When we saw an IKEA-branded drill we simply had to get it. Featuring a soft synthetic rubber skin, the 7.2V 1.5Ah IKEA FIXA screwdriver wonโt punch through concrete. And while it wonโt stand up to high-torque loads, it will help assemble those new decorative shelves you bought. With IKEA as the brand and the fact that it came in a decorative orange and white plastic case, we werenโt hoping this drill would win any awards for power. We just hoped it would offer a decent value for $28 (and wouldnโt burn up on the first job). As it turns out, this drill isnโt anything special. It might, however, make a nice gift for someone who values form over function.
Build Quality and Design
The IKEA FIXA 7.2V screwdriver/drill has the shape of older drills. It has that angled-up nose that lets it stand upright on a table. Modern drills have eased the weight back over the handle. This restores a more perpendicular angle to the tools. In either case, what gets you immediately is the baby-smooth synthetic rubber coating. It covers everything but the chuck of the drill. Weโve seen this coating before and know that it will rub off over time, probably sooner than later. Of course, with a 7.2V tool with a non-removable battery, perhaps a couple of years is the expected lifespan regardless.
This is a drill, so you can insert any standard bit up to 3/8โณ in diameter. There is no bit holder, just a forward/reverse button, and the trigger. Speed is variable and tops out at around 400 RPM. The battery integrates into the handle. To recharge the drill, plug in the included 300mA, 9V charger. It recharges the battery in approximately 3 days (give or take a week). OK, itโs not that bad, but this is no quick charger.
The included case is nice, but something you definitely want to store in an interior closet as opposed to something that should be able to endure rougher use. It doesnโt โprotectโ the tool, so much as it โcoddlesโ it like a sleeping child. Yes, itโs kind of a tool cradle. Within, youโll find the tool, charging adapter and a row of 10 assorted bits which include Phillips, flat, and hex heads. The 1โณ bits require the use of the also-included bit holder. There are also two drill bits included (3mm and 5mm) which look suitable for tasks like installing drywall anchors and other similar jobs.
IKEA FIXA Screwdriver Testing and Use
We managed to find a โsimilar jobโ that was manly enough for the IKEA drill: removing a car stereo. We had just installed the stereo as part of a Motherโs Day present (no, seriously, she wanted itโฆ nevermind). In either case, we accidentally wired up the GPS power to the illumination. This wouldnโt be a problem is we only wanted to know where we were going when it was dark out and the lights were on, but it wasnโt so great for daytime driving. Off came the radio shroudโฆ
The IKEA FIXA screwdriverย was adept at driving and removing screws. For this type of work, it was a great solution. Grab the drill, insert the bit, go to work. The drill, in being an inexpensive product, isnโt very compact, however, so fitting it into tighter spaces is a bit of a chore.
I have several 12V tools and even an 18V tool that is shorter than the IKEA. Thatโs not to say that itโs overly large, but given the low torque and speed, we would have loved the tool to reflect a shorter length to make it even more useful for cramped locations (like our car). One thing we do like about the tool is its low RPMs. With a maximum speed of 400 RPM, you arenโt going to lose control over your project and you can really finesse more delicate screws, such as those found on door or cabinet hinges. For an around-the-house tool, this is actually an asset over grabbing something that may be overpowered for the application.
Recharging the IKEA FIXA Screwdriver Drill
Recharging was very straightforward, though wall warts always seem to make for awkward chargers, The idea here is that you leave the power supply plugged in somewhere and just grab the power tail and plug it into the base of the drill when it needs charging. IKEA included no battery level gauge on this drill. You just use the FIXA screwdriver until it diesโand then wait forever until itโs charged. Of course, since itโs Lithium-ion, you can always grab it mid-charge and complete the job without too much fear of the battery getting a memory effect. IKEA claims youโll get around 500 charges on the battery.ย Typically, thatโs inclusive of partial or full charges.
Conclusion
The IKEA FIXA screwdriver drillย is great because it makes for a neat gift. Itโs inexpensive, gimmicky, and has that cool look to it when you gaze upon its orange-and-white packaging. Itโs also kind of bulky, the rubber overcoat will rub off after several uses, and it takes a long time to recharge. But so what. Itโs not a DeWalt 8V Gyroscopic screwdriver. It operated more like the Black andย Decker 4V Max Pivot Screwdriverโฆwithout the pivot.
This isnโt an expensive tool so much as an occasional use household item. At that, it excelsโparticularly given its decent ergonomics. Most light-duty tool usersย I know would find the idea of an IKEA drill to be somewhat appealing. In fact, if youโre ever buying someone a set of IKEA shelves or some other furniture in need of assembly, the company has priced this tool low enough to be included in the gift. As far as marketing goes, a $28 โdisposableโ 7.2V drill is a GREAT idea. Enjoy this tool for what it is, and you probably wonโt be disappointed.
