Screwdrivers are a must both at home and in many workplaces. You couldn’t do many of the chores and fixes around the house without one.
Cordless electric screwdrivers have evolved from the corded type and are becoming more popular nowadays. They provide a more comfortable and more flexible way to handle various tasks than wired and handheld screwdrivers.
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How To Use A Screwdriver To Drill Holes
You can use a wireless electric screwdriver as a drill. Electric screwdrivers not only have simple drilling functions but, in most cases, can even outperform drills.
However, an electric screwdriver does not have the full range of functions or capabilities of an excellent electric drill. It is essential to use the precise screwdriver bits.
All-purpose drills and screwdrivers work on the same principle. However, you need to know when you should use a screwdriver as a drill machine.
You might think it spins the drill bits in the same way as a drill machine, but in reality, it isn’t.
If you’re using a screwdriver to drill holes, use it only on lightweight materials such as stainless steel and softwoods. They are not built for other activities.
You should consider using a screwdriver for drilling as an occasional option instead of using it as a drill. Similarly, the drill should not be the tool of choice for a large number of screws.
Remember, safety comes first, and it is essential to handle screwdrivers with care.
How To Drill Precisely
- Put a mark on the center of a surface you want to drill.
- Choose the correct screwdriver tip and insert it into the socket.
- Place and hold the direction firmly in the mark.
- Pull the trigger, hold it firmly in the marked point and let the torque do its work.
Since a screwdriver’s speed is different from that of a drilling machine, even the most straightforward hole will take longer to drill. It may be an advantage because drilling too fast can cause errors. It generates a lot of heat, which is not suitable for drill machines.
Cordless electric screwdrivers are very handy tools to use in regular household works.
Differences
These are three different handy tools for three various tasks.
Cordless Screwdriver
Quite simply, the cordless screwdriver is designed for lightweight screws.
The cordless screwdriver is not designed to repair a 3,000 square foot new deck. They are ideal for occasional home users, not professionals, and are usually cheaper.
- Screw the bolts in the cork or softwoods
- Fixing wall plugs
- Very portable
Impact Driver
A cordless impact driver looks like a cordless screwdriver for all-purpose uses. But it is a more efficient tool.
The cordless impact wrench has an internal mechanism that stops and starts the rotation of the handle thousands of times per minute. It gives them a much greater screwing force. However, it does not replace the hammer setting found in a regular drill.
They are designed for severe DIY enthusiasts and professionals alike. These are powerful tools that can drive screws all day long. Here are some features of the impact driver:
- Heavier screws can be easily drilled back into place.
- Easy to drill on a hard surface.
- No pilot hole is required.
- Used for light drilling work but also have the advantage of using spade bits.
Wired and Wireless Drills
Cordless drills generally have the option of more than one speed, with many having impact action. The hammer mechanism is used to push and eject like a jackhammer when the drill bit rotates. You need to use a hammer to punch holes in concrete/stone walls or other works.
From occasional household use to significant construction, all users can use them.
- Suitable for all-purpose drilling usage.
- It has a widespread function, similar to screwdrivers.
Screwdrivers Reliable for Drilling
Hammer drills are lighter and more compact than drill rigs and are very suitable for drilling in narrow spaces, not ideal for full-size drills.
Keeping a set of drill tips suitable for a screwdriver in the toolbox can save time. An impact driver works well when drilling holes with clean edges in wood with a paddle drill.
Spade bits have an annoying habit of sticking and twisting when cutting. And it causes many users to yell when the torque of his drill bit tries to tear the limb away when the drill jams.
The working principle of the impact wrench is to quickly start and stop the rotation of the drill socket, which is sufficient to prevent the shovel from jamming and trying to pull it out of the arm.
The smaller size, combined with the hammer drill and paddle drill, is perfect for those who live off drilling wood in tight spaces.
Things You Should Not Do
- Drill holes in a concrete wall to insert wall plugs
- Using as a hammer to drill into the thick steel surface
- Drill holes in the thick metal surface
- Heavy drilling works
Just compare these two tools, and you will find that the screwdriver is a smaller tool, not suitable for large and heavy drilling work.
The screwdriver doesn’t have many speed settings or hammer functions, so drilling into heavier metal is not a good idea.
What Drill Tips Are Best
Impact wrenches do not have conventional jaw sockets that grip round-shank drill bits.
Instead, they have a ¼-inch hexagonal handle. It means that you have two options for drilling with a screwdriver:
Purchase a ¼-inch hex socket which will allow you to use regular round shank drill tips up to ¼-inch. This arrangement has some drawbacks as it extends the length of the drill bit and limits mobility in compact spaces.
Get a set of ¼-inch hex tip sets designed particularly for screwdrivers.
Conclusion
In most cases, it makes sense to use a drill bit to drill a hole and only use a screwdriver as a drill bit when the drill bit is too large to enter the space where you want to drill the hole.
The ideal toolbox should contain a screwdriver, electric drill, conversion sockets, and a small set of screwdriver tips.