What does torque mean in a screwdriver? Choosing a screwdriver

If you decide to buy a new screwdriver, or understand the functionality of the old one, we recommend that you read this article. The information is intended primarily for “dummies” who are not very well versed in power tools.

Most screwdrivers and drills are equipped with a ratchet (clutch for adjusting torque). Many ordinary users do not really understand the purpose this mechanism, and in everyday work they practically do not use it. With different speed modes, things are different: this characteristic is clear to the user, which is why tools with several gear stages are popular. Let's figure out why a ratchet is needed in a screwdriver and how to use it correctly. We remind complete “dummies” that visually the presence of a ratchet in a power tool can be determined by a kind of rotating ring, which can be installed in one of about 20 positions.

How does a ratchet work and what is it used for?

Most readers have a rough idea of ​​the principle of operation of the clutch mechanism in a car, designed to select between engine operation in idle mode and the mode of supplying torque to the drive. The ratchet in a screwdriver works on the same principle. When the trigger is pressed, torque is transmitted from the engine to the cartridge. And with the help of a ratchet you can set the maximum force at which the engine begins to idle and the rotation of the cartridge stops.

How and why to use a ratchet?

By using a ratchet, you can control the depth of screwing in the fasteners. This is especially important when finishing works when the surface quality of the product plays a role important role. So, for example, when screwing a screw into drywall, the fastener may well go right through, since drywall is not particularly strong, and the screw head is easily recessed into the material. Therefore, in this case it is best to install the ratchet on minimum value. The same is true with decorative and finishing elements that can be damaged under high loads. When working with small fasteners, it is also difficult to do without a ratchet, because too high a torque can destroy the fastener. A ratchet will also be useful when installing flooring, when you want the fastener heads to be slightly recessed into the surface of the board. You can first make several test runs, changing the ratchet settings, and then, having selected the optimal position, quickly complete the work, achieving the required result with each of the boards.

The ratchet will help prevent the bit from cutting off the slot when driving screws into very hard materials, such as pressure-treated wood or hardwood.

But there are also cases when the ratchet position should be at the maximum, for example when drilling holes with regular and countersink drills, as well as hole saws. On some screwdrivers, the drilling position on the coupling is indicated by a corresponding pictogram with a picture of a drill, on others it is simply the last of the possible provisions, without any special marks.

How to choose the right mode

The adjustment itself is extremely simple; all you need to do is turn the coupling to the desired position. The scale will help you navigate this. If you need more torque, turn the clutch to the side large values. If you are not sure of the required power, it is better to start with low values, gradually increasing the torque until you achieve the desired result. When working with drywall and small fasteners, it is advisable to start from the minimum position. If you need to screw fasteners into wood large diameter or length, you can start from the middle position of the coupling. If you are working with large square-head screws, you will most likely have to work at the maximum setting. During operation, you may have to change the settings up and down.

Before you begin, you should ask yourself the question: “Will the material be damaged if the screw goes too deep into it?” If the answer is yes, it is better to start work with a deliberately underestimated torque, adding more in the process. It may take a few trials to find the right mode, but if you have to... long work When performing monotonous operations, you will ultimately be able to save a lot of time, working almost automatically.

Is it possible to use only one ratchet mode?

Many users who do not want to understand the issue do just that, often setting the maximum torque value on the ratchet. If you don't care about damage to the material and fasteners, you can follow their example.

Some people are driven to such a strange decision by the fact that when the selected torque is exceeded, the ratchet makes frightening sounds, and it seems that the tool is about to break.

If you still decide to use the full functionality of your screwdriver, you should pay attention to the fact that the scales on the torque-regulating couplings are not standardized. That is, “6” on a ratchet from one manufacturer does not necessarily correspond to “6” on another, even if the models belong to the same class.

Every man who has ever tinkered at home has a screwdriver or wants to buy one. Surely, without having this tool, it will be difficult to carry out work when repairing a house, regardless of whether it is a minor or major repair, and it’s not even worth talking about building a house - without it, it’s like having no hands. Below we will figure out how to choose a screwdriver that the best way will suit your ideas. At the same time, let’s look at the golden mean according to the price-quality criterion, and also look at available options On the market.

