Cordless screwdrivers are similar to their manual counterparts. Both are designed to drive screws, except the cordless screwdrivers are battery-operated. Whether you’re tightening the screws or assembling your new IKEA ready-to-assemble furniture aka flat-pack furniture or knock-down furniture or you need to disassemble your double-decker bed when moving, you need a much more powerful screwdriver than that of the old trusty pen-screwdriver you had for ages.
With lots of manual screwing bolts and nuts in your work, your hand will be fatigued. This is especially when you’re facing tough materials. This makes you want to give up altogether in frustration.
As a DIY er, this cordless screwdriver is an indispensable tool to have around your house. Simply loosen and tighten screws where once was a chore, now in a blink of a second you can perform the same task quite easily. No more twisted wrist and nerve-popping from your forehead as you struggle to put in a screw on your cupboard’s door.
More often than not, these cordless screwdrivers are powered by Lithium-ion batteries, reputed to be lightweight, have constant power, have a long life, do not discharge when not in use, same power until you run out of juice. No longer will you be bothered with messy and tangling electrical cords getting in the way. Most models are portable and are extremely light and can easily fit in the palm of your hand. Some make can even work in the tightest of places. You can rotate the screw head up-down and sideways for easy access to the worst of tight corners. Due to its versatility, it helped save time and effort and know that you have spent your time fruitfully.
When Do You Use Cordless Screwdrivers?
Cordless screwdrivers are a handy tool around the house. Whether you want to insert or extract screws they are there for you. You can find cordless screwdriver usefulness in the:
- Removing cabinets doors
- Removing battery covers
- Assembling knock-down furniture
- Home minor repairs
- Hanging picture and drawing frames
- Replacing outlet covers
- Building your own chicken coop
You will notice that all these screwing and unscrewing work do not require high power or great speed in a screwdriver to accomplish the tasks. Learn more about building your own chicken coop here.
Then When You Should Use A Cordless Drill?
Cordless drills pack much power, speed and torque and are best suited to drill holes and drive screws. They are a lot bigger and bulkier than cordless screwdrivers. Because of their power, they have the ability for tougher tasks, such as:
- Drive holes in a vast difference of tougher materials
- Drilling into drywalls
- Drive hard screws faster
- Capable of a rotary sander attachment
- Cut holes with a hole saw
Now you can see the difference in a cordless power drill as compared to a cordless screwdriver. A cordless screwdriver can only handle light and less powerful tasks whereas the power drill job will include much drilling.
Features and Benefits Of Cordless Screwdrivers
Nothing is much more satisfying than efficiently driving in or taking screws from an uncompromising position and hard-to-reach places like tall hanging cupboards or beneath tables. Being cordless screwdrivers has its benefits:
Save Energy:
Lithium-ion batteries power most cordless screwdrivers and are energy efficient. They do not discharge energy when not in use. That means you can have your tool readied for action even though you have left it idle for quite some time.
Save Time And Effort:
Very little effort is required to work with a cordless screwdriver. You would complete your job in no time without any mistakes. You will be wondering why I have not been using a cordless screwdriver all these years.
Precise And Accurate:
With the different levels of torque and variable speed, a cordless screwdriver has the ability for precision and accurate driving not capable of manual screwdrivers.
Versatility:
Some cordless screwdrivers have the convenient feature of carrying this variety of interchangeable multi-bits in their clutch. This makes a change in bits effortlessly by just turning a barrel as in a gun barrel. You don’t have to carry a whole set of manual screwdrivers with you again.
Cost-Effective In-The-Long-Run:
If you would use the cordless screwdriver for a long time, it would be much more cost-effective to own one rather than spending money on multiple separate screwdrivers which added up may cost more than the electric screwdrivers. With electric power, the cordless screwdriver is the most preferred tool by all DIY er.
- When Do You Use Cordless Screwdrivers?
- Then When You Should Use A Cordless Drill?
