Any recommendations for a light weight electric screwdriver?

[HappyHippyDad]

I would like a lightweight electric implement for undoing and doing up screws on sockets, switches etc. It's really just for when I am doing EICR's as you take off quite a few faceplates. There are so many options out there that i'm getting a bit snowed under trying to narrow down my search. It's really if any of you use something like this and are happy with it.

Ideally i'd like it to have a degree of speed control on it, although I guess if it is pretty slow anyway then maybe not. Anything from some kind of pencil screwdriver to one that looks like a drill, as long as it's light.

Cheers

 

[Pete999]

How much do you want to spend?

 

[HappyHippyDad]

How much do you want to spend?

I don't really mind Pete. I like to buy quality so it can be a bit pricey (let's say max £150), although if there's something cheaper that does the job then that's fine.

 

[Sintra]

I have one that I got in the states. Best way to describe it would be like a tiny wheel brace with a 4mm flat end and a handle that spins. Maybe some of our members from that side of the pond will know it’s correct name. What I do know is that it is a doddle for socket screws.

 

[telectrix]

i have a cheapo ryobi. 4.0V has speed control and torque control. ideal for what you want. bosch and a few others do similar.

Screwdriver | DIY at B&Q

This cordless screwdriver is ideal for jobs around the home. Supplied with 1 battery x 1.3Ah li-ion batteries and 6x screwdriver bits.

www.diy.com

 

[Dan]

Moved to the tools forum.

 

[Pete999]

I don't really mind Pete. I like to buy quality so it can be a bit pricey (let's say max £150), although if there's something cheaper that does the job then that's fine.

The WIHA one is nice but above the price range you quoted about 260 scrots

 

[casperLennon]

Bosch go. Mine was £30. Brilliant

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Bosch go. Mine was £30. Brilliant

I looked closely at that one but was really put off by the fact that you have to push the screwdriver forwards to make it work, rather than a button.

 

[casperLennon]

It’s a little unusual when unscrewing but you get used to it.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

The WIHA one is nice but above the price range you quoted about 260 scrots

The wiha certainly does look good Pete. I know I said price doesn't really matter but that is perhaps a little too much

 

[telectrix]

go for the ryobi. £20. it's a no brainer. had mine 4 years. was £30 when i bought it.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

I'm really looking at the wiha. It does look really nice!

 

[MJPD29]

Never used one but wiha speede looks brilliant

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Nope.. decided against the Wiha, it's just too expensive. It also may have a design flaw in the o ring that holds the bit in place, plus Wiha customer service sounds poor, so not worth the £200.

 

[SparkySy]

I have had a Bosch ixo for years and find it quite versatile once you get used to knowing when to let go of the trigger, the one annoying thing is the bits don't lock in.
I bought a 20 quid MCallister one in b&q the other week that has lock in hex and some torque settings, and it's not bad for £20, a bit flimsy but other than that I can't grumble!

 

[Pete999]

The wiha certainly does look good Pete. I know I said price doesn't really matter but that is perhaps a little too much

Nice though is it not eh.
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The wiha certainly does look good Pete. I know I said price doesn't really matter but that is perhaps a little too much

Saw one Hilt I think, a tenner in the Orange Shed

 

[hasel5]

I have the wiha one nice bit of kit

 

[buzzlightyear]

what about one of those .

 

[HappyHippyDad]

I have the wiha one nice bit of kit

How long have you had it? Any problems so far?
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Thanks as usual for the input guys.... however i have ignored you all and gone for something else! No offence.

I would have bought the Wiha speedE as even with that price tag it looks as though within a month or 2 it could have paid for itself. However, amazon has 3 reviews on it and 2 of them are very poor. I believe one of the reviews is by @NDG Elecs . I'd be interested to hear if you ever got your Wiha back NDG, and if so are you happy with it now, any more problems, do you use it lots?

I have gone for cheap and cheerful this time TACKLIFE Electric Screwdriver, 3.6V Screwdriver Drill Set 2000mAh Li-on 3 Flexible Positions and 6 Torque Setting with 31pcs Bonus Bits, Front and Rear Lam in a Storage Box -SDH13DC: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cordless-Screwdriver-Tacklife-Lithium-Ion-Positions/dp/B01N0ZGIG0
@happyhippydad

 

[FatAlan]

I use a Worx electric screw driver when I get bored with extra long faceplate screws. £30

 

[NDG Elecs]

How long have you had it? Any problems so far?
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Thanks as usual for the input guys.... however i have ignored you all and gone for something else! No offence.

I would have bought the Wiha speedE as even with that price tag it looks as though within a month or 2 it could have paid for itself. However, amazon has 3 reviews on it and 2 of them are very poor. I believe one of the reviews is by @NDG Elecs . I'd be interested to hear if you ever got your Wiha back NDG, and if so are you happy with it now, any more problems, do you use it lots?

