How to choose a screwdriver for home, construction

In some jobs you have to screw in a lot of self-tapping screws. You can, of course, do it manually with a screwdriver, but this requires considerable effort and takes a lot of time. To speed up the process, you need to choose a screwdriver. There are quite inexpensive models – household – which, nevertheless, greatly facilitate the installation and removal of screws. And some can also work in the drill mode.

Contents of the article

Obsah Přepínač

Household or professional

As you know, professional screwdrivers are characterized by a higher cost, but this is not accidental. They are made with a greater margin of safety, for which they use higher quality and more expensive materials. In addition, they have more power, which makes it possible to screw in longer screws and/or work with tougher materials.

The difference between a professional and a household screwdriver in terms of service life — The difference between a professional and a household screwdriver is in the resource

To decide whether you need a household or professional screwdriver, assess the amount of work you’ll need to do. If you are starting a construction project or major repairs, you probably need a professional or semi-professional model. If the tool will be needed periodically – something to unscrew/screw from time to time, domestic is more than enough. In such work, the resource of a pro tool will simply not be in demand. So it is not very difficult to choose a screwdriver according to this criterion.

Cordless or network

Having determined the class, it will be necessary to decide whether you need a cordless or cordless screwdriver. The disadvantages and advantages of both are obvious: the cordless has higher mobility and does not interfere with the cord when working, but it weighs more. Network does not depend on the availability of battery charge, but the power supply is not on all construction sites. In general, the choice is not easy. Decisive can be the fact that a cordless screwdriver with a good battery is decently more expensive than a similar model that works from the network. The difference is formed due to the presence of a rechargeable battery – good options are not cheap.

With a cordless screwdriver, the length of the cord is important — At the mains-powered screwdriver, the length of the cord is important

If you decide to choose a network screwdriver, pay attention to the length of the cable. The longer it is, the more convenient it will be to work – you will not have to carry a carrier.

To choose the right screwdriver on batteries, you need to pay attention to the type of battery. From this depends on the duration of work on a single charge, as well as the order of storage.

Lithium-ion (Li-lon). Long holds a charge, quickly charges, have a large number of recharges, almost do not discharge during storage. In general, a good option, but expensive. That’s why, probably, is more often found on professional models, where the duration of work on a single charge is important. To the disadvantages can be attributed and fear of cold, which is important in our country.
Lithium-ion batteries have a long resource, are not subject to self-discharge, but are expensive
Nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH). This type of rechargeable batteries are environmentally friendly, have small size and weight, average price. Disadvantages – also do not like low temperatures, have a short service life – about 3 years. But it is easier to work with such a tool – not so tired hand. When storing the battery fully charged, discharged batteries should not be stored. During storage they are discharged, but moderately.
Nickel-metal hydride batteries are not a bad option, but they do not have a very long resource
Nickel-cadmium (Ni-CD). The main advantages – low price and a service life of 5 years (the number of charges – about 3000), is not afraid of frost, that is, you can work in winter outside. Disadvantages – it takes a long time to charge (it takes twice as long as other types of batteries), it has a “charge memory”. Charge memory is an unpleasant thing. If a battery that is not fully discharged is put on charge, the total capacity of the battery will be reduced. It will become smaller just by the value from which the charge was started. That is why such a tool must work until the battery is fully discharged, which is not always convenient: it can not always “finish” the screw, you have to help with your hands or screw with a “fresh” battery. The battery should be stored fully discharged, otherwise the capacity will decrease again.
The cheapest type of batteries is nickel-cadmium, but they have “charge memory”

So, if you choose a cordless screwdriver for periodic work is quite good and nickel-cadmium battery. If you use carefully, it serves for a long time. If you start large-scale work, it is better to use other batteries – there will be less downtime, the work will move faster.

Chuck type

The chuck of the screwdriver is of two types: key and quick-clamping. Quick-clamping (usually has three blades) allows you to change attachments in a matter of seconds – the chuck is turned slightly by hand, the attachment is changed, after which it is again turned slightly in the opposite direction. Besides there is one more positive moment: in such holder it is possible to install any thickness of nozzle. The main thing is that the shank fits into the holder.

The same operation with a key chuck requires a special key. It is inserted into a special socket, rotate until the nozzle is released. After replacement, the key is turned in the opposite direction. The disadvantage is obvious: it is necessary to have this key at hand.

By structure, quick-action chucks can have one or two clutches. If there are two clutches, one of them fixes the chuck, the second – the shaft. If the clutch is one, then there is a button on the body to lock the shaft.

