Impact screwdrivers: what is and how is it different from shockless screwdrivers?

One of the peculiar criteria for assessing the masculinity of the owner of the house is considered to be his ability to drive a nail (or in a modern way - to screw a screw) into the wall. Without this elementary skill, it will be impossible to either hang a shelf, decorate a room with a picture, or install a curtain rod for curtains.

An electric screwdriver is called upon to cope with this task faster and without unnecessary effort, and the impact screwdriver is especially often praised, but not everyone understands what it is and why.

An impact driver is a special power tool that allows you to most efficiently drill walls in order to drive screws and install other fasteners. Unlike bumpless models, this relative novelty in the domestic market makes a hole not only due to the actual rotation, but also with the help of directional blows. The latter usually do not have a permanent character - the corresponding mode is turned on at the request of the operator or automatically if the drill runs into an obstacle of particular hardness. In a sense, it's a small jackhammer.

Impact screwdriver - the device itself is more complex and "smart", therefore, a certain versatility should not be surprising. This means that the tool, as a rule, is fully compatible with various attachments, due to which the scope of its potential application significantly expands - instead of a drill, you can attach, for example, a hole saw or a mixing attachment.

It is logical that such a tool is somewhat more expensive than non-impact models, but its purchase is often justified even at home - the external, load-bearing walls of multi-storey buildings are usually distinguished by the highest strength, which only an impact screwdriver can overcome.

The device is also appreciated by professionals who drill walls or various parts on a daily basis - according to them, for all its assertiveness, the drill of an impact screwdriver usually does not cause significant damage to the fasteners, increasing their durability. This characteristic is especially valuable in the context that the same tool is often used to assemble furniture.

The classification of impact screwdrivers is not so extensive, but it can still drive many inexperienced consumers into a dead end. Most of all, the logic in dividing tools into drills, screwdrivers and screwdrivers confuses, but in fact everything is extremely simple here: the mechanism is generally the same for everyone, and the exact name depends on the nozzle.

So, a drill is usually equipped with a drill for making holes, and a screwdriver and a screwdriver at the same time know how to screw in fasteners. Some models imply a simple replacement of nozzles, therefore they can have complex compound names like "screwdriver-drill", but if such multifunctionality is not provided, the unit is called the most accurate term.

Often, when choosing, beginners are also confused by the fact that the device is supposedly electric and pneumatic.Electric models are the most common, especially at home, but pneumatic ones are perhaps very rare models that will definitely not be in demand at home, the main places of their use are various service stations and tire fitting companies.

Since the screwdriver is powered by electricity, it is impossible not to clarify that it can be both mains and battery. The first is good for minor home repairs or daily work in a well-equipped workshop, because it is lighter, and the master does not need to constantly remember to charge the battery.

However, it is the battery version that is the uncontested solution during the construction process or for use on the street, when the working site does not imply the presence of functioning outlets.

When deciding whether to choose a shock or shockless model of a screwdriver, first you need to figure out how they differ.

Many consumers who have managed to evaluate the work of the striking mechanism will say that it is such a unit that is better, and that is how they are ready to substantiate their point of view.

• Directed impacts increase the torque of the impact tool to a range of 80-250 N / m, making it possible to break through the most difficult obstacles. It is significant that in the process there is not even a need to firmly press the case against the wall - the tool will bite into it even without significant pressing.
• Without the need for constant physical effort applied to the tool, the wrist and hand of the master get tired much less, which allows to increase the same productivity.
• Considering that even a solid wall is not able to successfully withstand the onslaught of such a tool, it usually does not deform the fasteners, which will allow it to be removed without additional efforts in the future. Moreover, many models also provide for the reverse function of extracting old fasteners from the walls, even those that have experienced strong deformation due to long-term use.
• The screwdriver works not only with bolts, but also with nuts, in each case achieving the most tight tightening. A smart car usually automatically switches from shockless mode to shock mode when it senses that the nut has become tighter at a certain moment.

Unfortunately, this solution also has certain drawbacks, which, perhaps, will never allow it to completely supplant unstressed models. So, impressive twisting speed is observed only in the shockless mode, when switching to impacts it significantly decreases.

