What distinguishes cordless screwdrivers from cordless drills? What are the main advantages and disadvantages of cordless drills and screwdrivers compared to their corded counterparts? Do You Need a Cordless Drill and Screwdriver?
Today, hardware stores, along with numerous other retail chains, are brimming with cordless drills and screwdrivers, popularly known as “screw guns,” from various brands, types, sizes, power, and prices. Some renowned brand models are available for as low as $15, which presents a very tempting offer to expand one’s home tool collection.
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In this guide, we will only focus on hobbyist tools, leaving professional equipment out of the discussion. This guide is for those who have the willingness but lack the necessary skills when it comes to DIY projects around the house. Professionals already know what they need.
Understanding Cordless Screwdrivers
Within this group of similar tools, the broadest categorization can be made between cordless screwdrivers and cordless drills. Cordless screwdrivers are typically smaller, with lower power and battery capacity, and therefore, they are more affordable.
They are exclusively used as electric screwdrivers, making work, especially with wood screws, much easier. They are very useful for assembling furniture and other household chores. Cordless screwdrivers lack a traditional chuck, so they cannot accommodate drill bits. Their operating speed is lower, making them unsuitable for drilling tasks.
Cordless screwdrivers typically come with a set of attachments of various dimensions and types, including flathead and Phillips screwdrivers. The cheapest devices come with only one battery, suitable for minor occasional household repairs. Slightly better models come with two batteries, allowing one to charge while the other is in use, making them suitable for larger tasks.
Understanding Cordless Drills
Cordless drills are devices that serve a dual purpose – they can be used as drills and as screwdrivers. This means they have adjustable operating speeds, providing the necessary rotations for drilling.
They possess a chuck like traditional drills, allowing them to accommodate various drill bits, from wood to metal, and even concrete and stone. The fact that cordless drills can be used for drilling concrete means that some devices have impact action. This means that the rotating head vibrates, making drilling into concrete and stone more efficient.
However, cordless drills with impact action and the ability to accommodate larger concrete drill bits are generally higher-quality devices with greater power, and consequently, their prices are less accessible.
Pros and Cons of Cordless Drills and Screwdrivers
The most basic advantage of cordless drills and screwdrivers compared to devices powered via a cable from the electrical grid is convenience. The absence of a cable greatly facilitates work at heights and in tight spaces, such as when assembling furniture.
The most significant drawback of cordless devices compared to traditional electric drills and screwdrivers is lower power. Simply put, being powered by a battery limits the motor power they can harness. Also, as the battery drains, the power gradually diminishes, whereas with corded devices, the power remains constant.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that the most affordable devices come with only one battery. They are suitable only for minor household tasks because once the battery is depleted, it needs to be recharged.
However, nowadays, there are devices available with better batteries that provide more power, longer continuous operation, and faster charging. These devices match the performance of electric models, but it should be noted that their price is significantly higher. They are mostly intended for professional use.
Do I Need a Cordless Drill and Screwdriver?
When it comes to drills, the real question is whether you need a drill at all. If you do, then assess whether a cordless or traditional corded device suits you better.
As for screwdrivers, it depends on how often you use them. If you have a workshop and frequently engage in DIY projects, a cordless screwdriver can save you a lot of time and reduce the number of blisters.
However, if you’re one of those who assembled an IKEA shelf yesterday and will assemble the next one, which has a total of eight screws, next year or the year after, perhaps a set of high-quality traditional screwdrivers is a better investment.
A set of fairly good quality manual screwdrivers is priced similarly to the cheapest cordless screwdriver of questionable quality. If it’s a tool you only use occasionally, traditional screwdrivers will literally last for decades, which cannot be said for cheap cordless screwdrivers.
Photo: Graphite, Fixman, Bosch, Makita