CheckItOut Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 I wondered if you could recommend a battery screwdriver that would be used to remove screws on electrical panels. I have a large pistol style driver that has plenty of power but I am trying to cut down on weight and bulk in my tool box. Sears has one that puts out 175 in / lbs but it is one speed and I think that will be a pain. Thanks> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottpat Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 Go to Wally World and buy a $30 B&D rechargeable, they might even be less. They hold a charge for a very long time and they are cheap enough that it is not a big loss if you loose one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randynavarro Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 Costco in my parts has a $28 li-ion small screwgun that fits right in the palm of my hand. Costcos in different parts of the country stock different things, I know. Check out costco.com to see if they have one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inspectorjoe Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 I use a Craftsman 7.2 volt. It has a little built in light and is operated by a handy forward/reverse rocker switch. I go weeks between charges. It's not variable speed like my Bosch was, but after a week or two, I didn't miss it at all. http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product. ... Cookie=Yes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian G Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 I have one of the palm-sized li-ion drivers. I mostly use it when I have to check out HVAC stuff in attics and crawls. The battery lasts a long time and the gearing is surprizingly strong, but speed it ain't got. I also carry a DeWalt 7.2 in the bag for bigger jobs. Love those tools. [:-angel] Brian G. Current Total: 5 Battery & 2 Electric Drills [:-thumbu] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bernhardt Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 I just use a plain old screw driver. I am not as smart as you guys. I lost a really nice dewalt for good a few years ago. I was always leaving it behind. Had the same problem with flashlights. Now I use just one of those cheap multi tip drivers that easily fits in my back pocket. Tip - put all your stuff away before you go in the crawlspace. At least for me when I come out my IQ plummets to about 60 or 70 and I start mumbling. I almost always do the crawl last. I think the lack of oxygen to my brain plus the fact I was always getting side track by the client and zoid as soon as I got out of the hole was the problem. My habit now is to put it all away first and to excuse my self until I am more composed after I get out of the hole. Chris, Oregon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 I tried a variety of powered screwdrivers but finally dumped them all for a crank-type screwdriver that I bought at an electrical supply store. It's got a 1/4 inch magnetic hex socket and holds whatever type of bit I want to use. I have a bit cube that holds a few hundred bits plus various sized nut driver bits. Way faster than a regular screwdriver and no bulky battery-powered driver to haul around. OT - OF!!! M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob White Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 Is that a regional term, or am I ignorant (or both, I guess)? What's a crank type screwdriver? Is that a ratcheting driver? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlieb Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 Like many of the others I use a palm sized (not bulky Mike[:-magnify) Li ion. Bought it when they first came out. Keep a second in the truck to swap out when the battery dies OTJ. It's done wonders for relief of my carpal tunnel. Since I don't have the height of a tree it also helps with the top screws in tall panels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fqp25 Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 Originally posted by Bob White Is that a regional term, or am I ignorant (or both, I guess)? Relax Bob, I do believe it's just a ratcheting screwdriver, or maybe we both are in the same boat. I have a Black & Decker about 5 years old. It holds a charge, because I hardly use it. I use a regular screwdriver when I take off a panel. I been doing it for years and have no complaints. The way I figure it, either way I'll most likely drop a screw or 2, no matter what I use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 I have 2 Black and Decker's. The ones that you can turn to manual if needed. They last a long time between charges, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 Originally posted by Bob White Is that a regional term, or am I ignorant (or both, I guess)? What's a crank type screwdriver? Is that a ratcheting driver? No, it's exactly what I said it was, a crank type screwdriver. It's got an offset handle, like a brace and bit, and it's very fast. OT - OF!!! M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 Dewalt 7.2 volt, the one w/the cool bit holder, case full of quick connect bits, drill bits, nutdrivers, extensions, sockets, and 2 batteries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob White Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 Quote:Originally posted by hausdok Quote:Originally posted by Bob White Is that a regional term, or am I ignorant (or both, I guess)? What's a crank type screwdriver? Is that a ratcheting driver? No, it's exactly what I said it was, a crank type screwdriver. It's got an offset handle, like a brace and bit, and it's very fast. OT - OF!!! M. A two fisted tool . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kibbel Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 This is Mike O's screwdriver: If you see a horse-drawn cart, with a wooden ladder tied on with hemp, that's Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Fabry Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 Mine's just like the one Bill posted except the one I use has batteries and says "Snap-On"and doesn't have a crank. Otherwise they look the same and they're both 'cordless' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Arnold Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 Chad - I just got a Hitachi lithium-ion cordless that I love (except for the fact that the first one stopped working after I dropped it a couple times). The Lithium battery is amazing, compared to my previous re-chargeable. It has a light for those dark basements. Not very heavy. Here's an Amazon listing for it: http://www.amazon.com/Hitachi-DB3DL-3-6 ... B000H2P05Q . I got it at Lowes for under $70. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenT Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 When all else fails, use a butter knife! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian G Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 Originally posted by fqp25 The way I figure it, either way I'll most likely drop a screw or 2, no matter what I use. Ah, but that's what they make powerful magnetic bit holders for. They often help when you're trying to get the screws back in too. Brian G. Telescoping Magnetic Pick-Up as a Back-Up [:-thumbu] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Fabry Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 Chad - I just got a Hitachi lithium-ion cordless that I love (except for the fact that the first one stopped working after I dropped it a couple times). The Lithium battery is amazing, compared to my previous re-chargeable. It has a light for those dark basements. Not very heavy. Here's an Amazon listing for it:http://www.amazon.com/Hitachi-DB3DL-3-6 ... B000H2P05Q . I got it at Lowes for under $70. Thanks for that John, my old Snap-On is an anachronism now, left over from a previous life and refusing to die. It's pushing 20 years old and was cutting edge technology when I bought it for the then oppressive price of 139 dollars. I'll replace it when necessary but I'm as comfortable with it as I am with my old dog. It's very nice to see you posting here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fqp25 Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 Sometimes I drop the screws even with the magnetic tips and holders. I need a real powerful electro-magnet. Ah Heck, the other day I even dropped my telescopic magnet behind a washer, trying to retrieve a screw, and my screw diver. I did mention clearance in front of the panel in my report after that. Ol' Butterfingers that day... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kibbel Posted April 17, 2007 Report Share Posted April 17, 2007 John Arnold - I know that name from somewhere. How's things down there? Between '86 and '02, I did an average of 2-3 inspections a week in Philly. Since I moved up here, I haven't been back. I guess It was just too much fun for me to handle anymore. [] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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