Going smaller with Ryobi

[Gordon Stump]

My cordless tools like many others have been growing and growing. Starting with the old Makita 12 volt back in the 90s I am now on 18 and 24 volt cordless powerhouses. And they are heavy.

Some of my limited production work involves screwed-on rubber feet in hardwood with pre-drilled pilot holes. After blowing out my shoulder moving logs I could barely hold the driver/drills.

Why I am using drills with all I need is a screwdriver? Do they even make those little cordless screwdrivers like we had back in the 80s? I found the Ryobi 4 volt! $19.97

It is still working on a charge after 2 weeks! 476605
No clutch, just stop when it torques up. I love it. Thank you Ryobi.

[Jim Dwight]

Sorry the Ryobi isn't working for you. I use a couple 18V Ryobis and I like them but they are not small but they are pretty powerful. For smaller work, I like my bosch 12V the best, I have the one with multiple attachments. I also have a 12V Milwaukee. I busted the low speed gears on it doing work the Ryobi does fine but the high speed still works well. But the Bosch is smaller and lighter which seems to be what you need.

[Rich Engelhardt]

Do they even make those little cordless screwdrivers like we had back in the 80s? I have two really great battery powered screw drivers.
One is a "pistol grip" Dremel 7.2V. The little thing has got a lot of guts! With it's gearing, it drives like a 14V tool. It loses power quick though & since it's ancient, it runs down a lot quicker than it used to.

The other is(was) a B&D that came packaged as a freebie with a laser level. I was in Lowes on Sunday morning and they ran a special on the laser levels @ 50% off their already discounted clearance price. I think I paid $5 or $10 for it.
I used it enough to justify buying it.
The real star though was the small screwdriver. It had just enough power to do small jobs like putting on doorknobs & other "low power" tasks.

That little Ryobi reminds me of the B&D I had. I might have to take a look at one of those.

[Gordon Stump]

The difference now is the little 4 volt Ryobi is lithium.

[Maurice Mcmurry]

I like this idea! Those power screwdrivers can be handy. I still use one. The tiny old 6v and 7.2v Ryobi and Makita drills are also still used. I have learned how to replace the battery cells in the built battery type as well as battery pack versions. I created a "tiny hardware" a work station at the factory based on 4, small, old Ryobi 6v clutch drills. The small size and clutch is indispensable for simiskilled workers putting in hundreds of tiny screws. I converted the 4 Ryobi's to "corded" with a home made transformer and rectifier power supply made with parts from Mouser. Those 4 Ryobi's from 1998 are still in use. Lots of these "obsolete" tools are available on eBay and are often very cheap. My 9.6v Makita's are also used daily. I refuse to use an impact driver for woodworking. NiCd batteries work in the cold (unfortunately).

476633 476634

[Dave Sabo]

Lot out there :

https://www.skil.com/screwdriver-circuitsensor-onehandcollet-sd561201/

https://www.skil.com/screwdriver-pistolgrip-magneticbitstorage-sd561801/

https://www.amazon.com/Original-GEN-2-0-Screwdriver-Industrial-Technician/dp/B0845919P2/ref=asc_df_B0845919P2/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=563722789627&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1263859357021045857&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9010956&hvtargid=pla-885598060519&psc=1

https://www.dewalt.com/product/dcf680n1/8v-max-gyroscopic-screwdriver-1-battery-kit

https://www.dewalt.com/product/dcf682n1/8v-max-gyroscopic-inline-screwdriver?tid=578601

https://www.amazon.com/Makita-DF001DW-3-6V-Lithium-Ion-Screwdriver/dp/B01NC1VO3Q/ref=asc_df_B01NC1VO3Q/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309813767497&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5984549135328766969&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9010956&hvtargid=pla-390222220489&psc=1

[Derek Cohen]

The one that I find is amazing is a 3.6v Bosch IXO. Prices vary madly. I paid around $70 for one several years ago. Still going strong.

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/6123+19dNeL._AC_SX679_.jpg

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Jim Becker]

I use my Festool CSX drill/drivers for this kind of thing but I can see the appeal of even smaller drivers for household use.

[Carl Beckett]

I like the foldable screwdriver type designs. For years I used a Milwaukee at work. When it came time to replace it I went with a Makita. Highly recommend the format - not everything needs a large heavy cordless drill.

Mine is white (variable speed is essential). Looks something like this 7.2v system

https://www.amazon.com/Makita-DF012DSE-Lithium-Ion-Driver-Drill-Auto-Stop/dp/B071F4XTPK/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=makita%2Bcordless%2Bscrewdrive r&qid=1648475281&sprefix=makita%2Bcordless%2Bscrew%2Caps%2C66&sr=8-1&th=1

[Zachary Hoyt]

I've only had a couple of experiences with really small cordless tools. I was given a 3.6v cordless drill back in the 90s, and when I signed up for a checking account my bank gave me a cordless screwdriver of similar voltage. They both ran around 200-400 RPM and had so little torque that I could grab the chuck on the drill with my hand and keep it from turning, and the screwdriver would only turn screws with no resistance. I guess the technology has gotten a lot better since then. I use my 18v DeWalts for almost everything now, they're heavier but have lots of power. When I used to build wheelchair ramps (up until last fall) I used a plug-in DeWalt driver since I had to drive around 10 pounds of 2-1/2" and 3" screws in 6 hours on average. The corded driver is 0-2500 RPM so I could put in a deck screw in under a second.

[Dennis Jarchow]

I have the same Ryobi (Santa left it my stocking). I would use it more, as there are times when a regular drill driver is too big; but it is always dead. Like you said, even when it works it is pretty anemic.

[Maurice Mcmurry]

Thanks Gordon and Derek, Those looks like they would do the job that I keep the power screwdriver alive for. I will try to post some images next time I replace the cells.

[Dan Rude]

Before I found my M12 Milwaukee 1/4 in. Hex Screwdriver. I used the BD, then the Versa Pack model. They worked well for the time. I still have a C-Man impact screwdriver, I should see if it holds a charge still. I use the impact and drill the most. I have had several of the small pistol ones, various brands. They just haven't lasted, were great for a while but fell a part. Dan