What does the battery voltage of an electric screwdriver affect?
Supply voltage
Next, you should pay attention to the supply voltage of the electric screwdriver, or, more simply, to “voltage”. The higher the voltage of the battery from which the electric screwdriver is powered, the better its technical characteristics. First of all, it is torque. The higher the torque, the larger the diameter of the screw that you can screw with this electric screwdriver.
Mains or battery?
Screwdrivers are mains and cordless. Network screwdrivers are not very popular now, as they have a limited scope. They usually have a non-removable socket for an internal hexagon (mainly for installing bits) and are used by, for example, drywall installers to attach sheets to a metal profile. The biggest disadvantage of network screwdrivers is, of course, the presence of a cable. Mobility and usability are immediately lost. Another thing is cordless screwdrivers, which, in addition to autonomous operation from a battery, can also be used as a drill in the presence of a keyless chuck.
Lightness and ergonomics
In fact, some of the most important qualities of a good electric screwdriver are lightness and ergonomics. Professional builders put these advantages in the first place, because with a light electric screwdriver you get much less tired during installation of varying degrees of complexity. This allows much more work to be done in less time. It is very important! For example, the Bosch GSR 10.8-2-LI electric screwdriver weighs a little less than a kilogram! It will be convenient for them not only to assemble furniture, but also to work at height.
Torque
Torque characteristic rotational action of the force on a rigid body. Imagine you have a nut that needs to be tightened with a wrench. To do this, you apply force to the key. So the torque is the product of this very force by the length of the key. Physically speaking, a key is a lever. The larger the lever, the greater the torque that is generated at the point where the force is applied. For example, the torque of 30 Nm, which the Bosch GSR 10.8-2-LI electric screwdriver can create, could be represented as a three-meter lever, to which a weight of 100 grams is suspended. But if the lever was only 30 cm, then it would have to hang a load weighing 10 kg to it!
Why is torque so important for driving screws of great length and diameter? It’s that simple! The longer the screw, the greater the frictional force that will act when screwing it in. It will get stronger and stronger as the screw is wrapped in the material.
How to choose an electric screwdriver?
an electric screwdriver is now one of the most popular tools that should be available not only for professional builders, but also for any home craftsman. The sheer number of models that are now on sale make choosing a good electric screwdriver quite difficult. What should you look for in the first place when buying? Let’s look at all the main selection criteria in order.
Battery capacity
Battery capacity refers to the battery life of your electric screwdriver. Please note that the higher the supply voltage of your electric screwdriver, the more capacity batteries are needed to keep the tool working longer. This is why, for example, batteries with a capacity of up to 5.2 Ah are installed on the powerful 18-volt Metabo screwdrivers.
Additional options
Additional options can also affect the choice of a particular electric screwdriver. For example, the presence of several modes of setting the torque, which allows you to adjust the tightening force of the screw.
A useful option is the motor brake, thanks to which the electric screwdriver instantly stops immediately after you release the power button.
Modern professional screwdrivers have a battery indicator. With this function, you can easily control the duration of the battery life.
18V vs 20V Max Batteries. Which is Better?
Some models of Metabo screwdrivers have an additional pulse mode. It allows you to easily unscrew heavily tightened screws as well as drill hard materials.
Also now there are brushless screwdrivers. This technology can significantly increase the service life of an electric screwdriver.
If you need to use an electric screwdriver for drilling, for example, concrete, then you should pay attention to screwdrivers with an impact function.
Which type of electric screwdriver to choose: corded or cordless?
There are 2 large groups of electric screwdrivers: corded models, which tend to be more powerful, and cordless models that run on a battery.
An important parameter to consider is the weight of the electric screwdriver. With the same power, corded screwdrivers are lighter than cordless screwdrivers. Their weight directly depends on the weight of the battery.
- screwdrivers with wire
- cordless screwdrivers
What are the benefits of choosing a cordless electric screwdriver?
Cordless screwdrivers can be used in any work environment. Cordless electric screwdrivers are convenient and can be used indoors without a power source. They are limited by the autonomy and power of the battery.
Cordless screwdrivers are especially suitable for assembling furniture as they allow you to move around with ease. They are also widely used for fixing drywall and for dismantling or assembling car body parts. On the other hand, the battery charge must be sufficient to guarantee the torque required for screwing. It is recommended to provide at least one spare battery to avoid battery drain problems.
For portable screwdrivers, it is important to keep in mind the weight of the device with the battery, which can be about 2 kg for high power screwdrivers.