It is not difficult to choose a screwdriver according to this parameter – usually all converge on quick-clamping. They allow you to fix the attachments of large sizes, though they cost, all other things being equal, a little more expensive.

Technical parameters

After you have determined the type of screwdriver and power supply, it is necessary to focus on the technical characteristics. They determine what screws and in what material you will be able to screw.

Rotational speed and torque

The torque determines how hard a screwdriver can turn a screw. It can be very small in household models – 10-15 Nm, and can reach 130-140 Nm in professional models. That’s why pro screwdrivers can easily and quickly screw large screws and work with tough materials.

But a large torque is not always necessary and not with all materials because in screwdrivers provided the possibility of adjusting the applied force. For this purpose there is a limiter. It is made in the form of a movable ring, which is located behind the clamping chuck.

The higher the rpm, the stronger the torque — The higher the number of revolutions, the stronger the torque is

On the ring there is a mark, by setting it against a certain number, you set the maximum force that the tool can develop. When this value is reached, the chuck will spin idly – the screw will not be screwed in. When this value is reached, it can be clearly traced – the ratchet is activated.

Many models of screwdrivers can work in two modes: actually screwing fasteners and drilling. Such models are called screwdriver-drill, but they are now the majority. To switch to the drill mode, the switch is put in the extreme position (having previously replaced the nozzle). At the same time, the maximum revolutions are turned on, which allows you to drill even quite hard materials.

Power of the screwdriver

And the torque and speed of rotation – this is a consequence of the power of the electric motor. Therefore, it is necessary to look at this parameter as well. But here it is necessary to monitor three values at once: so that the power of the screwdriver corresponds to the speed parameters. Powerful models with good parameters can be found in many manufacturers, but such as Metabo (Metabo), Bosch (Bosch) and Makita (Makita) and other well-known prices are very high. There are other brands with similar characteristics, but more reasonable prices. For example, RYOBI (Ryobi). The brand is still little-known, but according to reviews is no worse than the above-mentioned famous brands. In order to be able to compare the main characteristics and price of models of approximately the same power, but different brands, let’s summarize them in the table.

Model	Tool type	Chuck type/diameter	Maximum idle speed	Maximum torque	Number of speeds	Maximum drilling diameter wood/metal	Battery type, charging time	Battery capacity/voltage	Features	Accessories	Weight	Accessories	Price
Bosch GSR 1800-LI 1.5Ah x2 Case	impactless drill/driver	quick-action 0.8-10 mm	1300 rpm	34 N-m	2	29 mm / 10 mm	Li-ion	1.5 Ah / 18 V	Reverse, spindle lock, electronic speed control	power button lock	1.4 kg	case, two batteries, charger	6,7 t.p. – 7,5 t.p.
Bosch GSR 18-2-LI Plus 2.0Ah x2 Case	impactless drill-driver	quick-action 1.5-13 mm	1900 rpm	63 N-m	2	38 mm / 13 mm	Li-ion	2 Ah / 18 V	reversing, spindle lock, electronic overload protection, electronic speed control	bit socket, spot light, locking power button	1.49 kg	case, two batteries, charger	11 t.p. – 13.5 t.p.
Makita 6347DWDE	impactless drill/driver	quick-action / 1.5 – 13 mm	1300 rpm	80 N-m	2	38 mm / 13 mm	Ni-Cd	2.3 Ah / 18 V	reversing, electronic speed control	bit socket, locking power button	1.5 kg	two batteries, charger, bit, case	13 t.r.
Makita 6347DWAE	impactless drill/driver	quick-action / 1.5 – 13 mm	1300 rpm	80 N-m	2	38 mm / 13 mm	Ni-Cd	2 a.h. / 18 V	reversing, electronic reversing, electronic speed control	bit socket, locking power button	1.5 kg	two batteries, charger, bit, case	11.3 t.p. – 12 t.p.
Hitachi DS18DVF3	impactless drill/driver	quick-action / 13 mm	1200 rpm	45 N-m	2	21 mm / 12 mm	Ni-Cd	1.4 Ah / 18 V	reverse, electronic speed control	bit socket, additional handle	2 kg	case, flashlight, set of accessories	7,6 t.p. – 9,5 t.p
Hitachi DS18DSFL	impactless drill/driver	quick-action 2mm / 13mm	1250 rpm	41 N-m	2	38 mm / 13 mm	Li-ion	1.5 Ah / 18 V	reversing, electronic speed control	power button lock	1.7 kg	two batteries, charger, case	8.7 t.p. – 11,6 t.p
Metabo BS 18 10mm 1.3Ah x2 Case	impactless drill/driver	quick-action / 1-10 mm	1600 rpm	48 N-m	2	20 mm / 10 mm	Li-ion	1.3 Ah / 18 V	reversing, spindle lock, electronic speed control	bit socket, spot light, locking power button	1.3 kg	two batteries, charger, case	7.7 t.p. – 8.1 t.p.
Metabo BS 18 Li 2012 13mm 2.0Ah x2 Case	impact-free drill/driver	quick-action / 1.5-13 mm	1600 rpm	48 N-m	2	20 mm / 10 mm	Li-ion	2 Ah / 18 V	reversing, spindle lock, electronic speed control	bit socket, spot light, locking power button	1.5 kg	two batteries, charger, case	10.3 t.p. – 10,9 t.p.
RYOBI RCD18021L	hammerless drill/driver	quick-action / 1.5-13 mm	1600 rpm	45 N-m	2	38mm / 13mm	Li-Ion	1.4 Ah / 18 V	Reverse, spindle lock, electronic speed control	bit socket, magnetic holder on the body, spotlight, power button locking	1.2 kg	one battery, charger, bit, pouch	7.1t.p. – 7,8t.r.
RYOBI R18DDP-0	hammerless drill/driver	quick-action / 13 mm	1600 rpm	45 N-m	2	32 mm / 13 mm		18 В	reversing, electronic reversing, spindle lock, electronic speed control	bit socket, magnetic bit holder on the body, locking power button	1.81 kg	bit (without battery and charger)	2.7 t.p. – 2,9 t.p.

