Replies

1. 
   lonecat | Jun 29, 1999 10:20am | #1

   *
   Jim: Is it the clutch? I haven't used that drill, but I might take it back if it wouldn't drive those screws. Unless you're trying to run em into something really hard. My 12 volt cordless DeWalt will drive them without much trouble.

1. 
   Mike_Mahan | Jul 01, 1999 09:38am | #2

   *The trouble with #8 screws in a 3" length is that any driver capable of driving them will be more than capable of breaking them.

1. 
   David_Thomas | Jul 01, 1999 11:25am | #3

   *Chuck a phillips bit in a brace (as in brace and bit) for the ulimate cordless screwdriver. :)Might you have to do pilot holes? What a pain.

1. 
   FredB | Jul 01, 1999 12:47pm | #4

   *My Milwaukee 12V cordless drives them just fine so maybe as lonecat says it is the clutch. For 3" hot-dipped galvanized it is a LOT easier with a pilot hole but not necessary.

1. 
   Matt_G. | Jul 02, 1999 06:20am | #5

   *Sometimes it helps to take each screw and rub it on a bar of soap or a candle - provides a little lube to make 'em wind down a little easier.I'd also return the drill-driver unless you are going into oak or something.

2. 
   JimA_ | Jul 02, 1999 11:06am | #6

   *The problem was caused by the cheap screws I bought to save a dollar or so. I changed the screws, the driver worked just fine. I also foundthe 'self-drilling' screws worked so well. They are more expensive but save me a lot of time.

3. 
   JohnMarks | Jul 07, 1999 04:40am | #7

   *Is the corded screwdriver the next thing to disappear from the earth? The cordless is great,but at what price?

4. 
   andrew_d | Jul 08, 1999 11:34am | #8

   *Jim, I have the same deckdriver (works fine) and the same experience with cheap screws. The auger tips are particularly nice for ss screws. Also nice are the Philips deckmate screwdriver tips or square drive.

5. 
   Davo_ | Aug 29, 1999 11:13am | #9

   *Hi John Marks,To answer your question, YES...someday the corded screwdriver will disapear from the earth. At what cost? Well, my Hilti cordless drill cost me around $200 and is well worth the price. It will chuck up 1/2 diameter (not 3/8) drill bits, has more torque than any other cordless I have ever tried (Milwaukie, Ryobi, DeWalt, Makita, Sears, Porter Cable), came with a charger, 2 batteries, and a large plastic case, and can last a long time between charges. Its lightweight, tough (I've dropped it a few times from 20 feet up) and keeps me from tripping over extension cords.When your 65 feet in the air in a basket of a JLG working on a water cooling tower, the last thing you want is to drag an extension cord up with you, cause to do that, you gotta drag along that gasoline powered generator too.In our carpenter shop we got 2 corded drywall shooters, and 4 corded 3/8s & 1/2" drills and we never use them. We use our cordless instead. Now we still depend heavily on our corded Hilti Hammer drills....until our boss went ahead and purchased a cordless one. It works beautiful too.Saws...we still use mostly corded (Porter Cables) but we do own a couple of DeWalt cordless ones also. They're good for trim and light stuff, but overall I'd rate it a "5" compared to the corded ones. But, hey, when rough carpentry is needed in the field, and looks don't count, and 110 electric is hard to find, we still rely on our chainsaws! They work great (once you get the knack for it), always cause people to stare, and well... you guessed it.... not corded....unless you count the pull cord to start the thing.For your entertainmentDavo

6. 
   Ron_Schroeder | Aug 30, 1999 07:37pm | #10

   *Try coated deck screws such as PrimeGuard or use a little soap or wax on the threads. For one or two 3" screws, I have even used the $99 Makita 9.6V for the punch list (with a little Ivory soap of course).

7. 
   SC_ | Sep 10, 1999 01:15am | #11

   *Hi, John:I think the corded tools will not disappear from the earth. At least I hope they won't. I am a DIY and the corded tools are just fine for me. I don't do roofs and I don't work on stormy nights. The corded tools are about 50% cheaper thanthe cordless models. For the money I saved, I bought more tools, rather than more batteries. You do need an extensioncord, for about 20 dollars, maintenance free and last for a long time. And you only need one, 120V.

8. 
   Vernon_Bailey | Sep 28, 1999 07:18am | #12

   *I am building out the interior of a 3000 sq ft utility building. Using Makita 12v cordlesss drill/drivers, all of the interior framing is put together with 3" #10 square drive screws. The Makitas will sink those screws easily. I am nearly 70 and somewhat arthritic but I can use those drivers nearly all day where I could not with a nail gun or a manual hammer. In to hardwood you would need a pilot hole but not with pine.

9. 
   Ron_Schroeder | Sep 30, 1999 12:32am | #13

   *Vern,I use the 12V DeWalt in the early mornings to not wake up any neighbor babies if there are any. Don't want them to yell at the home owners. I use the 3" deck screws for toe nails when I don't use the air nailer too.Ron

10. 
    reinhard | Sep 30, 1999 03:58am | #14

    *I agree with John. A cordless can't keep up with a trusty ole milwaukee 3/8 electric drill. The cordless drills don't have the speed it takes to production screw off a deck.And aren't 3 inch screws a little overkill? Are you using 5/4 or 2x?Another tip: try the square drives, the drive better and rarely strip.As for needing a clutch, after a half hour you'll have such a rhythm you won't miss the clutch.

11. 
    jim_"crazy_legs"_blodg | Oct 01, 1999 10:18pm | #15

    *I vote for an electric screw gun with an adjustable depth snout. My Milwaukee 2500 rpm does a beautiful job on a deck or for drywall. - jb

12. 
    andrew_d | Oct 02, 1999 09:23am | #16

    *I have both the DeWalt 2500 RPM depth-sensitive deck screwdriver and the DeWalt 14.4V torque clutch. Both are great for their uses. The cordless in low gear develops an astonsihing amount of clutch; in high gear it is about 1500 RPM.I've heard people hear swear that a 4000 RPM driver is perfect for drywall.

13. 
    jim_"crazy_legs"_blodg | Oct 02, 1999 08:09pm | #17

    *andrew - yeah, those 4000 are great for drywall, but I don't think they have the low end torque (kind of the same principle as tractors) for general use. I also remember, way back, that the 4000 didn't have variable speed triggers and the 2500 did, at least the Milwaukees. I think this is also a reflection on the versatility of the slower one. I probably invented some rational along the way about these differences, but I'm pretty sure the facts are right. - jb

14. 
    Skip_Keith | Oct 11, 1999 12:23am | #18

    *My 6543-1 Milwaulkee screwshooter has only 5 amp motor and top speed of 1000 rpm but nothing I have will touch it. I think the low speed gives it more torque. It also is very manageable and doesn't ride out of the screws like some others.

15. 
    Rick_Larson | Nov 06, 1999 03:38pm | #19

    *I have the same Milwaukee as Keith and it the best screw gun I've owned. Bought it in a pawn shop 20+ yrs. ago and used it hard since.

16. 
    kerry | Nov 09, 1999 04:46am | #20

    *I have found Mcfeely's square drive screws are great for exterior work. I don't like dealing with them for some reason but I continue to do business with them because their product is excellant.

2. 
   JimA_ | Jan 04, 2000 11:28pm | #21

   *
   What kind of screwdriver should I use to drive
   3-inch deck screws? I bought a DeWALT Deck/Drywall screwdriver (DW257, 6.2A, 2500RPM) a few days ago.
   But I was suprised to see that it is not powerful enough to drive #8 3-inch deck screws.
   please advise. Thanks.