Well, this is different for Makita – a 3.6V cordless screwdriver with pivoting handle, built-in battery, USB charging port, and an included screwdriver bit kit.
The new Makita screwdriver set, DF001DW, is not well documented online, but we were able to dig up some details. The details apply to the same model number tool sold overseas, but it’s reasonable to assume they’re the same for the USA version.
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First, it appears to have a 2-position handle. You can use it as an inline driver, or with a pistol grip.
Its motor can deliver 6 Nm max torque, or around 53 in-lbs, and spins at 220 RPM (no load). It weighs just 0.36 kg, around 0.8 lbs.
53 in-lbs might not seem like a lot, but it’s actually quite reasonable if you ask me. There’s no adjustable clutch, and the product specs suggest that its speed is fixed at 220 RPM.
It looks simplistic, but reasonably compact, versatile, and capable. Its list price is $99, but Amazon currently has it for $77.
Because its 1.5Ah built-in battery is charged via USB, you don’t need to buy into a new cordless power tool system to use it. That does mean that the tool itself might be disposable in a few years, but having a built-in battery should contribute to lower costs.
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I can’t tell if this is a sidekick tool aimed at professionals, or a homeowner set. I would expect to see something like this from Black & Decker, Stanley, or Ryobi.
*Shrug* It looks like jus the kind of tool that is equally fitting as a sidekick, whether you’re a professional user or not. Hopefully the price dips a little lower.
The kit comes with an 81-piece accessory set, and a carrying case.
Price: ~$77
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Satch
I like it but it is pricey for what it does. You can go to Lowe’s and for $26 buy a Skill Oxo 4 volt(3.7 but who’s counting?) Pocket screwdriver that does the same thing. It is pistol grip only but fits perfectly in my Veto MCT. I use it to remove fasteners from appliances and control cabinets. The latest one charges from usb as well.
Hilton
As I have become more knowledgeable and skillful over the years with DIY, I lean more to hand tools over power tools. As such I would have jumped on this a bunch of years ago but now I’ll just pull out my Wera screwdrivers and get the job done. If I have a ton of screws to put in, then I’ll fire up my Makita Impact Driver that has both speed and torque control.
Looks cool though.
alex
This tool is useful for more delicate tasks, such as computer repairs, putting an electrical plate back in place, small mechanical screws, … Even with speed and torque control, your impact would totally destroy these things.
I have the Dewalt version with gyroscopic controls (which is totally awesome by the way) and I use it a lot more than I thought I would when I first bought it.
Hilton
Sure but I wouldn’t be using my Impact Driver for those tasks anyway, only for the repetitive or energy sapping tasks. I just prefer to use my normal screwdrivers.
Mind you, taking the hinges off a door gets irritating after a while so maybe this could be the answer.
alex
For a small task, a normal screwdriver is perfectly fine but when you have lot of screws to fasten or very long ones, you are glad to have this kind of tool.
Hilton
Appreciate the feedback. I’ll look at it.
Satch
Sorry, should have read; Ixo
kat
Why would some buy this, if you get much more torque by using your hand??
Stuart
Imagine that you need to drive 20 #8 1-1/2″ screws. That gets tiring, really fast.
For a few screws or short screws, hand-power might be equally capable or even have an advantage. But for more screws and longer screws, battery power quickly gains benefits.
Fatigue makes things slower, not to mention uncomfortable.
Cordless screwdrivers can also be useful when driving in screws overhead, or in difficult spaces.
Wayne
It’s not about torque over the last 2mm, it’s about speed over the previous 20mm, repeated, on machine screws.
I can’t imagine anyone getting more than 1-2 wood screws with one of these, so torque there would be moot pretty fast.
Hang Fire
Stuart is right, it’s about quantity, not torque. Also it’s about not too much torque. If an impact driver or drill/driver can strip threads, better to use a tool that can’t/won’t.
Yes, I know drill/drivers have clutches. Clutches wear out, are tiring to listen to the clatter 8 hours a day, and can be mis-set. What are the odds of the clutch being adjusted for some other purpose, and then the next unit in the assembly line getting stripped threads? Pretty much 100% it’s going to happen sooner or later. Better to use a tool that can’t.
Many people haven’t worked in the custom assembly part of manufacturing where workers may have hundreds of screws to drive per day on large complex machinery. Stopping to replace an assembly because of a stripped hole is VERY pricey. This is the right tool for that job.
Barks
No need for a “new power tool system”. Rather, one needs to purchase a computer to use the USB charger.
Stuart
Are you kidding?
1) It comes with an AC adapter, which you can see in the photo.
