pneumatic screwdriver

For the sake of this article, we’ll proceed under the assumption that after reviewing your options, you’ve decided an air screwdriver will best suit your needs. To learn more about electric or hand screwdrivers, visit these resources.

At this point, there are only a few options left to choose from. You’ll need to decide your drive style, grip style, drive size, and actuation method. To find the right pneumatic screwdriver for your operation, take a close look at your assembly. Once you’ve determined your needs, browse this list to select the right screwdriver.

Drive Style

Continuous - As the name implies, these tools apply torque continuously. When the maximum value is reached, their clutch will disengage, preventing the possibility of an over-torqued screw. While they have longer rundown times than pulse tools, continuous drive tools are more accurate, more precise, and better suited to soft joints.

Discontinuous - These tools apply torque in a series of short pulses and are commonly referred to as pulse tools. Pulse tools have fast rundown times and low torque reactions, making them a good choice for high-speed applications. While accurate, their torque application is not as precise as continuous drive tools, reducing their usefulness in areas where tight torque control is critical.

Grip Style

Inline - Intended for vertical fastening, inline screwdrivers deliver torque along the same line as the drive. Most common household screwdrivers are inline screwdrivers. In high-speed or high-torque applications, these screwdrivers can be suspended from tool balancers, reducing the strain on the joints of the operator.

Pistol - Designed for horizontal fastening, pistol grip screwdrivers deliver torque at a right angle to the drive. Pistol grip screwdrivers are capable of delivering more torque than inline or right angle screwdrivers. The maximum torque produced by a Mountz pistol grip screwdriver is 156.2lbf.in, whereas inline and right angle screwdrivers produce a maximum of 95.5lbf.in. Most common household cordless drills have pistol grips. These screwdrivers are portable and are especially useful where mobility is required.

Right Angle - Useful for tight spaces, right angle screwdrivers are gripped like inline screwdrivers, but they deliver torque at a right angle, similar to pistol screwdrivers. They are shaped similarly to common hand wrenches.

Drive Size

Fixed - If you intend to always use the same drive attachment for your screwdriver, choose a fixed size drive screwdriver. This is a sound choice for high-volume assembly and other applications where your screwdriver will be used for the same task consistently.

Adjustable - If you expect to use the same tool for applications requiring different drives, you’ll need an adjustable drive screwdriver. This may be a good choice for third-party contract manufacturers, repair workers, and assembly operations for consumer electronics, toys or other products with short life-cycles.

Actuation Method

Screwdrivers can be activated by a variety of methods, such as levers, buttons, triggers, and pressure activated heads or bits. The ideal actuation method depends on the grip style of your screwdriver. Trigger actuators, for instance, work well on pistol grip screwdrivers. Pressure activated actuators slightly reduce the strain on their operators, as they require one fewer discrete motion than other actuation methods.

When choosing any pneumatic screwdriver, one final deciding factor is the manufacturer’s reputation for quality. Investing in a line of pneumatic screwdriver for your assembly process can be a significant outlay, so it’s important to find a manufacturer who will deliver a quality product. A strong manufacturer’s defects warranty is a necessity, but it’s best to find a manufacturer who has a reputation for delivering tools without any defects in the first place. Also, your manufacturer will be your ultimate resource for any information, service, or resupply needs you may have over the lifespan of your set of tools. Finding a manufacturer who prides themselves on customer support and service will pay serious dividends as your tools age.