Child Item

Drill for Self Drilling Screws

I am planning to line a Colorbond shed, screwing 12mm plywood to the galvanised C section girts. I’ll likely use 40mm self drilling, counter sunk screws with a phillips head. I’m unsure which is the best drill for the job, a hammer drill or a drill with a clutch. I have a couple hundred screws to fix. I’d appreciate thoughts on drill type selection. Thanks.

Find more posts tagged with

Building and Construction

Accepted answers

All comments

MitchellMc

Hi @Lawzy,

You can use a standard drill driver for this job. However, you might like to grab an Ozito 280W 10mm Drill Driver as it functions similarly but with more power. This would allow you to drive the screws faster. You wouldn't use a hammer drill as that's got a percussion function for masonry, but you could use an impact driver with a rotational impact force. An impact driver has more torque than a drill driver and typically will have a higher RPM.

If you need an excuse to purchase an impact driver, then I'd say this is the opportunity for it. Though, you can get by with a drill driver.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

Jewelleryrescue

Hi @Lawzy

I have used ozito tools and for the price they do some very very good work for there price. The drill @MitchellMc is good for general drilling and screwing but the trick to using a standard driver is to put solid pressure behind the drill so the tip remains turning the screw. Less pressure will see the tip start slipping and burring the screw and the driver tip. So this can be taxing on you and the screw driver tip.

I use drills all the time so it is worth for me personally buying higher grade tools you know what your needs are the best so take that into consideration as to following my offered advice

A cordless 18v "Impact drill" as it will hang onto those screws and driver them in with the least amount of effort for the users.

Also buy a quality magnetised screw driver tips suited the fastners you are using as you spending half the time picking up loose screws off the ground. Cheap driver tips self destruct quickly avoid.

I personally would look at buying The following Bosch combo kit from bunnings I using them today as it has 2 batteries a quick charger two drills the impact driver you need and a hammer drill for masionary or general work around the house. I work my drills hard and these stand a good deal of solid work and a very powerfull and will wrench out your hand if you dont have a firm grip in some work situations. The only bug bear is the 18v batteries need charging after 1 hours solid work so bring the second battery to work site and the charger so you can keep working. The impact driver only uses the standard hex driver tip inserts.. The drill has a keyless chuck for drill bits etc.

You can spend $500 plus on bosch pro range but for the extra $ I dont think is worth it.

Re your shed job why dont you also consider installing foam 10mm insulation behind the ply if you might like a cooler/warmer shed. I buy it cheaply on ebay. You know what you need the best.

Good luck have fun.

Bosch Blue 18V 2 Piece Combo Kit with 2 x 4.0AH Li-ION Batteries 0615990M1E

I/N: 0201018 $359

Versatile: Impact Driver & Hammer Drill Combo
Compatible: All batteries can be used for both new and existing tools in the same voltage class – thanks to the Flexible Power System
High-performance: Cordless freedom with corded performance – thanks to powerful tools, long-lasting batteries and innovative charging solutions perfectly adapted to each other.

This Bosch Blue Kit Includes:
1 x GSB 18V-21 Impact Drill
1 x GDR 18V-160 1/4" Hex Impact Driver
1 x GAL 18V-40 Fast Charger
2 x GBA 18V 4.0AH Li-ION Batteries
1 x Cordless Tool Bag

The GSB 18V-21 Impact Drill is an entry level drill driver with professional performance. Features 55Nm of torque, a full metal gearbox, electronic cell protection and a 13mm keyless chuck.

MitchellMc

Hi again @Lawzy,

I thought I'd throw together a little video showing the difference in driving speed between a drill driver and an impact driver. The difference is quite remarkable, with the impact drill working at twice the speed. To keep the comparison fair, the impact driver is set at max speed, and the drill driver is placed in drill mode at high speed. The video starts at the precise moment both motors engage.

Pretty cool to see the difference, hey!

Mitchell

Lawzy

Thanks Mitchell the impact driver it is then.

Lawzy

@Jewelleryrescue Thanks for the guide and the recommendation.

Jewelleryrescue

Great video @MitchellMc clear to see the impact drill is the winner to the new viewers of that video the faster use of impact driver is impressive and true. But theres more to it you cant see going on I know many have also experianced.

@Lawzy I thin you made right choice ie impact drill for so many screws. Enjoy your project.

Notice in the video how the drill user has to struggle to maintain control for a longer time? and that video is taken in a good drilling position now think about drilling over head or down low. Or imagine screwing with the drill out at arms reach its soo hard to get and maintain that drilling pressure and steadyness to start the screw in the first place. The more you work, the more fatigued you will get the harded it is to get those screws in straight and undamaged first time. A regular drill driver can do the job it is just so much harder and more experiance comes into play.

(one Screwing tip: if you have a hard screwing location pre drill a smaller hole than the screw dia this will help you greatly to start the screw and keep it straight going in. If the screw goes crooked it wont screw any more as the screw and the driver tip no longer aligned try reversing screw and going again)

I was using a standard drill/ screw driver for about 200 years and one day I used an impact driver on a job for using screws and it was so much physically easier especially on odd angles like inside cupboards with a smaller body to the impact drill also was highly benifical. I learnt some thing new and important that day.

Child Item