Design elements

So, let's start the story by taking a closer look at the elements that it has in its design cordless screwdriver:

• Electric motor. It activates and rotates at a certain speed, which we will discuss below.
• Planetary type gearbox. Transfers rotating force to the spindle on which the clamping chuck sits.
• Regulating coupling. Attached to the gearbox and adjusts the torque.
• Clamping chuck. Serves for fixing working attachments - the so-called bits.
• Control system. Includes tool start button and forward/reverse switch.
• Power source – battery. The cordless screwdriver is convenient to use in places where there are no outlets or where the carrying cord cannot be reached.

Now a few obvious, but necessary to mention, types of work for which it will be convenient to use this tool, influencing the choice of a screwdriver for the home:

• Screwing in and unscrewing various fasteners such as bolts, screws, screws and self-tapping screws.
• During installation work You can tighten the anchors or dowels further.
• Excellent drilling in wood, both soft and hard.
• You can also drill metal surfaces.
• If you have the appropriate attachment (tap), you will be able to cut the thread.

Avoiding errors during selection

When you need to choose a good screwdriver for your home, when you come to the store, you don’t need to immediately focus solely on the price of the tool. When deciding how to choose a good screwdriver, it is advisable to read the data sheets with the characteristics of the models you like. The passport must indicate all the main technical specifications devices. So, when studying, you need to pay attention to the rotation speed, torque, if it is a battery-powered device, then what battery it has. Based on the study of this data, you need to make a purchasing decision.

Household or professional?

Before going to the store, or on the way to it, think about what repair or construction work you need this tool. And based on your conclusions, you need to make a choice of a screwdriver according to the parameters. If you're not keen House master and you will need to take out the device only a few times a month, then why should you buy a professional model, which will cost several times more. After all, you must admit that an amateur model that runs on battery will be enough for you. She will have everything required functions, and a household model will weigh significantly less than a professional one.

However, when you need to twist, build or assemble something almost every day, then you need to pay attention not to cheap household models, but to more expensive, but extremely powerful models for professionals. They are most often powered from the mains, and also have greater weight and size. It makes sense to buy such corded drill and screwdrivers for those who have large volumes of work with increased loads on the tool. And how to choose a network design screwdriver also needs to be studied.

Rotation speed and torque

To understand how to choose the right screwdriver, you need to study the concept of torque. It is responsible for the force with which the screwdriver will tighten the screwed fastener, or with what force it will resist the applied load. For example, at household option the torque is 10-15 Newton meters. For professional models it can be up to 130 Nm, thanks to which they are able to drill even hard materials. With a similar torque, the engine shaft develops 1200-1300 rpm, and for household models this parameter is 400-500 rpm.

The torque determines the length of the fastener being screwed in and its diameter. Simply put, professional models will be able to tighten longer and thicker screws or self-tapping screws. In addition, this option can be safely used on hard materials without worrying about its breakage.

Another point that needs to be understood in order to figure out how to choose a good screwdriver is torque. It, unlike other power tools, can be adjusted. For these purposes, there is a simple device - a limiter. In fact, it is a ring that is located behind chuck. By adjusting the limiter, you can achieve a certain force, after which the fastener will no longer tighten. That is, it looks like this - they tightened the hardware and the cartridge immediately stopped, with the engine rotating. With such a restriction, the sound of a ratchet is always heard. The presence of such a limiter saves the tool from many problems - breakdown of the slot of the screws, wear of the bits, as well as from excessive recessing of the fasteners into the surface being processed.

The ratchet installed on the motor coupling protects it from overload, thereby allowing the torque shaft to rotate freely. So, for example, if you set the maximum torque, then it will be enough to unscrew the tightest screw without overloading the engine. In order to turn on the simple drilling mode, the coupling must be turned to the minimum value. This removes all torque restrictions, and the tool begins to work in normal drill mode.

This, by the way, is another characteristic for figuring out which screwdriver to choose for home work. There are two operating modes: the first allows you to simply drill, and the second allows you to tighten the fasteners.

To understand which screwdriver is best to choose, you need to take into account a few more nuances. It is necessary to clarify how stably the device’s electric motor operates under load, and whether its rotation speed is maintained. An important point is also the quality of the battery, i.e. preservation of charge and residual power of the device when the power supply is dead.

Mains or battery?

