This Dewalt 12V Max Xtreme cordless screwdriver is on sale for the first time in a couple of years, at least that I’ve seen.
The Dewalt DCF601 is a compact cordless screwdriver with brushless motor and 1100 RPM max speed.
It’s kind of like a cordless drill, but with a 1/4″ hex bit chuck, and kind of like an impact driver, but with lower torque and an adjustable torque clutch.
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To be frank, this isn’t a must-have if you’ve already got a drill, but I consider it a “really good to have.”
It seems that Dewalt tuned the Xtreme cordless screwdriver for small to medium sizes fasteners. This isn’t the tool for sinking 5″ long construction screws or lag bolts.
The kit comes with 2x 2Ah batteries, a charger, and tool bag.
Lowe’s priced right now is $99 with free shipping. Other dealers have it for $129, or $119 after coupon.
$99 for a 2-battery brushless screwdriver kit always seems like a great bargain, especially for what I feel is a severely under-appreciated tool.
Sale Price: $99
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The next step up is the 5-in-1 multi-head drill/driver, which is on sale right now for $159 and you also get a free 5Ah battery.
Dewalt recently launched a new FlexDrive 4V Max cordless screwdriver.
Personally, I’d much rather have the 12V Max Xtreme model, with 2 removable 2Ah batteries, for $99, than spend $89 for the FlexDrive, although I do prefer inline screwdrivers for light fastening tasks.
Mark M.
Count me a big, big fan of the 601. A Wera 2″ Rapidaptor lives in mine along with an aftermarket bit holder of some sort, and it gets used ALL the time. It’ll even do some light drilling with a hex shank bit in a pinch. $99 is a great price for this kit. The next rung up for me is the M12 Surge, which I also love, but this little driver gets used more than anything else, which I didn’t fully expect when I bought it.
Jeremiah D
Ive got the m12 surge i use for my everyday and considered this for a minute seeing this post. The dewalt is slimmer and the handle more ergonomic. Ive used an old m12 screwdriver in the past which i really like but its only one (low) speed. Prefer the weight and skinnyness of the driver vs the impact.
Mark M.
For me it’s the perfect compliment to the M12 Surge. You’ll think the Surge is light and handy (which it is) until you pick this thing up, and then the M12 feels like an M18. The 601 doesn’t displace anything, it’s like it’s on perfect niche.
Lyle
Just curious on why you have the 2” rapidaptor in it? Is it just to add the extra 2” of oength? I have many rapidaptors but I find them mostly unnecessary with my Dewalt drivers because their bit holder is great.
Mark M.
I prefer a little bit of standoff length. Plus the ability to use 1″ shorty bits, and I like the Rapidaptor change mechanism a little better, where it holds open after removing one so you can insert another bit without pulling out on the collet. I can’t remember if the built-in collet on the 601 has the same feature but I seem to remember you have to pull forward to release and also to insert. It may not be necessary but I like the feel of it, maybe that’s a better short answer. 🙂
Lyle
I just checked the bit holder on one of my Dewalt 20V impact drivers, maybe an 850 and it operates as you describe. I can pull the collar to eject the bit and I don’t need to do anything in order to insert a new bit. It doesn’t have an in and out position like the rapidaptor. Funny that you mention 1” bits, I hate them, I want to gather them all up and sell them. I only find them useful for security bits.
fred
If you’re on the Dewalt battery platform – i can see how this would be appealing.
When I’m doing cabinets or even furniture with screws – my go to tool is a M12 screwdriver. Non-Fuel version – just the right amount of torque.
https://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Screwdriver-Tool-Only/dp/B00VYNEEZO
In the business I partnered in – our cabinet installers seemed to all want Bosch Flexclicks – for both drilling and driving.
https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-Power-Tools-Combo-GSR12V-140FCB22/dp/B074GYX6XG
Stuart
Most of my Dewalt cordless power tools are easily replaceable, but not this one.
This would be the last 12V Max Xtreme tool I gave up, and one of the last Dewalt cordless tool in general.
All that’s to say is that you don’t have to be on the Dewalt battery platform.
There are 5-in-1’s and more premium installation drivers. This driver’s simplicity – and lower price – is among its benefits.
