Choosing the Right Cordless Drill - How Much Torque?

[BDFan1981]

Whenever you choose a cordless drill or drill/driver, how much torque do you need from it to perform the screwdriving or big hole boring jobs you expect it to handle?

EXAMPLE: Here is a list of the cordless drills and drill/drivers that appeared in the 1994 Black & Decker Industry & Construction Power Tool catalog:

GENERAL-PURPOSE CORDLESS DRILLS
1921/K - 9.6V 3/8" High Speed Drill (1850 RPM; 26 in-lbs TQ)
2642/K - 9.6V 3/8" Drill (0-800 RPM; 58 in-lbs TQ)
2682/K - 9.6V 3/8" Adjustable Clutch Drill/Driver (0-800 RPM; 58 in-lbs TQ)
1922CB - 7.2V Univolt 3/8" Dual-Range Cordless Drill w/1-Hour Charger (0-300/0-600 RPM; 97 in-lbs TQ)
2663/K - 9.6V Univolt 3/8" Drill/Driver (0-350/0-1200 RPM; 115 in-lbs TQ)
5923/K - 9.6V 3/8" Hammer Drill (0-1850 RPM; 0-20,350 BPM; 26 in-lbs TQ)

HEAVY DUTY CORDLESS DRILLS
2664K - 9.6V Univolt 3/8" CYCLONE Versa-Clutch Drill/Driver (0-350/0-1200 RPM; 115 in-lbs TQ)
2665K - 12.0V Univolt 3/8" SUPER CYCLONE Versa-Clutch Drill/Driver (0-400/0-1300 RPM; 170 in-lbs TQ)
2755K - 9.6V CYCLONE Adjustable Clutch Drill/Driver (0-400/0-1200 RPM; 175 in-lbs TQ)
2757K - 12.0V CYCLONE Adjustable Clutch Drill/Driver (0-400/0-1200 RPM; 190 in-lbs TQ)
2764K - same as 2664K except w/keyless chuck
2765K - same as 2665K except w/keyless chuck
2852K-2 - 12.0V XR 3/8" SUPER CYCLONE Adjustable Clutch Drill/Driver (0-450/0-1400 RPM; 200 in-lbs TQ)
2870KQ/K-2 - 9.6V XR 3/8" SUPER CYCLONE Versa-Clutch Drill/Driver (0-450/0-1400 RPM; 175 in-lbs TQ)
2872KQ/K-2 - 12.0V XR 3/8" SUPER CYCLONE Versa-Clutch Drill/Driver (0-450/0-1400 RPM; 200 in-lbs TQ)
2874K - 14.4V XR 3/8" SUPER CYCLONE Versa-Clutch Drill/Driver (0-450/0-1400 RPM; 231 in-lbs TQ)
2898K - 12.0V XR 3/8" SUPER CYCLONE Adjustable Clutch Drill/Driver/Hammer Drill (0-450/0-1400 RPM; 0-4950/0-15,400 BPM; 200 in-lbs TQ)
5912K - 12.0V Univolt SUPER CYCLONE Dual-Range 3/8" VSR Hammer Drill w/adjustable clutch (0-500/0-1200 RPM; 0-5500/0-13,200 BPM; 155 in-lbs TQ)

KODIAK SUPER DUTY CORDLESS DRILLS (13.2V Univolt battery pack)
2651/K - 3/8" Cordless HOLGUN (0-1400 RPM; 90 in-lbs TQ)
2661/K - 3/8" Dual-Range Cordless HOLGUN (0-700/0-1500 RPM; 150 in-lbs TQ)
2666/K - 1/2" Cordless HOLGUN (0-450 RPM; 250 in-lbs TQ)
5991/K - 3/8" Hammer Drill (0-1400 RPM; 0-15,400 BPM; 90 in-lbs TQ)

The 2874K has an advantage in low-range torque over all cordless drill models listed here except the 2666K KODIAK 1/2" cordless HOLGUN.

But back to the original question: which cordless drill or drill/driver would you buy based on the amount of maximum torque it produces in the lower range?

~Ben

 

[monkeyspanners]

I'd generally look to see what size holes its capable of drilling in various materials.

Mind you I'm still using a 12v makita from 2004...

 

[theoldwizard1]

I go against the grain.

Get a medium duty (12V), 3/8" cordless drill. It will probably cover 90% of your needs.

If/when you decide you need something bigger, get a CORDED 1/2" drill with triple gear reduction. It will have a max speed of less than 800 rpm, but that id fine for large bits.

 

[Natsfan]

I have a 12v lithium ion porter cable set. The drill and impact combo. I really like the impact driver. The chuck on the drill kinda ***** though.

They are compact and light, charge in a half an hour too. I use them 90% of the time, anything bigger I use my press or my old corded Makita.

 

[ddawg16]

Your over thinking it.

I have the Ryobi 18 set....in fact, all but 2 of their cordless tools....

I like the drills because they have 2 speed settings (geared). On low, it has enough torque so that I can chuck up a 1/4" extension and run lag bolts into wood. Saves a ton of time.

What ever you get...make sure there is a broad family that uses the same battery....and stick with it. Nothing worse than having 5 tools that uses 5 different batteries.

 

[4x4_G30_Sportvan]

Your over thinking it. [SNIP]
.

What he said.


I have the craftsman 19.3 V system, lots o fdiff tools, really handy.

I even have the 19.3V chainsaw!

 

[Thegratenate]

It looks like this subject is in need of a sticky.