- Features and Benefits Of Cordless Screwdrivers
- Cost-Effective In-The-Long-Run:
- Type Of Cordless Screwdrivers
- Don't Buy Your Cordless Screwdrivers Until You've Read This
- Conclusion
Type Of Cordless Screwdrivers
Straight
Looks like a manual screwdriver, the cordless screwdriver has a straight handle with a bit at one end. BLACK+DECKER Cordless Screwdriver (AS6NG) Shop at Walmart
Pistol
Shaped like a pistol and resemble a cordless power drill though smaller, lighter and much more compact. It is not as powerful as a cordless drill and a cordless screwdriver should not use for drilling on hard materials and masonry. Bare-tool Milwaukee 2401-20 m12 12-volt li-ion subcompact driver (tool only) Shop at Walmart
Variable-shaped
A variable-shaped cordless screwdriver is either a straight screwdriver or can be pistol-shaped once bent. It has the benefits of both worlds. The pistol grip can hold your tool more firmly whereas a pen-shaped are for simple direct screwing. Its 3 position helps you work in tight places. BLACK+DECKER 4-Volt MAX* Cordless Lithium-Ion Led Screwdriver, BDCS30C Shop at Walmart
Don’t Buy Your Cordless Screwdrivers Until You’ve Read This
Cordless screwdrivers come in all shapes and sizes, torques, speed and power. Does it make your decision any easier? Everyone has their own preference related to the type of work and, of course, their budget. So what should they take into consideration before you spent your hard-earned money? You’d be surprised what you have found out.
How Much Power Cordless Screwdrivers Have?
Unlike a power drill or an impact driver which are used for hard-hitting and power-sapping drilling to hard materials, assembling furniture or hanging up pictures into low-density material doesn’t require high screwing power of 12 Volt or 20 Volt. A cordless screwdriver of 3.6 Volt power is sufficient. Check out my blog on Power Drill.
For light task the best options are:
BLACK+DECKER LI4000 3.6-Volt Lithium-Ion SmartSelect Screwdriver Shop at Walmart
For light-medium tasks, the best options are:
For heavy-duty tasks, the best options are:
Bosch GSR12V-140FCB22 12 V Max Flexiclick® 5-In-1 Drill/Driver System Shop at Walmart
How Much Force Do You Need?
How much force or torque do you need to drive a screw into low-density or high-density materials? A low level of torque is required if you want to screw into the position of light wood, whereas a harder and tougher material would certainly warrant a higher torque in order to drive into it.
The advantage of having a clutch system where there are multiple torque settings will enable you to ably apply more control over much force as required. Proper torque control will prevent over-stripping the screw, damaging your bits, or even breaking or damaging the screw shaft.
For cordless screwdrivers having clutch systems, the best options are:
Hitachi Metabo Power Tools DB3DL2 3.6V Cordless Screwdriver Kit Shop at Walmart
How Much Speed Do You Need?
Of course, you would be able to finish drilling using a high-speed driver. But do you have control over the screwdriver? A speed of 180 rpm is fast enough for most light-duty tasks.
For cordless screwdrivers with variable speed and torque control, the best options are:
DEWALT 8-Volt MAX Lithium-Ion 1/4 in. Hex Cordless Gyroscopic Screwdriver Shop at Walmart
Is Maneuverability Of Your Cordless Screwdrivers Necessary?
Yes, it helps to have manoeuvrability in your cordless screwdriver. Climbing a ladder is tough enough. What if you are tasked to drive screws onto your ceiling? Working in these awkward places, how you wish you had a light and compact screwdriver with a variable shape with a pistol grip.
For best manoeuvrability, like an adjustable handle, the best options are:
How Does Your Battery Fare?
Since you are looking for a cordless screwdriver, your tool will be operated by a battery. Preferably select one that uses a Lithium-ion battery. A lithium-ion battery is known for its longer life and they do not discharge itself when left not in use.
Recharge time for the battery is also very important if you have lots of tasks to be completed. Having a spare battery is the norm to prevent any deadlock in your work. You can’t be idly around waiting for your battery to be charged, are you? Another thing, is your cordless screwdriver’s battery removable? If it is not removable, you will have to charge the battery along with the screwdriver. Having an additional spare battery would then make no sense.
Are Size And Weight Matter?
Pros
The bigger cordless screwdriver it is, the larger battery it has. A larger battery would have a more powerful motor and screwdriver. At least a larger battery would last longer than a smaller battery.
Cons
The larger the tool, the heavier it is. You would be feeling the weight on your wrist, arm and shoulder on prolonged use. So. before you make your purchase, weight and size are the factors you need to consider in view that you’ll be using it for a long time.
Conclusion
Not everyone is looking for the most powerful tool which has the ability to drive screws into those notoriously difficult surfaces. For those of you who belong to this group, I hope after reading this, you could make an educated decision.
“Inflation hasn’t ruined everything. A dime can still be used as a screwdriver”
– Anonymous
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