(COMPACT SERIES SUMMARY) THE DRILL/DRIVER COMPACT SERIES OVERALL TEST RESULTS!

[kanxrus]

HERE ARE MY FINAL THOUGHTS, AND RATINGS FOR THE COMPACT SERIES TEST'S.

I DECIDED TO GIVE EACH DRILL A SCORE RATING, 1-10. 1 BEING THE WORST, AND 10 BEING THE BEST.

• AT THE BEGINNING I GIVE THE RETAIL/VALUE RATING. THIS RATING IS BASED OFF THE RETAIL PRICE, AND A COMBINATION OF THE SCORES GIVEN.
  
• WEIGHT & BALANCE. I GAVE EACH DRILL A SCORE BASED OFF OF THERE TOOL WEIGHT. THE BALANCE AND ERGONOMICS ARE PURELY MY OPINION.
  
• ON BOARD FEATURES. THIS SCORE IS GIVEN BY HOW MANY ADDITIONAL FEATURES ARE ADDED TO THE TOOL. ie. BIT HOLDERS, BELT HOOKS, BUBBLE LEVELS, LIGHTS, ect...
  
• POWER (TORQUE). THIS IS BASED OFF OF THE TORQUE TESTS DONE. DRIVING 3/8 LAGS, DRIVING 2" & 2 9/16" SELF FEED BITS.
  
• RUNTIME. THIS SCORE IS BASED OFF THE TEST RESULTS WITH A 1" DEWALT SPADE BIT.
  
• CHARGE TIME.THIS SCORE IS BASED OFF THE MANUFACTURES CHARGE TIME. I DID NOT TEST/VERIFY CHARGE TIME.
  
• DURABILITY. THIS SCORE IS BASED OFF THE OVERALL DURABILITY OF THE TOOLS INTERNAL PARTS & DESIGN. NO LONG TERM TESTING WAS DONE FOR OBVIOUS REASONS.
  

HAVE A LOOK INSIDE DEWALT

THE DEWALT DC720 WAS A SOLID PERFORMER ALL AROUND! IT TOOK FIRST OVERALL IN THE RUNTIME, DURABILITY, AND POWER (TORQUE) CATEGORIES. IT HAS GREAT BALANCE, A NICE GRIP, AND WAS THE 3RD LIGHTEST BARE TOOL. IT HAS NICE FEATURES LIKE A BUILT IN LED LIGHT, BIT HOLDER AND THE OPTION TO USE ALL DEWALT 18V BATTERIES. UNLIKE IT'S COMPETITORS THE DC720 STILL USES A NiCd BATTERY. THE DEWALT DC720 WAS DEAD LAST IN CHARGE TIME, HOWEVER DEWALT DOES OFFER A 15 MINUTE CHARGER THE DW9117. WE DOCKED A POINT IN DURABILITY DUE TO THE PLASTIC SHIFTING RING.

HAVE A LOOK INSIDE HITACHI

HITACHI TESTING RESULTS

THE HITACHI DS18DSAL DEFIANTLY SURPRISED ME. IT HAD A GOOD POWER TO WEIGHT RATIO. IT WAS LIGHTWEIGHT, IN SECOND PLACE BY ONE OUNCE, WITH GOOD BALANCE. THE ABILITY TO CHANGE BRUSHES FROM OUTSIDE THE CLAMSHELL IS ALSO A NICE PLUS. THE MILWAUKEE 2601-02 AND THE HITACHI DS18DSAL WERE THE ONLY COMPACT DRILLS THAT FEATURED A NICE METAL BELT HOOK, HOWEVER IT DID NOT FEATURE ANY ACCESSORY HOLDERS. THE HITACHI WAS OUR 3RD WORST RUNTIME PERFORMER. THE HITACHI DS18DSAL WOULD BE A GOOD CHOICE FOR ALL SMALL TASKS, AND SOME LARGER DRILLING APPLICATIONS WHERE RUNTIME IS NOT AN FACTOR.