Bosch and Milwaukee also have decent 12V-class screwdrivers, but I tend to prefer this one. It’s not the only one to buy, but I’ve been keeping an eye on the price, and this is the first time in a while that it’s been on sale.
eddiesky
If I had to start again, I’d look at the m12.
But I have this as Atomic 12v driver and its so light and just works!
I also have the gyroscopic and once you are accustomed, its great!
fred
At $99 with 2 batteries, charger and tool bag – Stuart is correct in saying that this Dewalt is a very good deal.
Randell
Agreed. I used the link and picked up one from Lowe’s.
Steve L
I am mainly on the Dewalt battery platform.
But years ago before committing to Dewalt I purchased the Bosch 12V CLPK27-120-2 kit. Might still be the most compact drill/driver combo around. Liked the lightweight size so much I bought the Bosch Flexclick for cabinet work.
I have wrist snapping Dewalt drill/drivers for more demanding applications; but, there is a lot to be said for small and lightweight. Which manufacturer is a personal choice.
Saulac
Do these type of tool actually have hammer mechanism? If yes, do their speed/torque before the hammer kick in is higher than impacts, more like drills? Is there a term/rating for “speed/torque before hammer kick in”? I once try to start a mower with the biggest Dewalt 20v impact thinking that the impact is “powerful” than the cordless drill. I was a surprise, and a bit self embarrassed, to see the huge impact gun cannot “spin” but only can “hammer” the engine to rotate at way too slow of a speed for starting. Why I cannot have the best of both worlds?
Bill
I’m sure Stuart will give you a more complete answer, but in short an electric screwdriver does not have a hammering mechanism. When you use this type of screwdriver, set to one of the numbered torque settings, you will hear a stuttering rat-a-tat-tat sound, when it reaches the preset torque. This sound is the slip clutch kicking in and doing its job to prevent over torquing the screw.
Peter
Bosch makes a 12v drill with a hammer function but I am not sure how useful that is or if that drill is still considered electric screwdriver.
Big fan of the 12V Bosch line mainly because of the form factor.
If it would not for Bosch I would go with team red.
Jeremiah D
There are impact drivers with a rotary “hammer” function. They dont have a torque dial but may have a power/speed control. They are for driving/loosening threaded fasteners. There are also drill drivers which have a hammer drill function which is percussive inline with the bit for drilling masonry materials.
fred
Bosch also sells a hammer-drill attachment:
https://www.amazon.com/BOSCH-GFA12-H-SDS-plus%C2%AE-Rotary-Attachment/dp/B0BNKCQNQP
Blocky
I have this 12v sds attachment. It does indeed smack nicely through concrete. It’s limited to 3/8” bore. I managed 1/2” but only one hole. It did not excel pushed beyond tolerance.
HmmmDusty
I think there is a Makita and maybe a Panasonic that work the way you describe (driver mechanism with mechanical clutch that also has an impacter) but this one is best described as a drill/driver with 1/4 quick change hex in place of a drill chuck.
Stuart
This isn’t an impact driver, and it’s not a hammer drill. Cordless screwdrivers and drills are typically rotary-only tools.
Impact drivers rotate at high speed until a certain amount of resistance, which is design-dependent, and then the impact mechanism is activated.
Hammer drills have a vibratory-type action.
fred
And – you probably would not want either of those functions when driving cabinet hinge or hardware fastening screws or similar. With my 2401-20 I can adjust the torque and feather the drive well enough that I can run in even slotted-head brass hinge screws – leaving the final tightening to a hand screwdriver. I suspect that, with some practice, this Dewalt would be similarly capable. I would not dare to attempt that task with any of my impact drivers – as failed screws would likely result.
But – I choose one of my impact drivers (M12 2450-20 or M18 2760-20 -surge) for construction screwdriving tasks where added torque and speed outweigh finesse. When I need even more – I move up to a 7/16 hex drive 2765-20 – which Milwaukee seems to have replaced with the 2865. This is my go-to tool for both drilling clearance holes and driving lags for landscaping projects. HD has the 2865 on sale for Labor Day – they say 31% off:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M18-FUEL-ONE-KEY-18V-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless-7-16-in-High-Torque-Impact-Wrench-w-5-0Ah-Resistant-Battery-2865-20-48-11-1850R/325664638
Ken
A 12V cordless screwdriver is my most-used tool. I cringe when I see tradesmen using 18V+ tools with massive batteries for light-duty screw tasks. That’s what I did until I discovered the size and weight benefits of a 12V driver. I also have a multi-head driver that acts as a second cordless screwdriver when it is used without any head attached. Very convenient to have a pair with different bits attached for certain tasks!
