Black and Decker PD600 Cordless Screwdriver Review
Posted on | July 2, 2009 |
It is safe to assume that most households have a small selection of tools in their garage. However, most people are not properly equipped for all the little jobs and repairs that they will encounter over the years. A little power tools that everyone should have is a cordless screwdriver. Forget about busting your hands and stripping your screws by using this convenient little tool that is not much bigger than a regular screwdriver.
The most common question that people ask me is which one is the best cordless screwdriver for the money. Unfortunately there is not just one; it all depends on what your needs are. But for the most part, regular homeowners do not need to buy a model that is more than $50. Many people walk into a Home Depot and walk out with a Dewalt DW920K 7.2v cordless screwdriver, or a Makita. Just like with everything else out there, sales people try to sell clueless consumers far more expensive products than they need. Chances are, you only need a simple Black and Decker PD600 cordless screwdriver that cost a fraction of the Dewalt. At Amazon.com you can get it for 30 dollars instead of $80 for the Dewalt. That is a huge difference for a tool that you won’t need every single day.
I’m reviewing the Black and Decker model because I believe it to be the best consumer level cordless screwdriver on the market. There are other cheaper models available, but you will sacrifice much needed power as a result. The PD600 runs on a 6v NiCad battery which will run for at least 3 hours before recharging is necessary. It has two speed ranges so you can drill holes in high speed mode, and drive screws in the low speed setting. You can further control the speed with a 23 position clutch for easy finesse work. This tool can keep up with even the best cordless screwdrivers on the market; with a quick release bit mechanism, spindle lock for manual operation, and a 3 position handle. Be warned though that this tool does not match up to the superior build quality and reliability of the Dewalt DW920k cordless screwdriver. You will also not have quite the same amount of power as the 7.2v models. If you have some tough jobs to do, don’t expect this tool to hold up very long. It is specifically designed for light work such as small furniture assembly, and installing blinds and shelving.
You may also want to add other power tools to complement your cordless screwdriver. For more intensive hole drilling applications I would recommend a cordless drill. They basically have the same functionality of a cordless screwdriver but with more power. The downside is the additional weight. This is why it is a good idea to own both. Otherwise you could also get a cordless impact wrench, which is great for tightening screws and bolts. Although I highly recommend the Makita LXT 18v lithium ion battery line, you do not need to go for such expensive tools. Milwaukee or Skil offer pretty good combo kits that cost much less than Dewalt or Makita. If you can’t afford to buy all these tools at once, start off with the cordless screwdriver and then get a combo kit later.
Tags: black and decker > cordless screwdriver > pd600 > reviews
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