Looking for a screwdriver (cordless)

[D_o_S]

Hi,

I'm looking for an electric cordless screwdriver for dash assembly/dissasembly and just doing general things around the house... like screwing furniture together, etc...

I've looked at the Bosch Li-ion driver, which seems nice - but battery capacity seems small, and its only a screwdriver... Then I looked at Metabo's new PowerMaxx LI line, and I like the Professional kit, which also has a drill chuck... last but not least, I also took a look at Fein (they invented the electric drill after all!), and they have some screwdrivers in their line-up... the thing is they're still NiMH... and in general, I'm not sure how they stack up to the competition?

Any suggestions?

 

[Danglerb]

I'd say you are talking about two different screwdrivers. Putting screws into a dash is LOW torque, I doubt I would trust anything powered. Taking them out, sure, zap it, just not going back in. Around the house some kind of impact driver with serious torque can work well.

Unless you plan on a LOT of use, why jump to the high end in price?

I have an OLD B&D Versapak screwdriver and a drill, many variations of manual screwdriver including a Yankee, plus some corded drills. What I may add to this motley crew is something smaller than my bend in the middle B&D, and a mid range impact driver. Something like these;

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-SNAP-ON-BLU...REWDRIVER_W0QQitemZ140161654127QQcmdZViewItem

http://www.tylertool.com/ingersollrand20.html

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007VPZW0/?tag=atomicindus08-20
.

 

[D_o_S]

I have an old B&D versapack as well, what a coincidence! Its just a shame that all of my batteries are dead

Well, I was talking into/under the dash... all the screwdrivers I mentioned are adjustable from somewhere like .5 NM to 18 NM (except for the Fein which only goes to 3 NM), so I think that would be ideal for low torque applications?

The thing that puts me away from an impact is that it probably has too much power, i.e. when screwing together wood cabinets, I think that all the screws would go through the wood, right?

And I like to go out there and grab the best... so I don't have to think about what I could have had...

 

[volvo]

.
Take a look at Snap-on's new pistal grip cordless screwdriver CTS-561, it
might be exactly what you ar looking for...H

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...=19915&supersede=&store=snapon-store&tool=all

or ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/Snap-On-CTS561-...1846535QQihZ011QQcategoryZ42257QQcmdZViewItem

 

[D_o_S]

.
Take a look at Snap-on's new pistal grip cordless screwdriver CTS-561, it
might be exactly what you ar looking for...H

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...=19915&supersede=&store=snapon-store&tool=all

That one is out of the question for several reasons:

Battery capacity - Metabo has 2 Ah
Rocker style switch - don't like
Stall torque - Bosch and Metabo both have more
Both Bosch and Metabo can drive 100 screws per charge, this only does 35.

 

[strizzy]

My father got the Bosch a couple months ago, loves the thing.

 

[l_bilyk]

Do NOT buy the metabo. It's a toy. No better than the little screwdrivers from black & decker or skil.


Buy the bosch:

http://www.toolup.com/ProductInfo.asp?pid={DDFE2039-F4AA-4BDF-81DD-03EEEA54B74F}

or the milwaukee

http://www.toolup.com/productinfo.asp?pid={EBCAF6EA-92AC-4111-956F-0766DE4ECE04}


FYI I have the dewalt 7.2v. Good screwdriver, but a little dated now

 

[NSXSOON]

I have the new Metabo and it is NO TOY!! It may look like the same B&D and Skill tools but has three times the torque (141 in. lbs.) and far better construction. The Lithioum Ion 7.2V one is what you want for power and battery life. I love this tool and use it every week. The right angle adapter in the kit gets this thing in places you can't believe. I rate this as the best corsless tool from a quality standpoint that I have and exceeds even the high quality Makita and Millwakee tools I have so many of.
I bought it from this guy on Ebay for the best price around and he shipped the next day!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/METABO-POWER-GR...ryZ42276QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[jimvannoy]

I bought a CTS561 a few months ago and have been using the heck out of it. I have used it to drill holes, drive screws, and drive 1/4 sockets with no problems at all. It has very good torque. I used it a few days ago to hang sheet rock and my battery lasted long enough to hang 8 sheets on a ceiling with 15 or so screws per sheet. I really like it. It is small, light weight and has had enough power for everything I have used it for.

