Drills + Cordless screwdriver
−7%
EUR139,– was EUR149,–
Bosch Professional GSR 10.8-2-LI Set
Rechargeable battery operated
My largest DIY fail? A bad electric screwdriver
11/4/2024
Translation: Eva Francis
The thing with electric screwdrivers? Some are really good, some aren’t that good and others are useless. I owned the latter – for far too long.
Born into a DIY-loving family, I learnt early on how to assemble furniture. What began with euphorically buying new furniture usually ended around midnight in a desperate last-minute attempt to fix a cupboard door properly or unscrew the wrong screws from a board. At the time, I didn’t realise the problem wasn’t only my failure to read instructions properly, but also my cordless screwdriver, which I’d bought at a famous multinational furniture company.
After moving house for the third time, I had enough of the slowest cordless screwdriver in the world. I abandoned it on the street with a sign saying «help yourself» and bought a new one. Looking back, I wholeheartedly apologise to the person who picked up that useless old thing. You deserve better, too.
Good electric screwdrivers make the world a better place
All those people who still assemble their DIY birdhouses with a manual screwdriver deserve better, too. I promise, with an electric screwdriver, you won’t only have fewer blisters on your fingers, but also more time to build even more birdhouses. Win-win-win for you, the birds and the world.
Two batteries are better than one
Getting a spare battery is my pro tip. Trust me, I’d have had a far better and longer first night’s sleep in my new home if I’d had a second battery. How come? Well, I had been attempting to assemble my bed frame when the battery of my screwdriver died. So I was forced to spend the first night on the floor while the battery was recharging. Now that I have a back-up battery, I’m on the safe side and never have to deal with long charging times again. That’s the way I like it.
Screw bits make the world go round
Good screw bits are a blessing. I've been experiencing this since I was given a high-quality screwdriver bit set. They don’t break and, most importantly, they don’t break the screws. And because I’m prone to losing small things, I’ve just bought a second set. Now I really enjoy assembling furniture. Seriously, I do.
Bits
EUR42,56
Bosch Professional Zubehör Impact Bit Set 36 pcs.
Cross Phillips PH M1, Cross Phillips PH M2, Cross Pozidriv PZ M2, Cross Phillips PH M3, Cross Pozidriv PZ M3
Bits
EUR15,56
Bosch Zubehör Screwdriver bit set with colour coding
Hexagon socket TX M10, Hexagon socket TX M15, Hexagon socket TX M20, Hexagon socket TX M30, Cross Phillips PH M1, Cross Phillips PH M2, Hexagon socket TX M25, Hexagon socket TX M27, Hexagon socket TX M40, Cross Pozidriv PZ M1, Cross Pozidriv PZ M2, Cross Phillips PH M3, Cross Pozidriv PZ M3
Bits
EUR17,61
Makita P-73352 Bit-Set 31 parts indoor TORX
Hexagon socket TX M7, Hexagon socket TX M8, Hexagon socket TX M9, Hexagon socket TX M10, Hexagon socket TX M15, Hexagon socket TX M20, Hexagon socket TX M25, Hexagon socket TX M27, Hexagon socket TX M30, Hexagon socket TX M40
EUR42,56
Bosch Professional Zubehör Impact Bit Set 36 pcs.
Cross Phillips PH M1, Cross Phillips PH M2, Cross Pozidriv PZ M2, Cross Phillips PH M3, Cross Pozidriv PZ M3
EUR15,56
Bosch Zubehör Screwdriver bit set with colour coding
Hexagon socket TX M10, Hexagon socket TX M15, Hexagon socket TX M20, Hexagon socket TX M30, Cross Phillips PH M1, Cross Phillips PH M2, Hexagon socket TX M25, Hexagon socket TX M27, Hexagon socket TX M40, Cross Pozidriv PZ M1, Cross Pozidriv PZ M2, Cross Phillips PH M3, Cross Pozidriv PZ M3
EUR17,61
Makita P-73352 Bit-Set 31 parts indoor TORX
Hexagon socket TX M7, Hexagon socket TX M8, Hexagon socket TX M9, Hexagon socket TX M10, Hexagon socket TX M15, Hexagon socket TX M20, Hexagon socket TX M25, Hexagon socket TX M27, Hexagon socket TX M30, Hexagon socket TX M40
I’ve got my home covered
The key difference between my first cheap electric screwdriver (the one from the multinational furniture company) and my current mid-range one is the torque control. My current model features a multi-stage control that allows me to adjust the power it outputs onto the drill bits and the screws. This means I can finally screw screws through hard wood, pull old and cheap screws out of a wall or drill small holes in a wall. My previous one couldn’t perform any of these tasks.
Editor Carolin’s already covered how to find the right screwdriver for you. My two cents? Invest in a good one.
What’s your best DIY buy? Let me know in the comments!
Header image: Stefanie Lechthaler
Painting the walls just before handing over the flat? Making your own kimchi? Soldering a broken raclette oven? There's nothing you can't do yourself. Well, perhaps sometimes, but I'll definitely give it a try.