Naturally, it will not be a discovery that there are 2 versions - those with a battery and those powered by the network. Network devices have a sensitive weight, but, of course, you can only work with them near sockets or use extension cords. Devices with batteries are much lighter and have a significant advantage - autonomy. Therefore, you also need to figure out how to choose a cordless screwdriver for your home.

You don’t always have to work where there are sockets for connection, which is why battery-powered models will naturally be preferable. You will probably agree that moving meters of wires behind you will not be much fun, and untangling these wires will be even less fun. Working with a network model at altitude is generally problematic, because in addition to long wires, they are also heavy. That is why we will consider battery models. In this context, it will be important to select its type.

How to choose the right battery

In order to work comfortably, and not constantly run and charge it, you need to be careful when choosing a battery. There is no particular difficulty in choosing which screwdriver for your home - you just need to take the tool as powerful as possible. A spare battery will also be useful in future work if it is included in the kit.

As for the charging time, professional models Charge in about 1 hour, while household ones can last up to 7 hours. Everything will depend on charger.

All screwdrivers use three types of batteries:

• Lithium-ion;
• Nickel-cadmium;
• Nickel-metal hybrid;

Nickel-metal hybrid batteries

Nickel-metal hybrid (Ni-MH) batteries are now gaining popularity. Almost all European screwdriver manufacturers are switching to them. They are light and small and do not have a memory effect. They have only two drawbacks:

• They do not like overcurrent and frost;
• The cost is still high.

However, despite this, they have 1500 recharges with a constant capacity. In order to properly store these batteries, they must be fully charged. Discharged storage is not permitted. They do not have a large memory effect, like nickel-cadmium, but are more powerful.

Nickel-cadmium batteries

These batteries are more toxic, but the number of recharges is twice as large as the previous ones. That is why the devices currently presented on the construction market mainly have power supplies based on nickel-cadmium elements. They also do not have a high price, and they are not afraid of frost. And for domestic climatic conditions, you can’t imagine anything better. However similar elements batteries have significant self-discharge and memory effect, which cannot add to their advantages. In order to store them, they must be completely discharged. Otherwise, you may end up with a battery with a lower capacity.

Lithium-ion batteries

Batteries similar type are not as common as the previous ones. They are even more sensitive to low temperatures, than Ni-MH, and their power is not too high. The number of recharges reaches 3000 times, they are practically not subject to self-discharge, and there is no memory effect. However, the high battery capacity is not compensated by the excessively high cost. In terms of everyday use, they are very convenient, but their cost will not please you at all.

In order to understand how to choose a cordless screwdriver for your home, you should not regret your time spent selecting a battery. After all, more than half the cost of the device is the price of the battery, and to be more precise, it is 60-70%. Compare when choosing the following characteristics, available in the factory passport:

• Battery capacity;
• Battery voltage;
• Whether there is self-charging or not;
• Whether there is a memory effect or not.

The battery is a removable element. Structurally, it is made of a certain number of batteries combined in one housing. All of them are held together using plates. The voltage of the output sources is summed and can be 10, 12, 14.4, 18 or 24 volts. It is this parameter that will determine the duration continuous operation, as well as the power of the screwdriver.

The capacity will depend on what elements the battery consists of. It will also determine the number of recharges, as well as the duration of operation. It must be borne in mind that over time the capacity will decrease.

Now a few words about the charge memory effect - this is the ability of a battery to lose total capacity when it is not discharged and then fully charged. In other words, it should be completely discharged before charging. When a charged battery sits idle, it will still lose its charge. Therefore, if you plan to store a nickel-cadmium battery, it must be completely discharged.

Let's give one more tip regarding batteries. Don't just look at the device's output voltage. You also need to pay attention to the ratio of current strength to operating time.

Types of cartridges

To figure out which is the best screwdriver to buy for household use, you need to study the clamping element. Chucks for fixing parts can be of 2 types - key and quick-release. The key type requires a special toothed key for clamping. And if a quick-release chuck is installed, then everything is simpler - the clamping occurs simply by pulling it by hand.

In turn, cartridges that are clamped with a key can have either one or two clutches. When one clutch is used, there is a mechanism to lock the shaft while changing attachments. When there are two clutches, there is no locking, and the cartridge is held by one of the clutches. The second one will clamp the cartridge.

