How to choose a screwdriver that will last for many years

Decide on the type of tool

First you need to choose the scope of the tool. Screwdrivers for household tasks usually allow you to adjust the torque, speed and power. The small keyless chuck makes it easy to change bits and drill bits. Most often, models for home use are powered by a battery, but there are also network devices with a lower price. Such devices are suitable for assembling furniture, as well as for finishing and simple construction work.

Professional screwdrivers are versatile and capable of performing a large number of tasks, while maintaining a high load. They differ from household ones in a wider range of speed adjustment, high torque and more capacious batteries if they are not powered from the mains. These devices are larger and heavier. Professional type devices are designed to work on construction site and assembly of complex metal structures.

Screwdrivers can be impact and non-impact. The former are capable of drilling hard materials using the additional impact function. The latter are designed only for twisting and working with less dense materials.

What screwdriver to buy

• Drill driver AEG BS18G4‑202C 4935478630, 9,990 rubles →
• Impact drill driver Einhell PXC TE‑CD, 9 909 rubles →
• Drill driver Makita CXT, 9 363 rubles →
• Drill driver "Resanta" DA‑50L2‑18A, 7,590 rubles →
• Household drill driver with wired power "ZUBR" DSh‑M3‑500‑2, 3,190 rubles →

Select type of food

Network models are more powerful. They are able to work longer without interruptions for charging, their performance indicators do not decrease in the process. But with such a model it is more difficult to move around the room, the power cord can get in the way, and you will need an extension cord to work in hard-to-reach places.

But such models are usually lighter and more compact than rechargeable ones. The former are better suited for long-term work with a constant level of intensity. In addition, you do not have to spend extra money on batteries.

Cordless screwdrivers are more common due to their mobility. With such a tool, it is easy to get to any place without being tied to a fixed power source, the wire with an extension cord does not get in the way.

At the same time, such devices consume a charge quite quickly during intense works. Therefore, it is advisable to purchase several spare batteries at once. So you can quickly change the batteries and recharge the rest at the same time.

What screwdriver to buy

• Cordless drill driver PATRIOT BR 181UES, 5 419 rubles →
• Makita DF0300 corded drill driver, 4,500 rubles →
• Cordless drill driver "Whirlwind" DA‑18L‑2KA, 3,578 rubles →
• Network drill driver "Resanta" СШ‑550‑2, from 2,750 rubles →

Understand the types of batteries

Nickel Cadmium (Ni‑Cd) batteries are the lowest cost. They are noticeably discharged during storage. In addition, this type of battery has a "memory effect" - it is advisable to completely discharge them before recharge and replenish to the maximum in order to maintain the maximum capacity level. Batteries of this type allow you to work outdoors at low temperatures.

Nickel metal hydride (Ni‑MH) batteries are more expensive. They have almost no "memory effect", they work more efficiently and have a larger capacity. But at the same time they wear out faster than Ni‑Cd.

Lithium-ion batteries (Li-Ion) do not have a "memory effect", they can be recharged at any time. This type of battery has the highest capacity and power, and discharges very little during storage. But they are more susceptible to low temperatures - the indicators decrease in the cold. In addition, these items are highly priced.

There are two types of chargers for batteries: pulse and transformer. The first ones are more expensive, recharge the batteries quickly and turn off themselves after the process is completed. The latter need more time to replenish the batteries, they may not have automatic overcharge protection.

What screwdriver to buy

• Drill driver Makita DF488DWE with Li‑Ion battery, 8,347 rubles →
• Nocord NCD‑12.2.15.C drill driver with Li‑Ion battery, 2,399 rubles →
• Drill driver "Ermak" DShA with a Ni‑Cd battery, 2,061 rubles →
• Drill driver Kolner KCD 12M with a Ni‑Cd battery, 1,454 rubles →

Estimate power, speed and torque

Power for corded and cordless screwdrivers is measured in different units. For the former, watts (W) are used, and for the latter, the voltage is determined in volts (V). Household appliances for simple tasks can have a power of about 500 W or 9 V. But for professional tools, an indicator of 600 W or 18 W is important.

Rotational speed is the number of revolutions per minute of the drill. For furniture assembly a value of about 500 rpm is suitable. For drilling holes in wood, 1,000 rpm is sufficient. For harder surfaces, approximately 3,000 rpm. Most models allow you to adjust the rotation speed in several levels. Adjustment helps to work more precisely in accordance with the processed materials.

Torque is the force that the tool transmits to the fastener. Measured in newton meters (Nm). According to this characteristic, you can understand what loads the device is designed for. The indicator determines the force with which the chuck rotates, the depth of fastener tightening, as well as the supported tooling diameter. Some models allow you to adjust the level of torque.

For household screwdrivers, the value can be in the range from 10 to 60 Nm, while for professional ones it reaches 100 Nm. The smallest torque for cordless screwdrivers is up to 15 Nm. For furniture assembly and simple household repair 40 Nm is enough.

Adjustable torque tools use an adjustable clutch. It allows you to control the force with which the fastener is twisted. This prevents thread stripping and premature tool wear.

What screwdriver to buy

• Impact screwdriver Makita XGT TD001GZ with a battery voltage of 40 V and a torque of up to 220 Nm, 20,559 rubles →
• Drill driver DEWALT DCD791NT with battery voltage of 18 V and torque up to 70 N m, 14,809 rubles →
• Network drill driver "Vityaz" DE-950/2 with a power of 950 W and a torque of up to 20 N m, 1,789 rubles →
• Network drill driver PARTNERTOOL PED‑750 with a power of 750 W and a torque of up to 28 N m, 1,329 rubles →

Find out everything about the type of cartridge

Corded screwdrivers use hex chucks. The most common size for standard bits is 10mm. Cordless models are usually equipped with quick-release keyless chucks. With their help, you can instantly change the equipment without additional devices. The chuck can use two clutches or one. In the first case, both hands will be needed to change the drill, and in the second case, one can handle it.

Some models may also have square, key and magnetic clamps. The former are used for a separate type of nozzles, the latter are considered the most reliable, but are found only in professional models. The latter hold the nozzle with the least effort, therefore they are used only in low-power cordless screwdrivers.

Consider additional features

Some of them can make your job easier.

• Reverse changes the direction of rotation to unscrew the fastener. Most models use an electrical switch for this.
• Pulse mode designed for short cycles. This helps to be gentle on smooth surfaces where fasteners can move sideways with conventional screwing. In addition, this function is suitable for extracting screws with damaged slots.
• Smooth start allows you to start the movement at slow speeds so that the equipment does not jump off the head of the self-tapping screw.
• LED lights on the case will help to work in hard-to-reach places with poor lighting.
• Magnetic mount allows you to keep metal fasteners at hand and not to lose.
• Ergonomic non-slip handle provide more comfortable work.

Things to remember when choosing a screwdriver

1. Important characteristics of a screwdriver are power, torque and rotational speed. The higher these values, the more complex tasks you can solve.
2. For furniture assembly and work on high structures, it is better to use a compact model.
3. If you plan to use a cordless screwdriver for a long time and without long breaks, be sure to buy additional batteries.
4. Consider the type of battery. If you are going to work outside in the cold season, remember that the efficiency of lithium-ion batteries is reduced in the cold.
5. Use a pulse screwdriver if you need to remove old and hard-set screws frequently.