Drills, cordless screwdrivers and drill drivers are extremely useful tools, and are used both by DIY enthusiasts and professionals. In today's article we take a closer look at the different types, as well as which models to choose for home and professional use.
Drills, cordless screwdrivers and drill drivers are extremely useful tools, and are used both by DIY enthusiasts and professionals. In today’s article we take a closer look at the different types, as well as which models to choose for home and professional use.
Specifications of a drill driver
Cordless screwdrivers derive from drills, i.e. tools intended for drilling holes. Simple, hand-held models have been around for ages. They gained wide popularity in the twentieth century thanks to universal access to electricity. Current models are very light and easy to use. Cordless screwdrivers work in a similar way to drills, but are used to drive screws. The drill bit in them is replaced with a replaceable screw bit.
Universal drill drivers are the most practical option, letting you both drill holes and drive screws, making them the perfect tool for a wide range of construction and assembly works.
What kind of cordless screwdriver should you buy? Different types
There are currently many types and models of screwdrivers on the market, with the main difference being in the power. The weakest models will allow you to drive screws into a soft surface, such as wood or plastic, which will be more than sufficient if you are interested in carpentry or frequently assembling furniture. It should also be on the list of basic equipment for any DIY enthusiast.
If you are planning a renovation of your apartment or plan to build an extension to your house then it would be better to invest in a slightly more advanced model. A drill driver will let you both drill in the walls and drive screws. A hammer drill will only be needed for the most demanding jobs.
Cordless tools
Handy cordless screwdrivers are extremely easy to use. They are commonly used by all kinds of technicians, electricians and service technicians, especially those offering mobile services. They can be used just about anywhere, including at heights and in places with no access to electricity.
A disadvantage of this type of equipment is the relatively low torque and the operating time limited by the battery capacity. When purchasing such a model, check the parameters and accessories available in the set carefully. The operating time of the battery and the time needed for charging are particularly important. Some models are equipped with spare batteries, which makes continuous use easier.
Note that tools for drilling in walls should have a voltage of at least 6 V. Weaker models will only be suitable for carpentry jobs.
Corded tools
Corded screwdrivers usually have a much higher torque, and are also better suited for long and intensive work. They will be particularly useful in renovation and construction companies, letting you conveniently mount complex installations. An important issue when purchasing this type of device is the cable length. If the chosen model has a short cord, then an extension cord will be necessary for some jobs.
As always, in addition to checking the parameters, you should also take a look at the available accessories. It is always handy if a drill driver comes equipped with a set of bits and various types of drills. This way you will be able to carry out different jobs with one device, for example assemble a wall cupboard and then hang it on the wall.
Advantages of hammer drills
Hammer drills constitute a separate category. With this type of model, additional rhythmic drill blows are triggered by a rack or worm mechanism, helping break through even hard materials: concrete or metal surfaces.
If you are wondering which garage door will be best, you should know that sectional models require a special suspended mechanism to be installed with a drill driver. It is therefore best to choose a hammer drill for the job, which will be able to cope with drilling in hard ceilings. They will also come in handy in homes made of concrete panels.
When working with a hammer drill, the power and impact frequency are of great importance, so you should check their parameters before buying one. Rotation speed regulation is also worth paying attention to. Drilling into walls requires high speed at first, which is then reduced as the frequency of the impact increases, preventing the material from crumbling outside the hole. Drills bits made of tungsten carbide or titanium will be suitable for hammer drilling, as they are more durable than standard drill bits.
If you are interested in buying a hammer drill, then have a look at our other articles, including our article about choosing the best angle grinder for professional use.
Let’s not forget about storing and transporting your tools comfortably. Who likes searching for screws or drill bits? This 30 Box Tool Storage Bin brings order to your workshop so that every move is perfect. Qbrick System’s 74.5 x 51 x 18 cm Transport Dolly System is a mobile, endlessly combinable storage system of toolboxes, transport trolleys, and other storage options.
You can simply stack your toolboxes on this Transport Trolley with 100 kg capacity. The snap-in function ensures stability so that you can easily stack all your cases on top of each other without problems.
Which cordless screwdriver will be best for your company?
The choice of equipment depends on the intended use. For home use, universal corded drills or cordless drill drivers should be enough for performing a number of simple jobs: assembling furniture, drilling hole in the wall or hanging up wall cupboards. If you offer such services professionally, then your needs will be slightly different.
- A construction company: here hammer drills and drill drivers will be best, letting you carry out more demanding jobs. Rotation speed adjustment will be helpful – lower speeds are great for mixing paint or mortar;
- A car garage: here cordless screwdrivers are most commonly used, among others for disassembling housing elements (dashboards, side panels) or other parts attached with screws. Handy, light cordless devices will be especially convenient to use. If you are wondering how to open a car repair shop, then pay attention to models with a little more power (1000 watts), which, equipped with the right accessories, can also be used to unscrew wheels;
- Catering companies and restaurants: various minor renovation jobs and décor changes are common in this industry. This can be the case with seasonal events, such as Halloween, Christmas or various local customs. A universal drill driver will therefore come in handy in such companies, letting you assemble new furniture, or hang things on the wall.
Which drill driver should you buy – summary
Drill drivers will come in handy in almost every home and business. Before buying one, you should carefully consider your needs so as not to pay for something you won’t use. Supposedly the same tool, some models are ideal for loosening screws while others are intended for drilling in reinforced concrete walls. You should therefore check the technical specifications beforehand.
When putting together a list of equipment for home DIY needs, a universal drill driver for around £70-£100 should be enough. Similar equipment is also recommended for carpenters, electricians or installation teams. Such tools usually come with rechargeable batteries, making them ideal for mobile use. For electronics engineers and mechanics, a low-voltage screwdriver (from 3.6 to 4.8 V) should be enough, used mainly for screwing and unscrewing. Models for such use will not cost much more than £50. Hammer drills and impact drill drivers, on the other hand, will be used by builders and professional contractors. In this case the price range is very wide, with the cheapest corded drills costing less than £50, and the most expensive cordless drill drivers up from £200.
When putting together a list of equipment for home DIY needs, a universal drill driver for around £70-£100 should be enough. Similar equipment is also recommended for carpenters, electricians or installation teams. Such tools usually come with rechargeable batteries, making them ideal for mobile use. For electronics engineers and mechanics, a low-voltage screwdriver (from 3.6 to 4.8 V) should be enough, used mainly for screwing and unscrewing. Models for such use will not cost much more than £50. Hammer drills and impact drill drivers will be used by builders and professional contractors. In this case the price range is very wide, with the cheapest corded drills costing less than £50, and the most expensive cordless drill drivers up from £200.
Ideally you should look for a tool with a system allowing for quick and easy bit or drill bit changing. A profiled storage case, in turn, will make it easy to properly store all the bits without losing them. Equipped with a handle, it will also make it much easier to carry the whole set around.
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