Review: What makes a good cordless screwdriver the best cordless screwdriver?
Posted on | February 26, 2010 | Comments Off
Sorry for not posting in the last few months but things have been extremely busy for me. I have been using my great Makita cordless screwdriver quite a bit during this time. I have found that I’ve been using this power tool more and more, and my other tools have been staying in the toolbox. This is because cordless screwdrivers are very versatile tools that aren’t a hassle to carry around. Think of all the times you have used your cordless drill; you always think about whether or not you actually need it. You wont take it with you if there is only a slight chance that you will need it. This is because it is a pretty large and heavy tool. The cordless screwdriver however is to so small and light that you can carry it around with you all the time without being a hassle. My drill only comes with me when I know that the job is too demanding for my little screwdriver…but otherwise it stays at home or in my trunk. So far, I have never been let down by my little Makita.
Have I intrigued you about cordless screwdrivers? You might be wondering what the best cordless screwdrivers on the market are. Is there a huge difference between Dewalt and Makita, or even models from Black and Decker. The answer is yes, there are huge differences between some of these models that you should be aware of. First of all, you should be concerned about power. There are some cordless power screwdrivers that lack power and are therefore limited in usability. When selecting a cheaper brand such as Black and Decker or Skil you want to watch out for this. The second most important thing to look out for is build quality. There are many cheap power tools out there that cheap for a very good reason. These will work for the occasional household user but that’s it.
In the end of the day you are left with a small group of cordless screwdrivers from Dewalt and Makita, maybe even one or two from Black and Decker, Skil, Milwaukee etc. After reading a few of the best cordless screwdriver reviews you will probably narrow your selection to the Dewalt DW920K-2 7.2 volt, the Makita DF010DSE 7.2 volt lithium ion, or the Makita TD020DSEW 7.2 volt cordless impact screwdriver with lithium ion batteries. This is because they have the most power, the most features, and the best build quality. Which one is right for you is only for you to determine. Go to the store and play around with them. Compare the specs and make a decision. Either way you will not regret your purchase.
Tags: 7.2 volt > black and decker > cordless > cordless screwdriver > dewalt > DF010DSE > dw920k > makita > power tools > reviews > TD020DSEW
Best cordless screwdrivers: Dewalt DW920K-2, Makita TD020DSEW, Makita DF010DSE reviewed
Posted on | December 11, 2009 | No Comments
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
Looking for the best cordless screwdriver reviews?
Posted on | July 31, 2009 | No Comments
Don’t think that a cordless screwdriver review will give you the right purchasing advice. If you only search online for reviews in order to make up your mind about which is the best cordless screwdriver, you will likely end up with the wrong power tool. Everyone has their own personally opinions and requirements when it comes to cordless tools, but they probably don’t always apply to you. Not to mention all the junk that is written on websites these days that is written by people that have no qualification to make any type of judgment on the subject. The first thing you need to do when searching for reviews it to eliminate all this junk and only take to quality stuff into consideration.
When reading all the reviews on the web, you need to pay close attention to what features they value in the tool. Some people put a lot of importance on the price of the tool. So they may rate the Black and Decker PD600 higher than the Dewalt DW920k-2 because it only costs a third of the price. This may lead you to believe that the Black and Decker is the better overall cordless screwdriver, which it is not necessarily. The fact that the DW920k-2 is so much more expensive may turn some people off, but the reason for this is that it has much better quality components that the PD600. These obviously cost more to produce. For some people, it is unnecessary for the kind and amount of work that they will be using the power tools for. So they decide to view this attribute of the Dewalt as negative. The quality issue can also be view the other way. People that need a heavy duty tool for constant use will require better components and therefore see the cheap price of the Black and Decker PD600 as a negative.
The point here is that every cordless screwdriver review is written by people with varying need, and will therefore rate these power tools completely differently. My advice is definitely not to stop reading reviews, because being aware of different opinions about the same tool is valuable information. However, do not base your purchase decision on anyone else’s reviews. Take them for what they are, and make up you own opinion. Go to the store, look at all the different models in person, and then buy the best cordless screwdriver for your needs.
Black and Decker PD600 Cordless Screwdriver Review
Posted on | July 2, 2009 | No Comments
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