RC10Talk - The Net's Largest Vintage R/C Community

Been out of the hobby for awhile and my hands can't handle a build without some help anymore. Any suggestion on a good cordless, compact screwdriver?

Ive gotten excellent service from my Bosch pocket driver. The batteries last a long time and its easy to control when tightening screws.

Limestang

The Hitachi DB-3DL or it's replacement the DB-3DL2 is the one to have and got to be the most popular for r/c use, but not cheap. Unlike the Bosch IXO and the like, the Hitachi has a mechanical torque control clutch to stop you stripping threads when tightening screws, a torque control that goes soft enough to protect our small screws in plastic mouldings so you can use it to screw our cars together without stripping threads. And you can lock it and use it as a normal screwdriver if the screws are too tight.

Whatever you choose make sure it's lithium-ion, they stay charged up for weeks so it's always ready to go sitting in your toolbox.

Black and Decker's current line is pretty decent and has some pretty competitive pricing.

http://www.blackanddecker.com/power-tools/LI4000.aspx

I keep a Black & Decker LDX172 7.2V LI drill in my track box. Not being variable speed is a little frustrating at times, but the clutch works fine to avoid stripping screws. I usually run them in with the drill and then torque by hand anyway. I chose the drill over a driver because more than once I've needed to poke holes (or enlarge existing ones), and a driver is just not well suited to that task.

For $30, it's pretty hard to beat.

http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-CLPK22-120-12-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Batteries/dp/B005GT0IWK

You cannot go wrong with these. A little pricey, but usually around the holidays, Lowe's has them discounted. Good for use in the hobby or around the house. The impact driver is awesome. Lightweight, plenty of power, led lights.

Probably overkill and overpriced, but I use the following Snap On:

http://store.snapon.com/CTS561CL-Series-Cordless-Screwdrivers-7-2V--Screwdriver-Cordless-7-2V-No-charger-or-batteries--P647099.aspx

Got a deal off the truck.

My hands are a problem also I have a craftsman companion(4aa batterys) and 2 Ryobi Tec4's...hope this helps since they are fairly cheep!!!

The Hitachi is only $62 @ Amazon. Seems cheap to me. -J

This is what I use. DCF610S2 . I think it was $99 for the driver, 2 lithium batteries and charger. Twin led lights, holds 1/4" drivers, clutch works well.

I got one of these at Costco for like $30 a while back and so far its working well.

http://www.amazon.com/Channel-Driver-Compact-Cordless-Drill/dp/B005YQ7YIQ

The adapter will take normal sized inserts like drill bits and 1/4" drive sockets. I mostly use it for taking wheels off and putting them on, since my hex and torx bits don't fit it (too small).