Introduction: DIY Electric Screwdriver
Hi everyone... I am back with a new Instructable.
In this Instructable we will make a Electric Screwdriver out of a geared DC Motor and PVC Pipes.
This is a very handy Tool to have in your garage which makes your job easier and quicker.
There are many commercially available Electric Screwdrivers But I feel they are sometimes overpriced. So I decided to make one on my own. I do accept the commercially available ones are more reliable but a DIY tool is really fun to make.
Watch my video for better understanding.
Caution! This project includes the Use of Sharp tools and batteries which could be Dangerous when NOT handled properly.
Lets get started!
Step 1: Materiarls Required
This is a list of required materials to make a electric screwdriver.
- Geared Motor (I used 60 RPM)
- PVC pipes.
- Slide Switches ( DPDT and SPST each)
- Bamboo Stick (to use as motor Screwdriver set coupling )
- Screwdriver set.
- LEDs.
- Resistors( 100 ohm)
- 12V -24V Power supply/ 12 V Battery
- Arduino Power Jack (Male and Female)
- Hot Glue and Super glue.
- Spray paint
- Screws, Wires, plywood
- Some basic Tools like Power Drill, Hand Saw, Soldering Kit, etc..
You might need more random parts and you might customize the Design.
Have a Look around your garage!!
Step 2: Prepare Your PVC Frame
Use a hand Saw to cut Two Pieces of PVC pipes. Use a PVC whose radius is Same as the motor size.
Mark the place for two switches and LEDs using a marker and use Soldring iron to cut the grooves for Switches.
If the motor doesn't fit the PVC, Just heat it a little bit to soften the PVC and Apply Force to push the motor Inside the PVC pipe.
Use a Sand paper to Sand out all the dirt on the PVC . This makes the PVC surface bit rough . So the paint Sticks to the surface very well.
Go out door and Spray paint the PVC with the color of your choice.
Step 3: Get Soldering!!
Once you are completed with the PVC frame, now its time to make the electronic connection.
1. Start at the Switch. This is the only tricky part. Use a DPDT Switch(Two way Switch). Make the connections as in the Pictures according to circuit diagram.
2. Connect the motor to the middle two terminals of the switch.
3. Connect the Female Power jack to the 'X' connection at the switch.
4. Now take a couple of LEDs and connect 100 ohm resistor to each LEDs. Insulate the ends using a Heat shrink tube or electrical insulation tape.
5. Connect the two LED in Parallel Such that the Polarity of LEDs are reversed.(Refer the Circuit diagram). In turn connect both the LEDs to the Motor.
6.Take a white LED and Connect it directly to the Battery Terminals (Female Power Jack ) with a SPST Switch.
7. Connect a 9V-12V battery and test the Circuit connections and working.
The Circuit connections are complete its pretty simple. Make sure Not to Short Circuit any terminals.
You Could watch the attached video if you cannot understand the connections in circuit diagram.
Step 4: Some Wood Work
To make the screwdriver head holder (tool holder) I used the bamboo stick with a right size hole. The hole should fit the motor shaft and the screw-driver head.
Attach the bamboo stick to the motor by drilling a small hole side ways and insert a screw.
Use a couple of Zip-ties or a copper wire around the bamboo.
Take a plywood and use a drill to cut a circular piece of wood using Hole saw Bit.
That Circular piece is used as covering on the ends of the PVC Frame.
I understand bamboo is not the perfect choice for this application. I am planning to use Aluminium or Brass but as of now I will use the bamboo stick .
Step 5: Assembly Time!
Once you have completed making the electrical connections, its time to assemble all the components.
The Motor is Fixed to the PVC pipe and push all the electronics parts (LEDs, Switches, etc) inside the PVC. The Bamboo is attached is attached to the Motor shaft. use a Screw to Secure the bamboo in place. Also use the Zip-ties to increase the strength.
Using Hot glue secure all the LEDs in the holes we made previously in PVC. You can even use SuperGlue(fevikwik) for this.
Take the circular Piece of plywood and Attach the Power Jack using Hot glue.
Both the switches are placed in the cavity we made earlier and secure them using a couple of screws.
You might want to use a Pair of Pliers to pull the components to place.
Once you are done with assembling all the parts, its time for testing.
You can you a 11.1 v Quad-copter battery pack or a 12v vehicle battery. I prefer to use the Power cord of 30V which gives lot of Power to the Electric Screwdriver and you could use the screwdriver to remove or attach the screws which are very tight.
Connect the Male power jack to your screwdriver and you can test the device you just made!! Its Fun Right!!??
Step 6: Done!
Congratulations! We have successfully completed making the Electric Power Screwdriver using very basic components that are easily available.
This is very a handy tool to use at your garage and helps you to complete your job faster and efficiently.
Moreover the fun you get while using the tools you made is inexplicable!!
If you are inspired to make one or you have made one please let me know in the comments section below.
Good luck! happy making!! Stay Safe!
Thank you for visiting My Instructables page.
H S Sandesh Hegde
(The Technocrat)