DEWALT 12V MAX Cordless Screwdriver, 1/4-Inch Hex Chuck, 1-Inch Bit Tips, Electric (DCF610S2)

For a very long time I used the cordless screwdriver that started the sub-compact craze, the bosch PS20, and then the hitachi DB10DL for a while. Both worked fine; I liked the grip and light on the hitachi better. Both, however, spun a bit too slow for my preference (400 rpm).Fast forward a bit and we now have the cordless screwdrivers that are two speeds, presumably to function as a drill and driver. In my view, these are a compromise as to what a cordless screwdriver is really designed for: driving screws. They're not designed to drive screws in the high speed mode (~1300 rpm), so you switch it to low speed and you're stuck at the same speeds as the original pocket drivers (350-400rpm). Granted, you do get more power than the original pocket drivers at the same speed, but for me that speed is just too slow.When dewalt announced their 12 volt max line, I became very interested when I found out their cordless screwdriver was a single speed tool and at 1050 rpm no less!I bought one on sale for under a benjamin and gave it a workout.Here's my findings:Because of the battery design (it latches to the bottom of the tool, not in the handle like the pistol style pocket drivers), the handle is slim and extremely comfortable for long term use. The rubber overmold makes it even better. The trigger operates very smoothly throughout the entire speed range for plenty of control. I can start a screw slowly and rev it up to send the screw home, which goes pretty quickly at 1050 rpm. I've found that this tool is absolutely perfect for driving screws for pocket hole joinery.The motor has plenty of power. It's driven screws of 1/2" to 3" with no problems and no sign of struggling, nor would I expect it to. This tool was designed as a cordless screwdriver and in that aspect it functions perfectly. Will it drive lags? I have no idea. There's ratchets and impact drivers for that. Will it drill holes? Well, there's hex shanked drill bits so I imagine it will, though not as well as a drill. Make no mistake, this is a luxury, special purpose tool. A two speed, cordless drill will do everything this tool can and more, but because of the single speed and compact size, this tool is ideal for driving screws.The belt hook is very useful. More than anything, I use t for hanging the screwdriver when I'm not using it. It's nice and sturdy; no worries about it bending out of shape or snapping off.The light ring around the chuck is amazing. With three led's surrounding the chuck, it brightly lights up the area in front of the screwdriver and leaves no shadows. Since a light squeeze of the trigger activates the light without spinning the chuck, it functions very well to line up the driver bit to the screws. Hitachi's DB10DL has a similar ring light, but only uses two led's so the area lit up isn't as even or bright.The 30 minute charger and two 1.5AH batteries keep the tool going. Note that the batteries shipping with dewalt's 12v max line are upgraded. They used to be 1.3ah batteries, but earlier this year, dewalt switched to 1.5ah batteries. More specifically, dewalt changed the cells inside the batteries. They now use the same cells as milwaukee's red lithium batteries and ridgid's hyper lithium batteries, and dewalt didn't make a big marketing event out of it calling it "yellow lithium" or anything like that, they just changed the labels on the batteries and tools. See the pics I uploaded for details.The included storage bag is just ok; it holds everything with extra room, but there's nothing to keep the contents from knocking into each other during transport. I'd like to see a bag with either dividers or velcro straps to secure everything in place.Overall, I'm extremely pleased with this tool.If you drive a lot of screws, I highly recommend it.Quick add-on: I forgot to mention this in the review originally, but another plus is that with the newer 12v max tools (the ones with the yellow labels) dewalt switched from the map-style manual to a traditional staple-bound manual. Kudos to dewalt for this. :-)*UPDATE 8/31/14*This little driver has continued to be one of my most useful tools in the shop and home.Everything about it really shines, and with the introduction of dewalt's new 2.0 ah 12v max batteries.I plan on buying a set of those soon and dedicating the old batteries to the DCL510 12-Volt Max LED Worklight ( a great little light).I changed the rating from 4 to 5 stars as my original nitpicks (slightly loose forward/reverse switch and no dividers in the bag) have proved to not be issues at all over time.I'm hoping dewalt upgrades this model to a brushless driver.I'm still very pleased with this driver and it continues to earn it's keep in my shop.

I am a computer and network technician, installer, and systems administrator. I bought this as a very small and light drill to have to swap out components, install cameras, server racks, run cables, and basically other things that come up. This is the PERFECT tool for an installer who knows what they will be using it for. I bought this and some quick change bits that were very cheap, and I use this on a medium duty basis. First thing I bought it for was assembling system components for computers, and disassembling hard drives. No problem, I put it on torque setting 3, and it stops before I strip aluminum #8 threads. For plastics, I put it on torque setting 1. Then, when I need to install cameras, usually in dry wall with wooden studs, there is no problem here. This is where I learned to value the compactness and light weight of it, I can use it on a ladder all day with minimal fatigue. I have had to use 1 1/2" spade bits in it for plywood...not the best here, you can hear it struggling, but it still will go through 2 sheets of it.The torque settings are good, I will wall mount things in block walls that need higher torque, but will stop when the TapCon is seated, no problems here.Battery life is great for what I use it for. Sometimes, I charge it up, throw it in my kit, and forget about it for a week or so, use it all day, put it back, use it half a day, swap the battery, and keep going. I cannot tell how many holes it can drill or screws it can screw, but it is enough for me.The front LEDs are great. I use this under counters, cabinets, dark rooms, plenums, etc, and not having to tote a light up on a ladder is lovely.The belt clip is nice, but I tend to hang it on my butt pocket when on a ladder.Overall, for a light drill that is for quick jobs, nothing beats this for me. Not those stupid little cordless screwdrivers you would see electronic technicians using, they are too slow. Not any big 18V drill, though I do have one, but I don't want to carry it around all day. Perfect for screws, light drilling, and general use.The only caveat I would say about it is that the bits are not the simplest to find, especially actual drilling bits. I have yet to find a 1/4" drive hole saw, though I have not really had a need. There are cheap 1/4" drilling bits you can find, or more expensive sets too. 1/4" drive philips bits, flat head, torx, and square drive bits are easy to find and cheap, but I recommend you get the quick change bits, not just the little bit you are supposed to put in a magnetic mount unless you want to do this. Also, I recommend, at least for electronic techs and installers, you invest in a quick change 12" extension. This has saved my life a few times in the field when I needed to unscrew some things that have been built over, and you could not get a drill down/up in there.

I purchased this to replace my old 12v DeWalt drill/driver. My batteries were dead and I could buy this set (driver, 2 lithium ion batteries, charger & case) for only $20 more that replacing the ni-cad batteries for the old drill. I also have a 14v Black & Decker, a 18V Ryobi and an old but reliable corded craftsman drill, but the 12v DeWalt had been my favorite drill for years, and this new one is even better.It is much lighter weight even with battery than the old one was without, and is every bit as powerful. I have small hands and this smaller grip is easier for me to use with much less fatigue in my arm and wrist. Overall it is a much smaller drill, allowing easy access to tight spaces.It only takes hex drill bits, and I was concerned about that, but Lowe's Cobalt brand are inexpensive and good quality for the price. Be sure to get the ones with the notch in the shank so it will stay in the drill when you reverse it. (Watch out for Ryobi and a number of other brands that sometimes don't have a well-centered bit in the hex shank. They wobble badly!)The driver is every bit as powerful as my old DeWalt 12v or 14V B&D, and the battery lasts much longer between charges. After a few hours of steady use, followed by a few weeks of even more use, I'm still in love with this drill. I would absolutely buy one again ...and again.