 

[wilbilt]

What about the Milwaukee 2.4V?

I know a few guys who swear by them for dash work.

 

[chad s]

I bought a CTS561 a few months ago and have been using the heck out of it. I have used it to drill holes, drive screws, and drive 1/4 sockets with no problems at all. It has very good torque. I used it a few days ago to hang sheet rock and my battery lasted long enough to hang 8 sheets on a ceiling with 15 or so screws per sheet. I really like it. It is small, light weight and has had enough power for everything I have used it for.

Yup, its great. And they just came out with a car charger for the batteries!

 

[Danglerb]

For serious screwing I have an old Milwaukee screw shooter with a depth control and clutch, but I would rather abuse my arm and twist in the last bit manually. Wood is so easy to crack.

I bought a pair of new VersaPak Gold batteries off amazon.com for $24 shipped, and it really woke up the old tools.

OTOH I am freaking never buying anything else with a proprietary battery that can't be replaced in any reasonable fashion. Plus I kept the last couple old VersaPak batteries to mess with and see if I can open.

********

You've got me seriously thinking about something smaller and even lower torque than the B&D to spin screws and save my elbow.

I already wanted something higher torque and cordless, but looking at what is out, seems like waiting for post Xmas clearance and returns may best suit my cheap nature. Dewalt is likely.

 

[jimmycrackcorn]

If i knew about the metabo, i would have bought it instead of the CTS561. For the reason you get more as far as atachments and it comes with bits. But i am not disappointed with it, it does the job. I have a link with a tool review of cordless screwdrives

but metabo and snappys not in it...
http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_journal/tools/4217781.html

 

[shopforeman]

I've got a whole drawer full of cordless screwdrivers. No batteries, no chargers, just good ol' elbow grease. Keeps the forearms solid as a rock.

 

[drbill]

What about the Milwaukee 2.4V?

I know a few guys who swear by them for dash work.

That's what I have, Excellent tool for light duty work. I use it almost everyday at work.

 

[wilbilt]

That's what I have, Excellent tool for light duty work. I use it almost everyday at work.

I have never owned one, but the guys that do won't use anything else.

 

[Crasen]

I have used the Bosch 10.8v Lithium ion pocket driver for everything from putting in small screws to driving lag screws and it works great. I have also used it for drilling pilot holes in metal and wood, and it works but it is slow at it due to the low rpms. I do have a 10.8v Skil Lithium Ion driver and it basically feels like a cheap version of the Bosch. The battery is not removable, it is a little more awkward to hold than the bosch, and it has an electronic clutch that does not have a torque setting as low as the bosch. The skil has served me well though and I use it almost daily. I bought it for about $30 on ebay and I think it was well worth the money.

 

[markb1]

What about the Milwaukee 2.4V?

I know a few guys who swear by them for dash work.

I use this one for electrical work installing plug and switches has a nice attachment
http://www.milwaukeeconnect.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_27_40028_-1_682289_192328_192327

 

[CRAZYASTRO]

for stuff on the cars i always use my airdrill and airdriver from bosch blue series, u never have to worry about the batteries.

in and around the house i use my 12V Bosch cordless driver/drills.
they are only 12V but geared pretty good. the left is a hammerdrill/driver, so it's no prob to drill into concrete walls as well.

 

[CRAZYASTRO]

oh, and guys - please never get this:

it sux biiig monkey ba.lls..
In the beginning i thougt it's really handy for dashboardstuff, but after a few charges the battery lost it's power.

definitely not worth the money...

 

[D_o_S]

I have the new Metabo and it is NO TOY!! It may look like the same B&D and Skill tools but has three times the torque (141 in. lbs.) and far better construction. The Lithioum Ion 7.2V one is what you want for power and battery life. I love this tool and use it every week. The right angle adapter in the kit gets this thing in places you can't believe. I rate this as the best corsless tool from a quality standpoint that I have and exceeds even the high quality Makita and Millwakee tools I have so many of.
I bought it from this guy on Ebay for the best price around and he shipped the next day!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/METABO-POWER-GR...ryZ42276QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

How comfortable is it in your hand? Anything you miss on the unit? Also, how does it hold bits? Does it just use a magnetic bit holder? Or is there some more advanced bit retention? Do you find bits stay in the screws when you pull the tool away?