As a rule, cordless screwdrivers are equipped with lithium-ion batteries. These batteries have the best performance to date: they are lighter than other battery types and have better charging capacity. The higher the intensity of the battery, the higher its autonomy. Screwdriver batteries are generally of three types: batteries less than 1.5 Ah (Ah), batteries 1.5 to 2 Ah, and batteries greater than 2 Ah.
Battery specifications for cordless screwdrivers:
- their power is expressed in volt-amperes (VA). The more powerful the battery, the more autonomy the electric screwdriver will have and the higher the torque.
- their voltage affects the torque: the higher the voltage, the higher the torque will be.
- their intensity affects autonomy: the higher the intensity, the longer the battery life will be.
Which model of electric screwdriver to choose?
You have a choice between the types of screwdrivers:
- Straight screwdrivers, the body of which corresponds to the screw-in axis. These screwdrivers are well suited for workplaces where they can be suspended from a drum system with a top-down screwing direction. Some straight screwdrivers are designed to work with numerical control on workstations.
- Pistol-shaped screwdrivers with curved body for better grip.
- Angle screwdrivers that allow you to reach the screws located in hard-to-reach places.
- straight screwdrivers
- gun-shaped screwdrivers
- angle screwdrivers
How to choose an electric electric screwdriver ?
The choice of an electric electric screwdriver depends on how you intend to use it. For example, will you often use it in construction? For construction or renovation? In a machine shop? For furniture? For assembly?
The second point that needs to be determined is the frequency of use of the electric screwdriver. If it will be used all day, it is better to use the model with a wire. However, if it will only be used for 2-3 hours a day, a rechargeable model is ideal, perhaps with an extra battery and charger nearby. Do not forget to carefully study the ergonomics of the electric screwdriver, especially if it will be used intensively.
Torque is another important criterion to consider. The increased torque corresponds to a high tightening force. The higher the torque, the easier screwing is, even in hard materials.
Torque is directly related to the power of an electric screwdriver. For corded screwdrivers with mains supply, the power is directly related to the motor power. It ranges from 450 to 705 W (watts). If the screwdriver is powered by an external transformer, the higher the supply voltage, the higher the power of the electric screwdriver. The power of cordless screwdrivers depends on the voltage of the battery. It can range from 3.6V to 18V (volts) for the most powerful screwdrivers. In the case of cordless screwdrivers, the high voltage provides longer autonomy and eliminates the need to charge the batteries too often. Some screwdrivers are called impact drivers: they are used for intensive screwing / loosening.
Rotational speed is a key characteristic, especially if you need to use an electric screwdriver regularly: Corded screwdrivers tend to have a higher rotational speed than cordless screwdrivers. Typically, screwdrivers have one single rotation speed. For corded screwdrivers, it is between 3000 and 6000 rpm, and for cordless screwdrivers, between 180 and 450 rpm. For impact screwdrivers, the speed is indicated in beats per minute: it ranges from 3,000 to 50,000 beats per minute.
- screw configuration
- frequency of use
- torque
- energy source
- rotational speed
How to choose the right electric electric screwdriver
An electric electric screwdriver is a portable electrical device that allows for easy screwing and unscrewing. The head of the electric screwdriver is equipped with a holder that can be magnetic or have a quick release system. The holder allows you to quickly attach the bit that matches the impression on the screw head.
This manual only applies to screwdrivers, portable power tools that only have screwdriving and unscrewing functions. They should not be confused with screwdrivers.
What are the Benefits of Choosing an Electric Screwdriver with Wire?
The corded electric screwdriver is designed for intensive use. It is characterized by high torque. Another advantage is its low weight due to the absence of a battery. You can choose the corded model if the power source is close to where you use the electric screwdriver.
The corded electric screwdriver is suitable for use in industrial assembly stations, mechanical workshops, that is, in confined areas. Its advantage is heavy use. However, the wire connecting it to the power supply may be a limitation due to its length (restricting access to all parts for screwing or unscrewing) or even a risk of malfunction if it is routed through the passage.
Portable corded electric screwdrivers are usually designed to operate on a single-phase mains supply. Cradle screwdrivers typically require 32 or 40 volts DC power from the control box.
What options are available?
Some screwdrivers are equipped with a torque control system. They can disengage when the set torque is reached, either because the screw is fully tightened or because the screw is seized to avoid transmitting torque to the operator. This system can be mechanical or electronic.
The most modern screwdrivers include electronic settings for connecting to external systems, allowing very precise settings. The cheapest screwdrivers provide only mechanical adjustment of torque and speed. Some inexpensive screwdrivers have no adjustments at all.
