Looking for small battery screwdriver

[EuropeTool]

I am looking for a small battery powered screwdriver for simple under dash / in car work. These can save you a lot of time, so I want to start saving time

What is the best available in Europe? (so unfortunately, no ridgid, milwaukee, craftsman, etc).

Preferably German built, warrantied, 2 batteries.

Anyone?

 

[47p2]

Bosch do a few small battery operated screwdrivers

 

[Dusty61]

i have one of the little black & Decker fire storm palm size screw guns. its no powerhouse, but it does dash trim screws, and small stuff pretty easily, my wife got it for me last Christmas at target i think. they cost around 30.00 or so. they are re chargeable and last a surprising amount of time between charges and come with a small set of screw bits.

 

[EuropeTool]

Bosch has the iXo 4, which they ask somewere around 60-70 usd for around here (45 euros+). Appears to be the same as the Skil iXo, any good?

COO china presumably?

 

[richfinn]

I use a 1/4 hex impact driver, If your careful you wont crack any plastic trim and they have enough guts to undo small nuts and bolts and you can even use it as a drill with hex shank drill bits, I have a Black and Decker and Its OK, Money no object I would have a Bosch (I think you can turn down the Torque on Bosch which might make it even better for screwdriving).

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

I really like my Snapon CTS561 - but I don't know about the availability or if the price is ridiculous in Europe.

 

[richfinn]

I really like my Snapon CTS561 - but I don't know about the availability or if the price is ridiculous in Europe.

What you pay in dollars, we pay in pounds sterling

And we dont get some of the deals, those tool carts that are $1600
would cost around £3000 ($4000) in the UK.

I hope someone from Snap On reads this and decides to stop screwing us.

On the other hand we can get German tools fairly cheaply compared to you.

 

[Monte]

Festool CXS

 

[Stuey]

Bosch PS21?

 

[Maexle]

Bosch PS21?

+1 on the Bosch PS21 got it and ,love it, and for very small jobs the Black and Decker cheapo pivot driver

 

[larry_g]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0058YA67A/?tag=atomicindus08-20

We used to use these in a production environment and they did the job well. They are also sold under different brand names (Milwaukee). http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000223HR/?tag=atomicindus08-20

lg
no neat sig line

 

[RCStocker]

I have 2 Miulwakee drivers. The handle has a joint in the middle They are about $100 I got my first one at a tool show for about $70 and I picked up a second one for $35 at the swap meet. They really work great for dashes and electronics. If I were back in Indiana and not up here in Seattle I would sell you the one I picked up at the swapt meet. It is in a caraying case. I am flying back to California Monday then in 10 days to Australia for the winter. Sorry about that. I have never used it. It was never used. I got if from a computer guy who lost his job a few years back. I bought everything he had at the swap meet. The prices were so low I through him an offer and he took it.

 

[flippin]

Overhauling 70-100 fishing reels every winter had me searching for an effective alternative to my conventional screwdrivers. A number of reel techs use the aforementioned electric drivers by Panasonic/Milwaukee etc. My only dislike is the absence of variable speed. Though they incorporate a clutch, the control afforded by variable speed is critical with small screws and fragile materials. I ended my search after I purchased the Dremel Driver. It is powered by a 7.2v Lithium-Ion and met all of my criteria. I have been using mine for a few years with huge satisfaction. They are incredibly powerful yet equally delicate. The charger base is convenient as is the driver bit index. Moody Precision Tools makes a beautiful 1/4" hex adapter which enables you to add all of the fine precision bits for extremely fine work. It is very compact and tremendously versatile, perhaps this is why one resides on every workbench in my home and office.

 

[EuropeTool]

Festool CXS

Nice power, but perhaps a tad too large, too much like an ordinary screwdriver...

 

[EuropeTool]

Bosch PS21?

Thanks for pointing me in that direction, this packs a punch looking at the reviews... Good option!

 

[EuropeTool]

@flippin: nice one, the Dremel Driver, but you can't really drill with it due to low speeds...

I'm getting challenged to find an extremely compact, high power, torquing and drilling driver haha, let's see if I can find just the right one...

 

[jhelrey]

For the win...

http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hard...=-1&keyword=driver&storeId=10051#.ULEeD4ZECM8

 

[EuropeTool]

Whats the power output on such a Skil?

Would love to see it here for that price. No-brainer then! Unfortunately, it is not sold here. I believe this Bosch iXo is the equivalent: http://www.redcoon.nl/B380683-Bosch-IXO-IV-Set_Boor-schroefmachines-Li-Ion?refId=basenl

But as you see, 72 euros translates to 93 dollars, for the same thing as the 30 dollar skil...

Mm..

