When should you use an impact drill?
This type of power tool usually has a switch that allows you to choose between the mode drilling and hammer drilling... When you work in conventional drilling mode, the hammer drill can be used for any task that would normally be done with a simple drill. In hammer drilling mode, such a tool is used when working with stone surfaces. So, if the mode is selected correctly, a hammer drill can punch a hole in almost any material. If during the repair it is planned to drill stone surfaces, you should have a hammer drilling tool.
This type of power tool is constantly used by professionals to install switchboards and other pieces of equipment on brick and concrete walls. Craftsmen use them for many jobs, mainly when hanging shelves and cabinets from stone walls.
What kind of drills are there?
Professional and household
Like other power tools, drills are divided into two large classes - professional and household.
Professional drills are required to work for hours without interruption, they are made as convenient as possible for long work, durable materials are used in the design. The cost of such drills is several times higher than that of household ones.
Household drills are made of less durable materials, the gears of the gearbox may well be plastic, and the small motor is boosted. The instrument weighs less, but work with it must be interrupted every 15 minutes - it will overheat.
Unstressed and percussion
The simplest drill has one mode of operation - the chuck with the drill fixed in it rotates, the drill forms a hole in the material. This mode is the main one for 90% of tasks solved at home or in the country. Such drills are called hammerless drills, they account for 20% of all devices sold.
To increase the attractiveness of household tools, manufacturers have included another mode of operation - percussion. When you press the tool, the drill performs not only rotational, but also reciprocating movements. 80% of household drills switch to hammer mode, but the benefit is small. The forward movement of the drill will only help when drilling lightweight building materials.
Mains or battery
If the drill motor is powered from the electrical network, then the master is tied to the outlet. The radius of the working area of the tool is determined by the power cable and the extension cords available on the farm. It is not always easy to drill a column of a country gate or remove a wire from an apartment panel. But, the power drill always delivers a given power to the drill, which does not depend on batteries.
The power drill is tied to an outlet
Cordless drills give the wearer an extra degree of freedom. Attaching a hinge to a garage door or sanding a welded seam on a door is easy. The downside of convenience is the batteries that need to be recharged. The unloaded tool is reluctant to work, the drill rotates slowly and gets stuck. Batteries last no more than three years, lose capacity and deteriorate.
Battery drill works in the field
A variety of drills are screwdrivers. Mains and rechargeable batteries are produced. In them, a special gearbox reduces the speed and increases the torque of the tool. A screw 100 mm long is driven into a pine log in half a minute. The adjustable clutch will stop rotating when the screw twisted all the way.
Peculiarities
A small tool will work with screws and self-tapping screws about 4 x 16. Slightly larger fasteners can also be used. Corresponding self-tapping screws and screws are mainly used in the assembly of furniture.The designs presented by different firms may differ significantly. It concerns both appearance and practical characteristics.
The weight of a small screwdriver varies from 0.3 to 0.7 kg. Therefore, the tool is great even for high school students. Since pressure is hardly needed when working with small fasteners, the handle is made medium-sized - and it easily fits even in a miniature palm. For greater convenience and safety, non-slip plastic pads are used. In shape, the device most often resembles a pistol, although T-shaped structures are also produced.
Views
The classification of impact screwdrivers is not so extensive, but it can still drive many inexperienced consumers into a dead end. The logic of dividing tools into drills, screwdrivers and screwdrivers confuses most of all, but in reality everything is extremely simple here: the mechanism is generally the same for everyone, and the exact name depends on the nozzle.
So, a drill is usually equipped with a drill for making holes, and a screwdriver and a screwdriver at the same time know how to screw in fasteners. Some models imply a simple replacement of nozzles, therefore they can have complex compound names like "screwdriver-drill", but if such multifunctionality is not provided, the unit is called the most accurate term.
Often, when choosing, beginners are also confused by the fact that the device is supposedly electric and pneumatic. Electric models are the most common, especially at home, but pneumatic ones are perhaps very rare models that will definitely not be in demand at home, the main places of their use are various service stations and tire fitting companies.
Since the screwdriver is powered by electricity, it is impossible not to clarify that it can be both mains and battery. The first is good for minor home repairs or daily work in a well-equipped workshop, because it is lighter, and the technician does not need to constantly remember to charge the battery.
