I want to give a cordless drill driver as a present. Before buying the new tool I will do a cordless drill comparison to make sure the recipient gets a drill driver that meets his needs. I have been looking at cordless power tool combo kits and saw that one of the major differences in cordless drill drivers is the battery. I decided that the first part of my cordless drill comparison would be to take as look at what makes a lithium ion (Li-ion) battery different than a Nicad battery.
For this cordless drill comparison I decided that the chemical properties weren't important to me. What mattered was why an Li-ion battery may be better than a nicad battery. My drill comparison came up with 2 major reasons. Li-ion batteries weight is about half that of a nicad battery. In other words when you hold a 18 volt lithium ion powered cordless drill driver over your head you will notice a major difference in the weight over that of a 18 volt nicad drill driver.
12 Volt Drill
This cordless driver comparison showed that Lithium-ion batteries hold a charge a lot longer than a nicad battery. A fully charged Lithium-ion batteries can hold a charge for up to a year. My cordless driver comparison did clarify to me that when comparing drivers its important to compare cordless drivers with similar power. Power wise a 12 volt Nicad battery has the same power as a 12 volt Lithium ion battery and a 18 volt nicad battery has the same power as a 18 volt Li-ion battery. So don't expect the same torque found in a 18 volt nicad cordless drver from a new 12 volt li-ion cordless driver.
My drill comparison showed many drills are now listed as drill drivers instead of just a cordless drill. Cordless drivers have a clutch. The clutch controls the amount of torque applied. When the preset resistance has been reached It disengages the drill driver's drive shaft making a clicking sound. By setting the clutch correctly you won't strip a screw or overdrive it once it's snug. So its important to pay attention to the clutch settings so you are able to take advantage of clutch and not strip the screws. Also, part of my cordless driver comparison is also to check the number of clutch settings each drill driver has.
My cordless driver comparison also revealed that most cordless drill drivers have keyless chucks that are tightened by hand, no chuck key to loose. Keyless chucks are usually 3/8 inch or 1/2 inch. This drill comparison also revealed some consumer level cordless drill drivers have keyless chucks that only take quick connect bits. So since I'm buying the cordless driver as a gift I'm making sure what type of bits the recipient uses.
I concluded through this cordless drill comparison that the most important feature to consider is how the drill feels in your hand. Does the drill point straight ahead without tipping up or down? Is it too heavy working overhead? Since the drill I'm buying is a gift I'm checking return policies before I buy, especially if I'm buying online.
Besides helping me discover what cordless drill to buy as a gift, my cordless driver comparison helped me to better understand my tool. I now know how and why to use the clutch settings and am now taking the time to set it correctly.
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Hitachi DS12DVF3 12-Volt Ni-Cad 3/8-Inch Cordless Drill/Driver Kit Feature
- Class leading 230 in./lbs of torque to power through the toughest jobs
- 22-stage clutch for high torque and/or precision driving; soft, non-slip elastomer grip for increased user comfort
- Convenient 5-position belt hook features an integrated bit holder
- Includes drill, flashlight, two 1.4Ah batteries, quick charger, carrying case and driver bit
- Compact and lightweight-only 7.5 inches in length and 3.3 pounds; 5-year warranty
Hitachi DS12DVF3 12-Volt Ni-Cad 3/8-Inch Cordless Drill/Driver Kit Overview
Compact and comfortable best describe this 12V drill from Hitachi that delivers 230 in. lb. of torque while weighing only 3.3 lb. The RPM range on this tool is 0 to 350 in low speed and 1 to 1050 in high speed with a 22 stage torque adjustable clutch. SofHitachi DS12DVF3 12-Volt Ni-Cad 3/8-Inch Cordless Drill/Driver Kit Specifications
The Hitachi DS12DVF3 12-Volt, 3/8-Inch Driver Drill Kit with Flashlight offers professional-grade performance in a convenient package. The drill has a two-speed transmission and 22-stage clutch that make it ideal for working in wood, plastic, mild steel, and aluminum. And with a compact, lightweight design, the drill reduces user fatigue and fits into tight spaces. In addition to the drill, the DS12DVF3 kit includes a bit set, flashlight, quick charger, and more.
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 22-stage clutch offers easy adjustments for driving in wood, plastic, steel, and aluminum. View larger. |
 Kit includes high-quality flashlight, battery charger, and seven-piece bit set. View larger. |
The DS12DVF3 Driver Drill offers class-leading maximum torque of 230 in/lbs, so you can power through wood up to one inch thick. And two-speed transmission is controlled by a one-touch speed knob that lets you choose the right setting for your job--either 0-350 RPM or 0-1,050 RPM.
Also, a 22-stage clutch offers easy adjustments for high torque and precision driving in wood, plastic, steel, and aluminum. And with tool-less clutch adjustment, this drill handles precision fasteners, such as drywall screws, without damaging walls.
Compact, Ergonomic Design for Easy Handling
The DS12DVF3 has all the power you need and is still lightweight and compact enough to provide superior handling. At just 7-3/4 inches in length and weighing just 3.3 pounds, this tool reduces user fatigue and can be used on a ladder or in tight spaces where larger cordless drills can't reach. An added bonus, a non-slip elastomer grip provides comfort and safety.
Adding to this drill's easy-handling features is a 3/8-inch keyless chuck that allows for easy bit changes, as well as a patented five-position belt hook--with two bit holders--that saves time and adds convenience.
Everything You Need in One Package
The DS12DVF3 Kit includes more than just the cordless driver drill. It also includes a high-quality flashlight and a seven-piece bit set to get you started immediately. For further convenience, a protective carrying case stores it all for easy portability from job to job.
Long-Lasting NiCD Batteries Charge in 30 Minutes
The DS12DF3 kit's driver drill and flashlight run on 1.4-Ah nickel cadmium (NiCD) batteries (included), which offer longer runtimes and fewer charges than traditional batteries.
The kit's quick charger fully charges the batteries in just 30 minutes, and you can expect about 300 charges over the life of each battery. An added bonus, the charger is compatible with other Hitachi tools that use NiCD rechargeable batteries (up to 18 volts).
The Hitachi DS12DVF3 Driver Drill Kit with Flashlight is backed by a five-year warranty.
What's in the Box
DS12DVF3 Driver Drill, driver bit, seven-piece bit set, flashlight, two 1.4-Ah batteries, quick charger, and carrying case.
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