MEDTECH
Well-known member
Looking for the above for general home use. RTA items, no masonry work, just general home/garage use. For wood, MDF, sheetrock, etc. Budget would be max $75. What volt spec should I look for? Thanks in advance
Cordless screwdriver recommendation for DIYer
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doublearon98
Well-known member
For DIY basic stuff the HART line at Walmart is not bad. There is a hart drill and impact set at Walmart for $79. If your doing basic around the house stuff I would think this is all you'd need. Reviews seem good
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macgee
Well-known member
My primary cordless driver is the new Bosch 12V driver and pretty happy with it. Has very accurate torque setter, nice balance, great variable speed modulation and rarely change the batteries with avg use. I very rarely use my impact driver now a days.
Having said that, DeWalt also makes a really one 12V version, they also have the smaller gyro screwdriver that gets rave reviews but it wouldn't be the best if its your only cordless driver.
Having said that, DeWalt also makes a really one 12V version, they also have the smaller gyro screwdriver that gets rave reviews but it wouldn't be the best if its your only cordless driver.
macgee
Well-known member
Are you looking for a cordless screwdriver (as title says) or impact? There's a quite distinction between the two.
I kind of tried to clarify this earlier but most things in this configuration are actually impact drivers. There may be a few "screwdrivers" but really you get so much more utility out of an impact driver.
Edit: I see the dewalt you linked is actually a "screwdriver" as opposed to an impact driver. I think this warrants further discussion about your needs.
Edit: I see the dewalt you linked is actually a "screwdriver" as opposed to an impact driver. I think this warrants further discussion about your needs.
Thanks for the clarification. I'm looking at this one. Slightly more than I want but checks my boxes. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DL7QDS2/?tag=atomicindus08-20
doublearon98
Well-known member
IMO you're really going to limit yourself with one of those. They have pretty laughable torque rating and are limited to the gyro screwdriver and a flashlight. They work good for very small screws (like a #8) and for screwing screws into threaded holes. If you want small and compact, I'd pay the extra money and choose something out of the 12v line. Dont limit yourself to one tool (such as the 8v line) as you very well may want to expand your battery powered tool box on the future.
macgee
Well-known member
I would look for a Dewalt DCF601 screwdriver and by the sounds of it. Look at CPO outlet for a reconditioned w/warranty or eBay to find lower prices.
I would avoid an impact as a daily user unless you like to cowboy it all the time and jam fasteners into materials. The DeWalt Gyro is a pro rated cordless screwdriver that many people use every single day at their jobs and love it but it is limited to how big a fastener that it can be used on. I love it but I also deal everyday with small speciality machinery, I use that or my Bosch 12V.
I have all kinds of large 20V cordless but rarely use them anymore, especially the impacts unless I need absolute brute strength or building a wood deck. Trust me, your fasteners and the things your working on will thank you and you wont have to keep dealing with stripped out screws heads. Having a torque limit setting is the key, impact drivers don't have them. Good luck
I would avoid an impact as a daily user unless you like to cowboy it all the time and jam fasteners into materials. The DeWalt Gyro is a pro rated cordless screwdriver that many people use every single day at their jobs and love it but it is limited to how big a fastener that it can be used on. I love it but I also deal everyday with small speciality machinery, I use that or my Bosch 12V.
I have all kinds of large 20V cordless but rarely use them anymore, especially the impacts unless I need absolute brute strength or building a wood deck. Trust me, your fasteners and the things your working on will thank you and you wont have to keep dealing with stripped out screws heads. Having a torque limit setting is the key, impact drivers don't have them. Good luck
Thanks for the detailed reply. I linked to the DCF601 earlier in my post as one of the ones I was considering. I can get the kit w/2 batt. for $115. And, I like the brushless motor and torque settings. Stripping fasteners always adds time to my projects so worth it to have the right tool.
SpectreNiner
Active member
Those are good for things like putting the crib together...not necessarily for things like driving screws into drywall, etc. I have both, and wouldn't even think about using the 8v for anything more than using it to take the battery covers off of my kid's toys or very easy things like putting crib together. Anything more than that and you need to step up to one of the bigger boys.
(that Dewalt DCF601 would probably work okay)
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macgee
Well-known member
Not sure which 12v driver you've been using but the new ones now have pretty impressive torque (up to 205 in-lb) 23 NM which is good up to recommended torque for 3/8" bolts (M8, some M10) unless of course your working with fully hardened Class 10 bolts, then a 20V impact driver is good for the big boy stuff.
For around a shop and especially a house, you're not often going to come across fasteners larger than that size, mass majority will be much smaller and if you do, you can just quickly finish them off with a wrench. The idea of having to carry around a heavy 20V driver for every job is overkill and you'll have to deal with the penalty of carrying all that weight & size every time.
