During our test we noted that assist mode slowed RPMs to help get screws started, while preventing the fasteners from over-tightening as they seated. The XTR has three selectable speed modes to tailor driving for the fastener and material you’re working with. We handily drove all our longer deck screws with the XTR, as well as shorter, self-tapping screws. When we drove the lag bolts, we found it to be competent, straining appropriately for the task. We appreciated the battery level indicator, a feature usually reserved for more expensive models. While the tool head is slightly on the larger size, making it feel slightly clunky in tight spaces, the Cobalt XTR is a solid impact driver for the money.
As a result, some folks might find their size and weight to be a little harder to manage than that of smaller, 12-volt tools. On average, 12-volt drills measure 6 to 6½ inches in length and weigh less than 2½ pounds; 18- and 20-volt drills average a length of 6½ to 7 inches and weigh around 3½ pounds . We’ve found 12-volt, compact impact drivers to be super handy and useful. Bosch’s Max is no exception, as it’s become our go-to tool for random tasks that pop up. A low-speed, low-torque setting renders small, delicate jobs worry-free.
If you need a serious power tool to loosen up bolts, then look no further. The heavy-duty but lightweight impact driver makes removing screws and bolts a breeze and is one of the best tools you can have in your arsenal. In this article, we will explore Ridgid vs. DeWalt and which brand makes the biggest impact. With a 4-inch length from the tip of the chuck to the back of its head, the DCF809 is one of the most compact impact drivers on the market.
So although the 12-volt model is capable of tackling tougher jobs, that’s really not what the smaller tool is designed for. The 20-volt drill, on the other hand, is built for these tasks. If that’s the kind of work you’re doing all day, you’ll appreciate the difference. The DeWalt DCD701F2 Xtreme 12-volt drill combines power, comfort, and convenience in a way that none of the other tested drills do. In our tests, it bored 30 1-inch holes through a 2-by-10 on a single battery charge.
Obviously, that’s more than enough oomph to tighten up some cabinet hinges and hang a mirror. Yet it’s also plenty for those times you might need to deal with a larger project, such as repairing a deck repair or fixing a sagging gutter. If you need a drill for constant, all-day aggressive use, we recommend our upgrade pick.
Putting up baby gates or assembling knockdown furniture, for example, is just way easier with a drill. Then, once you get to full-on DIY projects like replacing a rotted deck board or fixing a sagging gutter, a drill is essential. An impact driver should not be used to drill holes in soft or delicate surfaces as its torque could cause irreparable damage. If you are to use it to drill holes, it is best to use only on dense surfaces like knotty wood, hardwoods or metal. At the end of the day, both of these impact drivers are good options. They’re comfortable to handle, they work well, and they don’t cost much.
When we drove lag bolts into treated landscaping lumber, we easily drove the heads, cupping the washers we used, deep into the wood. The one-handed chuck on the Flex was unlike any other models we tested. We pressed a button, just above the trigger, to open the chuck and accept or release a bit. Get what works best for you, and the job, with a wide range of corded and cordless impact drivers and impact wrenches. Add in brushless motors that extend the life of the motor and enhance the runtime of the tool, and you have impact drivers and impact wrenches that deliver what you demand. The DCF885 measures just 5.5 inches long, making it capable of fitting into tight spots, and at just 2.8 pounds , a user’s arm won’t get tired even with extended use.
All of DeWalt’s impact drivers come equipped with three LED work lights that provide ample lighting for dimly lit work sites. DeWalt also equips each tool with a metal clip that allows the operator to attach the driver to a tool belt. The Black+Decker BDCDE120C 20V Max Lithium Drill/Driver with AutoSense Technology dewalt cordless drill was a champ at driving screws, but it didn’t do as well in our drilling test, managing only 25 holes . It also has only a ⅜-inch chuck (the rest of the 18-volt models have ½-inch chucks), which limits it with larger bits. In addition, it’s a single-speed tool, whereas all of the others we tried have two speeds.