There are also screwdrivers that are equipped with an LED that allows the user to correctly position the tip on the screw head in poorly lit work areas.
- power pair regulation
- lighting
What does the battery voltage of an electric screwdriver affect?
How to choose a drill. electric screwdriver
This tool is in great demand both in the professional field and among home craftsmen. In everyday life, saying “electric screwdriver” usually means “drill-electric screwdriver”, but in fact these are different tools.
the electric screwdriver is intended for use with fasteners only. As a rule, this tool is equipped with a cartridge with a depth stop (for working with drywall) or a quick-release, spring-locked, for bits.
The power tool has a built-in mechanism that stops the rotation of the chuck at the moment when the resistance of this rotation reaches its maximum. Also, many screwdrivers work when you press on the screw, you no longer need to press the trigger button. This greatly simplifies the work with fasteners and saves time. Screwdrivers are lighter and more mobile than drills and screwdrivers, and if there is no need for the drilling function, you need to choose an electric screwdriver. This tool is in great demand among those who work with drywall.
As you may have guessed, you can also drill holes with an electric drill. Next, we will consider this tool in more detail.
Comparing Milwaukee 12 & 18 Volt Drills
Brush motors have stood the test of time. But, despite all their advantages, they also have a number of disadvantages. The brushes wear out quickly enough, during operation sparks often occur at the point of contact of the brushes with the armature, a lot of heat is released. Power consumption is much higher than that of brushless.
Brushless motors are free from the disadvantages of the opponent. They have smaller dimensions at the same power, emit less heat, do not “spark” during operation, and do not have wear parts. You can read more about brushless motors in a separate article.
If you can choose between a brushed or a brushless motor, it is definitely worth taking a brushless.
The torque determines the application of the tool. Drill-electric screwdriver is a fairly versatile tool capable of both screwing and drilling a hole.
A wide range of special attachments allows you to expand the tool area even further. With their help, you can turn the drill-electric screwdriver even into a nibbler for metal.
Of course, smart craftsmen expand the scope even more.
Let’s go back to torque. Measured in Nm (Newtonmeter) The greater the torque, the more force the tool can overcome, the more powerful it is. 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 household screwdrivers, the average torque is from 10 to 30 N / m. This is enough to cope with most of the necessary tasks. The professional electric screwdriver can have a torque of 100 N / m or more.
Ratio of torque and screw diameter.
A very important characteristic of a good electric drill is the ability to adjust the torque. The adjustment clutch allows you to set the required torque, thereby choosing the force with which we will work the tool. If you do not calculate the strength of the tool, you can break the nozzles, spoil the heads of the screws. Therefore, the adjustment clutch equipped with 20 or more adjustment steps is intended for such purposes. The higher the step, the more effort the tool applies when working.
Rotation speed indicates the number of revolutions of the working nozzle per unit of time. It should be noted that for ordinary work with screws and self-tapping screws, a speed of 450-550 rpm or even less is quite sufficient. If an electric drill is used for drilling, then this requires a speed of 1000 rpm.
These are relatively small indicators of rotation speed, since, for example, with an angle grinder, the rotation speed can reach 11,000 rpm.
Often. The rotational speed of the drill. Electric screwdriver is regulated by the force of pressing the trigger button. But some tools have 2 or 3-speed gears that are switched using a special toggle switch.
The electric drill can be equipped with a single sleeve keyless chuck or a double sleeve chuck.
In the case of a double sleeve chuck, in order to install the tooling, you need to clamp it and tighten it. In this case, you have to rotate the ring with one hand, and hold the cartridge with the other. Which is not very convenient.
Most power tools now come with a single sleeve keyless chuck. You do not need to hold the chuck to clamp the drill. This convenience is provided by the spindle lock. In the running state of the spindle, blocking is not active. But as soon as the electric motor stops, when the blocking is activated. It becomes impossible to turn the spindle by hand. This makes changing the drill considerably easier. It is enough to insert the snap into the chuck and tighten it.
Despite the fact that such a design of the chuck makes the electric drill universal in use, at the same time, the chuck can interfere with work. As the dimensions of the tool increase. To solve this problem, manufacturers equip models with a quick-release chuck. This allows you to quickly remove the cartridge by retracting the ring at the back and install the bits.
When a person chooses an electric screwdriver for use in everyday life, he does not always pay attention to these parameters. Of course, if you use an electric screwdriver a couple of times a month, they are not critical. But if the tool will be used almost every day for several hours, then criteria such as weight and ergonomics are extremely important.