It is worth a few more words to say about the number of operating speeds. Do not be confused with the number of rotational speeds. These are two modes of operation, which are used when working with different sizes of screws or drills. When working with small screws/drills, you can select a higher speed, when screwing in large screws or drilling large holes – a lower speed.

Battery parameters

To choose the right screwdriver with batteries, in addition to the type of batteries, you need to choose their operating parameters:

To choose a screwdriver for home or professional use and not to regret, it is necessary to review these parameters necessarily. If you have picked up several models, compare them on these characteristics, because it depends on them how long will be the interval between charges of rechargeable batteries of the screwdriver.

Additional features

As usual, these functions are not mandatory, but they significantly increase the convenience of use. Some of the price if and raise the price, then not significantly, and some are quite appreciable. To choose the most inexpensive screwdriver, you can do with the minimum – reverse and the presence of backlighting of the place of work. The rest, of course, are useful, but more suitable for professionals.

Some of the extra features are very useful — Some additional functions are very useful

Reverse or reverse

The presence of this option allows you to unscrew a screw or a drill bit stuck in the material. Changing the direction of rotation occurs when the polarity of the power supply is changed, which is done through a special button. It is usually installed close to the starting lever.

Examples of the location of the backspace button in a screwdriver — Examples of the location of the reverse button in a screwdriver

Most often, the backstroke button has three positions: in the middle position, the tool is blocked. This increases safety: if you accidentally hit the lever, the screwdriver will simply stop, rather than spinning backwards immediately.

Work area illumination

A very convenient option that doesn’t really affect the price of the screwdriver is the backlighting of the work area. With good illumination, it is much easier to control the tool.

Work area lighting is a useful additional feature of the screwdriver — Illumination of the work area is a useful additional function of the screwdriver

In the handle or body of the tool near the chuck is embedded LED, which lights up when you press the start button. If you want to choose a screwdriver that is comfortable to work with, make sure that the work area is illuminated.

Battery charge indicator

If you decide to choose a screwdriver with a battery, it would be good to have a battery charge indicator. These are LEDs of different colors – green, yellow, red, which are located on the body. If green is lit – the charge is full, if red – almost discharged.

The location of the indicator depends on the company, but it is usually located on the thickening of the handle, where the backlight LED is, or in the upper part of the body.

Automatic self-feeding screwdriver

Such screwdrivers are also called store screwdrivers. This option is useful for professionals, especially those who work with drywall, where the fasteners need to be placed in small increments. Self-tapping screws are attached to a special tape, tucked into the guides, automatically fed to the holder.

Screwdrivers with automatic fastener feeder — Screwdrivers with automatic fastener feeding

This option can be realized in two ways: there are store screwdrivers (on the photo on the left) and there are attachments to the usual screwdriver. For home use, the second option is preferable, as the tool can work as a drill or reverse. A store screwdriver is a highly specialized equipment for professional use.