Cordless screwdriver 3.6V upgrade advice

boardtc · 10-07-2020 12:24pm #1

I have a 3.6v Bosch cordless screwdriver for years which is fab for putting together furniture and light jobs.

If I want to put in longer screws to things like e.g. fence posts it just does not have the power. I frequently have to do the last 1/8 or so by hand. It would not be able to take out screws that are already is the like of a fence post.

I have a wired drill and I looking to avoid combi drill/screwdrivers.
What spec should I be looking for to get something with reliable power ? 18v? Any recommendations in the €50 range?

Calahonda52 · 10-07-2020 12:26pm

Is the 50 just for the battery?

chunkylover4 · 10-07-2020 12:29pm

Makita 18V impact driver on Amazon is 65 Euros which is a good deal but doesn't have a battery with. Screwfix have a decent DeWalt model for around 120.

boardtc · 10-07-2020 12:34pm

@Calahonda52 Sounds like an upgrade is out of my budget so :-(
I know what I said about combis but is something lke this BLACK+DECKER 18V Cordless 2-Gear Combi Drill https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B079K56H8T a waste of time?

Lumen · 10-07-2020 1:05pm

You said you wanted to avoid combi drills

Aldi do a Ferrex impact driver for 20 quid bare so you might be able to get the battery and charger in under your budget.

But you'll be stuffed for using the battery with other tools unless you want to go full Aldi, and they have a tendency to change their supplier every couple of years, so it's a bit of a false conomy.

I would stick to cheap Makita and DeWalt if you can.

Edit: but that will totally blow your budget. I just don't think 50 is enough for a cordless tool, battery and charger that won't be complete junk.

boardtc · 10-07-2020 2:09pm

Thanks for the advice. 18v makita li-on batteries seem hard to get. The screwfix DeWalt is 120 for the bare tool. I might have a look at the used market for one...

boardtc · 10-07-2020 3:08pm

Considering if I can make an investment here....
Buying is a bit of a mindfield with bare, battery, chargers. There are so many different models but this seems a good price for an all in DeWalt at £150 https://www.ffx.co.uk/tools/product/Dewalt-Dcf787D2T-7426827314992-2X2.0Ah-Li-Ion-18V-Xr-Brushless-Impact-Driver-T-Stak-Kit Free delivery to UK, so could use DPD wizard then.

Lumen · 10-07-2020 3:14pm

boardtc wrote: »

Considering if I can make an investment here....
Buying is a bit of a mindfield with bare, battery, chargers. There are so many different models but this seems a good price for an all in DeWalt at £150 https://www.ffx.co.uk/tools/product/Dewalt-Dcf787D2T-7426827314992-2X2.0Ah-Li-Ion-18V-Xr-Brushless-Impact-Driver-T-Stak-Kit Free delivery to UK, so could use DPD wizard them.

That looks like a great deal. The batteries are a bit on the small side at 2Ah, but you can charge one whilst you use the other.

Ryath · 21-07-2020 10:15am

chunkylover4 wrote: »

Makita 18V impact driver on Amazon is 65 Euros which is a good deal but doesn't have a battery with..

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Makita-DTD152Z-Impact-Driver-Blue/dp/B01861LGA2/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?dchild=1&keywords=Makita+DTD153ZJ&qid=1595322195&sr=8-1-fkmr0

This is such a good price I'm thinking of getting it. Tempted to spend the extra and get the brushless model can't decide if its worth it.

Wouldn't be a heavy DIYier but when I'm working at something I'm generally doing a fair bit. Fitting a kitchen at the moment and I need to repair/replace a deck in the next year. Have notions of build a few bits of garden furniture too. If I buy from powertool world I'll probably end up buying more tools when I'm paying shipping!

Have a few Makita 5ah batteries and twin fast charger already so don't really want to get another brand though the prices of some of the Dewalt body only tools are tempting.

boardtc · 21-07-2020 10:35am

I pushed the boat out and got the DeWalt above. I used it for a fence project over the weekend, my first time using an impact driver, OMG, just awesome. I've been lucky to inherit a lot of tools in the past, I'm really happy to have made this investment now.

Ryath · 21-07-2020 11:23pm

The Dewalt looks good alright but I really don't want to be dealing with more batteries. Think I'll just get the cheaper 152Z Makita It's nearly as powerful as the brushless model and the extra efficiency isn't really an issue as I have a few batteries. It's £50 cheaper that I can put towards another tool! This LXT SDS is tempting me and I still want a multitool!

boardtc · 31-08-2020 2:13pm

boardtc wrote: »

Considering if I can make an investment here....
Buying is a bit of a mindfield with bare, battery, chargers. There are so many different models but this seems a good price for an all in DeWalt at £150 https://www.ffx.co.uk/tools/product/Dewalt-Dcf787D2T-7426827314992-2X2.0Ah-Li-Ion-18V-Xr-Brushless-Impact-Driver-T-Stak-Kit Free delivery to UK, so could use DPD wizard then.

The impact driver is awesome!
I have just been fitting in screwbits to tool has it came, so the bit can just barely protrude and drops out sometimes too. Is there a bit holder or something one can get that works better than just putting them in straight?

Ryath · 31-08-2020 2:31pm

Better getting a set of dedicated impact bits. The Hex quick bit's lock into the driver so won't fall out. They come with a holder for the smaller less used bits but will have longer versions of the more commonly used bits so you won't need the holder. They're more durable too.

I picked up the Makita above it's been well worth the money. Done a lot of work fitting a new kitchen and other bits doing up a house. So much easier drive screws than the combi and the convenience of not having to keep swapping a drill bit and screw driver bit. Using a cheap set of B&Q Erbaur bit sets. Should have just spent the extra on a better set the most of the PZ2's are already chewed up and a few of the drill bit's I hadn't even used were bent.

Thinking of these
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Milwaukee-MW4932430907-Bit-Set-Red/dp/B01IC1K1Y8?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_8

or
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Makita-B-66896-Screw-Set/dp/B07TQVLMK6/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3INU2UK4E9CKO&dchild=1&keywords=makita+impact+driver+bits&qid=1598879869&sprefix=makita+impa%2Caps%2C135&sr=8-5

Considering some of the bigger set's but they are always missing something you'd occasionally need.

boardtc · 31-08-2020 3:16pm

Thanks!
I have so many bits already I was hoping a bit holder would do the trick but sounds like good advice
I may as wel stay with DeWalt for them! https://www.screwfix.ie/p/dewalt-mixed-dt70702-qz-screwdriver-set-40-piece-set/424hp

Cordless screwdriver 3.6V upgrade advice

Comments