What is the difference between a wrench and an electric screwdriver. Type of chuck

Screwdrivers and wrenches. Distinctions

In the household construction arsenal is necessarily a tool for tightening and loosening screw connections. Usually such a device is an electric screwdriver or wrench. Both devices perform a rotary function and make it easier to work with the fasteners. But despite the similar mechanism of action, these tools also have significant differences. In this article we will analyze which device is more convenient, and how you can turn one into the other.

To begin with, let us highlight the characteristics of each device, and then compare them with each other.

an electric screwdriver is an electric hand-held tool for screwing and unscrewing fasteners: screws, bolts, self-tapping screws, etc.д.

There are several variations of this device:

• How they are powered: cordless and cordless. The former are easier and more commonly used in the home. The latter are indispensable when working outdoors or on sites without access to power grids.
• By efficiency: percussive and nonpercussive. The impact models are more powerful, more productive and more popular. And hammerless screwdrivers are characterized by high speed and precision.

an electric screwdriver is used for furniture assembly, minor repairs. Some models are equipped with additional functionality:

• support drill function and can replace your drill;
• with special nozzles can serve as a replacement for an Allen wrench;
• the speed control and adjustment of the ratchet mechanism allows precise tightening of screws to the desired torque level.

The impact wrench is a more specialized device. Structurally, it is similar to a drill and an electric screwdriver, but the difference is in the shape of the holder. The installed nozzle is suitable for working only with bolts and nuts.

Impact wrenches are classified in several ways. According to the type of power are distinguished:

Another characteristic indicator is the mechanism of action. A distinction is made between impulse and impact models. The former are suitable for work with complex connections, as they have a high torque. up to 2000 Nm. The disadvantage of this type of equipment is the low speed. up to 15 rpm.

Impact wrenches have a high power output of about 4 kW. They are considered more productive and have gained more popularity among craftsmen.

The impact wrench works well on complex jobs unlike an electric screwdriver. Thanks to its high power, it can screw or unscrew even very tight fasteners. But simple tasks can pose problems. For example, screwing in self-tapping screws requires special skills, because the nutrunner can tear the head or drive the fastener deep.

Attachment mechanism is another key difference. The electric screwdriver has a chuck, but the nutrunner has a rod with a wrench head instead. therefore, a special adapter is needed in order to use the nozzles.

• Dimensions. The wrench is larger and heavier than an electric screwdriver because of its design. Powerful battery requires a lot of space and weighs more.
• Functionality. Screwdrivers usually have more additional features: speed control, multiple speeds, backlight, ratchet mechanism, multiple attachments.
• Tangential Impact. The mechanism of an electric screwdriver does not support the tangential impact function.
• Effectiveness. The impact wrench is able to apply more force, so it works more effectively on tighteners.

Main principle: tangential impact

This is a very special kind of impact, not at all the kind you find in torches or drills. To help you understand, imagine you put a wrench on a nut and hit it with a hammer, working harder and harder. It is the same in our case: first the tool rapidly turns the screw or nut and then, when you need more or less force, it switches to a more or less frequent impact.How it works? The impact is provided by the so-called “hammer”, which moves back and forth under the action of the spring. When moving forward, the “hammer” at some point engages the “anvil” (it is part of the spindle) and thus transmits an angular momentum.

What’s better to choose. a wrench or an electric screwdriver

Whether a nutrunner or an electric screwdriver is better, depending on the application. The last machine is the right choice for standard tasks around the house. It can easily cope with the tightening of any fasteners, in some cases it will replace a drill. The device for mounting screws does not take much space in the toolbox, the advantageous differences can be attributed to the small weight and compact size. The device is inexpensive, there are many budget models on the market.

The device for mounting nuts and bolts is considered a professional tool. often used in workshops and assembly shops. The tool is not recommended for tightening screws at all. One of the differences of a nutrunner from an electric screwdriver is that the first uses a tangential blow, which can simply tear off the flats of fasteners.

The differences of the device for tightening the nuts can include a higher power

What is better: a nutrunner or an electric screwdriver for the ice drill

The ice drill for winter fishing is often equipped with auxiliary tools. As a rule, regular drills and screwdrivers are used. They help to quickly make a hole in a hard surface without burdening the fisherman’s luggage too much.

If necessary the ice drill can be equipped with a device for work with nuts and bolts. But it is worth choosing it only if there are no alternatives. The tool is heavier, has less power reserve for autonomous work and can be discharged right during the application. Besides it’s easier to use an electric screwdriver on an ice drill than a specialized device for nut fixing, because of its differences in principle.

Which is better to choose

Deciding to choose a nutrunner or an electric screwdriver, you should be guided by the specifics and scope of tasks. If it’s an everyday use at home, in a garage, or in an office, an electric screwdriver is powerful enough.

If the owner’s activity is associated with the maintenance of vehicles, repair work, the choice is better to opt for a screwdriver.

Individual tools have an impact mode, but the specialization of the impact wrench is already. You can’t use it as a drill or you need a drill adapter. Fixing the fastening elements (nuts, bolts) by means of a nutrunner is much stronger. This is of key importance in many situations, for example when changing a wheel.

