Which screwdriver to choose so that it becomes a helper around the house
Which screwdriver to choose so that it becomes a real helper around the house
First of all, a screwdriver is a tool designed for unscrewing /twisting various types of fasteners, whether they are bolts, screws or screws. The modern market of building materials is filled with a variety of options, so sometimes it is unclear which screwdriver to choose in order to get a reliable assistant. Below we will consider the key characteristics and parameters that affect the quality of each model and will help with the selection.
A screwdriver is a tool with which various types of fasteners are unscrewed or twisted, as well as holes are made
How to choose a screwdriver based on the functions assigned to it
With the help of an electric screwdriver, you can solve a large front of tasks that often arise in the house, for example:
- assemble/disassemble a cabinet or other furniture;
- unscrew the old stuck self-tapping screw;
- secure the baseboard.
If the screwdriver is equipped with an impact function, then you can drill holes with it not only in wood, but also in concrete
Few people will want to do such work without using a screwdriver. Trading platforms provide a large range of goods. To understand which screwdriver to choose for your home, you should first familiarize yourself with various types of tools and reliable manufacturers.
As already noted, the main function of the screwdriver is screwing /unscrewing various types of fasteners. This is what makes it an indispensable device when working with furniture. In addition, the device is also used to perform other functions:
- tighten the anchors already screwed in firmly;
- drill holes in hard materials if the device is equipped with an impact function;
- cut the thread;
- prepare the solution for use.
It’s interesting! Some fishermen have successfully used a cordless screwdriver as a turntable to make a hole in the ice for winter fishing.
Today, hardly anyone wants to assemble a cabinet or other furniture without using a screwdriver
Before buying, many people are interested in the question of what is better to buy: a screwdriver, a drill – or give preference to a universal tool with a large number of functions. First of all, it is advised to pay attention to how the device is planned to be operated. When the main direction of work is the assembly / disassembly of furniture, a regular screwdriver will do. If you often need to make holes in various hard materials, for example, wood, concrete, metal, it is better to purchase a drill-screwdriver, in which you can change the nozzles and adjust the rotation speed.
It is worth considering that modern professional screwdrivers are endowed with such power that even without the drill function it will be possible to make holes in any material, but in this case it is not recommended to use the device often in this mode.
The design of the screwdriver as a whole has one feature – the absence of an inertial moment during operation. This means that it is only necessary to remove your finger from the “Start” button, torque braking will occur, while in most inexpensive drills there is no such option, and even after switching off the devices will rotate by inertia for several additional seconds.
The screwdriver has another advantage. As soon as the tool reaches the maximum resistance during rotation (this happens when the fasteners are fully screwed in), the automatic mechanism will stop the movement of the cartridge. Thus, too deep insertion of fasteners into the surface is excluded.
Professional modern screwdrivers have such power that even without the drill function it is easy to make holes in any material
In general, we can say that a drill and a screwdriver are completely different devices, but at home it is quite acceptable to use a universal drill–screwdriver, which is perfect for performing various household chores.
How to choose a screwdriver for home use
To understand by what parameters to choose a screwdriver, you should understand the main criteria, which are not as many as it may seem at first glance. The more nuances you take into account when buying, the lower the probability that you will have to regret the purchase.
First of all, it is necessary to determine exactly with what frequency and intensity the tool will be used. If you just need to have a device at hand that needs to tighten a couple of bolts several times a month, you can pick up an inexpensive Russian-made screwdriver. But when the device is necessary for daily work, it is better to buy a reliable professional model right away.
Important! It is considered an erroneous option to purchase the cheapest screwdriver designed for one-time, but intensive work for several days, for example, to assemble a metal structure or install a fence: it is unlikely that an inexpensive tool will withstand such a short-term load.
Before choosing a screwdriver, it is necessary to determine with what frequency and intensity it will be used
To understand which screwdriver to choose for home work, you need to know the main types of devices. First of all , they are divided into 2 large groups:
- household;
- professional.
As it is clear from the name of the first group, the devices are designed for occasional household chores. A professional tool is the main assistant of a specialist in furniture assembly and repair work, which is carried out daily. An important difference between one group and another is the increased power and endurance of professional devices. In addition, they differ in a certain set of additional functions and cost, and household tools are often 2-3 times cheaper than professional ones.
If you choose a screwdriver for the home, as a rule, preference is given to battery devices with a small weight. Their cost, depending on the manufacturer and model, varies from 2 to 7 thousand rubles. Such devices are perfect for small household work: installing shelves, unscrewing old fasteners, replacing the lock, etc. The torque is usually no more than 10-15 N / m, and the rotation speed does not exceed 400-500 revolutions per minute.
Due to the fact that the professional tool is characterized by high power, it is designed for long-term use. In general, most universal drill-screwdrivers are suitable for making holes in solid material, so the devices have a high rotation speed – 1300-2100 rpm, and the torque can reach a value of 130 N/ m.
Choosing a screwdriver for the home, preference is given to compact battery devices
In order to finally determine which drill-screwdriver to choose for the house, it is necessary to clearly know what kind of load the tool is planned to be subjected to and which front of work will most often be performed. It is not always an expensive professional device that is required, because for the most common household chores and minor repairs, a simple tool worth up to 5 thousand rubles will do.