I have machine shop and full array of large cordless drivers but I say about 90% of the time the 12V is perfect and used daily. 10% of the time calls for the 20V. 20v definitely has its value and very useful especially when your repeating use all day on hi torque items.
Everyone is different and it all depends on what you mostly work on but my recommendation is the 12V based on the OP's criteria and what he already owns. Youtube 12v screwdriver screw test to see.
Another recommendation is to buy Felo German made hex bits, great value for the price for screwdriver use which is very different to impact use. Impact bits are made soft on purpose to not shatter.
small cordless drill - 1 tool, 2 uses
Bockscar
Well-known member
webscrounger
Well-known member
A Milwaukee M12 ScrewDriver Kit (tool, bag, battery, charger) would be compatible with the M12 line of tools and allow for future expansion.
Not the lateset model but might meet your needs: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DB6X2NG/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Not the lateset model but might meet your needs: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DB6X2NG/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Those are really great. Powerful enough for most jobs (don’t build a deck with it), intuitive, and with a useful clutch.
I really like mine, anyway.
mrborohachi
Well-known member
Bosch 5-1 I see your price constraint, look up the Brushless model (which is the one I have and use at work).
TIA did a review and I fully agreed with Eric and bought the Bosch the Milwaukees direction change button that requires repositioning the hand killed that for me. Funny the first youTube comment mentions just that fact.
Amazon.com: BOSCH GSR12V-300FCB22 12V Max EC Brushless Flexiclick 5-In-1 Drill/Driver System with (2) 2.0 Ah Batteries: Home Improvement
Amazon.com: BOSCH GSR12V-300FCB22 12V Max EC Brushless Flexiclick 5-In-1 Drill/Driver System with (2) 2.0 Ah Batteries: Home Improvement
www.amazon.com
TIA did a review and I fully agreed with Eric and bought the Bosch the Milwaukees direction change button that requires repositioning the hand killed that for me. Funny the first youTube comment mentions just that fact.
ThatSickRip
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THIS.
I got one a while back. One of my most used tools now. Grabbed another one when HD had it for $79.99
JazzBlueRT
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Always found cordless screwdrivers to be infuriatingly slow.
SpectreNiner
Active member
I use this one....like it
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eta: sorry, I mistyped, I meant 8v in my original post, not 12v - 12v would be the bare minimum for his application and most applications at home*
I have one of those pictured. It's good for little things like I said screwing a crib together or taking battery covers off of kids' toys. I haven't and wouldn't use it much beyond that. I tried using it when putting new shelving up in my wife's closet, lol....lol. Yeah...
hardtop5000
Well-known member
My recommendation is different from most above: don’t worry about power, get something small and light. Most times when I reach for a screwdriver around the house, it’s a job I could do with a non-power tool: taking screws out of covers, going into and out of threaded holes, putting a larger screw into a gouged hole etc. The cordless driver just does it quicker and easier than a hand tool.
I have a Makita DF001DW 3.6V pen driver. It comes in a kit that’s more expensive than your budget but there are others without the bits and sockets. It was recommended by kitchen installers and I can’t fault it.
For serious driving, when actually making things out of solid materials, a 12 or 18V gun-type drill-driver is the right tool. But around the house, nine out of ten jobs just need a lightweight spinner.
I have a Makita DF001DW 3.6V pen driver. It comes in a kit that’s more expensive than your budget but there are others without the bits and sockets. It was recommended by kitchen installers and I can’t fault it.
For serious driving, when actually making things out of solid materials, a 12 or 18V gun-type drill-driver is the right tool. But around the house, nine out of ten jobs just need a lightweight spinner.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084Q4143Y/?tag=atomicindus08-20 Thanks for all of your replies. After watching the videos and comparisons, I went with the Bosch 5 in 1 brushless. Obviously over my orig. budget but the included attachments are what sold me. Will give me options I wouldn't have with my original picks. And save me lots of cursing when I hit those tight spots!
You’re effectively buying into a battery platform so review that companies entire line-up of tools in that battery size. Then you can determine the best company to buy your power screwdriver from that will have the tools you’re looking to pick up in the future. Myself, I have the Milwaukee 12v cordless screwdriver and I like it a lot and their 12v tool line-up suites my needs.
bassJAM
Well-known member
You made a good choice. I bought the same kit back in December. I have many of Bosch's larger 18v tools, but I find myself grabbing the 12v set now for most simple tasks and leave the 18v tools for larger projects.
ThatSickRip
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Yep. I started with M18 and then realized after acquiring some M12 tools that the M12 does 90% of my work.
OP, I got the Milwaukee 4-1 installation driver, similar to the Bosch you posted, and its been awesome in a kitchen remodel were currently doing