How to choose a screwdriver - selection criteria and characteristics + Video

Every man who does something at home usually has a screwdriver. Well, or planned to purchase it. After all, without this tool can not do either in the repair or during construction, or when carrying out minor work on the house. Assemble the furniture, hang the eaves or shelf, unscrew the old screws - in all these cases, this device will help out. Today we will talk about how to choose the screwdriver that best meets your ideas. At the same time determine where the "golden mean" in the combination of price and quality.

Where screw drivers are used and how they are arranged

This tool is actively used by both the owners of the cottages and those who live in their own apartment. Whatever construction or repair work is done, you can’t do without a screwdriver. This will tell any home master who is accustomed to rely on their own strength and ability. Yes, and professional builders also certainly have a screwdriver in their arsenal. It is convenient for them to fix the plasterboard sheets during finishing work. And furniture without this tool is completely impossible to assemble.

Consider the elements that make up the screwdriver:

• An electric motor that rotates at a certain speed.
• The planetary-type gearbox transfers force to the spindle, which is equipped with a clamping chuck.
• A clutch is attached to the gearbox that adjusts the torque.
• To attach nozzles to the motor shaft, called bits, there is a clamping cartridge.
• The electronic control system is equipped with a button to start the device, as well as a reverse switch.
• A battery is commonly used as a power source. Therefore, this type of device is convenient to use where there are no electrical outlets, as well as in places where the cord does not reach.

The screwdriver is disassembled.

And now we will list for which works it is advisable to use a screwdriver:

• Screwing and unscrewing a variety of fasteners. These are screws, bolts, screws, and, of course, screws.
• When installing this device, you can firmly tighten the dowels and anchors.
• Wood, both soft and hard, is perfectly drilled by a screwdriver.
• They can also drill a metal surface.
• This device is quite possible to cut threads in metal (and not only) parts.

How not to make a mistake when choosing a screwdriver

Keep in mind that when you come to the store, you should not pay attention only to the cost of the device. When deciding which screwdriver to choose, carefully read the passports of the vending models. They will necessarily indicate the most important technical characteristics of the device. These are: rotational speed, type of battery (if, of course, it is available) and torque. According to these parameters, you need to choose your own tool.

For the "pro" or household screwdriver

Think about what kind of repair and construction work you plan to do. Based on this, and make your choice. If you are not so enthusiastically making, and you only need to get the device from the case a couple of times a month, it makes no sense to take a professional screwdriver. Right, not worth the candle worth the candle - an amateur model that runs on a battery, you have enough. All the necessary functions she has, and it weighs much less than professional.

But if almost every day you need to assemble, fasten or build something, then look towards the not very cheap, but very powerful professional models. They, as a rule, work from a network, have impressive dimensions and weight. It makes sense to choose such network screwdrivers for those who have a lot of work ahead with heavy loads.

About the torque and rotational speed

The torque determines how much a screwdriver applies to the screw to be wrapped, or with what force it resists the load. In the home appliances are used, the torque of which ranges from 10 to 15 newton meters. Professional models can have a torque of up to 130 newton meters, as a result of which they have the opportunity to drill very hard materials. The motor shaft in such devices makes 1200-1300 rpm in one minute. Household models are satisfied with 400-500 rpm.

Depending on the torque, the length of the screw and the diameter of the screw are selected. Thicker and longer screws can be tightened with more powerful screwdrivers. Also, these devices can be used when working with fairly solid materials, without fear of damage.

A screwdriver differs from other power tools in that its torque can be adjusted. To do this, use a simple device - limiter. It is a ring located immediately after the chuck.With the help of it you can install a certain force after which the screw will not be screwed anymore. Screw in a screw - the cartridge immediately stopped, although the engine is still spinning. At the same time, the sound of a rattle is clearly audible. Such a limiter protects the tool from many troubles: wear of the bit, disruption of the slot at the screw, as well as its too deep embedding into the surface.

Maximum torque limiter.

Ratchet at the motor coupling protects it from overloading, allowing the rotating shaft to slip freely. The set maximum torque, by the way, is quite sufficient for the screw to be screwed out as hard as possible and the engine not to be overloaded. To switch to the drilling mode, the clutch must be moved to the opposite extreme position. At the same time, the torque limit will be lifted, i.e. the screwdriver will work like a normal drill.

Typically, screwdrivers have two modes of operation - one allows you to drill, the other - to twist the screws.

To choose the right screwdriver, take into account some other details. It is necessary to check whether the motor works stably under load, whether the frequency of its rotation is maintained. The quality of the power supply, its ability to hold a charge, as well as the power of the device when the battery is low, is also important.

Cordless or powered?

There are two types of screwdrivers: powered by a power cord and having their own battery. As for the first, they have a substantial weight, and you can work with them only near the electrical outlets. However, it is possible to buy an extension cord, and the range of use of the tool will depend on its metric area. Battery devices are lighter, and also have a significant advantage - autonomy.

It is not always necessary to build near the sockets, therefore, in field conditions, models with their own battery are, of course, more convenient. Agree, a little pleasure - to carry meters of wire, which, unfortunately, also constantly confused. And when working at heights, it’s not at all possible to use network models. After all, they are also heavy - raising them is problematic. Therefore, we consider in more detail the model with the battery. It is important to choose the right type.

The most widely used cordless screwdriver.

Network, more professional model.

