Brushless or brushless screwdriver: which is more useful?

A screwdriver is a very useful tool in everyday life, even for a woman. Shelves, mechanisms, everything is fixed with fasteners: bolts, screws or self-tapping screws. It’s one thing when there are only a few of them – a screwdriver is enough. However, if you need to assemble furniture, make repairs, or move to a new apartment, then you cannot do without a reliable brushed or brushless screwdriver.

Differences between a brushless and brushed screwdriver

The design of a brushless screwdriver does not have a commutator unit with brushes, which is why these models are also called brushless. This unit consists of brushes that rub against the rotor and supply electricity to it. With their help, the windings are switched, creating a magnetic field that drives the motor rotor. The functions of the collector in a brushless tool are performed by an electronic unit in which switching occurs with the help of transistors and other elements.

By replacing the collector with an electronic board, manufacturers were able to eliminate some of the weaknesses of electric motors and increase efficiency. In this regard, it can be argued that brushless screwdrivers are superior to their brushed counterparts in almost all respects. However, there remain nuances that allow the latter the right to exist.

Device, pros and cons

Electric screwdrivers differ from each other in their power supply principle: there are mains ones with a power supply of 220 volts and portable ones equipped with a battery. In addition, models can be equipped with a striking mechanism. No other fundamental innovations have been introduced over the last decade, with the exception of one – a brushless mechanism.

Brush screwdriver

The most common type - a commutator motor - is installed on most models. Its operating principle is simple: the windings are switched mechanically and in the armature chain. The contacts are a collector, and energy is transferred thanks to spring-loaded brushes.

Strengths:

• old, reliable technology;
• low cost of parts;
• simplicity and clarity of repair.

Flaws:

• collector lead to energy losses, which means lower efficiency;
• occurrence of sparks, heating of the motor;
• interdependence of speed and torque;
• power losses during reverse operation;
• rapid wear;
• loss of speed under load.

The brush motor has many weaknesses, but they can be justified by cheap components and ease of repair - this is a more affordable option.

Brushless screwdriver

With inverter models the situation is the opposite. They are more efficient and more suitable for the job. Advantages:

• the ability to control the rotation speed: the user receives a wide range of settings - the rotation can be adjusted, depending on the nature of the work and the surface being processed.
• the engine does not provide a commutator-brush assembly, which means that the tool will break less often (if it is used correctly), and maintenance will not cause problems due to the simplicity of the design;
• models cope more effectively with increased load caused by high torque;
• battery power, if it is a portable screwdriver, is consumed more economically;
• higher efficiency - brushless motor produces 90%;
• the ability to operate the tool in a hazardous environment: near gas mixtures and flammable substances (the inverter motor operates without a spark);
• the same power is maintained in forward and reverse mode;
• increased load does not lead to a decrease in rotation speed.

Weak sides:

• high price;
• the large size of the body, when compared with brush models, makes it difficult to work at arm's length or penetrate into tight spaces.

When choosing, it is important to pay attention to the type of battery inside the screwdriver. If you think correctly, then the tool will serve the owner faithfully for many years without loss of performance.

Dimensions

The commutator unit is up to half the length of the rotor, therefore, a motor without brushes will be much smaller, while maintaining its power. At the same time, the difference in the weight of screwdrivers can reach several hundred grams. This feature will be appreciated by those who work with professional tools, when they have to screw in hundreds of screws every day. But for domestic needs this parameter may not be critical.

Also find out how to remove a screwdriver cartridge: https://myinstrumenty.ru/elektroinstrument/kak-snyat-patron-s-shurupoverta/

How to choose?

To work effectively with a brushless screwdriver, you should be very responsible when choosing a model when purchasing. The store inspects the main characteristics of the instrument and other nuances:

1. Purpose of acquisition. First, you need to decide what tasks you plan to perform using a brushless screwdriver. If you purchase it for professional needs, of course you should take the most powerful and reliable tool. It will have a more capacious battery, additional functions and settings, and a wide range of equipment. If the tool is purchased for domestic use, you should not choose a professional, expensive model; you can limit yourself to a simpler option.
2. Workpiece material. Here it is important to decide which surfaces the brushless screwdriver will come into contact with. To work productively with metal, a rotation speed above 1200 rpm is required (professional tools offer them). When drilling wood, 400 revolutions of a household model will be enough.
3. Torque and operating voltage. In household models, these characteristics are at the level of 15-20 Nm and 9.6 V, and in professional models – 130 Nm and 12 V.
4. Cartridge. Models of brushless screwdrivers can be equipped with two types of chucks (quick-clamp and hexagonal). The first type is compatible with equipment of any shape (hexagonal, cylindrical), and the second allows you to replace the nozzle much faster.
5. Gearbox. This device transmits revolutions from the engine to the cartridge, changing their torque. There is a metal or plastic gearbox, most often it is two-speed. For tightening screws, a gearbox that produces 500 revolutions per minute is suitable, and for drilling you will need 1200-1300 revolutions.
6. Convenience. There is no universal device that is equally suitable for any user. Here you should choose based on personal comfort. When purchasing, you should hold the screwdriver in your hands, evaluate its weight and the location of the buttons, as well as the level of hand slip.
7. Additional functions. Having a lever to select from several speeds will help you save battery power and choose the right position for each material. The impact mode will help when working with bricks, the backlight will save you in a dark room, and the reverse mode will help when the nozzles get stuck and the fasteners are unscrewed. The complete set will allow you to choose a nozzle for any occasion in a convenient suitcase.

