Can I use a drill as a screwdriver

How to replace a screwdriver with a conventional drill: 3 useful tips

Ingenuity helps to get out of difficult situations associated with a lack of tools. A drill can replace a screwdriver. Knowledge and adherence to safety rules is the first condition for working with this tool. Therefore, to the question “is it possible to make a screwdriver out of a drill?” there will be a positive answer. We will talk about the intricacies and secrets of the process in the article.

Which is better a drill or screwdriver?

The principle of operation of a drill and a screwdriver is similar. The devices differ from each other in that the first tool is equipped with a limiter for the rotation of the chuck when the resistance reaches its highest point. If you tighten the screws with a drill, it is important not to miss this moment. then the surface will not be damaged, and the corners of the bolt will not be smoothed (this will significantly reduce the adhesion of the surfaces).

The drill is designed for drilling holes, and the screwdriver is for screwing in self-tapping screws, but they can be replaced with one another. There are drill bits that turn it into a screwdriver. Nozzles are:

• simple;
• with limiter.

The stop does not allow the self-tapping screw to enter too deep into the surface. This effect is provided by the restrictive rim present on the nozzle.

It is impossible to say which is preferable. a drill or screwdriver. since the two tools perform different functions.

Using a drill as a screwdriver

In the absence of attachments (and the ability to purchase them), it is recommended to use the following strategy. There is no splitting sleeve in the drill, which leads to unpleasant consequences. Using this tool as a screwdriver without the necessary attachment can be fraught with:

• breakage of the screw head;
• broken bit;
• by the combustion of the drill.

Tighten screws or bolts with a drill not to the bitter end, but leave at least half a centimeter outside the surface. It is generally optimal to screw the rest of the screw into the surface by hand. Yes, you will waste time, but keep the drill safe.

The drill can also be used for its intended purpose (drilling surfaces). Drill a hole in the surface of the material to be used, then carefully screw in the screw. This will be much faster than screwing in the screw by hand. In addition, you will definitely not damage the surface, creating a more delicate mount without delamination of the material. Useful if you need to drive a screw into wood.

Is it realistic to tighten screws with a drill? You can, but do not lose sight of one feature of the screwdriver. This is a kind of symbiosis of a Phillips screwdriver and a drill. A tool with speed control will be especially appropriate. The slower it runs, the less risk of failure. With skill and a good reaction, furniture assembly (and other construction work) will go even faster with a drill.

Based on the above information, it can be concluded that there are three ways to get a high-quality result when using a drill instead of a screwdriver:

Use special nozzles with a limiting rim;

Do not screw the screws into the surface completely, making the last few turns by hand;

Drill the surface in advance, and then screw the bolts into the hole made.

Just always be careful and follow safety precautions when working with tools.
Watch the video: How to use a drill instead of a screwdriver?

How to prepare for work?

The first thing you will need to do in order to get started is to remove the screwdriver from the case or suitcase and check for visible damage, chips or cracks. If you notice that something is wrong with the tool, then in no case should you use it, as it may be unsafe. Be sure to make sure that the battery of the screwdriver is charged, or the screwdriver itself is connected to the mains. When these conditions are met, the screwdriver is turned on to idle and check the correspondence of the rotation of the nozzle and the thread on the fastener. If all the conditions are met, then you can safely start work.

Be sure to select and properly fix the bit or drill depending on where and how you are going to work. How to fix them, we mentioned above when we talked about changing the nozzle.

When using the device directly, you must also follow a number of simple rules and requirements.

Pay close attention to the screwdriver itself. There is a special scale on it, by rotating which it is possible to regulate the power of the instrument. When you turn the dial, set the mode you need, focusing on what kind of work you are currently doing.

Modes:

• twisting;
• unscrewing;
• blocking.

Switching between these tool capabilities is fairly easy and straightforward. It is only necessary to hold the screwdriver by the handle located above the battery. Most often, the handle is covered with a material that is rubberized. That is why such a processed handle is safe to work with and guarantees that the screwdriver will not fall out of your hand while working. For greater reliability, the tool is attached to the hand with a strap.