How to convert

Old electric screwdriver should not be thrown away. It can be quickly converted to a screwdriver. To do this, you need to disassemble the body of the screwdriver, connecting afterwards the contacts on the output to the drive. This change of design has a small disadvantage: the charger has a large size, which causes some inconvenience during work.

Several power unit options are available for use with the wrench. For example, when disassembling the battery case of an electric screwdriver, there is enough space for a new power supply. This method of modification does not require changing the chip, but it makes it necessary to buy a new power supply. In addition, the PSU can overheat if it is used for an extended period of time. To avoid this it is recommended to drill a few holes in the body of the battery, which will serve as ventilation.

It is not impossible to produce BP by your own hands. You must have all the necessary parts, as well as understand the circuitry of the device. This method does not require significant material costs, and allows you to use without loss of low-voltage power cable.

A remodeled tool whose PSU will be located on the outside of the case will have low mobility and bulky dimensions. The best version of the PSU, located externally, is the power supply from the computer. It can be purchased inexpensively at a salvage yard.

When you connect the PSU to the tool, you must take into account that the cross section of the cable should not be less than 2, 5 mm. Otherwise, there is no way to avoid voltage loss in the cable.

To connect the battery it is recommended to follow this sequence of actions:

• Resolder wires on the battery charger.
• Disassemble the battery.
• Drill a hole in the battery housing for the electrical wire.
• The empty space left in the housing should be filled with rubber.
• Solder the wire to the cable.
• Assemble the tool body.

Lack of a screwdriver can be corrected by assembling it yourself from an electric screwdriver. Such a tool will serve for a long time.

What is the difference between a screwdriver and an electric screwdriver

A screwdriver is a highly specialized device designed for screwing or removing self-tapping screws, screws, and screws. The tool works by angular pulse technology and screws fasteners into the surface of wood or metal with a tangent impact.

The advantages of the technique include several differences:

• high power. the tool copes with long fasteners of large diameter;
• compatibility with all kinds of slots;
• economical power consumption.

Power tool with its positive differences are used not only at home, but also in workshops, at service stations and on construction sites.

Warning! The disadvantages of units include noisy operation and lack of clamp adjustment.

Screwdrivers are available as cordless or corded machines

As for the electric screwdriver, this power tool is considered more versatile. It is not only suitable for installing screws and bolts, but also for other work. The device is equipped with a chuck in which both bits and drills can be installed. In contrast to the power tool for screwing fasteners, the unit supports speed adjustment. Can be used to drill holes, some models are equipped with an impact mode.

Among the main positive features of the technique can be named:

The devices are very common in home use, but their power is usually lower than that of highly specialized units.

It is best to use an electric screwdriver for small screw lengths and diameters

What is the difference between a screwdriver and an electric screwdriver drill

The difference between an electric screwdriver and a screwdriver is that devices from the first category are often equipped with an additional drill mode. They can work not only on screwing in and removing fasteners, but also on drilling, if a special chuck is installed in the chuck. This greatly extends the application range of the machines.

Narrowly specialized devices do not support drill mode and are not designed for making holes in surfaces. They can be used only for work with fasteners.

Performing assembly work

The first piles are screwed into the corners of the foundation After marking the land for construction, places for their installation are determined. Previously, small holes are dug by immersing the tip that has a helical blade into the ground. Screwing in the helical piles begins with the products located in the corners of the foundation. Then all the others are aligned in height.

If it is not possible to level during installation because some screws can no longer be screwed into the ground, they are cut to the correct height. It should be borne in mind:

• Installation should be carried out vertically. To do this you should periodically check the installation process with a magnet or water level;
• Do not screw another one in place of the unscrewed one.

The main differences

An electric screwdriver is a tool for installing a variety of fasteners. If equipped with an adapter and a socket head, it can also be used as a socket wrench. Only small jobs can be done with an electric screwdriver. The nutrunners are professional tools. The devices differ from each other in the following ways:

• Power. Screwdrivers are less powerful than wrenches. There are wrench models that are equipped with a gasoline engine and are used in the railroad industry.
• Weight. Screwdrivers weigh less than a screwdriver. The weight of a “domestic” wrench does not exceed a couple of kilos. The pneumatic or hydraulic wrenches common in industry weigh many times more.
• Dimensions. Professional impact wrenches are up to 60 cm long, screwdrivers are approx. 20 cm long.
• The chuck. The wrenches do not weigh more than a couple of kilos. Not designed with a chuck. Instead, the tool is equipped with a rod that has a special attachment for socket wrenches;
• Functionality. An electric screwdriver is designed for installing various types of fasteners: bits with a straight and Phillips head, circular shears, nozzles for chamfering bolts, polishing, cutting metal. mainly used in construction work, for screwing or drilling in low-density materials. With an adapter it can be used for tightening nuts or as a conventional drill. The nutrunner does not excite with its multifunctionality. It is designed only for tightening and loosening nuts with bolts of various diameters.

