Which electric screwdriver?

by Cymro Fri Apr 03, 2015 11:17 pm

I'd appreciate any advice or recommendations about something I'm thinking of buying:

There are a few tasks on a motorhome which involve winding, such as awning / steadies / height-adjustable bike rack, etc. Some of those items could - I assume (but I may be wrong) - be operated using a cordless drill or screwdriver, using a suitable adapter to an 8mm / 10mm (or whatever) socket. But I think it would be necessary to use a variable speed drill / driver - one which can start off very slowly and will respond to trigger pressure. (That's what I mean by "variable speed" for the purpose of this discussion.)

I have a DeWalt cordless hammer drill which, of course, would do the job - but it's too good, too heavy and too expensive to leave in the motorhome. I want a cheap, basic spare - but I think it must have the ability to have variable speed in response to a squeeze of the trigger from zero rpm upwards.

I'd welcome any advice on 2 questions:

(a) am I right in assuming that for these jobs a cordless, variable-speed driver is the suitable tool?

(b) if so, does anyone have any recommendations, please? I've looked about but can't find a cheap variable-speed (as defined above) one.

many thanks,

Cymro

by m8form8 Sat Apr 04, 2015 8:02 am

I use one of these and actually it does the job quite well. Added bonus with a bit of diy I made a 12 volt charge adapter to run off the cigarette lighter when were motoring. It does not fully charge like this but it does charge it enough to use for things you mention. It has a variable speed and it is light weight, I find it really good for the steadies as it has a light as well. hugegrins

So get some where in the dark and you can use it and see what your doing.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/7112805.htm

by Cymro Sat Apr 04, 2015 8:22 am

Well fancy that! I'd looked at loads of similar products for one which has variable speed across its range of speeds, and didn't see that one. Thanks very much for the recommendation, m8form8. Have checked and found that my local store has one in stock. Many thanks. C.

by m8form8 Sat Apr 04, 2015 8:25 am

Hope you find it works for you too, at least its fairly cheap if not.. up!

by Paulmold Sat Apr 04, 2015 9:27 am

I used to take one with our caravan when we had one, for the steadies. One word of advise, grease your steadies and wind them several times to get them free running before you use a cordless drill or you'll find 14.4v just isn't enough power to wind them if they're stiff.

by Gromit Sat Apr 04, 2015 9:29 am

Morning Cymro

It might be worth comparing with the Parkside PSBSA 18 volt Lithium Ion Cordless Hammer Drill that Lidl may still have in stock, even though the offer has officially ended. They were selling them a couple of weeks ago for £39.99 and I bought one. The racks were full of them, so there might be some left if you ask.
http://www.offerscheck.co.uk/parkside-18v-li-ion-cordless-hammer-drill/lidl/2015/kw-8/240690

Well impressed for the money.

0-440 rpm and 0-1650 rpm. (Variable depending on trigger pressure.)
30mm chuck.
20 torque settings
Automatic spindle lock.
Little "headlight" to illuminate the work.
Side handle.
60 minute fast charger.
3 stage battery staus indicator.

It came with only one battery, but I sent for a spare for £15.95 (inc. postage) and it arrived in three days.

Cheers

Dave

by Jaytee Sat Apr 04, 2015 9:57 am

Spare battery may be worth having even if you don't need it at the time. I have a very expensive Bosch drill/driver I use for work and when the battery failed a new one was almost as much as a new drill censored!

Fortunately found an aftermarket battery on Fleabay which works well.

by Gromit Sat Apr 04, 2015 10:32 am

Jaytee wrote:Spare battery may be worth having even if you don't need it at the time. I have a very expensive Bosch drill/driver I use for work and when the battery failed a new one was almost as much as a new drill

Fortunately found an aftermarket battery on Fleabay which works well.

Agreed Jaytee.

Very frustrating when the battery runs flat half way through a job.

One of the things that drew me to the Lidl drill was the cheapness of the spare battery, and Lithium Ion too! I don't expect it to be as good as Bosch, DeWalt or Makita, but for the money it can't be bad. Drill and two batteries for less than the price of a new battery for the Bosch.

Have you any details of the aftermarket battery you got please?

Dave

by Jaytee Sat Apr 04, 2015 10:47 am

Dave, well over two years ago and still holding charge well etc, I think it was these people: ebay item # 251856863590

by Gromit Sat Apr 04, 2015 11:14 am

Jaytee wrote:Dave, well over two years ago and still holding charge well etc, I think it was these people: ebay item # 251856863590

Thanks Jaytee.
The reason I bought the Lidl one was the same as you - stuffed battery in the expensive Bosch. so_sad

I'll check the one I need and have a look on ebay.

Dave

Edit - P.S. Just had a look and I'm impressed. up!

If yours is still OK after 2 years, at that price it's a real bargain.

It remains only to wonder why the branded "big name" batteries are so eye wateringly expensive!

by groundhog Mon Apr 06, 2015 4:07 pm

Maplin have one at £24.99, lithium iron battery, not sure if that would be any good, if so I might get one to put the awning in and out etc?

Which electric screwdriver?

Which electric screwdriver?

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