Use cases

The correct use of a screwdriver is its use according to the instructions or the established documentation. According to these documents, the main area of ​​use is directly the ability to screw in and out various fasteners, as well as for drilling various holes.

Depending on the capabilities, one or another model can be used both in everyday life and in the professional sphere. Household screwdrivers are cheaper and have low power, while professional models have increased power, high performance and wider functionality for use.

But some users use a screwdriver, for example, for such non-standard things as polishing a car to stir mixtures or paints, for sanding various surfaces, for twisting wires, tying fittings and even for drilling holes in ice.

Features of drilling concrete

As noted above, the screwdriver can be used in different fields and in different ways. Electric screwdrivers can drill wood, concrete and many other materials. Carefully read the instructions for using this or that model, since it is there that it is written there, for which materials it can be used for drilling.

Very powerful drills are used for drilling concrete. Most often, such tools work in percussion mode, but even with such a device, drilling a concrete wall is quite problematic. Therefore, for such cases, it is better to use a special diamond drill.

Can I be used as a drill?

As mentioned above, basically a screwdriver is used for such things to unscrew or twist something. When using a screwdriver as a drill, carefully read the instructions. is this possible in the instructions from the manufacturer.

If, nevertheless, it is possible to use a screwdriver as a drill in order to drill and make a hole, for example, in a wooden or plastic product, then it is recommended to put a small and even piece of wood under this or that object. So your hole will be made better and will prevent cracks and chips from appearing.

If you use metal in your work, then here you need to adhere to some simple rules. Before you start drilling, the hole must be tilted to prevent the drill from slipping on the metal. Select the drilling mode and get to work. But here we must not forget that when drilling for metal, the drill may break. To prevent this, it is not recommended to press hard on the tool. If it happens that the drill gets stuck, then switch the screwdriver to the unscrewing mode, and calmly unscrew the drill.

But nevertheless, it is recommended for these purposes to purchase a special model of a drill-screwdriver, which can also be both mains-powered and battery-powered.

Twisting wires

A screwdriver with a specific nozzle is excellent for twisting the separated ends of the wires. Usually, twisting is done with pliers, but those who wish can use a screwdriver, using it for this purpose. The main thing is to correctly perform this tricky procedure.

Rebar tying

The screwdriver can be used to knit reinforcement using steel wire. This is widespread in construction, when various reinforced concrete structures of houses and foundations are being erected. In order to knit, take a cordless or mains tool that has a hook attachment.

Device and principle of operation

The screwdriver can be used in various fields of activity and for various actions, for example, in everyday life, during construction, assembling and disassembling furniture, in various workshops and where many fasteners are used. They can drill, thread, twist and unscrew fasteners. Let’s get acquainted with the device and the principle of operation of such a mechanism.

All screwdrivers are divided into three types:

• working from a regular network and called network;
• powered by a charged battery and called rechargeable batteries;
• powered by both mains and battery. combined option.

All screwdrivers are very similar in both external and internal structure. They consist of elements such as:

• body;
• cartridge;
• power button;
• rotation switch;
• speed regulator;
• power-on lock button;
• tightening force regulator.

Some models additionally have backlighting, and some lack one or another element. So, models powered by the mains have a power cord, while rechargeable models have a charge storage.

The body of the power tool consists of two parts and can be made of plastic or an alloy of various metals, but this is much less common.

Inside it are:

• electric motor;
• pay;
• capacitor;
• reducer;
• clutch.

The principle of operation of all screwdrivers is similar to each other. the electric motor is set in rotary motion with the help of consumed electricity, which transfers the force by means of the gearbox and the shaft from the motor to the existing nozzle installed in the chuck, and the nozzle already performs the process of drilling, screwing in or unscrewing the fasteners. For network screwdrivers, the motor uses an alternating voltage of 200 V, and in cordless ones. a constant voltage of 3.5 V to 36 V.

Replacing the nozzle is also fairly easy and straightforward. In this case, the screwdriver can have a quick-release chuck or a turnkey.