• Impact mechanism. The impact wrench is not designed for drilling holes, its impact block is used for the gradual loosening of a stuck bolt and has a different operating principle than an electric screwdriver. The latter has a direct impact on the bit, while a nutrunner has an angular impulse.
• Resistant to stress. The wrench is wear-resistant, t.к. Equipped with a more powerful motor. The competitor is not designed for heavy work.
• Accessories. an electric screwdriver works with bits and drills; a nutrunner only has screw heads.

• Cost. The difference is not in favor of the impact wrench.

Tool selection by manufacturer

The quality of any construction equipment directly depends on the manufacturer. Each company ranks in 1-2 segments of the construction tool market in both cost and features.

For work at home, you can consider tools from well-known manufacturers such as Hitashi, Hummer or Bosch. The equipment of these companies is characterized by good performance, high reliability, modern design and a large number of additional functions. Dewait and Makita brands specialize more in professional equipment, although they also produce screwdrivers for domestic use.

But to buy an electric screwdriver only because of the brand. means to overpay up to ¼ of the declared value, because in this case, in addition to the functional features of the device, you will still pay for the name. In most models of the world’s famous brands are also built in a lot of additional functions that you may not even once use in the home.

Comparing all the characteristics of an electric screwdriver with your needs, evaluating its design and ergonomics, you can make the right choice and not be disappointed in it when carrying out work.

At the word drill, we recall with unkind words our neighbor and his long repairs. And when faced with small domestic problems, we go to him for the cherished device. Having settled our problems, every time we are going to buy a drill for the house, so that the indispensable assistant was always at hand. We suggest not to put off the right decision for an indefinite period and proceed to the selection of the device. It remains only to understand its types and decide what is better to choose: an electric screwdriver, drill or wrench?

The device is designed to perform work related to drilling various materials: wood, metal, glass, plastic. In other words, if you need to hang a picture, a shelf, a curtain rod, an electric drill will come to your aid. In turn, it can become a more functional device, because it is divided into the following types:

Impact drill. Its main difference is that it has an eccentric, which during operation adds some impact torque to the drill. If you need to make a hole in a concrete or brick wall, then an impact drill is your choice.

Mixer drill. It can be called a highly specialized device, which can be useful on construction sites for the preparation of concrete mortars or other mixtures. As a rule, it is rarely the choice, it is much better to choose an impact drill with different attachments.

Electric screwdriver drill. It differs from a conventional device in that it can screw in screws. Due to the low weight of the device, the drill is mainly used for domestic work.

Drill with an accelerator. Universal device can be used not only for drilling, but also when you need to chisel walls. It is not quite right to compare it to an impact drill, because this tool has an electro-pneumatic mechanism, which makes it a powerful and reliable device.

To choose the right drill is not enough to know its types. Below we consider the classification of tools according to their cost and functionality.

Buying tools, you should know that they are divided into 3 types:

Economy class. They do not stand out with great power, but will quite cope with small jobs. Basically there are tools from Asian companies or little-known European manufacturers.

Budget models. Among the producers are Interskol, Zubr. The drills are characterized by good performance and reliability.

Professional models. They are characterized by high power, practicality and will last for many years. The most well-known brands are Makita, DeWALT, AEG.

When deciding which drill to choose, look at your individual requirements. The best option for home tasks. these are budget models. If you need a tool for repair and construction work, then it is better to trust the company Makita.

What is the difference between a drill, an electric screwdriver, and a nutrunner??

Knowing what a drill is, you can understand the purpose of other tools as well. Electric screwdriver and wrench is a tool that looks similar to a “gun”, having a convenient handle for gripping. The main task of such tools is to screw or unscrew self-tapping screws, screws, nuts, screws. Use them for drilling is possible, but not recommended, because they do not have the necessary power.

If you need to choose an electric screwdriver for home, you can stop at a regular budget model. If it is necessary to carry out work related to drilling, especially metal, then even a professional electric screwdriver will not help here, so it is better to buy a drill.

There are still folk uses for the tool. Fishermen use an electric screwdriver for the ice drill during winter fishing. Another use for it is to stir various mixtures or paints. Choosing a good tool is quite easy if you clearly understand what you need it for.

Which tool is better cordless or electric?

The power supply of the device is one of the important points when choosing any technique. There are the following types of tools:

An electric drill. In this case, it becomes clear that for the functioning of an electric screwdriver or drill, it is necessary to connect to the socket. Such a tool is convenient to use at home, but it is not suitable for outdoor work. When selecting it, you should pay attention to the length of the wire, its insulation and attachment to the drill. It must be reliable so that the cord does not break during use of the tool.

Cordless electric screwdriver. Basically pay attention to the battery capacity, the larger it is, the longer the drill can work uninterrupted. It should be taken into account that it is desirable to buy an electric screwdriver for the home with a small weight, and a more powerful battery increases the weight of the device. There are the following types of batteries:

NiCd. Advantages include low cost and resistance to frost. If you need an electric screwdriver for work that requires the tool to be switched on immediately, this type is not suitable. Because the battery requires a discharge and then a full charge cycle.

NiMH. Such a battery also requires a full cycle of charging and discharging. Advantages include light weight and good battery capacity.

Li-Ion. A cordless electric screwdriver with this battery is the most successful option. The tool can be charged at any time, it does not weigh much. True, it does not withstand frost and is not cheap.