Screws are simple things to look at, but the service they perform all over the home is nothing less than spectacular. From drywall screws for walls and ceilings to Tapcon masonry screws to coated deck screws, these fasteners are everywhere. The trick has always been how to install them efficiently and without stripping the heads.
Driving Screws the Old Way
Tradesmen in the old ways had two choices; use a regular screwdriver, often after drilling a pilot hole in hardwood, or using a Stanley Yankee. The Yankee is a simple push-pull tool that was quite an innovation.
The problem with both these method is that they were slow. That's not so much of a problem for a homeowner fixing things up, but for the professional construction worker or remodeling contractor, it's a production-killer. Lower production rates equals lower profits. Power tool manufacturers were listening.
Using Hand-Held Drills with Screw Bits
It wasn't long before people figured out they could chuck a flat-blade or Phillips screw bit into that old corded Black and Decker drill and speed things up. This was a great solution-in-progress except that screw heads tended to strip out, and face it, it was just a pain to drag that cord around.
Enter the cordless drill and screwgun. Again, tool manufacturers were listening. First they intoduced the corded screwgun for hanging drywall. Milwaukee made one of the best but Makita introduced its model which was just as powerful but much lighter.
The next step was moving into the cordless drill market. The challenge was battery capacity. Recently, battery technology had advanced to the point where major production levels accompanied by screw-driving strength was possible.
Enter Cordless Impact Drivers
Cordless drills have been commonplace for awhile now but they're bulky and still tend to strip out screw heads when working with dense materials like oak trim or steel. Cordless impact drivers address both those concerns.
These drivers are more compact, allowing access to tighter spots such as when using a Kreg K4 pocket hole jig. The “impact” quality virtually eliminates stripping and the battery quality is excellent. For example, the 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 3-Speed Brushless Motor Impact Driver from Makita has three different impact settings and the brushless motor provides up to 20% longer battery life per charge. This is a decided advantage on jobs like installing Trex and hardwood decking.
Following the lead on other newer power tools, laser lights are incorporated for accuracy on many models. This may seem like a toy feature until you've used it a while, and then you're stuck. Even in a stagnant economy, the construction tool industry is still innovating and prospering.
Kelly Smith - Kelly has over 30 years experience as a journeyman carpenter and 20 as a freelance writer and photographer.
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