Today it is no longer possible to do without such a tool as a screwdriver.
At first glance, there is no great need for it - the screw can be tightened with a screwdriver, and nails will go somewhere. And only after working with a screwdriver do you understand how it is needed.
With it, you can forget about fastenings on nails, replacing them with the same on screws. This is both more accurate and reliable, and can be easily fixed with an error. And the design itself, assembled with the help of screws, is easily disassembled subsequently. Hammering nails is a rough job, often spoiling the material, loosening the entire structure.
In order to understand which screwdriver to choose, you need to find out what they are, their technical characteristics, what it will be used for and where.
Where applicable
- Loosening / tightening bolts, screws, screws and other fasteners.
- Drilling holes in brick, metal, wood.
And:
- Drilling holes for ice fishing in winter.
- Mixing paints and building mixtures.
Varieties
The market of construction tools is ready to present a large number of tools from different manufacturers, differing in their parameters. They are divided into household and professional depending on the power, size of the cartridge, nutrient element, additional functions, price and delivery set. This division is inherent in most construction tools. Which screwdriver to choose?
According to the nutrient element, this type of tool can be divided into two groups: electric and battery (Ni-Mh, Ni-Cd, Li-Ion).
Li-ion batteries
This is the most common type of battery today in screwdrivers, as well as in other tools and portable devices used by humans. The modern Li-Ion battery is designed for three thousand charge cycles. This battery is light in weight and fast charging, and also has no memory to charge.
Among the shortcomings can be called a short shelf life (about three years), high cost, the need for constant work to get the most out of it. How to choose a cordless screwdriver?
Helpful advice. This type of battery is intended for continuous use, you should not take it for one-time work, it will not be able to prove itself in all its glory. It is worth saying that this battery does not like a full discharge or charging. Stable charge up to 90% and discharge up to 15% will significantly increase its service life. Three charge-discharge cycles, carried out one after the other, calibrate the battery capacity to the maximum.
Ni-Cd batteries
They came to the market a long time ago, found their application in many tools. The service life is about one and a half thousand charge-discharge cycles. Such a battery will work without problems for five years. It can work at subzero temperatures (up to -15 degrees). This battery has the lowest cost.
The negative side of such a battery is a long charge (an hour at best), significant weight and the presence of memory to charge. How to choose a cordless screwdriver?
Helpful advice. Due to the availability of memory to charge, such batteries must be fully discharged and charged. This will extend their lifespan. The charger will help with a full charge, and at least a flashlight that often comes with a screwdriver for this type of battery can take on a full charge. And if you are not lucky with the flashlight, then you can pull the button with an elastic band and over time the discharge will come by itself.Such a battery is stored in a discharged state.
Ni-Mh batteries
This type stands between the two previous ones. Screwdrivers with such batteries are much less common.
The charge-discharge cycles are about a thousand. There is almost no memory to charge.
This battery has the lowest discharge. In the minuses you can write down the weight. How to choose a cordless drill / driver?
Helpful advice. This battery has almost no memory effect, however, before turning on the screwdriver, after a long preservation, it is worth it to discharge completely and only then charge and use. For long-term storage, such a battery must be fully charged.
Each battery may vary in voltage and battery capacity. Capacity is measured in amperes times the hour. How to choose a screwdriver? The higher this value, the more battery can carry a charge. So, it will be possible to work with such a battery longer with one charge.
Voltage is measured in volts. This characteristic indicates how much power a screwdriver working on such batteries can give out. In simple terms, the maximum hard and soft torque indicators directly depend on the battery voltage. How to choose a screwdriver based on power indicators? Read about it below.
Electric screwdriver
How to choose this type of tool? The main difference is the torque adjustment. This type of screwdriver is represented by several lines from manufacturers of tools for household needs. Companies with the name put on professional solutions, in which the cartridge starts to rotate only when it "drowns" the bat into the material.
For work in the house or for use on a personal construction site and during repair, network screwdrivers will be a good solution. Choosing this type of tool for these purposes allows the absence of the need for frequent recharging. And the main disadvantages of this choice are the need for a power network, tangled wires underfoot, low mobility.
Gearboxes and cartridges
The screwdriver can be equipped with both a quick-clamping three-jaw chuck with a clamping range from 0.5 to 13 mm, and a hexagonal seat designed for tooling with a ¼ inch shank. How to choose a screwdriver?
A more practical tool with a quick-clamping chuck, which allows you to use any tool, the main thing is that it fits in diameter. And the larger the diameter of the chuck, the more versatile a screwdriver.
Hexagonal chuck has the advantage when working in hard-to-reach places or with frequent changes of equipment. To drill with such a screwdriver, you will need drills with a hexagonal shank.
