Dewalt has announced a new 8V Max lithium-ion cordless screwdriver (DCF680) that features gyroscopic controls and built-in clutch settings. Not only that, the 2-position handle can be rotated from a 90° pistol grip to a 180° inline driver configuration, depending on the job at hand as well as user preferences.
Update: here’s our full review of Dewalt’s new 8V Gryo driver!
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Operation should be similar to that of Black & Decker’s 4V Gyro driver, which really impressed us. Twist the tool clockwise for clockwise/forward motion, or counterclockwise for counterclockwise/reverse motion. The harder and faster you turn, the faster the chuck spins.
Features
- 1/4″ hex chuck that works with 1″ screwdriver bits
- variable speed operation
- LED worklight
- adjustable clutch settings
- built-in fuel gauge
- removable li-ion battery pack
The new driver will be available in two kits, DCF680N1 single-battery kit for $90, and DCF680N2 two-battery kit for $99. Both kits will be available starting in August 2013.
Dewalt still offers a popular 7.2V NiCd cordless screwdriver (currently $70 via Amazon) for users that aren’t quite ready to jump on the gyro-controlled bandwagon.
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First Impression
It looks like users must first activate the tool via a trigger switch, similar to how the Black & Decker Gyro had a palm-switch. This seems necessary to avoid unintentional operation, such as when the tool is being carried in a tool bag, and to avoid rapid battery consumption when the tool is idle.
There is a fine line between innovation and gimmick, and I feel that the new 8V driver is on the right side. It looks quite compact and is packed with some very useful features that a lot of users are going to love. $90 for the single battery kit and $99 for the two battery kit seems reasonable, but perhaps a tad high.
There are a few details Dewalt has not made available yet, such as charging time (please, please don’t let it be “overnight!”), speed range, maximum torque, length, weight, or approximate runtime. I also find myself wondering what else they have planned for the new 8V Max li-ion platform. How about a super-compact LED worklight?
Mitch (route246)
Personally, I find these “electric screwdriver” class drivers less than practical. I’ve personally standardized on Bosch and Milwaukee 12V for now for small and routine work. Going downsized from that is just not of much use.
Hang Fire
I felt the same way, until a friend had to do assembly line style upgrades of a 100 or so school computer workstations. The lighter the tool, the less tired you are at the end of the day. It only has to have just enough power to do the job.
So, it may be a bit more specialized, but there is a need for tools like this.
Ben
The thing I liked about the B&D Gyro is that the configuration allowed you to put your body weight into the tool, allowing you to put some pressure on it.
I don’t think you could push as hard on this guy in the inline configuration and I think you’d lose the intuitive twist motion in the pistol grip configuration… It’d be more like turning a door lever as the fulcrum is above your hand instead of inline with your wrist.
Jerrick
I think these would be very handy in situations as Hang Fire mentioned, or in assembling hardware on cabinets, etc.
I think the $90-$99 price point is high, especially when 12v systems are not much higher. I would expect these would sell quick if priced at $69 with two batteries.
Dennis
Looks like a good form factor on the battery, but come on, how many different voltage batteries do we need? I used to have NiCad tools, when those batteries went south I switched to 18V L-ion tools. Then Bosch came out with 10.8v (now they call them 12v). They were handy for smaller projects so I got some of those. Then Milwaukee came out with a broad line of 12v tools, and they had screaming deals and giveaways that I couldn’t pass up, not to mention useful tools nobody else had. So I got some of those. Then 2 years ago Craftsman was clearancing out their 4V tools (Which have the same batteries as Ryobi 4v), so I got some a couple of those. The electric scissors are awesome for opening clam-shell packaging. Perfect for junk drawers. Just recently Milwaukee released a new 4V screwdriver which I have my eye on. Now 8V. AAAAHHHHHH! Who can keep up with all these batteries and chargers?
Stuart
There’s also 16V Max, or 14.4V, such as Rockwell’s new drill and impact driver. 14.4V drills and drivers are still quite popular outside the USA.
=)
Each Li-ion battery cell is rated at 3.6V/4.0V Max, with manufacturers sticking to battery packs with multiples of these cells to save on costs.