Which screwdriver to choose based on the type of power supply: mains and battery tools
When choosing a screwdriver, many users first of all pay attention to the type of power supply of the device. There are 2 variants of models most often found in retail outlets:
- network devices designed to work from a 220 V outlet;
- rechargeable, functioning from a replaceable battery.
Sometimes there is also a universal tool that can work both from the mains and from the battery. But often such devices are distinguished by a high cost, so they have not received mass popularity.
Before choosing a cordless screwdriver for the home, you should again determine the goals and operating conditions. It is important to understand that the capacity of the battery is a limited criterion, so often network models are characterized by higher engine performance.
Screwdrivers are network, battery and combined
On average, users note that a good new battery on a screwdriver is enough to screw in from 100 to 250 fasteners, and everything depends not only on the features of the device, but also on the size and type of fasteners. The longer the device works independently, the more the power of the device decreases. This, in turn, affects the time of tightening the screw.
It should also be borne in mind that no matter how expensive the device is, the battery capacity will still be limited. After a certain number of cycles of charging / discharging, the battery may become unusable, as a result, it will need to be replaced. If the device was purchased a long time ago, in this case there may be a problem, because it is not always possible to choose a battery for a specific model that is suitable not only in power, but also in the type of attachment.
Despite this, cordless screwdrivers have become widespread due to the large number of advantages, among which stand out:
Among the advantages of the network tool are high power, no need for charging and light weight
Expert advice! Regardless of which cordless screwdriver to choose for home, you should immediately purchase an additional battery, especially if it is not included in the package. Firstly, this will allow you not to slow down if the first battery is dead, and secondly, it will save you from searching for the right model if the “native” battery fails.
A network screwdriver is often superior in power to a battery-powered one, although modern professional models can boast high technical characteristics. Among the main advantages of acquiring a network tool are:
Before choosing a network screwdriver, you need to familiarize yourself with the disadvantages of the device, where the main thing is considered to be binding to electricity and the presence of a cable, which may be missing or, conversely, which will interfere with work. Frequent twisting and bending of the cable can cause damage to the device.
No matter how expensive a cordless screwdriver is, the battery capacity will still be limited
Based on these reasons, it becomes clear: in order to understand which screwdriver to choose – battery or mains, it is necessary to determine how important the autonomy of the power tool is.
It’s interesting! Network devices with the same characteristics will cost less than battery ones.
Cordless screwdriver: which one to choose depending on the type of battery
To choose a good cordless screwdriver as an indispensable helper around the house will help knowledge about the types of removable batteries, which affect the duration of use of the tool.
The abbreviation “Li-Ion” on devices indicates that the device runs on a lithium-ion battery, which is considered very popular today. Batteries of this type are installed in many portable devices and gadgets due to the large number of advantages:
A screwdriver equipped with a Li-Ion battery is necessary only if its permanent use is planned
- the ability to carry out up to 3 thousand charging/discharging cycles;
- insignificant weight;
- fast charging, which rarely takes more than 30-60 minutes;
- there is no memory effect, which allows you to remove and put the device on charge, regardless of the charge level.
Despite all the advantages, lithium-ion batteries have negative sides:
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In general, it can be concluded that you need to purchase cordless screwdrivers with a Li-Ion battery only if you plan to use the device constantly and often, because even while in standby mode, the battery loses its qualities.
Expert advice! For normal operation of a lithium-ion battery, it should not be fully charged and discharged. It is recommended to put the device on a charge when at least 15% of the charge remains, and it is better to remove it from charging when the battery is 90% charged. At the same time, it is better to fully charge and discharge the new battery 3 times in a row.
The average lifetime of a Li-Ion battery is 3 thousand cycles or 4-5 years
Pros and cons of nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride batteries: what does the capacity affect
Nickel-cadmium batteries have been installed in screwdrivers and other tools for a long time. The maximum number of charging/discharging cycles reaches 1500, the batteries are designed for at least 5 years of use. The main advantage is the ability to work at low temperatures, but not below -15 ° C. As for the cost, Ni-Cd batteries are cheaper than all the others. Deciding which screwdriver is better to choose, you should immediately study the disadvantages of such feeding devices:
Nickel-metal hydride batteries are marked “NI-MH”. Main advantages:
- environmental safety;
- insignificant size;
- average cost.
In nickel-cadmium batteries, the maximum number of charging/discharging cycles reaches 1500
Like lithium-ion batteries, they have not been used for more than three years and do not allow work at low temperatures. Screwdrivers with such batteries are compact in size and light in weight, which is especially important for prolonged work in an uncomfortable position. At the same time, it is necessary to know that it is strictly forbidden to store nickel-metal hydride batteries in a fully discharged state. If you temporarily do not use the device, it needs to be charged to 100%.
Which screwdriver to choose for home work? Reviews from most customers claim that lithium batteries are considered more capacious, but even if they are used infrequently, they will stop working in about two years. Cadmium – less safe, they are designed for 10 years. As practice shows, many professionals opt for cadmium batteries, because they work independently of temperature changes, and also do not discharge even during long-term storage, which is especially important when the device is used sporadically.