Reverse stroke

The reverse stroke is usually called reverse. Typically, it uses an electronic motor pole switch. For maximum convenience, the reverse switch button is installed near the start button. The switch has 2 positions, forward and backward, respectively. In the middle position the device will be locked. This is done in order to temporarily take the tool out of operation.

Design and ergonomics

When thinking about how to choose a screwdriver for your home, you don’t need to limit yourself to just studying information on websites. After all, after all, you will need to work with the tool, so you should hold it in your hands, check how the buttons are pressed, how they switch. It is worth feeling the center of gravity, which should be located in the area of ​​the handle. With a similar center of gravity, the hand will get less tired during work. Behind the chuck there must be a torque regulator, which we already discussed above.

A small screwdriver is useful, for example, when you need to assemble furniture

A classic model containing all the basic functions.

Screwdriver configurations can also vary. Choosing an inexpensive screwdriver is not difficult. Ideal option There will be availability of not only the tool itself, but also the necessary attachments. This will allow you to save your time on searching necessary elements, and save your money, because... In any case, they will be more expensive at retail.

Conclusion

After looking at all the necessary parameters in this article, write down the most optimal ones that will suit your needs, and feel free to go to the stores to find out which company is better.

For household tools The optimal parameters may be the following:

• Torque is from 10 Newton meters;
• Rotation speed 400-500 rpm;
• Two modes of operation – drilling and screwing;
• Reverse the device;
• Availability of battery;
• Battery type – nickel-metal hybrid or nickel-cadmium;
• Output voltage from 10 to 14.4 Volts;
• The amp/hour value will be, the higher the better. So, for example, when two batteries you like have the same voltage, and one has a higher ampere/hour value, then it is better to take it.

For greater clarity, you can study videos in which you can understand which one to choose and look at a kind of rating of currently available models.

Every person at least once in his life has dealt with such a tool as a screwdriver. Everyone has ever twisted bolts, screws or self-tapping screws.

Sometimes, if a screw needed to be screwed into a hard surface or there were a lot of these screws, such screwing became quite difficult. To facilitate such “swirling” processes, it was created special device- screwdriver. We'll talk about how to choose a good screwdriver for your home in this article.

Screwdriver (screwdriver)

Special electric manual tool, designed for tightening as well as unscrewing self-tapping screws, screws and other fastening screws, is its main function.

Some electric Drills can also perform the functions of a screwdriver, but for them this function is not the main one. A drill can be used for such purposes from time to time and for small volumes of work, but in all other cases it is better to use a screwdriver.

The main technical characteristics of screwdrivers, which determine their capabilities, are as follows:

1. Maximum torque.

By physical definition torque moment is the magnitude of the rotational force on a body. That is, this is the force with which the working element of the tool rotates. The diameter and length of the screws that you can tighten, as well as the hardness of the material with which you can work, depend on the torque.

Torque is measured in newton meters. In household screwdrivers, the average torque ranges from 10 to 30 N/m. This is enough to cope with most necessary tasks. A professional screwdriver can have a torque of 100 N/m or more.

Screwdrivers with high torque can be used for driving screws into very hard materials and even for drilling as drills. Very important characteristic good screwdriver is the ability to adjust the torque, which allows you to twist different screws with different forces.

Hand-held household screwdriver2. Rotational speed.

The rotation speed indicates the number of revolutions of the working nozzle per unit of time. This indicator helps determine how fast you can unscrew or tighten something.

It should be noted that for normal operation With screws and with self-tapping screws, a speed of 450-550 rpm or even less is quite sufficient. If a screwdriver is used for drilling, then this requires a speed of 1000 rpm. These are relatively small rotation speeds; for example, in an angle grinder, the rotation speed can reach 11,000 rpm.

The rotation speed, as well as the torque, can be adjusted using a special screwdriver speed controller, the presence of which is also a positively necessary factor.

3. Battery characteristics.

If the screwdriver is not used for work electrical network(corded screwdriver), and the internal battery is a cordless screwdriver. From characteristics battery The duration of operation of the tool and many of its other parameters will depend. When purchasing a screwdriver, you should pay attention to the type, capacity and voltage of the battery.

There are the following main types of screwdriver batteries: lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride batteries. Most household models of screwdrivers are equipped with nickel-cadmium batteries. Such batteries They have a limited number of charging and discharging modes and the so-called “memory effect”, so they need to be fully charged and discharged too.