There are also a number of offerings above 18V/20V Max as well, such as 28V (Milwaukee) and 36V (Bosch, Dewalt, Makita).
Milwaukee and Dewalt both offer M12/M18 and 12V/20V chargers, respectively, that do help make things easier for multi-platform users.
Dennis
Yeah I just picked up a Milwaukee M12/M18 last week. I know the other sizes exist, just currently I don’t have a use for them. Notice I said currently…
To your point, how great would it be if they made a shell (Battery/Pack) that would hold as many 4v cells as you tool needed? Where else have I seen this concept? Oh yeah the standardization of consumer batteries. 1.5v = 1AA, 3v = 2AA, and so forth. That would make tool purchases really easy. However it wouldn’t lock you into a brand, and what manufacturer wants that?
Stuart
I know, but I thought I’d throw more voltages in there to add to your “AAAAHHHHHH” reaction.
The problem is that most brands’ Li-ion battery packs are not simple cell holders, they’re designed to be part of a complete power tool system.
Let’s say you could pop in your own Li-ion cells. Not only could this present a fire hazard, such as if one used non-matching cells, but it would lead to unpredictable performance.
I suspect that if brands allowed for interchangeable batteries, lost profit from battery pack sales would be the very least of their problems.
mnoswad1
i still use the DW920 7.2 volt…….am always pleased with myself for owning that tool when the need arrises, which is more often that I expected. It is getting on the bulky/heavy side now , its about a foot long.
Id like to try the gyro switch, but i’m sure I would prefer a real trigger or at least a rocker type switch, many times you need the tool to squeeze into tight spaces that you just need to be able to press the trigger with any finger. Adding the gyro switch will add another layer to that action without real benefit…….i call gimmick for now.
I’ve been looking forward to an upgrade of the DW920. looks like a good start.
mnoswad1
After watching a video of this, i don’t want the gyro at all. With a trigger you can bump it in quick bursts to get the right snugness on a screw, with this your going to do a weird wrist wrenching move every SINGLE time…….makes me think of carpel tunnel after prolonged use.
The form factor literally looks like it was molded by hand from play-dough into a semi turd shaped wand. One of the cool things about the original DW920 7.2 volt was the barrel shape ergonomic simplicity. This looks like its going to feel clumsy in the hand.
A new 8 volt platform is a interesting idea though. Esp since DeWalt chose to use a slide pack battery form factor instead of the pod style in the 12v max line up. 8V max line up speculation?
Jason Offret
Oh my hell FOCUS DEWALT! You need to get more 20v max tools to market!
Noah
While DeWalt certainly needed to upgrade their existing screwdriver, as the design is quite dated, I don’t think this was the way to do it. I would have expected to see this gyro stuff in a Porter Cable before it showed up in a DeWalt. It just sounds more gimmicky than DeWalt “Guranteed Tough” should.
Phil
I have just as much a use for decent, lower-torque, compact cordless drivers as I do more powerful and faster units. Problem is, a majority of the little ones leave a lot to be desired. I’ve had the DW920K 7.2 volt driver since it was released years ago. It’s been a great tool, it’s been beat to hell, the batteries are shot now, and it has been outclassed by newer and better things. I have the 4V Gyro as well as a Skil Ixo that get used for my electronic work as well as dashes, etc. This new DeWalt looks like a nice successor to the DW920, I like having the convertible handle, and if the gyro control works like their B&D version, it means there is finally a worthy variable speed control in a compact driver like this. I like the fact there is a clutch, and the lighting ring looks useful compared to the single point light so many other drivers have. Many times having the tool in a “linear” configuration is much more appropriate than a pistol grip, especially when working above chest height pointing down. I hope the price falls below what they are hinting at, perhaps on a special. I can wait for this one for sure.
jeth
looks cool just have to wait for spec, with 8v (7.2v) i dont think there is a lot of option for other tools maybe flash light ,distance laser measurer , glue gun ? stud finder(cheaper then the 12v and smaller), laser or small dancing hawiian girl ! the 7.2v nicad was realy nice used it for years
Mike
If this tool works anything like the Black & Decker Gyro Screwdriver it should be a very popular tool. We use the Gyro Screwdriver for just about every small project. But I do think they are right about he price tag on this new drill.