Lyle
Which multi-head driver do you have? I have both the Dewalt 12V xtreme multi-head and the Bosch 12V FlexiClick. The Dewalt won’t really let you use it without a head because even thought it has a hex adapter for the heads to attach, it doesn’t hold the bits at all. You still need to put their hex head adapter on it which I find rather bulky (compared to the Bosch). This is my only complaint for the Dewalt multi-head, the ergonomics are way better than the Bosch. In the cases where I don’t need the different heads, I fall back to using either the Dewalt 610 or 601 screwdriver.
Mike
Hands down the most used tool I own, remodeling a house and we use it constantly for building cabinets/electrical work/assembling bbq grill etc. as a mechanic this is incredibly useful for interior removal and small fasteners. Best of all because of the clutch and light weight I can let my kids use it to assemble tedious things without fear of overdriving screws. This is a very close 2nd place to the flashlight for usefulness, although it does have a light too… We’ve got all the 20v drills and drivers, we’ve got the 8v gyro thing and even a bosch 12v we tried for a while. I still reach for the 601 95% of the time and only change out if more power is needed. Elegant simplicity from DeWalt and an absolute home run. Which means they will probably stop making it soon and replace it with some bluetooth-app controlled contraption their gen Alpha focus group said they want, but none of their actual customers who have money will buy. And DeWalt will be left wondering why Milwaukee is running away with the market…
John E
I have this and its predecessor the 610 which still gets used more than anything cordless I own The 610 is skinnier and more nimble than the current version and I prefer its smaller quick release chuck, but I like the light delay on the 601.
$99 is a no-brainer for this kit.
Lyle
I also have two of the older 610’s and I prefer that form factor (narrower) over the new model 601 (shorter). Both are great though.
Blocky
How is the center-alignment of the quick change chuck and is the clutch equal to or more refined than on the 12v extreme drill?
(The Bosch quick change chuck has too much slop imo with long bits.
John E
I love the clutch on the 610. Anything below 5 or 6 is super delicate yet it has enough power to surprise you. Mine has seen tens of thousands of fasteners and been dropped more times than I can remember and still will not quit. The DeWalts have a push to insert/lock chuck and one handed bit release. Invaluable when you are up a ladder or in a tight spot and only have two or three fingers available to swap a bit. I don’t thing anyone other than Ridgid does that; at least not when I checked several years ago. I could use that thing just as easily if I only had one arm.
There’s a little slop in the chuck but it’s never been a problem for me.
Nathan
I’d buy one of these kits but I’m hard-pressed not to spend more for the 5 in 1 model. Even though nearly double the price
John E
That’s on sale for $159, I think, right now. Was $139 a few months ago.
John E
Only comes with one battery though.
TimL
The Lowes link shows a BOGO free battery too? I want the 5in1 but I’m trying to keep the 20V & 60FV as my two batts.
Lyle
I wish Dewalt made a multi-head on the 20V platform.
Michael
Why not both? It’s just money!
JohnBCS
I have both the 601 and the multi head driver. They’re both amazing. The 601 is used mostly as my assembly driver and the 5-in-1 is my go to for things like cabinet installation, or anywhere the 601 doesn’t have enough oomph. Both luxury tools that compliment each other, and both of which I’d not be without.
glenn
I have the Makita version of this and it my most used drill by far. Model number is DF032DZ in my part of the world.
I use Milwaukee 1/4 hex drill bits, along with all the other usual 1/4 hex accessories. It is a joy to use, and does about 90% of everything I need from it.
I can’t see myself ever going back to a normal chuck type drill for everyday use.
Kingsley
It is great. It never goes below £80 ($100) in the UK bare. I bought mine in the USA whilst on holiday. Lowes normally have good deals on the 12V stuff
Ryan
I use mine all the time. I like use it as a drill with step bits, lightweight and can use hex extensions, Don’t have to worry about chuck loosening and bits change out quickly.
I do prefer the clutch on the original brushed version. I wish i didn’t leave it somewhere in a junkyard.