Screwdriver buying guide

 

 

Screwdrivers: The Guide To Tighten Your Choice

Screwdrivers are used for screwing and unscrewing various screws on less dense materials, like softwood and plasterboard. Screwdrivers simply rotate with no type of hammer or impact action. They are not designed for drilling and should not be confused with impact drivers, which are designed for more regular use on denser materials.

 

Types of Screwdriver

Screwdriver 6.5mm hex:  Electric screwdrivers with a 6.5mm hex chuck are compatible with the standard size of screwdriver bits sold in the UK. These types of screwdrivers are commonly used for DIY purposes or by tradespeople for putting together flatpack furniture, laying decking and putting up fences or sheds.

Autofeed screwdriver: This type of powered screwdriver is efficient for inserting lots of screws into a material over a short period of time. Autofeed screwdrivers are commonly used for drywall and decking applications by professional tradespeople. As the name suggests, screws that are attached to a strip are automatically fed through the machine without the need to manually reload screws. This can save significant amounts of time. Autofeed screwdrivers typically have a depth setting to prevent screws from being driven too far into a material.

Drywall screwdriver:  Like autofeed screwdrivers, drywall screwdrivers have a depth setting, which enables control over how far screws can be driven into a material. Drywall screwdrivers are typically used for fixing drywall to wood. Some drywall screwdrivers use a 8mm TEK bit, which is specific to the industry.

 

Key Considerations When Buying A Screwdriver

Size: Size is important when deciding which screwdriver you need. Quite a number of screwdrivers are smaller tools, which are perfect for getting into tight spaces. Larger screwdrivers will not be as good for manoeuvrability, but could potentially offer greater power. If the space is very tight remember to factor in the length of the screw that is required when measuring the space available.

Power: The twisting power (torque) of a screwdriver is measured in Nm (Newton metres). The higher the Nm the higher the twisting power. As a general guide, the average Nm for tightening a screw with a manual handheld screwdriver is approximately 4-6Nm. Clearly torque on a manual handheld screwdriver will depend on the strength of the user, but this should give you a rough idea of how much torque you might need. The lower Nm machines are ideal for flat pack furniture as they will not go too tight. Some of the smaller voltages are surprisingly strong and will drive longer screws into more dense wood, but if this is the main use of the machine then consider going for something more powerful such as an impact driver.

Speed: Most screwdrivers will have variable speed settings (either through the trigger or as a selector switch) that enables more precision, particularly when starting to screw. Others will have a single speed.

Chuck type: Screwdrivers have chuck sizes of 6.5mm Hex, 5mm Hex or TEK.

• 6.5mm Hex chucks are the standard chuck size for screwdrivers in the UK. They take standard screwdriver bits that come individually or in sets.
• 5mm Hex chucks are found on autofeed screwdrivers. The screwdriver bits for 5mm hex chucks are a lot longer (usually around 150mm).
• TEK chucks are found on drywall screwdrivers. They require an 8mm screwdriver bit.

Power source: The majority of screwdrivers are cordless, which enable you to move more freely in tighter spaces. Cordless screwdrivers will range from 3.6v up to 18v. Most of the smaller voltages come with a built in battery so they cannot be used while the battery is charging. For regular use, look for screwdrivers that come with two removable batteries as this will enable you to use the tool on a more constant basis. Mains powered screwdrivers are available in 240v (for home use) or 110v (for work site use). These are primarily used when constant power is needed all day long.

Extras: There are a lot of various screwdriver bits available. Some of the more common ones are Flat head, Phillips, Pozi, Hex, Torx, spline and square bits. This is not an exhaustive list, but they are the most common. Some sets will come with a great variation of screw bit heads, and some with just have small number of variations. Pozi and Phillips are the most common screwdriver bits for D.I.Y use in the home. It is important to choose the right type of bit to go with the screws so that they have a tight fit and do not slip, so having a screwdriver bit set with more variations is often a good idea.

Some screwdrivers also come with various interchangeable heads. Offset heads shift the position where the screwdriver bit is inserted parallel to the chuck, which help you to get into corners without the chuck getting in the way. 90 degree angle heads enable you to screwdrive at a right angle to the chuck position, enabling work within very tight spaces.

 

Screwdriver Safety

Screwdrivers can seem like a relatively low risk machine. This is true to an extent but we recommend these points should be considered:

Ensure the device is switched off when not in use. Remove the battery or unplug the machine, and keep your hand away from the trigger. Also use the trigger locking mechanism if available. These instructions should also be followed when changing the screwdriver bits.

Read the manual and understand how it works. Even for an experienced user when getting a new power tool it is always a good idea to read the manual to ensure that you are completely familiar with the modes of operation and the features of the tool. This will ensure that you get the best performance from your machine.

Use the right screwdriver bits. It is important that you use the correct bit for the screw that you are using as this will reduce the chance of any slips and will also ensure that the screw itself isn't damaged.

Wear the right clothing and protective gear. Wearing gloves to protect your fingers and hands when holding screws in place is recommended Protective goggles are also recommended.

 

View our range of Screwdrivers and find the lowest prices online at Howe Tools.