Chucks for such a tool are not suitable for any - you need strictly hex. Most models do not have a limiting sleeve, so the degree of tightening must be carefully monitored by the operator, otherwise damage to the wall or parts will not be done. Finally, at high speeds, such a unit is capable of producing deafening construction noise, therefore constant work with it requires the mandatory use of protective equipment.

When choosing a specific model of impact screwdriver, pay attention to the smallest details. The first thing that people usually pay attention to is the type of food. Pneumatic models will definitely not be needed at home, but electric ones are network and battery models, as mentioned above.

The network option is good for working in an equipped room, it is most prized for its almost unlimited power. Having given preference to just such a device, evaluate its cable - it must have a significant length and thickness, have good insulation and not raise doubts about the strength of the place where it enters the unit.

In the case of the battery model, there are more selection criteria.First of all, you need to find a balance between the large battery capacity, which prolongs the battery life, and the weight of the device, because a capacious battery always weighs quite a lot.

Another point is the choice of the type of battery: today, the most common lithium-ion models, but nickel-cadmium are also found. The former are good with a small mass with a significant capacity, they allow charging at any time, but they are more expensive than the main competitor and can wear out quickly at low temperatures. The advantages of the nickel-cadmium solution completely neutralize the disadvantages of the lithium-ion option. - such a battery is cheaper and not afraid of frost, but it is both heavy and environmentally hazardous, and most importantly, it must be completely discharged and then fully charged, otherwise the "memory effect" will provoke rapid wear of the carrier.

At high voltage, the engine power also increases, but sky-high rates are not needed for home use: 500-700 W is enough, otherwise the tool will turn out to be heavy and unjustifiably expensive.

Screwdriver chucks, in which replaceable nozzles are attached, are quick-clamping and key. The first can be organized in different ways, but its advantage is that it can be serviced with bare hands. The key cartridge has a characteristic rim; a special key is needed to maintain it, which is not always convenient.

Since we are talking about the patron, an important criterion is the maximum diameter of its opening - the larger it is, the more different nozzles can be used.

Maximum torque is a measure of how hard the nozzle will rotate. This indicator does not always directly depend on the power of the motor, sometimes it can be increased due to the gearbox, but it is always desirable that the maximum torque is quite high. Models with stepless torque control are in prioritybecause they are more gentle on fasteners and surfaces that are drilled.

In any case, the ability to adjust the speed is a good bonus for working with materials of different densities, and the existing option of reverse rotation allows you to take care of the nozzle once again, and to remove the screws if necessary, not limited to screwing in.

The use of an impact screwdriver will be safe and as effective as possible only if it is done correctly. Obviously, the first tip is to read the instructions before use, but there are other reasonable usage tips.

For example, if possible, do not set the equipment to maximum torque, because many fragile materials with a treated surface can simply be torn from this, and you will ruin the workpiece. Besides working at maximum speeds up the wear of the tool, not to mention the fact that in this mode it must be held tighter, otherwise there is even the possibility of injury.

The modes of operation, by the way, are described in the instructions for a reason - each of them assumes optimal settings for performing this particular task, and for another it may not be suitable. So, drilling is needed to make holes, and the screwdriver mode is to screw in fasteners, when used, on the contrary, efficiency decreases, but injury risk increases.

Always wear protective goggles and gloves, especially with fragile materials.When drilling walls, make sure there are no electrical wires in advance. remember, that the time of continuous operation of the device is limited - if the nozzle or any other unit is noticeably warm, let it cool down.

By the way, if in a particular model of a screwdriver the drilling mode is not provided, then it is better not to try to drill anything with its help - such experiments often end with a burned out engine.

If you purchased a rechargeable model, remember that the battery should always be in the disconnected position, except for direct work. Wherein The nickel-cadmium battery must be completely discharged before turning off the device, and then immediately put on charge... Among other things, it is still not capable of storing a charge for a long time even when it is idle, therefore sometimes it needs to be recharged, even if you have not used it.

In the next video, you will find an overview of the impact and non-impact screwdrivers: AEG BS12CS vs. BSB12C2.