 

[Danglerb]

That Milwaukee 2.4v, its the same as the old AEG isn't it?

Nobody has any opinion on the SnapOn bluepoint 9v?

 

[NSXSOON]

How comfortable is it in your hand? Anything you miss on the unit? Also, how does it hold bits? Does it just use a magnetic bit holder? Or is there some more advanced bit retention? Do you find bits stay in the screws when you pull the tool away?

The handle is large enough to fill your palm and has a nice grip/feel. It doesn't have an LED light that would be a nice to have. I think it's a strong magnetic bit retention system but I will check tonight and get back to you tomorrow. There may be a detent, just not sure. The bits do stay in place and have never come out with a screw on it.

 

[Smokey]

No one has mentioned the new Makita LXT's yet?

Just make sure you get the 3.0 amp hour batteries. I picked up the BTD140 Impact Driver and the BHP451 Hammer Drill and a spare battery, recently. They are replacing my older PortaCable setup. So far so good!

 

[kythri]

What about the Milwaukee 2.4V?

I know a few guys who swear by them for dash work.

Oh hell yes.

Dash work, any work, really.

A former employer was chucking out three of these bad boys due to the batteries and chargers missing, so I snagged them.

Two months later, before I got around to buying new batteries/chargers, a box got found with two chargers and three batteries. One of the batteries was toasted, and one of the drivers doesn't work, but I've got two of these, and they're the best damned cordless driver I've ever used.

I don't know if there's different models, but mine have a "Lo" and a "Hi" setting, and have a bend-joint deal in the middle of them.

I found new batteries for a reasonable price on Amazon a few months ago, still need to snag a couple more.

ETA: Urp, didn't realize you linked to them - yeah, that's EXACTLY what I have. LOVE them!

 

[Danglerb]

How about some details of why they are wonderful.

 

[NSXSOON]

Checked my Metabo last night and the bit retention is done with a strong mangnet. It's so strong it seems like a mechanical detent! No way is the bit going to pull away from the driver and stay with the screw.

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

AAARGHH Is everything made in China now!!

Well I suppose "German-Engineered" counts for something.

-BWP

 

[kythri]

How about some details of why they are wonderful.

They fit well in my hand. The bend/flex feature is quite handy - sometimes you want the "pistol grip", sometimes you don't.

The battery life on mine (and they're OLD batteries - at least 5-7 years) is great.

The adjustable speed/torque comes in handy. It's not a tool to be driving screws into undrilled studs or anything, but it does a good job on some heavier stuff that I've thrown at it.

I've tried a handful of other cordless drivers, and they always come up short, either in the power or battery life.

Everything about the Milwaukee is just perfect - If I didn't already own a couple, I'd go out and buy two of them. I keep one in the house, and one in the shop.

 

[markb1]

They fit well in my hand. The bend/flex feature is quite handy - sometimes you want the "pistol grip", sometimes you don't.

The battery life on mine (and they're OLD batteries - at least 5-7 years) is great.

The adjustable speed/torque comes in handy. It's not a tool to be driving screws into undrilled studs or anything, but it does a good job on some heavier stuff that I've thrown at it.

I've tried a handful of other cordless drivers, and they always come up short, either in the power or battery life.

Everything about the Milwaukee is just perfect - If I didn't already own a couple, I'd go out and buy two of them. I keep one in the house, and one in the shop.

I second every thing said plus they haven't changed in at least 10 yrs. or more so batterys interchange between old and new. Get the two spd.

 

[Danglerb]

Is the adjustable clutch very handy, I'm actually "ok" with my old B&D for all the medium torque jobs, I want to fill in with something for low torque and high torque, so a cheaper dedicated low torque device would be ok as well for me unless the Milwaukee 2.4v is extra wonderful there as well.

 

[drbill]

They work very smooth and they are infinitely adjustable, no predetermined setting. One other thing that is nice about them is if you get a stubborn fastener they have a lock out switch that when activated locks up the unit so you can break the fastener loose with out damaging the unit.

 

[wilbilt]

That Milwaukee 2.4v, its the same as the old AEG isn't it?

Should be. They were (are?) both made by Panasonic. Smoooth.