Changing the nozzle with a quick-release chuck:

• first you need to choose a drill for the work that you plan to perform, or a bit, taking into account the size of the head, the type of slot;
• the cartridge is unscrewed counterclockwise;
• install the selected nozzle;
• rotating the cartridge case in the clockwise direction, the nozzle is clamped.

Changing the nozzle with a turnkey chuck:

• take a key and insert it into a special recess;
• untwist the cartridge;
• insert a new nozzle;
• rotate the key in the clockwise direction, securing the nozzle.

Electric grinder from a drill. turns out to be quite real

It would seem a strange desire. make an electric grinder out of a drill. in some cases gives unexpected results. So, the situation can be saved when the knives of the kitchen unit are completely dull and threaten to ruin the party with homemade cutlets. Now you will learn how to make a grinder from a drill: the guests will praise the hostess for the cutlets, and the husband. for resourcefulness.

For a craftsman, everything is clear. You need to prepare the following items:

• an old manual grinder (just a manual one, with which it was so long and hard to work!);
• electric drill;
• metal bolt with a hexagonal top. The bolt must be without a head.

Then everything is simple. We take out the shaft from the old grinder, insert it into the drill along with the screw. At the output, we get a high-speed and powerful unit.

Drill as a mixer. when the impossible is possible!

Seemingly. What do these two different devices have in common? As a rule, men are engaged in the drill, and the mixer is in women’s competence. Let’s look under the case, and everything will be resolved: inside both devices there are electric motor brushes, driven by the pressed start button. They turn the rotor of the engine, and that transmits the torque to the gearbox, which sets in motion a chuck with a drill, like a drill, or “beaters” like a kitchen mixer.

Converting a drill into a kitchen assistant will take you no more than 5 minutes and will be especially relevant when the blender is out of order.

Please note: The power of a household electric drill is much higher than that of a mixer. a homemade machine will beat the eggs many times faster (this is a plus), but it also weighs several times heavier (this is a minus).

Everything you need for “tuning”. Remove the drill chuck and insert into the vacant socket. corolla!

What to do if the whisk was not at hand, and the guests invited to tea with a biscuit are already on the doorstep? In this case, an ordinary plug will help out.!

Undoubtedly, a fork and a whisk. an original way out of the situation, but some masters have gone even further. they used office scissors as an improvised material!

If everything is more or less clear with household appliances, remember that mixers satisfy not only the needs of housewives, because there are construction mixers (very similar to drill-mixers). As with household appliances, their mission is reduced to mixing, only this time the subject of whipping is not eggs and butter, but building mixtures, paintwork and even concrete!

Based on the needs and tasks, we solve the main question: what power of the device do you need??

Note: A mixer with a power of up to 800 watts and a high rotation speed will quickly mix the mixture, preventing it from thickening and stratifying. It is used for varnishes, paints. Choose a drill of the appropriate power like DeWalt DWD112S. A 1000 watt construction mixer will do the toughest job: mix crushed stone, sand, cement.

Using Power or Electric Drill as Electric Screwdriver

In order to make one technique from another without labor costs and tangible financial losses, a nozzle, for example, Fiolent MD1-11E, is useful. It will make the task easier, and you will praise yourself for your resourcefulness and be surprised at the result.

Unconventional use of a drill. 4 interesting life hacks

An ordinary construction drill can be found in the bins of most average owners. For many, the tool just gathers dust in the closet. Some people regularly use it, painstakingly drilling holes, screwing in shelves and screwing in bolts. And only the most creative and out-of-the-box minds use the drill for other purposes. Just think about it. they chop wood with a tool and replace most household appliances with a household drill, spending money on more interesting needs and amaze with their imagination!

Read the article and find out how to be known not only as a homely, but also as a resourceful owner. The task is simplified by the fact that the necessary accessories are probably at your fingertips, and the implementation of great ideas will not take (in some cases) even 10 minutes.

How to chop wood with a drill? Just!

It turns out that you can do that too with a construction tool! over, such a chopping of firewood is no worse than the usual way, with an ax. so say householders with experience. What needs to be prepared for this? Except for the drill. almost nothing except a keyless chuck.

