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 Compared to the Makita models, the outdated NiCad batteries are another drawback.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
Get a Makita 18v cordless power tool kit with lithium ion batteries
Posted on | June 19, 2009 | No Comments
Makita 18v batteries are the foundation of every Makita cordless power tool
There is no doubt that Makita make some of the best 18v cordless power tools on the market. There are many other manufacturers out there that offer the same products, but if you’re on the fence about which company to go with, this article will convince you to go for Makita 18v cordless power tools.
The backbone of their whole 18v product line is the Makita 18v battery line up, which are the best in the industry. The Makita LCT300W 18v Compact Lithium-Ion Cordless 3-Piece Combo Kit is a perfect example of the company’s commitment to quality and service. This kit is perfect for everyone, from beginner to pro users, who need tools for drilling, driving and fastening.
The Makita 1/2-Inch Driver-drill (model #BDF452HW) is a great tool that is equipped with a high powered motor capable of 450 in.lbs. of maximum torque and 285 in.lbs. of PTI torque. Its transmission is a two speed all metal design with a 0 to 450 RPM low speed setting, and a 0 to 1,500 RPM high speed setting, which gives the user many options for any type of job. You will definitely not find an 18v lithium ion battery-equipped cordless drill from companies such a Dewalt that can compete with this tool in price and quality.
Also part of the Makita LCT300W is the superb BTD142HW cordless impact driver. This tool weighs a mere 2.8 pounds. Despite its feather light weight, it can produce 1,280 in.lbs. of torque, 2,300 RPM, and 3,200 impacts per minute. Makita use their high quality metals and a special heat treatment process for the internal parts of the driver to ensure a long life of the tool. A similar Dewalt model is the Dewalt DC827KL 18v 1/4-inch Lithium Ion battery Impact Driver Kit with Nano Technology, which weighs more, and is way more expensive. It’s kind of a no-brainer.
The Makita LCT300W cordless power tool kit also includes a nice rechargeable flashlight ( model #BML185W) that features a xenon bulb. Of course, central to the success of the company are the Makita 18v batteries with LXT or compact lithium ion technology. With the kit you will receive two of these and a rapid Optimum charger that is capable of fully charging the battery in just 15 minutes. The LXT batteries have become are real success, and now come with most to the Makita 18v line-up. In case you were wondering what the deal is with lithium ion, they provide a considerable performance increase compared to normal NiCad models. Makita’s 18V Lithium-Ion batteries weigh an average of 40% less, they run much longer, and five-times lower self-discharge than any regular NiCad versions. What is most important to us is the fact that its life cycle is over twice as long as NiCad; at about 2000 cycles. We could go on and on about all the benefits, from shock absorbing mechanisms, to the 16 firm-holding contact terminals, to the built-in memory chip in the battery that communicates with the charger to ensure a perfect charge every time. Good charging is very important for the life of the battery, and many systems do not take care of this for you. In addition, you can get a convenient car charger for your Makita 18v batteries that works just like your cell phone charger.
To top it all off, you won’t have to worry about your cordless power tools breaking due to defects, because Makita offers a three year warranty on all models. Lithium ion Makita 18v batteries are covered by a one year warranty.
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