HAVE A LOOK INSIDE MAKITA

MAKITA TESTING RESULTS

THE MAKITA BDF452 TOOK FIRST IN WEIGHT, BALANCE, AND CHARGE TIME. IT WAS OUR 3RD BEST IN RUNTIME BEHIND THE BOSCH 36618-02 AND PLACED SECOND IN OUR TORQUE TEST BEHIND THE DEWALT DC720.  MUCH LIKE THE HITACHI DS18DSAL, THE MAKITA BDF452 GIVES YOU THE ABILITY TO CHANGE THE BRUSHES WITHOUT TAKING THE ENTIRE DRILL APART.WE DID NOT GIVE MAKITA A HIGH DURABILITY SCORE. IN THE PROCESS OF HEAVY TESTING WE MANAGED TO BURN UP TWO BRAND NEW BATTERIES. THE MAKITA BDF452  DOES NOT FEATURE THERMAL SAFETY SHUT OFF PROTECTION TO PROTECT THE DRILL FROM HEAVY USE. THERE IS ALSO NO CIRCUIT PROTECTION TO SAVE THE BATTERY FROM HEAVY DRAW APPLICATIONS. ALL OTHER COMPACT DRILLS TESTED FEATURE A THERMAL SHUT OFF. OTHER THAN A LIGHT, THIS DRILL DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY ACCESSORY HOLDERS, BUT DOES HAVE A THREADED HOLE FOR AN OPTIONAL BELT HOOK.

HAVE A LOOK INSIDE BOSCH

BOSCH TESTING RESULTS

THE BOSCH 36618-02 WAS A LITTLE DISSAPOINTING. COMING FROM SOMEONE WHO HAS ENJOYED BOSCH TOOLS IN THE PAST. THE BOSCH 36618-02 SCORED DEAD LAST IN POWER RIGHT BEHIND THE MILWAUKEE 2601-02. I EXPECTED A LOT MORE TORQUE. SHARING THE SAME BARE TOOL WEIGHT AS THE DEWALT DC720, THE BOSCH 36618-02 DOES NOT SHARE THE SAME BALANCE, AND FELT AWKWARD. IT WOULD NOT BE MY FIRST CHOICE FOR LONG TASKS. WITH ALL THAT SAID, THE BOSCH 36618-02 DID HAVE SOME GREAT FEATURES. IT HAS THE BRIGHTEST LED LIGHT OUT OF ALL THE COMPACTS TESTED, DUAL BIT HOLDERS, AND THE LIGHTEST BATTERY PACK AT ONLY 11 OUNCES. THE BOSCH 36618-02 PLACED SECOND IN THE RUNTIME TEST, TOOK FIRST IN DURABILITY. HOWEVER MUCH LIKE SOME OF IT'S COMPETITORS, THE BOSCH DID FEATURE A PLASTIC SHIFTING RING.

HAVE A LOOK INSIDE CRAFTSMAN

CRAFTSMAN TESTING RESULTS

THE CRAFTSMAN C3 WAS A DECENT DRILL AT THE LOWEST PRICE. IT TOOK 3RD PLACE IN WEIGHT, AND HAD LOT'S OF FEATURES. IT HAS A SMALL BUBBLE LEVEL, A EASY TO READ BATTERY LIFE GAUGE, AND A BIT HOLDER.  IT ALSO HAS A LITTLE BIT OF STYLE FEATURING THE FLASHY METAL SCREEN VENTS. HOWEVER THEY ARE PURELY COSMETIC. THE CRAFTSMAN C3 DRILL GOT THE HOTTEST DURING MILD USE, MUCH LIKE THE MILWAUKEE 2601-02. THE CHUCK COULD BE OVER TIGHTENED WITHOUT ANY BITS IN IT. THE FIRST DRILL WOULD NOT UNLOCK! WE DESTROYED THE CHUCK IN THE PROCESS. THE SECOND DRILL SHARED THE SAME PROBLEM, HOWEVER WITH  HEAVY COSMETIC DAMAGE WE WERE ABLE DO GET THIS ONE UNLOCKED.

HAVE A LOOK INSIDE MILWAUKEE

MILWAUKEE TESTING RESULTS

THE MILWAUKEE 2601-02 SCORED ALMOST DEAD LAST IN EVERY CATEGORY EXCEPT FEATURES, AND CHARGE TIME. FEATURES BEING THE ONLY CATEGORY THAT SAVED IT FROM DEAD LAST. THE MILWAUKEE 2601-02 COMES PACKED WITH NICE FEATURES. A DUAL BIT HOLDER, A SOLID METAL BELT HOOK, LED LIGHT AND A EASY TO READ BATTERY FUEL GAUGE. THE MILWAUKEE 2601-02 SCORED LAST IN WEIGHT, RUNTIME AND VALUE. DURING OUR MEDIUM TESTING WITH A 1" SPADE BIT, WE WERE ONLY ABLE TO GET 5 HOLES BEFORE THE BATTERY SHUT DOWN. WE TRIED THIS ON ANOTHER BRAND NEW MILWAUKEE 2601-02 WITH THE EXACT SAME RESULTS. THE MILWAUKEE 2601-02, MUCH LIKE THE CRAFTSMAN C3 DRILL, GOT EXTREMELY HOT DURING MILD USE.