2) Most personal electronics are charged via USB – smartphones, tablets, e-book readers, and so forth.
3) Let’s say this is your only USB-chargeable device and you lose the AC adapter. USB adapters and cables are incredibly inexpensive and very widely available.
The only device I have ever charged using a computer was my MP3 player, and that’s because it came with a super short specialty adapter and I found it easier to perch it on top of my computer tower to charge rather than dangling it from an AC adapter plugged into an outlet or power strip.
James C
Ken M, is that you?
Wayne
This USB charging isn’t a bug (unless it’ a surprise when you open the box), but it allows easy/cheap car charging – not many power tools let you charge in a car/truck without buying an expensive dedicated 12vdc charger or adding an inverter.
CJ
I use the Hitachi DB3DL2 in a professional setting. The tool itself has a lifetime warranty, the batteries are replaceable and cheap. It’s awesome. I’m an IT installer, use this for racking equipment, drilling holes for CAT6 cables, mounting equipment, fixing computers, etc…
Scott
I have a 4V Skil Ixo screwdriver that I got as a present years ago. I don’t know how much it was, but much less than $99. I use that thing all the time. Surprisingly good torque. Holds a charge for quite a while too. The handle is a little small, which actually works out while because it puts my index finger right along the barrel making it very stable.
Wayne
What kills this for me is the magnetic “chuck”. I’d really appeal to me if the thing took power bits, and the case was able to organize at least ten 3″ bits and a couple of 6″ bits. But I can use my 10v Bosch kit for most of that, so NBD.
Diplomatic Immunity
How do these types of folding screwdrivers compare with Bosch’s PS21 pocket driver?
glenn
They wont compare to the Bosch. 265 in lb vs 53 and 1300rpm vs 220.
It wont replace a standard drill/driver, its more of a light duty odd job style of tool.
glenn
I bought one of these on a whim a few weeks ago when I saw it on an Aus’ tool site and it is surprisingly good. I paid $70 delivered and has since dropped to $65 on some sites so I expect you guys in the USA will soon see it at cheaper pricing.
I used it to do up some pocket hole screws inside a small side cabinet I built when I couldn’t fit a standard drill and it did the job perfectly.
I have also used it for couple of other small jobs like installing some small hinges etc and its a pretty handy thing. So much so that I have left it out on one of my benches with a ph2 bit in it as a grab and go sort of tool.
It doesn’t hurt that it has a fairly comprehensive bit set either. Cons? Well the bits are not what I would call super high quality but certainly well up to the 6nm torque. The other is the somewhat vague charging instructions. Charging times are stated as 2-5 hrs and there is no mention of auto charging cut off.
The instructions also state that it should only be charged using the included charger. Not sure why, as this somewhat negates the convenience of having a USB charged device. Perhaps this is just a liability thing.
No it wont replace a standard drill driver but overall, a lot more useful than the specs would suggest and I am glad I bought it.
I
glenn
Oops, sent before finishing.
At the end I was going to add that the left/right buttons on the back for the forward/reverse take a little getting used to, especially coming from all trigger type tools and that it has an led light with the switch on the base of the handle.
Chris
I would much rather get the Dewalt one with the gyroscope. In fact, thats going on my Christmas list right now. If the Makita could take a replaceable usb rechargeable battery, that would be a different story.
Darnell
Can you just buy the drill only
Stuart
Sorry, not that I know of.
Juan
Hello.
What is the most complete set of bits in the market?
I have a 127 pieces Drapper but many pieces are duplicated or redundant (for example torx and tamper proof torx) and you can always miss some. It has very few sizes of spanner and triangular (TA) bits. And it’s very bad quality, some pieces have rusted or broken even if I take care of them.
I’m looking for something something with Motorq, Torqset, Hexstix, Torx plus, TA, TP3, Plus Minus, Tri-Groove, Slot-Lok, Avsafe. Unidrive, Ultra-Lok, Polydrive, Bristol, Pentalobe…
Or maybe a place where I can buy sets of all these types and mix them for a good price.
Stuart
There are lots of inexpensive “security” bit sets. But I have yet to see very complete high quality bit sets.
Juan
That’s what I’m looking for. I think the first company to offer that kit for a reasonable price will sell a lot, to professionals and to amateur too.
Stuart
Quality
Selection
Pricing
I think this might be a good time to bring up the saying “you can only pick two.”
Juan
OK, imagine I have no price limit.
Stuart
As mentioned, I have to find a “you’ll never need a size not featured here” complete high quality bit set.
There’s a Wiha security bit set, 71991, but that’s far from being anywhere near “complete.”