More expensive tools have lithium ion batteries, which do not have a “memory effect” and can be recharged without waiting for complete discharge. Nickel-metal hydride batteries for screwdrivers are no longer considered relevant.

Battery capacity screwdriver measured in amperes/hours. The time during which the tool can work without recharging depends on the capacity. The larger this capacity, the better. On average, for household use you can take screwdrivers with a battery capacity of 1.2 A/hour.

Battery voltage screwdriver determines electrical power and, accordingly, work productivity. Measured voltage in Volts. A more powerful screwdriver makes the job easier.

When choosing a household screwdriver, focus on a battery voltage of 12-14 V.

When buying a cordless screwdriver, also pay attention to the presence of a charger in the kit. Charger for a screwdriver battery it works in a similar way to chargers for mobile phones.

4. Type of cartridge.

Like a drill, screwdrivers can have keyless or keyless chucks. Because in screwdrivers loads differ from the loads in a drill, then optimal choice for them there will be a quick-release chuck, which allows you to quickly change attachments.

5. Additional features.

TO additional functions, which help make the use of a hand screwdriver more convenient and efficient, include the following:

Presence of reverse. Reverse is rotation cartridge in the opposite direction. The reverse function can even be considered basic, since it is thanks to it that it is possible to unscrew something;

Spindle lock. The lock makes it easier to change screwdriver attachments in the chuck;

Backlight. With the help of little flashlight The screwdriver can illuminate the work surface; such a screwdriver with a flashlight can be used in unlit rooms or in conditions of poor visibility on the street.

Some screwdriver manufacturers add a special case to the kit, in which it is very convenient to carry and store the tool, as well as a special holster. Therefore, when choosing a screwdriver, look for the presence of such a suitcase, a holster for screwdriver will also be an additional plus. I hope these tips will help you learn how to choose the best screwdriver.

Torque is the main characteristic of a screwdriver. It determines the diameter of the screw and the depth of its tightening, as well as the material (wood, concrete, steel, etc.).

The torque is determined by the power of the tool, which depends on the engine and battery. The documentation for the device usually indicates the maximum possible diameter and length of the screw. In this case, the maximum possible torque reaches 60 Nm; for a home tool it is 10-12 Nm.

The efficiency of a screwdriver increases significantly if it can be used in pulse mode (chipping, like a hammer drill).

Types of screwdrivers

According to the power source used, the tool is:

Rechargeable. Cordless screwdrivers are used in everyday life and in production. The battery capacity is 1.5Ah and above, the voltage is 10-12V (household) or 18-36V for professional ones. The most common are nickel/metal/hybrid batteries. Lithium and nickel cadmium are also used. The choice of a cordless screwdriver is very suitable for new buildings where power has not yet been supplied.

Network screwdriver. Powered by a 220V network, the disadvantage is the presence network cable(limited length, some inconvenience during operation).

Pneumatic used in mass production, where there are permanent pneumatic supply lines.

According to the type of work performed, screwdrivers are divided into two groups:

Household(home, amateur). They are used for a small amount of work - minor (occasional) repairs, one-time work (changing doors, assembling furniture).

Professional used for large volumes of construction work, furniture production etc.

Particularly noteworthy are tools that combine 2 functions - a drill and a screwdriver.

Selecting a screwdriver

First of all, you need to determine its exact purpose:

Max. torque – 60-120 Nm;

voltage – 18-36V;

battery capacity – more than 3Ah;

such tools are more expensive and require certain skills to operate.

If necessary, you can choose a combined tool - a drill and a screwdriver, which is often very convenient.

It is also necessary to pay attention to charging the battery. If a household battery can be charged in 3-6 hours, then for a professional battery this time is 40-60 minutes. For reliable operation It is recommended to have a set of 2 batteries.

The tool can be equipped with special gearboxes to reduce the speed of the electric motor. Gearboxes are usually of the planetary type, which have small sizes, mass at a sufficiently high gear ratio. Such gearboxes easily switch to drilling mode (drill). Modern screwdrivers have a torque regulator, which allows you to screw in screws with the required force, which prevents stripping threads, grinding off splines and

For quite some time now, screwdrivers have replaced screwdrivers. If previously these devices had a fairly high price, today almost everyone can afford to buy such a tool for home or work. But since choosing a cordless screwdriver is not as simple as it might seem at first glance, you need to contact professionals for advice.