In addition, before choosing a good cordless screwdriver, you should pay attention to the battery capacity indicator, which is measured in A/ h. The larger this value, the longer the device can be operated without recharging. Another important parameter is the battery voltage, which is measured in Volts. It is this criterion that indicates what maximum power can be achieved from the device.
So, which one to choose a screwdriver for home? The best tools in this case are considered to have a voltage of 12-14 V, for a professional device this indicator should not be less than 18 V.
The best screwdrivers for home use are tools with a 12-14 V battery
How to choose the right screwdriver: engine types, torque indicator
If you compare screwdrivers, it is worth considering that they are classified by the type of engine that rotates the shaft. According to this criterion , the tools are divided into the following types:
- brush (collector);
- brushless (inverter).
A distinctive feature of the brush motor is the presence of graphite brushes for the transmission of electrical energy from the contact wire. The main advantage of the devices is low cost. The disadvantage is a large loss of energy at the point of sliding contact, which significantly reduces the efficiency of the tool.
If you are wondering which screwdriver is better for home, then it should be noted that in this case, most users prefer a brushless tool, which has a lot of advantages:
The motors of screwdrivers are brush and brushless
- easy adjustment of the spindle speed;
- ability to tolerate short-term overload well;
- increased by 30% efficiency;
- long-term warranty work;
- absence of the probability of sparking during use;
- economical charge consumption.
A relative disadvantage is the high cost of a brushless tool.
Torque is a characteristic that determines what kind of load a screwdriver can be subjected to. In fact, this is an indicator of the force with which the device acts on the fasteners. The value is measured in Newton meters (N/m). There are 2 types of torque:
Depending on the indicator, the device can tighten the fasteners or drill holes in materials of different densities. Before using a screwdriver, you should figure out which torque indicator is suitable for a particular type of work:
There are 2 types of torque in screwdrivers: soft and hard
A screwdriver with adjustable torque is considered optimal for use. In this case, there is a limiter installed after the clamping chuck in the design of the device. It is with its help that the level of effort is adjusted in the process of twisting the elements. In this case, the cartridge stops automatically, although the engine continues to work.
Which drill-screwdriver to choose: indicators of rotation speed and type of cartridge
Conventional screwdrivers designed for home use accelerate to a speed of 400-500 rpm, and this is quite enough to tighten fasteners. If you need to buy a good screwdriver with a drill function, the indicator should be at least 1300 rpm, but better – more. For example, for working with wood, the optimal speed is 800-1500 revolutions, but for drilling concrete and metal – 2-3 thousand. In general, it is considered convenient when the gearshift function is available in the device.
Screwdrivers cartridges are divided into 2 types: quick-release and hexagonal
According to the type of cartridges , the tool is divided into 2 types:
It’s interesting! There are screwdrivers with two cartridges that allow you to use 2 different bits at the same time, which are easy to alternate using a torque element. One of the most popular options is the Chinese—made WORX – WX176L model, but before buying you need to evaluate the need for such a design.
Which company is better: how to choose a cordless or mains screwdriver
Before choosing a cordless or battery-type screwdriver for your home, you should definitely familiarize yourself with the rating of proven manufacturers who have good reviews. The most reliable manufacturers include:
Metabo presents a high-quality power tool for both home and professional use
Due to the rise in price of a foreign product, Chinese and domestic models are entering the leading sales positions. So, the battery and network screwdrivers Diold from China differ in acceptable characteristics for a household appliance and at the same time are within 5 thousand rubles in value.
The German concern Bosch offers a wide selection of screwdrivers with various characteristics
Many people are interested in the question of which network screwdriver from inexpensive is better for home. Some users will recommend the tools of the company “Whirlwind”. Due to the fact that the enterprises are located in China, the cost of the devices is affordable for most buyers. For example, a two-speed network screwdriver Vortex SH-550/2 will cost only 2,250 rubles.
How to choose a screwdriver for an ice drill: reviews, prices
Winter fishing is an avid hobby of many men, where you can also successfully use this device. To understand which screwdriver to choose for ice drilling, it should be borne in mind that at low temperatures the device will work under increased loads. Of course, only a battery tool is useful for such conditions.
When buying, you need to understand that a device with a torque of at least 60 N / m is suitable for working with solid ice, while there is absolutely no need to purchase a tool with a shock function. Other characteristics that determine which screwdriver to choose for an ice drill:
To work with solid ice, you will need a screwdriver with a torque of at least 60 N/m
- optimal in cold conditions is a nickel-metal hydride battery, which calmly tolerates sub-zero temperatures;
- the power of the device should be at least 18 V, preferably 36 V;
- the battery capacity is 3-5 A/h.
It is recommended to choose such models of screwdrivers:
It will be much easier to make a choice of a screwdriver for the house if you understand the purpose for which the device is purchased. Many expensive professional models are endowed with functions that most ordinary consumers may never use. The main advice is to focus when choosing not on the cost, but on a proven manufacturer and the necessary parameters.
