Use your Drill/Driver as a Screwdriver
When you need to use your drill/driver as a screwdriver, we offer some tips on how to do it the right way.
01/06/2019
Today's quality brand drill/drivers allow you to have a dual-purpose power tool that can be used as a drill or as a screwdriver. But there are a few things that you should keep in mind if you are not sure how to use these tools.
1. Choose the right screwdriver bit
There are plenty of different types of screws out there, which is why you have so many different types of screwdriver bits. One accessory that will save you time is a standard bit holder.
The standard bit holder fits into a drill/driver and makes it easy to quickly change screwdriver bits. And when you consider how many different types of screwdriver bits there are, spending about R50 on a standard bit holder is definitely worth the cost.
If you are not sure of the type of screw that you need to loosen/tighten, look at the diagram below that shows the profile you will see at the top of the screw. Phillips screws look like a basic cross shape while Pozi screws have additional markings that make it look more like a star shape.
You will obviously select the screwdriver bit based on the type of screw you need to loosen or tighten. Until recently, the most common screw used was the Phillips, but more modern pieces will now also have Pozi screws.
2. Set for 'screwdriver' function
Most drill/drivers generally have two settings: one for screwdriving function and the second for drilling function. Newer models may also incorporate a hammer setting for when drilling into masonry and concrete. When using your drill/driver as a screwdriver, you need to have control over the process of tightening or loosening screws, so using this setting is essential. If you forget to activate the screwdriver function, you will find that the tool has too much power and it may prove difficult to control.
3. Choose the correct torque or power setting
When using my own drill/driver, it is a routine that I generally place the torque/speed setting at around 75 percent. At that setting you should be able to complete most tasks and it's a medium setting that will get the job done.
GOOD TO KNOW: When using your drill/driver on screwdriver function and your tool has a clutch, make sure the clutch is set on position '1'.