What should every consumer know?

This power tool is simply irreplaceable when performing repair and construction work. The question arises: “What about screwdrivers?” If modern construction organizations used such equipment, the construction or repair of the facility would be delayed for for a long time. As for everyday use, to make screwing or unscrewing screws more comfortable, you need to use just such equipment. As you have already understood, the screwdriver works in narrow direction, or more precisely, with fasteners such as screws, self-tapping screws and dowels. But this was the case before; today, for an additional fee, you can purchase several attachments, and the tool can partially replace a drill. Let's take a closer look at how to choose a cordless screwdriver, and what you need to pay attention to first.

Corded and cordless tool

A mains powered screwdriver can be used where there is an outlet. If it is missing, you are unlikely to be able to tighten or unscrew anything. This is where the battery comes to the rescue. It is safe to say that such a solution gives more opportunities to its owner. For example, there is no point in buying a battery-powered hammer drill, but with screwdrivers the situation is different. Of course, the battery needs to be charged periodically, but most often you get two batteries in the kit, so this shouldn't be any problem. Whether there is an outlet or not, it will not matter to you, since you simply do not need it. Of course, over time the battery will hold its charge worse and worse, but, most likely, by this time you will already have time to change the tool to a similar, but more powerful and functional one.

How to choose a drill/driver? Step-by-step instruction

There are a number of parameters that you should pay attention to first. The main one is power. It is worth noting that for domestic use 500-700 W is quite enough, but for construction work you will need approximately 1,300 W. There are special drills for working in hard to reach places, their power is slightly less, approximately 400 W. Number of revolutions - one more important indicator. If 3,000 rpm is enough for work at home, then 4,000-4,500 rpm is needed for construction work. Regardless of the goals, it is advisable to give preference to a model with the ability to adjust the speed, so you can adapt to the specifics of the work, because for various materials needed different speed. Do not forget that a powerful tool rotates the drill faster, but the price increases in direct proportion. However, this is not all that can be said about how to choose a drill/driver, so let’s understand the question to the end.

More about making the right choice

When purchasing, you should always check the diameter of the holes that the tool can make. But here you need to understand that this indicator will be different for each hole, so focus more on what you will be working with. If you want to get a hole of a diameter that the drill is not designed to work with, you risk damaging the unit. Depending on your preferences, choose the type of cartridge. Nowadays, serrated (secured with a key) and quick-release (secured by hand) chucks are produced. There are practically no fundamental differences here. Now you know what a cordless drill/driver is. We figured out how to choose a device, so let's go further and talk about the batteries used.

About Li-ion batteries

It's safe to say that the type of battery plays a huge role. Currently this type battery is one of the most popular and widespread. The lithium-ion battery is used not only in screwdrivers or drills, but also in other construction tools, as well as in portable devices (laptop, mobile phone etc.) From this we can easily conclude that there are many advantages. One of them is durability. At correct operation The lithium-ion battery is designed for 3,000 charges/discharges. Maximum term Shelf life is approximately 3 years. It is difficult to say whether this is good or bad, but as practice shows, this is quite enough. How to choose the right cordless screwdriver? It's simple: buy good battery with a large capacity - and you will be happy. But do not forget that normal operation requires constant use of the device, so periodically you need to use a screwdriver, at least for prevention. But there are other types of batteries, which we will talk about now.

How to choose a battery for a screwdriver? Ni-Cd

A nickel-cadmium battery is the most budget-friendly solution you can have. The number of charges/discharges is half that of a lithium-ion battery, and is approximately 1.5 thousand, but the service life is slightly longer - approximately 5 years. The main advantage of the Ni-Cd battery is that it works great when sub-zero temperatures, so you can safely operate the device until the mark on the thermometer drops below -15 degrees Celsius. But there are also many negative sides. For example, long time charging. Although in some cases this cannot be called a disadvantage. This is due to the fact that when you buy a screwdriver with such a battery included, you will receive 2 batteries. Therefore, while one is charging, the second can be used. But even despite the low cost, it is necessary to follow some rules: keep the battery only charged, and also fully charge and discharge it. This is due to the fact that nickel-cadmium batteries have a memory effect.

