Best cordless screwdrivers: Dewalt DW920K-2, Makita TD020DSEW, Makita DF010DSE reviewed
Posted on | December 11, 2009 |
I have been doing a lot of work on my house lately and my Makita cordless screwdriver has come in extremely handy. I honestly do not know how I could have done it without this amazing tool. I own the Makita TD020DSEW cordless impact screwdriver with lithium ion batteries. The reason I chose this model instead of the Dewalt DW920K-2 or the Makita DF010DSE is quite simply bang for my buck. They are the three models that I would consider the best in the industry, each with their pros and cons, but I will explain why I made my choice.
The Dewalt DW920K-2 7.2 volt cordless screwdriver is, in my opinion, the most heavy-duty out of the three, but is also the bulkiest. If this is a drawback for you should depend on the kind of applications you use it for. I got a cordless screwdriver because I need a small “drill” to assemble furniture and drill holes for hanging pictures and stuff. I don’t want to deal with bulk and weight for these kinds of things. When I have bigger jobs that require a lot more power I use a standard drill. If you are the king of person that wants only one cordless power tool, then the Dewalt is a definite prospect. Otherwise, the DW920K-2 has very good power control and features. Compared to the Makita models, the outdated NiCad batteries are another drawback.
The Makita DF010DSE 7.2 volt cordless screwdriver is another great little tool. It does not feel as durable as the Dewalt, but is therefore half the weight. You do get a lot less torque though, with 44 in-lbs it is almost half that of the Dewalt with 80 in-lbs. So essentially what you save in weight you lose in power. Like I said before, you have to know what you will use the tool for when determining if the lower power is a drawback for you. If you think that you will be content with a maximum of 80 in-lbs of torque for all your applications, then the Dewalt is the best choice for you. Remember that standard drills are capable of at least around 200 in-lbs of torque; and that’s on the low end of the market. If you already have a drill or plan on getting one, then the lightweight Makita DF010DSE cordless screwdriver is the way to go. Plus, the Makita lithium ion batteries are far superior to the Dewalt NiCad batteries. Another little downside to the Makita is its price, which is well above 100 dollars.
Then there is the Makita TD020DSEW 7.2 volt cordless impact screwdriver. This is an extremely simplified version on the DF010DSE, but with an impact motor. This tool has even more power at 177 in-lbs than the Dewalt thanks to its impact action. However, it is a one speed, on-off, transmission. This means that you cannot control the power of the tool as well as the other two screwdrivers. When you press the button the tool goes on full speed. This is obviously a drawback if you need finesse while fastening small screws. The upside to these simplifications is its reduced price, which is at least half the price of the Makita DF010DSE. It does come with the same lithium ion batteries, and is even a bit lighter.
I went for the Makita TD020DSEW 7.2 volt cordless impact screwdriver because of the great price. I wanted Makita quality and this tool delivers it at a bargain. The lack of speed control was a concern for me at first, but after a short time of use it doesn’t bother me at all anymore. I hope this information will give you some guidance on choosing the best cordless screwdriver for you. Don’t be fooled by biased cordless screwdriver reviews that claim to have the one and only best tool.
Tags: 7.2 volt > cordless screwdriver > dewalt > DF010DSE > dw920k > lithium ion > makita > power tools > reviews > TD020DSEW
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