Edit: I lied, can be had for 50 euros as well: http://www.redcoon.nl/B380678-Bosch-IXO-IV_Boor-schroefmachines-Li-Ion?refId=basenl. I'm wondering if there is a difference

 

[larry_g]

Whats the power output on such a Skil?

Would love to see it here for that price. No-brainer then! Unfortunately, it is not sold here. I believe this Bosch iXo is the equivalent: http://www.redcoon.nl/B380683-Bosch-IXO-IV-Set_Boor-schroefmachines-Li-Ion?refId=basenl

But as you see, 72 euros translates to 93 dollars, for the same thing as the 30 dollar skil...

Mm..

Edit: I lied, can be had for 50 euros as well: http://www.redcoon.nl/B380678-Bosch-IXO-IV_Boor-schroefmachines-Li-Ion?refId=basenl.

I'm wondering if there is a difference

In the title of those two all I can read is one is a set and the other not, so I assume one has a charger and the other not.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Stuey]

The Bosch/Skil iXO is nice if you don't need a clutch or high torque. Recharging times can be long though and since the battery is not removable you're stuck if it runs out of juice when you need it.

 

[JASTECH]

Eropetool, What about the DeWalt DW-920K, It has a clutch, VS trigger, 80 in.lbs. torque and it converts from straight to pistol grip. It has metal gears and will last you. I do dash work, screws into wood, metal w/self taps. I have dril bits for it that are hex shanked and used the a lot, The driver is about 12 yrs. old now, still works great. Paid $100 or so for it. If you can't get it I can ship you one.

 

[EuropeTool]

In the title of those two all I can read is one is a set and the other not, so I assume one has a charger and the other not.

lg
no neat sig line

Woops, now i see, the more expensive one features the corner-adapter and excenter-adapter. I'm still searching, but I notice my demands are getting higher. Already it has to be a high torque, drill + driver in a small design with high power batteries. Budget has risen as well, so it's time to take every contender and compare them

 

[mossyboy6]

Flex makes a little 12v impact driver, great little tool.

 

[jhelrey]

I've never had problems with that little Skil driver

 

[Monte]

 

[ChargedUp!]

I've used this for many, many years. http://www.blackanddecker.com/power-tools/VP810.aspx

I finally killed it after 9 years of abuse. I think building and drilling almost everything for my shed did it in. I really need to get another one because it is the right size and the folding handle really is handy.

 

[EuropeTool]

@Monte: The PSR Select from bosch is a nice one, i'm always searching for bits but it seems low on power and a tad bulky on the top... The problem with the GSR MX2 is i find the head length too long... Then the makita df030d looks a better deal..

I find myself situating between a short head length and taking the lower power for granted, or a larger head length and a lot of torque. I have to take this head length in to consideration since I primarily want one for small work. Perhaps when I need more power a large one would be better in te future...

What i need is a small head, impact driver for now...

 

[Maexle]

@Monte: The PSR Select from bosch is a nice one, i'm always searching for bits but it seems low on power and a tad bulky on the top... The problem with the GSR MX2 is i find the head length too long... Then the makita df030d looks a better deal..

I find myself situating between a short head length and taking the lower power for granted, or a larger head length and a lot of torque. I have to take this head length in to consideration since I primarily want one for small work. Perhaps when I need more power a large one would be better in te future...

What i need is a small head, impact driver for now...

Bosch PS41 all the way (i have the PS21 and upgrade this week to the PS41, but prob. still keep the PS21....I LOVE EM)

 

[EuropeTool]

If you have the Bosch PS41, I guess you are finding a use for it everywhere? Nuts and bolts from 8 to 17mm (1/2" or close), right? With that torque it should be easy...

 

[Stuey]

Remember, PS41 has no adjustable clutch. If you need a screwdriver for small fasteners, the PS21 is still the better option.

Dewalt's 12V screwdriver is quite nice too.

 

[EuropeTool]

So? My air powered impact driver doesn't as well, but you can control the power with speed and sense right? And if something has to be carefully torqued, you can still switch to 'by hand' or 'by torque wrench'.

But for working fast and breaking everything loose, I can see just using the PS41. I'd love to hear how you guys are using the gun , or the PS21 for that matter

 

[Stuey]

Yes, but it's easy to get carried away. I really don't care which you choose, but you did say "simple under dash/in-car work." Just saying that an adjustable clutch seems a little handier than impact mechanism.

 

[EuropeTool]

Yeah, I already get carried away. First i'm looking at the smaller Skill ones, now i'm already up to the not-much-larger-but-oh-so-powerful Bosch PS41.

Really do not know what to choose and perhaps there is not one device to fill my needs. Maybe I should just buy a small Skill one (the 30 dollar type) and later on choose for a more Powerful Bosch or Makita etc.

 

[Stuey]

The small Bosch/Skil iXO might be a good choice, but the non-removable battery will slow you down if you don't charge it before heavy usage sessions.