Having set a moderate number of revolutions (a large number of them will not speed up the process, but will lead to a lot of chips flying in all directions), we proceed to the most important thing:

• We set the log so that the cone is located directly in its center, perpendicular to the log. splitting will be quick and hassle-free.
• Gently rotate it three times in one direction, then in the other.

Tip: since you will chop wood at low speeds, a low-power drill, like an inexpensive Bort BSM-540 weighing 1.3 kg, will suffice.

They say that a homemade device is ideal for apple firewood with a diameter of 10-12 cm, it is also used for hardwood firewood.

Powerful drill fan. good option in the heat

If you want to get really confused, make a fan with your own hands. Here’s what you need:

• electric drill motor;
• blades from the propeller of a radio-controlled aircraft;
• laptop battery;
• plywood sheet, bars for fastening;
• switch.

If you do everything right. at the exit you will get a not noisy powerful fan that does not “rattle” and does not fidget on the table.

You need to start with the air duct to which the engine will be attached. Take four steps:

• Glue the bars together to form the letter T. Leave a few centimeters of clearance on each side for the blades to rotate well.

Tip: To streamline the edges, round them off immediately after gluing the bars.

• Cut 2 triangles out of wood to secure the engine.
• To make a piece of plywood, soak it, bend it and dry it.
• Cover the base blocks of the workpiece with three pieces of plywood.
• Arrange the battery for the fan.
• Solder the wires to the motor, insulate with electrical tape and secure to the support so that they do not fall into the blades.

The last stage can be called cosmetic. It consists in the installation of protection. This step of the process is indispensable. the propeller is turning too fast.

Take the protective grill of the large fan and cut a circle out of it with wire cutters (convenient option. NEO side cutters) (expect its radius to be half an inch larger than the duct). Left a little. go around the wire around the duct, securing the protection with glue. Fan ready!

These are such simple, and sometimes even very tricky, products can be made from a drill. Some of them will take only 10 minutes of your time, and some will take a couple of hours. In any case, the result will mean savings for you on the purchase of new equipment and satisfaction from the time spent with benefit.

See How to make a budget electric sander

Safety precautions and selection rules

One of the key conditions that every owner of a hand drill should observe is the safe operation of this tool. The latter provides for taking into account simple rules.

• You can drill a part only after it is securely fixed. Ignoring this condition may result in damage to the object being processed or injury to the performer.
• Do not touch the drills and nozzles. both during the operation of the drill, and after a short period of time has elapsed since its completion. This is due to the fact that the processing of hard materials with a fast-rotating cutting tool involves strong friction, a natural consequence of which is heating.
• After the drill is securely fixed, the performer should remove the key from the chuck.
• To prevent the cutting tool from dulling, it must be periodically cooled, taking breaks from work or applying a special suspension. Thus, you can not only extend the service life of the drill, but also make the holes more accurate.

In addition, safety goggles must be worn to avoid eye damage from chips and other small drilling debris.

In order for the purchased hand drill not to disappoint its owner, it must meet the following conditions:

• high quality workmanship of all visible structural elements (in the presence of burrs, sharp edges and other defects, it is advisable to refuse to purchase a tool);
• comfortable shape of the handle (a protective coating is also welcomed);
• smooth rotation of the cartridge;
• lack of extraneous noise during operation.

Special attention should be paid to the material of the handle, which can be wood or plastic.

Most often, experts prefer the first to the second, explaining this by the better wear resistance of this material.

As for the hand drill variety, the optimal solution is a two-speed tool with a lot of functions. This is especially true for complex work. tasks that are almost impossible to solve without changing the rotational speed.

Hand drills: choice, application, pros and cons

• What it is?
• pros
• Minuses
• Varieties
• Single speed
• Two-speed
• How to work with a drill?
• Safety precautions and selection rules
• How to do it yourself?

Despite the steadily growing popularity of electrified tools, the use of hand drills continues to be very relevant. Their choice is relatively small, however, they all boast many obvious advantages with a minimum number of disadvantages. The validity of this thesis is confirmed by both domestic and foreign craftsmen who continue to use these tools for the successful solution of various everyday tasks.

