuck in the work. Remember that reverse can only be switched when the chuck is stopped.

In our work, we use a professional tool with a tape feed of self-tapping screws. The fasteners are inserted into the tape in advance, and thanks to the automatic feeding, the process goes very quickly. We mainly use such screwdrivers when fastening OSB sheets and drywall during finishing work. Can I recommend such a tool for solving everyday tasks? If there is no experience, there will be little sense from this. The speed in the tape device is very decent, and you run the risk of winding up so much scrap that you will then be tortured to unscrew it. Yes, and there are a lot of such "shura". No, I would not recommend it for domestic purposes. "

For fishermen: which screwdriver to choose for an ice ax

Winter fishing is a sport for the strong in spirit and body. To drill a hole, you have to work, because even ice with a thickness of some 20 centimeters is a serious opponent. You can make your life much easier by using an ice ax attachment, and many purchase a cordless tool for this very purpose. It is clear that a mains screwdriver is not suitable here.

Fishing with a screwdriver is not a joke, it is a necessity

Many manufacturers have gone to meet the fishermen and offer special drill bits for the screwdriver, this is a ready-made solution. The pioneer in this area is the Swedish manufacturer Mora. The network has a lot of recommendations on how to combine a screwdriver with an ice ax. Answering the question of how to choose a drill-screwdriver for fishing, "Kulibins" note that for a successful symbiosis it is important that the tool is not afraid frost (remember what we wrote about cadmium batteries?), had a power of at least 18 volts (better than 36) and had a torque element of at least 70 Nm.

It is important that the battery charge is sufficient for drilling, so it is better to have a couple more batteries in reserve. And the last is the side handle of the device. If not, the brush could be damaged while drilling.

How to use a screwdriver: basic recommendations and video instructions

The operation of the device should be carried out according to simple rules:

• turn off the device before inserting or removing the battery;
• work at intervals to cool down the device;
• securely fix the nozzle by tightening the chuck until it stops;
• adjust the torque correctly according to the material you are working with;
• watch the integrity of the network device cable and charging cable;
• do not operate a power tool in the rain or snow.

Detailed information on the settings of the screwdriver is in the video instructions.

We hope that our research has helped you make your choice. If you can supplement it with your information, write about it in the comments!

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