Electric screwdrivers

DCFC79

I'm wondering if anyone could recommend an electric screwdriver that could cope with masonry, having done some research a drill/impact driver might be what I'm after.

d0nkeyk0ng

Drills and impact drivers do different things.
Drilling into masonary (depending on what you're doing) may require specialist tools and bits.


For general usage, I have a Makita drill/driver and an impact driver. The impact driver is great for driving large screws through thick pieces of wood. A bit overpowered for use as electric screwdriver - I'd much prefer a second drill/driver instead.


The drill/driver allows me to drill into wood, metal and bricks. But I need the appropriate bits - Bosch multiconstruction bits are useful. If drilling wide or deep holes, an SDS drill is better but more expensive and you need special SDS drill bits.


What exactly do you wish to achieve?

NaughtiusMaximus

I own a 10.8v drill/driver, an 18v cordless hammer drill and a corded SDS drill - all from the Bosch blue range.

Although it's a decent drill, in hindsight I could probably do without the 18v cordless. The 10.8v is fine for wood, plasterboard and breeze blocks, for brick or concrete the extra oomph of the SDS over the 18v is worth the inconvenience of the cable IMO. The main downside of the SDS over the 18v is the greater weight and the fact you really need both hands to use it.

Jackmydad

Much the same here. I've got a 14.4V cordless drill / driver which does most stuff, an 18V impact for big screws, and an sds for masonry.
You won't need the impact driver unless you're driving a lot of really big screws. And I'd agree with the comments about the sds, that it's so much more able than the corded "hammer drill" I have, that I just go straight to the sds.

I don't do as much as I used to so they're all relatively cheap machines. The cordless ones are "Parkside" and the SDS is a McAllister.
They've all done a fair bit of DIY work, and are all going well.

DCFC79

d0nkeyk0ng wrote: »

Drills and impact drivers do different things.
Drilling into masonary (depending on what you're doing) may require specialist tools and bits.


For general usage, I have a Makita drill/driver and an impact driver. The impact driver is great for driving large screws through thick pieces of wood. A bit overpowered for use as electric screwdriver - I'd much prefer a second drill/driver instead.


The drill/driver allows me to drill into wood, metal and bricks. But I need the appropriate bits - Bosch multiconstruction bits are useful. If drilling wide or deep holes, an SDS drill is better but more expensive and you need special SDS drill bits.


What exactly do you wish to achieve?

Tried to put some screws into some brick work earlier, I got so far and my screwdriver wouldn't go further (only good for DIY jobs around the home so not enough power).


I have other power tools eg a drill, a screwdriver but a screwdriver with more power behind it is what I'm lacking.

Yes I saw Drill and Impact drivers do different but not sure which 1 I need to go for.

DCFC79

NaughtiusMaximus wrote: »

I own a 10.8v drill/driver, an 18v cordless hammer drill and a corded SDS drill - all from the Bosch blue range.

Although it's a decent drill, in hindsight I could probably do without the 18v cordless. The 10.8v is fine for wood, plasterboard and breeze blocks, for brick or concrete the extra oomph of the SDS over the 18v is worth the inconvenience of the cable IMO. The main downside of the SDS over the 18v is the greater weight and the fact you really need both hands to use it.

Thanks, would you recommend I go for Bosch ?

Jackmydad wrote: »

Much the same here. I've got a 14.4V cordless drill / driver which does most stuff, an 18V impact for big screws, and an sds for masonry.
You won't need the impact driver unless you're driving a lot of really big screws. And I'd agree with the comments about the sds, that it's so much more able than the corded "hammer drill" I have, that I just go straight to the sds.

I don't do as much as I used to so they're all relatively cheap machines. The cordless ones are "Parkside" and the SDS is a McAllister.
They've all done a fair bit of DIY work, and are all going well.

Thanks.

Would you swear by Parkside and McAllister ?

Igol

I've a selection of drills, drill drivers and impact drivers from a variety of brands and each tool has its own niche.
My favourite drill/driver/hammer combo was my dewalt but as its getting older the batteries decide they've had enough after one job and I spend a lot of time swapping for another out of the charger.
I recently bought a reduced one from Aldi and figured that for 20 quid with a 2 year warranty if I burn it out I wont loose anything.
I have to say I'm quite impressed, I've charged it maybe 3 times in 2 months (currently renovating a house to its getting some use) and while it lacks any serious abilities as a hammer drill its a nice little driver.

Jackmydad

DCFC79 wrote: »

Thanks, would you recommend I go for Bosch ?
Thanks.
Would you swear by Parkside and McAllister ?

You pays yer money etc.
The McAllister has done quite a bit of work. Seems plenty powerful enough for biggish drills, and the odd bit of chasing out.
The Parkside tools, like the Aldi ones that Egol says about are good value for money IMO.
3 year guarantee. The ones I've got work fine.

If you want tools for all day every day trade use, you get the best you can afford, but for DIY use (which is what they're aimed at) I reckon the Lidl ones are fine.

d0nkeyk0ng

DCFC79 wrote: »

Tried to put some screws into some brick work earlier, I got so far and my screwdriver wouldn't go further (only good for DIY jobs around the home so not enough power).


I have other power tools eg a drill, a screwdriver but a screwdriver with more power behind it is what I'm lacking.

Yes I saw Drill and Impact drivers do different but not sure which 1 I need to go for.

Depends on what fixings you're using. For most jobs, wall plugs will suffice in which case a drill and suitable drill bit will make the whole. Insert wall plug, slight tap and then drive in a screw. I've found an impact driver to be overkill for this and my drill/driver works fine.

My kit is 18V since I use other cordless makita tools and it saves on batteries.

getmore4less

Driving stuff into hard materials is about getting the right size holes and right fixings.

What screws are you using?

DCFC79

getmore4less wrote: »

Driving stuff into hard materials is about getting the right size holes and right fixings.

What screws are you using?

Cant say what screws they are, just some odd screws in box so possibly the wrong screws for the job. Putting some brackets on the wall for a wooden planter, maybe should have gone for a bigger drill bit.