I have gone for cheap and cheerful this time TACKLIFE Electric Screwdriver, 3.6V Screwdriver Drill Set 2000mAh Li-on 3 Flexible Positions and 6 Torque Setting with 31pcs Bonus Bits, Front and Rear Lam in a Storage Box -SDH13DC: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cordless-Screwdriver-Tacklife-Lithium-Ion-Positions/dp/B01N0ZGIG0
@happyhippydad

I have it back now yes. Took around 6-8wks to do so though. I use it not daily but a few times a week.. Useful in tight spots. I rarely change the bit on it as by the time you have done I would have finished the job with another driver.
I wouldn't say it was any faster than if you were for instance putting a 3.5mm screw in with both hands (twisting handle with one hand and drivers shaft with the other) - you know the technique!! It is useful as I say in tight spots when it is hard to get your hand(s) in the right place..
TBH it is a bit of a lambo of a tool when a nice BMW would do instead!
I use it more when second fixing rewires.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

I have it back now yes. Took around 6-8wks to do so though. I use it not daily but a few times a week.. Useful in tight spots. I rarely change the bit on it as by the time you have done I would have finished the job with another driver.
I wouldn't say it was any faster than if you were for instance putting a 3.5mm screw in with both hands (twisting handle with one hand and drivers shaft with the other) - you know the technique!! It is useful as I say in tight spots when it is hard to get your hand(s) in the right place..
TBH it is a bit of a lambo of a tool when a nice BMW would do instead!
I use it more when second fixing rewires.

Thanks for that NDG, good analogy with the cars!
What I'll probably do is use the cheapy tacklife one i've bought and then over the next few weeks convince myself that I need the Wiha as well
I wonder why we love tools so much. I'm not fussed about clothes, cars, TV's, anything material really, but I do like buying tools. Perhaps books, I do like books as well.

 

[Pete999]

I use a Worx electric screw driver when I get bored with extra long faceplate screws. £30

Going to see what ELEX has to offer this Month may treat myself, shhhh do' t tell HIDs

 

[pirate]

I'm sure there was a thread on here recently which heartily endorsed the use of an impact driver for those delicate screws...NOT!

I really like this, though...

 

[Pete999]

I'm sure there was a thread on here recently which heartily endorsed the use of an impact driver for those delicate screws...NOT!

I really like this, though...

Looks NICE was it ? or what

 

[pirate]

Sorry, Pete999, I don't have one! i just like the concept of variable speed and gyroscopic control. Indeed, I couldn't find any for sale from the usual outlets last time i looked.

 

[telectrix]

gyroscopic?????, pirate you've not yet sussed out how to use your ship's compass. .

 

[Pete999]

Sorry, Pete999, I don't have one! i just like the concept of variable speed and gyroscopic control. Indeed, I couldn't find any for sale from the usual outlets last time i looked.

Take a trip to the big O shed or Lidl
they sometimes some decent cheap stuff on offer

 

[telectrix]

i find the aldi tools are better than lidl's. my workzone sds 18v or 20v, can't rem.) will do most drilling for rawlplugs and at £50 it's not a suicide job if i drop it off a ladder.

 

[Pete999]

gyroscopic?????, pirate you've not yet sussed out how to use your ship's compass. .

He aint worked ot howto use a screwdriver yet Tel give the Lad a chance, rush rush all the time chill out Liverpool weren't built in a day, might look like it though sorry mate

 

[telectrix]

He aint workek out howto use a screwdriver yet Tel give the Lad a chance, rush rush all the time chill out Liverpool weren't built in a day, might look like it though sorry mate

it's easy enough. the pointy end goes in the screw

 

[Pete999]

it's easy enough. the pointy end goes in the screw

Only if it's a Phillips

 

[telectrix]

talking about screwdriver ends. phillips, pozi, torx, i,ve been using the square head ( commonly called robertson) for some time. i'll be laffing from my grave when some of these young sprogs come across them in the future and can't get them out. .

 

[pirate]

Tel, for your information, my ship's autopilot works on a gyroscope! And the yardarm works on the principle that if it ain't sunny, then the sun must be over it, so drinks all round!
Also, I had a boat once where Robertson screws were used everywhere...it was built in teak, beautiful varnished teak...and I actually still have a couple of the screwdrivers!
One advantage is that with square-headed screws, it is easier to align them!
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Just to save you all any bother:

Squarescrews

Squarescrews

squarescrews.co.uk

 

[NDG Elecs]

i find the aldi tools are better than lidl's. my workzone sds 18v or 20v, can't rem.) will do most drilling for rawlplugs and at £50 it's not a suicide job if i drop it off a ladder.

I dropped the Wiha approx 4 inches onto soft carpet when it stopped working !!!
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Thanks for that NDG, good analogy with the cars!
What I'll probably do is use the cheapy tacklife one i've bought and then over the next few weeks convince myself that I need the Wiha as well
I wonder why we love tools so much. I'm not fussed about clothes, cars, TV's, anything material really, but I do like buying tools. Perhaps books, I do like books as well.

I guess it's the little things that make our job easier. Makes sense to invest sometimes. I'm liking the look of that £30 Bosch jobby I must say !!

 

[casperLennon]

The Bosch is really good

 

[dmitry1]

me personally i love Milwaukee electric screwdriver; i have two with me so i can quickly adjust and i did not pay $160+ for each but only $45 for each on ebay. these are really good, very lightweight and have multiple speeds.
one i have is model 6546-1 which is older model, newer model 2102-20 is slightly heavier and slightly larger (looks same), but more powerful.
i am not into spending allot of money on expensive tools to show off but in this i looked around was patient and was able to get a good deal. i had probably half-of dozen of other screwdrivers (ryoby and bosch included) but all of them were either too bulky, too large or not maneuverable.

 

[richy3333]

I’ve a Bosch IXO. Must be 10 years old now and perfect for the job. It’s not automatic with pressure, just a variable speed trigger. Lidl/Aldi do something similar.

 

[PEG]

Just as long as all you Formula 1 tyre changers know,i'll be getting EICR money,for repairing all those sheared screws and stripped threads...