Cordless screwdriver, not an impact

[bareass172]

I recently came across one of these DeWalt 8V gyroscopic drivers thanks to the Home Depot deals thread here. I bought it for my dad since he used to have an older DeWalt screwdriver but the batteries died. When I offered it to him he said he didn't need it anymore, he used his when he worked on computers and he doesn't do that anymore. So now I have it by default but am trying to decide is this something I'll actually use or not. I did a lot of reading but only found threads discussing this vs impact or what brands are good, etc.

What I want to know is - I have all the big tools for projects and a couple of basic ratcheting drivers for around the house. I don't know if I'd even use this thing as I've never thought about owning one and I don't do a lot of any specific task that I'd think would make this thing shine. Is a cordless screwdriver something I'd need to have a specific job to appreciate, or is it one of those tools I don't know I need yet?

I ask that last question knowing that this is GJ and more tools > tools.

So, thoughts? Any of you surprised how much you use yours? Or do they just sit on the charger wasting space?

As always, thanks in advance.

 

[geojag]

I have the same tool, I have used it more than I expected. It is great for electrical work or anything with small machine screws. I have also used it for a lot of other small jobs around the house and office.

 

[NY_treeguy]

I have the 4xAA black and decker. Have had it for years. It gets used quit a bit. Most common use is changing wood lathe chuck jaws. Just enough torque but no worries about stripping a screw.

 

[Ign]

I use an M12 (2401) around the house, it's handy. Pistol grip of course. I actually got rid of an old B&D for the Milwaukee just to consolidate platforms. I got rid of a 4V Milwaukee for the same reason, come to think of it.

So, no I wouldn't adopt a new platform for it. If you want a cordless screwdriver, sell the DeWalt and put the proceeds into one for your cordless platform of choice.

 

[Ed ke6bnl]

I enjoy using it. and the battery last a very long time and holds a charge sitting in the cabinet.
I also have impact Makita and larger I think dewalt with adjustable torques but the batteries in the older NiCad never charged and last a shorter time even with 2 batteries

 

[loranger]

Ill trade you a $30 home depot card for it! I couldnt find one of those anywhere! I have been tempted to buy the Ryobi 4v screwdriver. They come in handy when working on electronics with about 100 machine screws.

 

[Fugio]

M12 has replaced them all around my house. Tried the B&D version of the gyro and I didn't care for it. My old B&D is built like a tank, but the NiCd B cells went bad. I just dug it out and maybe I'll put a couple of AA NiCd cells in it to get the old beast running again.

Best one I EVER had was a Coleman that used a capacitor instead of a battery. 60 seconds to charge it! But they don't sell them any more.
If they ever make them again I'm buying 10 of them!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001U8FF5Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[bareass172]

Thanks for the feedback so far. I'm not looking to sell it just yet loranger, but we'll see...
That Coleman one is a really cool idea! I know that some of the high end flashlight companies make (or made) lights the same way. I have a friend who is a cop and he was testing one for his department a few years ago. What happened to the one you had? Does the capacitor die over time also?

 

[BeachBoy]

I have used my M18 impact as screwdriver around the house and it's too powerful even for light work.

I have used it A LOT lately (just moved), for shades, furniture, wall plates, etc. I need to be very careful and slow to be sure of not stripping anything.

I am tempted by the 1406 M12...

 

[efb16acrx]

I have a matco one at work I use the hell out of, but I can't say I'd have a use for the one you posted.

 

[03protege]

I'm sure it would do wonders in a car interior.

 

[CobraRed]

"Cordless screwdriver, not an impact"

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I have the M12, and don't use my old B&D screwdriver anymore. The M12 pistol grip is handier to me, and I hate multiple battery platforms/chargers. The clutch on the M12 is great as well.

 

[rshadd]

I replaced my old cordless stick screwdriver with a Bosch PS21-2A. I think the pistol grip is more comfortable. I use it quite often around the house.



I bought my Dad the DEWALT DW920K-2 1/4-Inch 7.2-Volt Cordless Two-Position Screwdriver Kit a few years ago and it's nice also, but I prefer the Bosch.

 

[abk241]

Electric screwdrivers can be a real time saver...it depends on the type of work you do.

 

[Fugio]

Electric screwdrivers can be a real time saver...it depends on the type of work you do.

If you're a surgeon, they will save time, but still probably a bad idea.

 

[retfr8flyr]

I also have the M12 and pretty much stopped using anything else.

 

[cjn1014]

Just used my Dewalt 8V gyroscopic to take apart the oven, diagnosing a temp problem. The LEDs and the straight stick mode were very useful, as far as reaching the inner depths of the oven...

Need to invest in more 50mm power bits.

 

[bareass172]

Thanks a bunch for the feedback guys. Still on the fence with this one, lol...

 

[tbaggz]

I still have cords on all my screwdrivers.

 

[bczygan]

Just finished using my M12 drill and removed hundreds of screws from a bunch of brackets. Plenty of power, torque and battery life.

Can see that a smaller one might be handy for around the house and smaller screws.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have an old Black and Decker that uses a single VersaPak 3.6V battery. It is slow because it is internally geared down for extra torque. Great for running machine nuts/screws because when the switch is not depressed, the bit is locked (can not turn) so you can give it that extra shot to break free or tighten down the fastener.

I have not seen anything like it in years.

 

[bareass172]

That B&D (or a newer version of that exact concept) is what I got my dad a few years ago to replace his DeWalt. I thought he might enjoy having this new DeWalt to replace that, but since he works less now he says the B&D does all he needs. I also like that it locks so you can manually start or finish a screw. That's always been the hardest part for me about adjusting to electric driving tools is losing that feel of a manual driver. It took me several shots with my first impact driver before I stopped countersinking screws 1/2" deep, lol...