However, it is the battery version that is the uncontested solution during the construction process or for use on the street, when the working site does not imply the presence of functioning outlets.
Rules and nuances of using a screwdriver
The first requirement that consumers so often ignore is thorough familiarity with the instructions. It is there that the most important instructions and recommendations are set out, the observance of which allows you to work comfortably, with the best result.
A lot of attention should be paid to the rechargeable battery: depending on the specific type, it is discharged or charged before it is completely discharged. It is strictly forbidden to wipe off any dirt and stains with a wet cloth, especially to pour water
Only the use of dry or slightly damp sponges is allowed.
Store the mini screwdriver only in a dry place, where it will definitely not fall or be crushed by other things. An idle start helps to check the serviceability of the device before starting work. The nozzle must be oriented according to the axis of the fastener. It is recommended to set a slightly lower speed value than it seems necessary, otherwise there is a great risk of damage to the spline. You cannot use a screwdriver instead of a drill for a long time - it will overheat and be broken.
What to look for when choosing a screwdriver
First of all, you need to decide on the type of equipment - professional or household. The latter, as the name implies, is intended for simple tasks, including drilling holes for mounting a mirror, assembling furniture, tightening bolts, etc. Professional screwdrivers are able to cope with increased loads and hard surfaces. You also need to consider:
Power. If you do not need to turn anything serious, then you can purchase cordless screwdrivers with a torque of less than 10 Nm.For everyday tasks, such as screwing / unscrewing screws on non-solid materials, models up to 20 Nm are enough. For serious tasks, choose 30-40, and if active work is expected in different conditions, then higher.
Battery. If it is provided by the design, then the operating voltage must be taken into account. Simple work can be done with 3-6 Volt batteries. For wood, plastic and similar materials, it is advisable to take from 10 to 25. When drilling hard materials, you will need a battery with a voltage of at least 18.
Ergonomics. Large weight is a minus if you plan to work with the device a lot and often
For periodic work not at height, this is not so important
We also advise you to pay attention to the location of the controls and other elements. It is necessary to use them conveniently.
Functions
Tightening torque adjustment, backlighting, electronic protection and other features are optional, but enhance the usability.
How to choose?
When choosing a specific model of impact screwdriver, pay attention to the smallest details. The first thing that people usually pay attention to is the type of food
Pneumatic models will definitely not be needed at home, but electric ones are network and battery models, as mentioned above.
The network option is good for working in an equipped room, it is most appreciated for its almost unlimited power. Having given preference to just such a device, evaluate its cable - it must have a significant length and thickness, have good insulation and not raise doubts about the strength of the place where it enters the unit.
In the case of the battery model, there are more selection criteria. First of all, you need to find a balance between the large battery capacity, which extends the battery life, and the weight of the device, because a capacious battery always weighs quite a lot.
Another point is the choice of the type of battery: today, the most common lithium-ion models, but nickel-cadmium are also found. The former are good with a small mass with a significant capacity, they allow charging at any time, but they are more expensive than the main competitor and can wear out quickly at low temperatures. The advantages of the nickel-cadmium solution completely eliminate the disadvantages of the lithium-ion version - such a battery is cheaper and not afraid of frost, but it is heavy and environmentally hazardous, and most importantly, it must be completely discharged and then fully charged, otherwise the "memory effect" will provoke rapid wear of the carrier ...
At high voltage, the engine power also increases, but sky-high rates are not needed for home use: 500-700 W is enough, otherwise the tool will turn out to be heavy and unjustifiably expensive.
Screwdriver chucks, in which replaceable nozzles are attached, are quick-clamping and key. The first can be organized in different ways, but its advantage is that it can be serviced with bare hands. The key cartridge has a characteristic rim; a special key is needed to maintain it, which is not always convenient.
Since we are talking about the cartridge, an important criterion is the maximum diameter of its opening - the larger it is, the more different nozzles can be used.
Maximum torque is a measure of how hard the nozzle will rotate. This indicator does not always directly depend on the power of the motor, sometimes it can be increased due to the gearbox, but it is always desirable that the maximum torque be quite high. Models with smooth torque control are in priority, since they are more sparing for fasteners and surfaces that are drilled.
In any case, the ability to adjust the speed is a good bonus for working with materials of different densities, and the existing option of reverse rotation allows you to take care of the nozzle once again, and to remove the screws if necessary, not limited to screwing in.