We choose the battery wisely

To work with comfort, and not to run to recharge the instrument every half hour, be careful with its battery. How to choose a cordless screwdriver, there is no particular difficulty - just take the device more powerful. And still the excellent service will be served by the spare battery if it is available in a set. As for the recharging time, it takes about an hour for a professional tool, and up to 7 hours for an amateur one. It depends on the device to charge.

Three types of batteries are used in screwdrivers:

• nickel-cadmium,
• lithium-ionic,
• nickel- metal hydride.

1. The latter are becoming more and more popular, and today many new European models of screwdrivers are equipped with environmentally friendly Ni-MH batteries. Small and light, with no memory effect, these batteries have only two drawbacks. They do not like frost and overcurrent. Yes, even the price is a bit high. But the number of charges with a stable capacity of them - 1500 times. For storage, you need to charge these batteries well, and stored in a discharged form is not permissible. But they do not have as much memory effect as nickel-cadmium and are more powerful.

2. Batteries based on nickel-cadmium cells are more toxic, but the number of recharges they have is twice as large as the previous type. Therefore, the tool sold today in stores and in the markets, most of them have Ni-Cd batteries. Besides, they are cheap enough, and they are not afraid of frost at all. So there is no place for better Russian conditions. Here are just these batteries suffer a strong self-discharge, and the memory effect - these are significant drawbacks. For storage, do not forget to completely discharge them. Otherwise, you risk resulting in a battery with a smaller capacity.

3. Lithium-ion batteries are not built in screwdrivers as often. They are even more sensitive to cold than nickel-metal hydride batteries, and their power is low. The number of charges - up to 3000, the memory effect is absent. A large battery capacity is poorly compensated by an exorbitant price. They are practically not subject to self-discharge. They are somewhat more convenient when used at home, but the price is not good.

To choose a good screwdriver, take the time to choose its battery. After all, the battery costs more than half the price of the instrument, more precisely, from 60 to 70 percent.Read the instrument passport and compare the following parameters:

• Battery voltage;
• battery capacity;
• presence or absence of memory effect;
• presence or absence no self-discharge;

The battery is a removable element. It consists of several power sources in a common package. They are fastened together using plates. The total voltage is summed at the output, amounting to 24, 18, 14. 4, 12 or 10 volts. It determines the duration of continuous operation and the power of the device.

Capacity depends on which element is installed inside the battery. It determines the total number of recharges and battery life. Over time, capacity decreases.

The charge memory effect is the ability to lose capacity if the battery is not discharged and then fully charged. That is, before charging it must be completely discharged. Lying idle in the case, the charged battery still loses charge. Therefore, it is also necessary to completely discharge the nickel-cadmium battery if the device is to be sent to storage.

And one more tip about the battery: look not only at the output voltage, but also at the ratio of current to work. This value is measured in amperes per hour. The higher its value, the longer the battery will keep charge. Batteries with the same voltage may have a different ampere / hour.

Varieties of chucks

There are chucks for clamping parts of two types: fast-locking and key. For clamping the latter, a special gear-type wrench is needed. If the fast-tightening mechanism is used, everything is much simpler - you can easily insert a drill into it, and a bit holder.

In turn, the key-operated chuck can have either one or two couplings. If one coupling is used, then the device additionally has a shaft locking mechanism when replacing one nozzle with another. If there are two clutches, then instead of blocking, the cartridge is held by one of the clutches. The second clamps the cartridge.

Having a reverse stroke

A reverse stroke, commonly called a reverse, will help you to unscrew the screw and pull the drill hopelessly stuck in a hard material. As a rule, electronic pole switching of the electric motor is used for this. For convenience, the switch to the reverse mode is placed next to the start button of the device. It has two positions, and in the position, the middle one between them, the device is blocked. This is necessary in order not to accidentally press the button at the wrong time.

Reverse switching function.

Convenience and design

When thinking about how to choose a screwdriver for your home, do not limit yourself to viewing pictures on websites. After all, you use the tool - here and hold it in your hands, checking if its buttons are tight, if they switch well. The center of gravity should be in the handle - so the hand will wear less when working. After the cartridge must necessarily have a ring to adjust the force of twisting. When the screw is tightened to the end, this device will not let it go too deep. And the rig will not wear out quickly.

A small and low-powered screwdriver is useful in assembling furniture.

The classical model contains all the basic functions.

A screwdriver with automatic feeding of self-tapping screws, is a whole combine that will be useful for professionals.

A screwdriver with a magnetic holder for self-tapping screws.

Backlight function during operation.

Battery charge indicator.

What lies in the case

The screwdriver's package may be different. It is better if it includes not only the device, but all the necessary attachments. This will save you money and time in the future. After all, screws, bolts and screws are released today with many options for caps - so nozzles will need a variety.

Conclusion

Having learned all the possible parameters in this article, write out the most optimal ones that suit your needs and go to the raid shopping to make your choice.

For a home appliance, these can be the following parameters:

• Torque: from 10 newton meters.
• 400 - 500 revolutions per minute.
• 2 modes of operation (tightening and drilling).
• Existence of function of a reverse.
• Device Type: Rechargeable.
• Battery type: nickel cadmium or nickel metal hydride.
• Voltage: 10 - 14.4 V.
• Value: ampere / hour the more, the better, if the two batteries have the same voltage, and this indicator is higher, then it is better to give preference to this device .

Video: Choosing a drill / screwdriver