The sharper the angle between the handle and the working part, the faster you will rub your callus and the faster your hand will get tired during use. If with short-term use this is not critical, then with long-term use it is a very significant problem.
Such a seemingly trifle can entail such unpleasant consequences.
The heavier the tool, the easier it will be to drive screws into hard surfaces. But the hand gets tired much faster. A small tool is more convenient for use in hard-to-reach places, the hand does not get tired so quickly, but at the same time we lose power. Makita also manufactures specialized tools for hard-to-reach places such as angle drills and screwdrivers.
Drill drivers can be powered from the mains or battery.
It is advisable to use a networked electric screwdriver if the work is carried out in a permanent work area with access to the network. However, cordless screwdrivers are more in demand due to the benefits they charge. They are mobile, the power cord does not get tangled underfoot, it is not necessary to have a power supply at the place of work.
Let’s consider in more detail what batteries are and how they differ.
Battery capacity, voltage and type
Nickel-cadmium (NiCd). an outdated type of batteries that large manufacturers refuse to use in favor of better quality.
Nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries are also an obsolete type with minor advantages over NiCd and are also a thing of the past.
Lithium-ion batteries (Li. Ion) are a new type of batteries that are actively used in modern cordless tools. This is the best type of battery available today. The price is justified by the long service life. Also, thanks to the interchangeability, you can save money. For example, purchase an electric drill with a battery included and an angle grinder without a battery and use them in turn.
The higher the battery voltage, the higher the maximum torque of the tool. The minimum battery voltage is 9.6V, these batteries are used in screwdrivers or cordless screwdrivers. Next come the batteries 10.8 V, 12 V, 14.4 V, 18 V and 24 V. 24V batteries are already quite serious batteries and are already used in cordless angle grinders or rotary hammers. The maximum voltage is 36V, but such batteries are rarely used since above 36V already constitute a danger to humans and the explosion hazard is higher.
Battery capacity is measured in Ampere-hour (Ah) and the operating time of the tool depends on it. The minimum capacity is 1.5 Ah to 3 Ah. Of course, it is difficult to say exactly how much the tool will work on one charge. Many factors affect the operating time, among them the load on the tool, the ambient temperature and much more. Unambiguously, the larger the capacity, the longer the operating time from one charge, but the weight also grows with the capacity. Most drills run 3-4 hours on a single charge at average load and take less than an hour to charge (many Makita drills charge in 22 minutes using the modern DC18RC charger). with a lot of weight during working hours. Therefore, it is more advisable to charge a battery with a lower capacity during a break. Of course, if you want to pump up without going to the gym, choosing a battery with a large capacity will undoubtedly be justified.
Impact mode allows you to increase the torque at times, which significantly expands the capabilities of the tool both when drilling and when tightening screws.
This chuck has a special fixation that prevents the possibility of unwinding during operation. This option is very useful when working with the tool at high torques.
Quite often, we are faced with the fact that we need to tighten a screw or drill a hole in a place where the room’s lighting does not reach. Working with a flashlight at the ready is inconvenient, to put it mildly. This backlight greatly simplifies such tasks.
This feature is very useful for any rechargeable device. Thanks to it, you will avoid a situation when the tool is discharged during work at the most inopportune moment. Knowing the battery level makes it much easier to plan work.
For a powerful drill, an electric screwdriver is an extremely necessary thing. You get an additional emphasis when drilling hard surfaces, without which it is extremely difficult and inconvenient to drill them.
The electric drill usually comes with a carrying case. Makita has more complete packages. For example, the scope of delivery of the Makita BDF458RFJ cordless drill-electric screwdriver also includes 2 BL 1830 batteries, a charger, a keyless chuck, an attachment, a side handle and a Makpac transport case. By purchasing a tool with two batteries in a set, you can increase the time of continuous operation by alternating the batteries. Also, thanks to the interchangeability of lithium-ion batteries in your Makita tool, you can save money by purchasing a tool without the included battery. For example, DGA452Z angle grinder.
Drill.The electric screwdriver is a very popular tool in both professional and household spheres. Remember, when choosing, the main criterion is the type of work and the tasks that you set for the tool. With constant work with drywall structures, it is enough to purchase an electric screwdriver, which is much lighter and more mobile. When working with harder materials and larger screw diameters, it is better to choose an electric drill, which, if necessary, can pre-drill a hole for the screw.
The versatility of the tool is a definite plus, but if you constantly need to hammer in nails, you should not buy an ax.