Important! In any price range, you should choose a model from a manufacturer that has been on the market for a long time and has proven the quality of its products over time. These include Bosch, DeWALT, Makita, Hitachi, Casals. Some people prefer to buy Chinese models, but they rarely differ in service life.

Brushless screwdrivers differ significantly from their counterparts with CSA technology. They are more productive and durable, but less noisy and heavy. The main disadvantage of screwdrivers with brushless motors is the high price, but when buying a professional tool that will last for many years, you have to sacrifice something. The store pays attention to engine power, ease of use, additional functionality and the purpose of using the screwdriver.

Resource

Brushes are, in fact, consumables, because during use they can wear out or burn out. Changing them is not difficult, especially since it is rarely necessary to do this. However, a brushless tool is completely devoid of this. Since there are no rubbing units in this tool, nothing will be erased. It turns out that a brushless screwdriver is not only safer, but also lasts longer.

Tools with batteries

Cordless screwdrivers allow you to carry out work in remote locations or in areas where there is no electricity.

High mobility and convenience for the performer are important advantages of this type. At the same time, the battery needs to be charged, and the permissible resource depends on its type and quality.

Reliability

The design of the electric motor is quite simple, and if used in normal mode, it will last a very long time. the vulnerable point is the control unit, which is subject to the greatest wear. The collector unit is simple to implement and is not expensive, so you still need to try to disable it. But transistors can be damaged, for example, when working in an aggressive environment. At the same time, the rotor can “stick”, as a result of which there is a possibility that the winding will burn out. In this case, a good electronic unit will stop the supply of electricity, thereby protecting the tool. It is quite difficult to make an unambiguous conclusion which screwdriver is more reliable.

Efficiency

Replacing the brush assembly with an electronic unit made it possible to increase the engine efficiency by up to 1.5 times. In brushless models it reaches 90%, so energy is used much more efficiently. This is especially important for cordless tools, which is why brushless motors are more common in cordless tools.

Increasing energy efficiency by 1.5 times allows for a corresponding increase in autonomy. That is, if a regular brushed tool can tighten 200 screws on one charge, then a brushless tool with the same power and battery capacity will tighten all 300.

Price

A brushless screwdriver wins in most respects:

• Weight;
• Size;
• Efficiency;
• Autonomy;
• Safety;
• Durability.

However, many household users are put off by its price. If a person rarely uses a tool, then a collector budget model of the tool will be enough for him.

If we talk about professional equipment, then without a doubt we can say that a brushless screwdriver is worth the money. By paying more, a person gets a more convenient and autonomous tool that performs its functions better.

A more detailed answer to the question which screwdriver is better, brushed or brushless, can be found at the link: https://myinstrumenty.ru/elektroinstrument/kakoy-shurupovert-luchshe-schetochnyy-ili-bezschetochnyy/

Rating of TOP 10 best models

After reading the opinions of users of brushless screwdrivers, based on customer reviews, you can make a rating of the best models.

Additional functions

The screwdriver can be equipped with an impact function, which allows you to successfully drill concrete and brick. The pulse mode significantly increases torque, which makes it easier to unscrew problematic screws, for example, rusted ones.

Backlighting can come in very handy when doing work in dark areas.

The speed switch is important when the tool has to perform different functions. Drilling requires higher speed, and screwing screws requires lower speed.

The most advanced types have three speeds. There are models of professional screwdrivers that have the function of automatically feeding screws and self-tapping screws, which significantly speeds up the process of completing the work.

BATTERY PORTABLE VACUUM CLEANERS

The winner is the BLACK+DECKER BHSB320JP Spillbuster.

Cordless Spill Cleaner + Stain Remover with Electric Cleaning Brush.

The handheld cordless spill cleaner + stain remover from the vacuum cleaner manufacturer offers amazing performance for untouchable messes. Remove wet, stubborn dirt and stains with the motorized cleaning brush and dispenser, and easily clean the removable collection container, all with cordless convenience. Ideal for solving problems involving pets and children.

Simply load the dispenser with your favorite portable formula and you have a compact stain remover. Even better, you don't have to manually clean up any nasty debris - the canister is dishwasher safe on the top rack.