Single speed

The classic hand drill belonging to this variety assumes the presence of a pair of gears, the rotation of which sets the chuck in motion. Most often, such tools are open. not involving the use of a protective case.

The main advantage of this design is maximum ease of application of lubricants.

As for the location of the gears, the larger one is connected to the handle, and the smaller one is connected to the chuck. Another feature of such drills is the presence of a handle, thanks to which you can securely fix the tool during operation.

How to work with a drill?

To successfully solve problems using the described tool, it is enough to adhere to useful recommendations.

• If a performer needs standard hole placement, he should pay attention to drill placement. During operation, it should be at right angles to the surface, without deviations in any direction. As for inclined holes, then to obtain them, you should position the drill at the required angle.
• When completing drilling, it is necessary to reduce not only the rotational speed, but also the pressure. in order to avoid damage to the cutting tool. In addition, the fulfillment of this condition negates the probability of loss of balance by the master.
• To use a hand drill as a screwdriver, it is enough to fix a bit with a suitable tip in its holder. The mixer is also attached there. in situations where the tool in question performs the function of a mixer.

At the end of the work, the hand drill remains thoroughly cleaned of dust, shavings or sawdust.

Two-speed

The considered type of hand drill assumes the presence of a multiplier. a mechanical device, which is also called an accelerator.

It consists of gears located on different axes in one housing, due to which the speed of rotation changes.

In order to change the speed of such a drill, it is enough to install the handle on the other side. This action leads to an increase or decrease in the gear ratio, which naturally affects the performance of the tool used. There are also such models of drills in which a longitudinal displacement of the axis of rotation of the handle is provided for changing the speed, and not the permutation mentioned above.

Also, power drills differ depending on the type of chuck used. Its design can provide for the presence of three or four cams. clamping elements that ensure reliable fixation of the rotating tool.

Varieties

Depending on the features of their design, the described tools are one- and two-speed. The former are used relatively rarely, which is explained by their low efficiency, while the latter are used much more often, since they have a more perfect design and are able to solve a variety of problems.

Minuses

One of the main drawbacks of hand drills is their massiveness, due to the specifics of the parts used. Provided that the latter are made of cast iron, the mass of the tool can reach 3 kg, creating certain difficulties for the performer during work and transportation. Another drawback of such drills is their large dimensions: as a rule, craftsmen do not consider it critical, however, some craftsmen refuse to use hand tools for this very reason.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the application of physical efforts provided for by working with power drills.

This circumstance leads to the fact that many performers give preference to the power tool. In addition, hand drills are significantly inferior to the latter in performance, and therefore are practically not used when performing large volumes of work.

pros

There are enough advantages to fully justify the use of the described tools.

• Simplicity of design. Due to the absence of a large number of components, power drills are easy to repair and do not need particularly careful maintenance. This allows you to significantly reduce the amount of time and money required to ensure the performance of the tool used. The solution to this problem does not differ in complexity: it involves the timely application of lubricants and the replacement of parts that have exhausted their working life.
• Reliability and durability. Experience shows that it is very difficult to break a hand drill, even with regular and very intensive use. This is due to the high quality of materials used in the manufacture of such tools (especially those that were produced during the Soviet era). Many power drills made several decades ago still serve successfully, repeatedly justifying their initial cost.

• Autonomy. The described tools do not need electrical power, and therefore they can be used anywhere. This advantage of hand drills is especially important for those who have to work far from the usual benefits of civilization.
• Democratic, while a used mechanical “assistant” will cost even less (about half). In addition to the technical condition, the cost of the tool is influenced by its dimensions, equipment, body material and the reputation of the manufacturer.

Most often, craftsmen prefer two-handed drills, using them to create small holes and grooves. Careful execution of such work involves precise control of the drilling depth and extremely careful rotation, for which the described tool is most suitable.

What is the difference between a drill and a screwdriver?

Hello everyone! In today’s article I will tell you how a drill differs from a screwdriver, since not everyone understands the difference between them and in the end they do not know what to choose.

To begin with, I propose to define the terms. If we start from the terminology of manufacturers, then screwdrivers they call the device shown in Figure 1. This is a network screwdriver with adjustable rotation speed, reverse, and also having a device thanks to which it is possible to avoid breaking the nozzle slots (bits).