For the cartridge to rotate, it is necessary that the movement from the engine be transmitted to it. The gearbox took over this function. Gears located inside the gearbox are either plastic or metal. The metal version is more common in professional powerful models, while the plastic ones are more common in household tools.
Power screwdriver
This characteristic is reflected in two parameters, which are measured in Newtonometers (Nm). They are called hard and soft torques.
Rigid torque indicates what maximum force can be obtained in drilling mode.
How to choose a drill screwdriver? The rotational speed is usually calculated from 0 to 1000 rpm or more, and it determines the choice.
Soft torque reflects the maximum force of the screwdriver when it unscrews / tightens. In this mode, the rotational speed is in the range of 0-350 rpm.
Accordingly, the more powerful the above parameters, the tool will be more practical, more productive, more powerful. How to choose a screwdriver? So, a tool with a torque of 30 Nm will easily screw a 70 mm self-tapping screw into a tree. For the same fasteners, but already 100 mm, you will need torque in the region of 40 Nm.And in order to tighten the longer screws, you will need to pre-drill the holes.
You need to know that the above example cannot be considered universal, since materials can be of different density and quality, and self-tapping screws can also be different.
Additional functions
The presence of a shock mechanism. Useful feature, you will not say anything. This is especially felt when drilling holes in stone or brick, as well as when working with socket heads.
The presence of an impulse that increases the frequency of torque. How to choose a screwdriver? A tool with such a function will be needed to easily fasten the fasteners into the material or unscrew the stuck self-tapping screw and even a drill when the punch is not within its strength. And the special usefulness of this chip will be manifested in the absence of emphasis in order to press tightly the screwdriver.
The presence of a third speed. The function will completely replace a conventional drill for housework. The cartridge in this mode can rotate at a speed of over 3 thousand rpm./min, and by turning on the first speed, you can get excellent torque.
The presence of backlight. Actual for work in rooms with poor or no lighting and in inaccessible places. The most successful option for placing the backlight is above the battery pack. There are models in which the backlight is located above the start button, which is not so effective when working.
As a result, I would like to note that it will not work to recommend any model as a universal one. Everything will depend on the tasks and goals for which a screwdriver is purchased. But some recommendations can be given.
How to choose a screwdriver for home? Enough network version due to the low weight, accessibility, as well as the lack of need for mobility. If we consider the battery options, it is better to focus on Ni-Mh and Ni-Cd when working from time to time. This way you can save money and get a long battery life. Why not take a tool with more modern batteries for your home? Because their cost is higher, and they are designed for permanent work, and the service life is 2 years less.
The torque of 25-35 Nm is optimal for housework. Of course, if finances allow, then you can take a more powerful screwdriver. Battery capacity is not so important for home use. 1.5-2 Ah · enough for the eyes.
Which screwdriver should a professional choose for work? If you plan to use the tool often, then choosing a model with a Li-Ion battery will be justified one hundred percent. This battery is lighter and faster to charge. The tool must be mobile and compact in order to crawl into the most inaccessible place. Torque - from 40 Nm or more (depends on what materials the work will be carried out).
When choosing additional features of a screwdriver, you need to address the needs and budget. The presence or absence of additional functions also influences the choice.
About Brands
On the market are screwdrivers of completely different manufacturers - both foreign and ours. The choice often goes between the following options.
Black & decker
A large American manufacturer specializing in a variety of power tools. Screwdrivers from this manufacturer are perfect for housework. And they will help self-repair, and will last quite a while.
Bosch
A leading brand in Europe. Tools from this manufacturer are easy to use and reliable. And most importantly, in any country, in every major city there is a service center that you can contact if there is any breakdown or damage to the tool.
Hitachi
Also a recognizable brand. Screwdrivers of this manufacturer are perfect for beginners for home repair work and professional builders.
Makita
Tools of this Japanese manufacturer are chosen by professionals. This screwdriver is an excellent solution for construction work. No wonder he enjoys such popularity abroad and here.
Interskol
Tools produced under this brand are cheaper than Japanese or American counterparts and do a good job of homework.
It should also be noted such manufacturers as Sturm, Sparky, Skil, Metabo, Kress, DeWALT, AEG, Bison.
Any of the listed companies is good in its own way. But with a professional approach, it is better to stop at Makita, Hitachi, Boch. Goods are not cheap, but prices are quite affordable - from 3 to 6.5 thousand rubles.
A few words about bits
This is the name for screwdriving bits. Saving is not worth it. It’s better to buy better bits, albeit more expensive than, tempted by a cheap set, then throw out fakes one after another that could not cope with the first serious twisting.
In conclusion, it should be noted that there are many models on the screwdriver market, and everyone will be able to choose the very tool that can give the maximum return in work and a lot of positive emotions.