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Woodburner

Screwdriver recommendations please?

My woodwork projects are getting bigger, and I find my dinky electric screwdriver is not up to the job. (8cm screws into timber)
Are those push type screwdrivers any good or should I go straight for a big electric one like the professionals use? Or can I just stick a screw bit into a normal drill?
Nick

Does your normal drill work at low speed? Screwing at 20,000 rpm is awkward.
vegplot

You can use a normal drill on slow speed but unless it has a slipper clutch, as found on most battery powered hand drills, you may find you screw head gets chewed up when you drive them fully home. It's doable if you're careful.

Push type screw drivers are fine if the holes are predrilled to the correct size.
Woodburner

Thanks both. Smile
It is variable speed, but I wasn't sure if it would need what vegplot said as well, and I don't know if it has that or not. I'll give it a go, carefully.
The push type sounds like the way to go for me, as, even if it doesn't work for these long screws, it will be ok for the smaller stuff like fixing cladding, and it will be more reliable than the little electric ones.

Problem now, is finding one from a reliable or indeed any local supplier. I guess they are out of fashion. Neutral
Treacodactyl

A drill/driver will have numbers next to the chuck and a rotating dial to adjust the torque setting - low for small screws high for large. Possible another rotating dial with a picture of a drill and a screw.

The push type can take a bit of getting used to.

If you decide to buy a drill/driver, the Lidl ones might be worth looking at next time they're in, at least they come with a 3yr warranty and most people seem to like them for what they are.
dpack

the push sort are ok but as above need pre drilling even with modern screws.i used to have a stanley one about 50 cm long un extended which did the job and didnt break in the ten years i had it before it got nicked.

i now use a pro quality battery drill ,set on slow with the adjustable clutch set to suit the materials(3 for plasterboard ,20 for marine ply etc etc)

if you do a lot and value your time i recon a good battery drill is best and pays for itself in time quite quickly

milwarkee are ace but some of the top of the mid range stuff is ok and if you shop around there are bargains to be had .if spending around the £100 mark makita have some decent ones ,look for high torque and all metal gearing,for a bit over twice that go for milwarkee 28 v kit(tis very nice stuff) and ideal for a lot of heavy use
Slim

I love my makita lithium ion cordless drill and impact driver set
onemanband


Problem now, is finding one from a reliable or indeed any local supplier. I guess they are out of fashion. Neutral

I found this Plenty for sale on ebay tho.

I've not seen a Yankee used on site for 15-20 years.

Makita Li-ion is great stuff. Batteries hold charge for an unbelievable time and are durable. The drills themselves aren't the toughest, but good enough for a years professional abuse or a decade of DIY.

Impact drivers are good for big screws.
vegplot

Thanks both. Smile
It is variable speed, but I wasn't sure if it would need what vegplot said as well, and I don't know if it has that or not. I'll give it a go, carefully.
The push type sounds like the way to go for me, as, even if it doesn't work for these long screws, it will be ok for the smaller stuff like fixing cladding, and it will be more reliable than the little electric ones.

Problem now, is finding one from a reliable or indeed any local supplier. I guess they are out of fashion. Neutral


If you're fixing cladding I would use nails, galvanised if outdoors or using oak boards. dpack

choosing the right screws is also important,for most jobs i use the sort that cut their own hole into softwoods(and through most materials) such as turbogold ,the hex head stuff is ok but rather expensive for the extra ease.

the old style tapered ones are a nightmare of pilot hole drills etc etc but they can have some advantages in a few situations such as fastening thin delicate materials to a frame with domes or flanged cheeseheads. Woodburner

I don't need it much, just once in a while for a chicken coop, or shed repair. I'm currently building a wood store, working my way up to a maximum permitted development sized workshop! (One day!)

I've used Torx-fast for a few jobs now. I'm used to pre-drilling. Even when the packet says no pilot hole required, that just makes me think "Eh? Where's the stuff going to go?" There's more reasons to drill pilot holes than just getting the screw in.
eta I've ordered one of these http://www.axminster.co.uk/spiral-ratchet-screwdriver-500mm-bits dpack

you will find that lubricating it with a soft graphite pencil by rubbing it up and down the spirals is good.using oil is messy and it will clag up with dust/oil clags.

i did rather like my one . Woodburner

Good tip! Thanks Smile gregotyn

I bought a Milwarkee and find it doesn't do as well as I hoped-£400 for the drill and screwdriver and my old Makita is far superior for all functions and as said, it holds charge for ages-kept outside and goes after 3 months idle-best one I ever bought. I only buy battery operated as you can do what you want and importantly where you want, and with a spare battery when you want! dpack

is it a 18 or 28v model,i find my 28v very nice
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