Picture 1

And the manufacturers call drills both the machine shown in Figure 2 and the devices shown in Figure 3 and 4, which are popularly called screwdrivers (mains-powered or battery-powered) or simply screwdrivers.

Picture 2 Picture 3 Picture 4

In order not to get confused, in this article we will assign the following names to each unit:

• the tool from Figure 1 I will call the screwdriver
• from figure 2. drill
• from figures 3 and 4. drill-screwdriver.

At the same time, I note that the difficulties of choosing arise precisely between the last two types, since everything seems to be so clear with a conventional screwdriver. But I’ll describe all three devices early.

Screwdriver

The screwdriver can only be used for tightening self-tapping screws, since it has only a hexagonal seat for the bits. Although it should be said that there are drills with a hexagonal fit, like bits, but usually they are only of small diameters, and they are not everywhere on sale.

Thus, for this tool, we conclude that it can only be purchased for tightening self-tapping screws. At the same time, we remember that it is tied to the network, which means that it will not be possible to work with it autonomously.

It is most convenient to use this unit in any assembly shop, where work is carried out at one working place to screw in self-tapping screws or screws.

Drill

The main function of the drill is drilling. However, if there is an adjustment of revolutions and reverse (and they are now on most models), it can also be used as a screwdriver.

However, they lack any mechanism to automatically prevent bit stripping.

Often, when screwing a self-tapping screw with a drill, its cap can drown unnecessarily in the material, or the slots of the bit scroll in the cap, which can cause them to be ripped off.

Therefore, here you have to rely only on your hands and head.

According to the drill, the verdict will be as follows. Buy it if you are going to mainly drill. But keep in mind that sometimes it can also be used as a screwdriver. in the end, it is in any case more convenient than twisting with a screwdriver.

Drill driver

This tool is versatile. They can be drilled and screwed, without fear of ruining the bit or unnecessarily drowning the hat into the material.

There is a customizable mechanism (popularly referred to as a ratchet) through which the rotation passes. When a certain resistance set by you is reached, it simply turns with a click, and the bit remains in place, safe and sound.

In addition, the drill-screwdriver differs from a conventional electric drill also in that a gearbox is installed on it, which has a large gear ratio. Therefore, with the same engine power, the drill-driver has a greater torque value. This means that, for example, a power drill with a 400 W motor will have the same torque as a 700-800 W drill. However, the dimensions will be smaller.

The price paid for this is the lower number of maximum spindle revolutions. If on drills it reaches a value of 3000 rpm, then on drills their number is no more than 600-800. And if it is two-speed, then all the same, the revolutions will not exceed 1500 per minute.

Thus, we conclude that the drill-screwdriver is a good universal option, since it can perform most of both drilling and screwdriving work.

However, such a tool will not replace a drill in jobs that require high chuck rotation speed. This is, for example, drilling a brick, when the work takes place in percussion mode. And although there is an impact mechanism on some models of screwdrivers, due to the low speed, it is not very effective.

It is also worth remembering that they not only drill with drills, but also, for example, knead mortars using a mixing nozzle. And here, too, high speed is required. Therefore, a drill driver is also poorly suited for such work.

Separately, it should be said about cordless drills and screwdrivers. Firstly, it is drills-screwdrivers that are made with a battery, but there are no classic drills with a rotation speed of up to 3000 rpm with a battery.

Secondly, the use of battery technology has both advantages and disadvantages.

The pluses include the following things:

• autonomy of work. that is, the ability to work for a certain amount of time away from power grids with pre-charged batteries;
• no wires, which is convenient, for example, when working on the roof.

The downsides are the following points:

• aging of batteries. with frequent use, they usually last no more than 3 years, and if used rarely, they still age and in any case become unusable after 5-8 years, even if they just lie idle;
• the inability to immediately start work if it suddenly turned out that the batteries are discharged.

These are my thoughts on the matter. I hope that after reading the article, you understand for yourself which tool you need. Let me finish on this. until we meet again.!