HAVE A LOOK INSIDE RIDGID

RIDGID TESTING RESULTS

THE RIDGID R86007 TOOK DEAD LAST. IT WAS THE SECOND HEAVIEST COMPACT, THE BULKIEST ACROSS THE CHUCK, AND CLUTCH, AND SECOND IN RUNTIME BEHIND THE MILWAUKEE 2601-02. IT DID FEATURE A BIT HOLDER, AND MUCH LIKE IT'S COUSIN (CRAFTSMAN C3) IT FEATURED A LED LIGHT MOUNTED ABOVE THE BATTERY.

OVERALL, EACH AND EVERYONE OF THESE DRILLS IS MORE THAN CAPABLE OF DRILLING, AND DRIVING FASTENERS. ALL ARE LIGHTWEIGHT, SOME MORE THAN OTHERS, BUT STILL A MUCH BETTER ALTERNATIVE  PACKING AROUND HEAVY DUTY DRILLS. FROM THESE TESTS, AND "A LOOK INSIDE" YOU CAN SEE THAT THE MARKET IS GETTING VERY COMPETITIVE, BUT THE ONE'S THAT DO MANAGE TO STICK OUT... REALLY STICK OUT! THE DEWALT DC720 COMPACT DRILL IS THE COMPACT DRILL THAT STICKS WAY OUT FOR ME, AND WILL STAY MY OVERALL COMPACT CHOICE. IT HAS GREAT FEATURES, POWER, RUNTIME, AND BALANCE!  IF DEWALT EVER DECIDES TO LAUNCH A COMPACT Li-Ion BATTERY FOR THIS DRILL?? YOU CAN BET I'LL BE THE FIRST TO TEST IT AGAIN!

[Tools-Plus Tom]

Great series of reviews. This is exactly the kind of information someone would need if they were looking to get a new tool. I like that you did not just post some pictures and give the tools a rating, we can actually see you testing the tool and look at the insides ourselves. For me knowing exactly what went in to the testing makes all of the difference. Thank you for all you put in to this and I can't wait to see what’s next.

[kanxrus]

Thanks Tom! I understand that some people might be upset by my overall results, and my methods for testing... but I have to be honest. I've read to many power tool reviews out there, and I've never been completely satisfied! I decided to take the review process a bit further. Video testing, and "a look inside" really added to the overall process. To a great personal expense, and time! I've provided my own method. I hope everyone appreciates the effort put into this single review as you have! Next up is the Impact drivers! Hope you enjoy!?

[Velosapien]

The videos are the key touch. Its hard to argue with a review when you can plainly see the difference right there in front of you.

[CraigC]

Your review was great. I am sold. I am just learning about cordless drills and am looking to buy soon.

However, I have one concern. You compared the DC720 Ni-Cad drill to Lithium competitors.

Don't Ni-cad batteries overall provide more power over lithium.

Why not compare the DCD760kl?

[kanxrus]

The DCD760 was not on the market during the testing. Since Dewalt only had NiCd compact at the time, I felt people still wanted to know what they would get with the options at the time.

[CraigC]

I think you just sold me a DeWalt Drill. I am a home owner that needs to repair a deck and do some general home repair. I need to buy just 1 drill and Power is more important than duration of use. Should I maybe go with the 720ka over the 760kl? Or is that just crazy talk to go with old technology? Please excuse if I may ne posting on the wrong section of the forum.

[kanxrus]

If weight is highly important to you, but second to runtime. The DC720 is an excellent choice. If weight is your top priority, and runtime is second. Then the DCD760 is the better choice. Both batteries are compatible with one another, so if you chose to go lithium down the road, or just have an extra lithium battery laying around for overhead applications, then you won't have any problems.

[KDamericano]

Well done.  In my opinion, the unintended comparison in these tests involved the new lithium batteries against stalwart nickels.  Clearly, there's a reason why nickel has been the industry standard for so long.  Although the lithium offers advantages, it has yet to match NiCd in every area.

[erngum]

I too was disappointed in the Bosch (I am a Bosch man), hence I will not be adding that one to my collection of Bosch Litheon.  The Bosch electronic cell and motor protection appears to be "over protective" 

I have run in to situations with my full size Bosch lithium drills where I know the drill could handle the task, but the electronic protections stopped the drill.  However annoying, it saves my wrists.  although it leaves me having to back the bit out and start in again.  I'm sure its good for the drill and battery but an annoyance on rare occasion.

Good test, and it saves me from taking apart my own drills out of curiosity!