Ni-Mh: advantages and disadvantages

Ni-Mh (nickel metal hydride) batteries are quite rare in modern screwdrivers. At its core, this is something in between the two batteries described above. Among the disadvantages, it is worth highlighting the large weight and a small number of charge/discharge cycles (1,000). The average duration of work is 4 years. As for the advantages, this is the absence of a memory effect and minimal self-discharge during storage. However, despite this, it is recommended to fully charge and then discharge the battery before first use. Do not forget to pay attention to the capacity, which is measured in Ah (Ampere-hours). The higher the indicator, the longer the battery will perform its immediate task. In order to understand how to choose the right drill/driver, you need to decide on the type of battery. If you do everything correctly, you will not experience any problems.

What to choose for industrial purposes?

Now let's talk a little about how to choose a professional screwdriver. The fact is that it is important to pay attention not only to the power and type of battery, but also to the presence of useful additional features, and there are plenty of them in modern models. Often this should be a lightweight model that can easily be used for working in hard-to-reach places, while the worker will not get tired too quickly due to the heavy weight of the tool. By the way, as for the type of battery, it is definitely lithium-ion. It will be very useful in construction impact mechanism. This function is extremely important when drilling stone or brick. Professional builders or repairmen are often faced with the fact that there is no way to rest properly to make a hole. What’s even worse is that the self-tapping screw gets stuck in place and is neither here nor there. We have to start all over again. In order not to experience this kind of inconvenience, impulse is needed. This function temporarily increases torque, which allows you to get out of a difficult situation. Working in poor lighting means poor performance and low accuracy. To solve this issue, buy a backlit tool. Well, that’s all that can be said about how to choose a cordless screwdriver for professional use.

About chucks and gearboxes

Today on the market there are screwdrivers with the following types cartridges:

• Quick-release (three-jaw with a clamping range of no more than 1.3 centimeters).
• Hexagonal. In this case, it is possible to work with a larger ¼-inch shank.

Quick release chucks are more common due to their practicality. Without any problems, you can use any equipment of suitable diameter. If you buy a cartridge with large diameter, then the screwdriver will have more capabilities. As for the hexagonal options, these are good decision For professional tool, where frequent replacement of equipment is required and there is a need to work in hard-to-reach places. In principle, from all of the above we can draw a completely logical conclusion: for suitable for home quick-release chuck, and for professional use - hexagonal. As for the gearbox, everything is quite simple here too. Gears come in two varieties: plastic and metal. Today, plastic alloys are quite durable and not so expensive. The question may arise about how to choose a screwdriver for your home based on this parameter. Plastic is perfect for household purposes, and you won’t have to overpay. A metal gear can withstand a much greater load, so it is better for a professional. tool.

Soft and hard torque

This article has already said a little about the power of a screwdriver. I would like to supplement this information. The point is that there is soft torque. It affects the tightening/unscrewing forces. Often this parameter is not paid attention to. special attention, but in vain. Insufficient force can lead to the fact that the self-tapping screw will not be screwed in completely, and you will have to remove it by hand at the final stage. Modern models have a fairly large spread in the range of 0-350 Nm. For domestic purposes, 30-150 Nm is quite enough, for professional purposes - whatever is higher. Hard torque is responsible for the speed of rotation during drilling. As a rule, this indicator fluctuates in the range of 1,000-4,000 rpm. Let's look at everything with an example. A screwdriver with a torque of 35 Nm is capable of screwing a self-tapping screw 70 mm long into wood, and a self-tapping screw 100 mm long will require a force of 50 Nm. After this, it should be very clear to you how to choose a cordless screwdriver.

Conclusion

As you can see, there is nothing complicated here. The most important thing is to highlight the main parameters for yourself, such as power, torque, battery type, capacity, etc. Having carefully analyzed all this, you can easily make a thoughtful and, most importantly, right choice. Do not forget that tools for home and professional use differ in many ways, so experts often prefer more powerful and functional models. From this article you learned about what a cordless drill/driver is, how to choose a tool and not make a mistake. Currently the best manufacturers the following companies are considered: Bosch, Skil, DeWALT, etc. A screwdriver with the inscription of one of these companies on the body will cost a lot, but in return you will receive high quality, excellent ergonomics and simple good tool. That's probably all that can be said about how to choose a good screwdriver.