Cordless screwdriver recommendation.

[Mel]

Any recommendations an a good general use battery operated screwdriver? Something to use around the house with plenty of power.

[professorpaul]

Frankly, I think they are more trouble than they are worth. If you have one that rests in a cradle between uses, so it's charged up, OK. Frankly, I like the "six way" screwdrivers that have 4 bits (2 flat, 2 Phillips) and 2 small sockets on them. CHeap enough that you can saturate the house with them. Black and Decker seems to make a good one. I had one at one time, and the battery wouldn't hold a charge after about a year. PITA.

[Don Phillipson]

Because everyone wants "plenty of power" the battery screwdrivers of the 1980s have been mostly superseded by (variable speed) cordless drills.

[Eric in North TX]

I find them indispensable, with the combined Phillip's / straight tip, it is the first thing I pick up for small jobs. For tear down on something with lots of screws it can't be beat, I love it for switch plates and door knobs. I buzzed a refrigerator apart the other day to get to a top compressor defrost thermostat in less that 15 minutes. As to brand I like Skill the best because of the rocker switch, but Black & Decker is ok as well. Added perks; with the bit out it fits the hex screws in most computer cases, carburetor repair becomes easier without having to manually remove a dozen or so long fine thread screws.

[Edwin Pawlowski]

How about a small cordless drill? To use as a screwdriver, you need only a

9.6 or 12 volt and it will be light and have more power than a plain battery screwdriver.

[cm]

Mel,

We use a Bosch rechargable screwdriver. They are $129.00 at Lowes or HD. They are rated for 100 3" screws per charge. Comes with a spare battery, light weight, and a little led light turns on to light up the screw you are driving when you pull the trigger.

I previously owned the Dewalt screwdriver. $99.00 at HD or Lowes. It worked really well but the first time I dropped it, it broke in half and dropping is not covered under the warranty.

The Rigid by HD was rated very well in a recent magazine review. It is over $100

We use this type of tool almost every day, sometimes driving several hundred screws per day.

Good luck,

cm

[Jim Yanik]

"professorpaul" wrote in news: [e-mail]:

I saw a review in Wood Magazine Nov06 issue about 3 new Lithium-ion powered cordless screwdrivers,that retain a charge for a year without topping of.

2 were $40,and just simple palm drivers(Skil iXO and B&D Li3000),and the 3rd (Bosch PS-20)was similar to a cordless drill and had interchangable battery packs,so you have a spare.That one had more torque,was faster,and could also drill screwholes. It costs as much as a regular cordless drill/driver,though,$130.

I suspect eventually,the manufacturers will make replacement Li-ion packs and chargers for their newer NiCd and NiMH drills.

[Tony Hwang]

Hi, I've been using De Walt one. Never had trouble yet.

[Lee]

I boughtg a Black and Decker and it works great uses those long round batteries which also fit my B&D Dust Buster and my B&D Emergency light/flashlights. So I get some use out of them (batteries) and they seem to last quite some time. Multi use is good for batteries and my pocket book. I bring the dustbuster with me in the MH along with one of the emergency light/flashlight when we hit the road.

L e e

[Lee]

p.s

Also the batteries can be used in the larger B&D drill so I get plenty of use out of the batteries and have some to spare. Plus on some they give you a charger along with the product.

L e e

[cm]

Don,

I would say there are more rechargeable screwdrivers on the market today than back in the eighties. At least now some of them are worth owning/using.

cm

[Walter R.]

I have used this drill/screwdriver for several years. Probably not for pros but works like a charm for general household use. Can't beat the price. Most batteries are more than that.

[nospamtodd]

Sears has one that is a great value at 29.99, and even less when on sale. It bends in the middle, has a clutch, and reversable action. It also has a tiny light that shines at your work. I can't imagine that an average homowner would need more than this, unless you are into some more heavy duty stuff.

[Stormin Mormon]

Get a battery drill, and a set of screw driver tips. Think Makita.

[Eric in North TX]

I find that an apple and oranges statement. I have 2 Dewalt 18v cordless drills and a couple of old Makitas, and as great as they are, they are clumsy at what the electric screw driver does best. I wouldn't be without one. If for some reason I had to choose the drill would win, but then I'd end up doing the tasks that it does so well with a plain old screw driver, and my arm would get tired.

[Craven Morehead]

You bet. Dewalt makes one that is terrific. 7.2 volt with plenty of torque and a quick change chuck. You don't normmaly find it at the stores but i got mine from Amazon. 'bout $100.00

[cm]

Craven,

Dont drop your Dewalt 7.2 or it will break in half at the hinge like mine did.

[Mortimer Schnerd, RN]

I got mine at Home Depot for about the same. I gave my old Black & Decker cordless screwdriver to my father and frankly, I wish I'd hung onto it. While the Dewalt is much more potent, the B&D was adequate for most jobs and handier for all of them. The one I had used the versapak 3.6 volt batteries that slid into the base. It came with two and a charger so there was always at least one ready to go at all times.

I do the same thing with the Dewalt but it is the clumsier of the two tools. I don't think B&D makes the one I had any more. Pity.

I've also got a 18 volt Milwaukee hammer drill/driver and a Makita 9.6 volt drill/driver as well. I don't get them out unless there's a good reason.

[Craven Morehead]