Power screwdriver?

[LaMarr-Bruister]

Arthritis in my wrist is making turning a bunch of screws a painful event. I’m sure final tightening of anything guitar related should be by hand, but is anyone using a power driver to remove screws and at least get them started? I want to clean up the wiring on a strat pickguard that I bought for my kiddo, but the thought of removing the pickguard and reinstalling is maddening.

Any recommendations for a model or are they all the same?

 

[Vibroluxer]

Dewalt makes a fine one and are not expensive.

 

[Ronzo]

Black and Decker. Inexpensive, runs on 4 standard alkaline AA cells. Reversible. More than enough torque for guitar work.

Buy a 1/4” cup tuning adapter. Makes quick work of string changes.

Edit: Also buy a screwdriver bit set for 1/4” drive that includes #1 & #2 Phillips and small Torx bits. You’ll thank me later.

 

[jays0n]

Oh man, when we got our house in 2008, a friend got me a Makita, said I would need it. He was not kidding. I could not live without it now. Been using it heavily ever since for all kinds of jobs, from home maintenance to amp maintenance. Life saver! It came with two batteries and both are still holding a good charge, after 14 years of use.

 

[televillian]

I thought everyone had a couple already

 

[StoneH]

Black and Decker. Inexpensive, runs on 4 standard alkaline AA cells. Reversible. More than enough torque for guitar work.

Buy a 1/4” cup tuning adapter. Makes quick work of string changes.

Edit: Also buy a screwdriver bit set for 1/4” drive that includes #1 & #2 Phillips and small Torx bits. You’ll thank me later.

Exactly this. I own a half dozen cordless drills, but I have a B&D cordless drill I use specifically for removing and installing light switches/plates and outlet switches/plates. It is also a great tool for guitar hardware and string winding. <Edit> I bought this model because it was the cheapest I could find without ordering (about $20 at Walmart).

 

[LaMarr-Bruister]

Exactly this. I own a half dozen cordless drills, but I have a B&D cordless drill I use specifically for removing and installing light switches/plates and outlet switches/plates. It is also the perfect tool for guitar hardware and string winding.

View attachment 986120

Thanks. That seems small enough to use for a while and not aggravate my wrist.

Do you know the model number?

 

[Ronzo]

Exactly this. I own a half dozen cordless drills, but I have a B&D cordless drill I use specifically for removing and installing light switches/plates and outlet switches/plates. It is also the perfect tool for guitar hardware and string winding.

View attachment 986120

This is the exact model I have. Get it with the bit set:

BLACK+DECKER Cordless Screwdriver, Alkaline with Screwdriver Bit Set, 42-Piece (BCF601AA & BDA42SD)

 

[Fenderbaum]

Got a Bosch Pro model. Small hobby size.

Nothing wrong with using one, as you say, use caution and follow the rules.
When attatching screws like Neck bolt on screws, i hand turn a little so it cerrectly in the groove, as you also say, last few turns by hand. Its golden for loosen the screws.

 

[WRHB]

Exactly this. I own a half dozen cordless drills, but I have a B&D cordless drill I use specifically for removing and installing light switches/plates and outlet switches/plates. It is also the perfect tool for guitar hardware and string winding.

View attachment 986120

Same here. And my arthritic hands have never been happier.

 

[Andy B]

Milwaukee M12 series power screwdriver.

 

[bgmacaw]

I want to clean up the wiring on a strat pickguard that I bought for my kiddo, but the thought of removing the pickguard and reinstalling is maddening.

I also have the Black & Decker model mentioned earlier.

One hint for pickguard and tuner screws is to lubricate them before inserting them (that's what she said).

 

[LaMarr-Bruister]

I also have the Black & Decker model mentioned earlier.

One hint for pickguard and tuner screws is to lubricate them before inserting them (that's what she said).

Lol, thanks. I always scrape the screw across some canning wax (that’s probably not the official name) before screwing them in. No point in asking for problems

 

[stormsedge]

Black and Decker. Inexpensive, runs on 4 standard alkaline AA cells. Reversible. More than enough torque for guitar work.

Buy a 1/4” cup tuning adapter. Makes quick work of string changes.

Edit: Also buy a screwdriver bit set for 1/4” drive that includes #1 & #2 Phillips and small Torx bits. You’ll thank me later.

Exactly this. I own a half dozen cordless drills, but I have a B&D cordless drill I use specifically for removing and installing light switches/plates and outlet switches/plates. It is also a great tool for guitar hardware and string winding.

View attachment 986120

This is a good one for almost everything around the house. I'm gonna pick up a new one as I just burned up the one I've had probably ten years assembling some box furniture for Mrs. ((I'll change the batteries first...they may be depleted )).

Note that it is capable of a fair amount of torque, so go easy on the little screws until you are used to it.

 

[t-ray]

Be real careful not to strip the holes when putting the screws back in. If you can, get a model with a clutch and set it very light. As you and others have already said, final tightening should be by hand.

 

[Engine Swap]

I had a Milwaukee M4 at my last job and loved it!

 

[Boreas]

I have two B&Ds. One can be used as a pistol or straight. The other is a small pistol. I try not to use them on guitars, but I don't have much arthritis yes. They are kinda hard to tell if threads are buggered. I always like to start my screws c-clockwise to make sure the threads are aligned before screwing clockwise.

 

[Peegoo]

I have a few pro-grade drivers, but the one I prefer for guitar stuff is the small rechargeable Bosch/Dremel GO model. It's quite small, built extremely well, and has plenty of power for a lot more than just guitar stuff.

Bosch Go 3.6V Smart Mini Screwdriver Review - CDZ

cordlessdrillzone.com

..

 

[Tall-Fir]

Dewalt makes a fine one and are not expensive.

I have a battery operated DeWalt screw driver. Excellent tool.

 

[schmee]

I use one for most everything but NOT pickguards. Too easy to strip those little holes out. They should not be hard to turn...?