I have really grown to like Dewalt’s 12V Max Xtreme cordless screwdriver kit (DCF601F2). There’s a lot to like about this cordless driver – it’s powered by a brushless motor, it’s compact, it’s comfortable to use, it’s bundled with (2) 2Ah batteries, and it’s reasonably powerful.
I used this little cordless screwdriver to punch above its weight class this weekend, removing lag screws holding a customized pallet together, and was surprised that it worked. I grabbed a 1/4″ to 1/4″ square adapter, a 13mm socket, and went to work.
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I didn’t really expect it to get the job done, but it did.
Today, I used it to remove a couple of screws from a wooden planter box.
Last week, I used it to assemble a small fixture with way too many machine screws.
Over time, I’ve learned a lot more about this compact cordless screwdriver, and the more I use it, the more indispensable it becomes.
It sits between a cordless drill and a cordless impact driver, delivering repeatable results with its clutch dial, and it’s more compact even with bit adapters than a drill with typical 3/8″ or 1/2″ chuck.
What’s different about this Dewalt Xtreme brushless screwdriver is that it’s a rare single-speed tool.
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That’s right, it has a 0-1100 RPM gearbox. There’s no gear selection switch, which I’d think was done to make it more compact. What this means is that it’s not quite just a cordless drill with a different front end, it’s a distinctly different tool.
Frankly, this is perfect. If I need lower speeds I ease up on the trigger. If I need faster speeds, I can pull the trigger switch at full throttle. Cordless drills are a bit faster, and sometimes too slow in one setting and too fast in the other, at least when it comes to lighter duty or more delicate fastening tasks.
Repeatability and control is the name of the game here. For drilling, reach for a drill. For higher power, reach for an impact driver.
I posted about Bosch’s brushed motor cordless screwdriver kit earlier today, on sale for $69.
If I had to choose between the two, I’d probably spend more for the Dewalt. This is a big deal, given my affinity for Bosch’s 12V Max cordless power tools. But in a direct comparison, the Dewalt is a slightly more comfortable package while the Bosch is a little long in the tooth. The Bosch is more affordable for new users, but the Dewalt is a more modernized tool and I’d consider it better for more frequent use. Plus, the Dewalt has its flat-resting base, which is more important than it seems.
Dewalt’s 12V Max Xtreme cordless power tool ecosystem hasn’t grown much since their revamp, but Bosch hasn’t paid much attention to expanding their 12V Max lineup either.
I had expected to see $89 pricing on this Dewalt Xtreme cordless screwdriver kit again, but not so soon.
The difficult thing about cordless screwdrivers is that some users definitely need and benefit them, but for many it’s an optional tool that overlaps with what their drill and impact driver can do. This driver and others like it aren’t well-suited for drilling, nor can they handle the higher power tasks of cordless impacts.
But it makes up for being an in-between tool by handling smaller fasteners with greater ease, precision, and comfort, at least in my experiences.
Cordless screwdrivers have their places in a lot of tool kits, and this Dewalt Xtreme model is one of the best I’ve ever used. At $89 for a complete kit with two batteries, this is also one of the best values, too.
Sale Price: $89
Buy Now via Acme Tools
Buy Now via CPO Tools
Buy Now via Amazon – not on sale right now
See Also: Dewalt Drill Kit via Amazon
Compare: Bosch Brushed Kit
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Dewalt Xtreme 12V Max Cordless Screwdriver Deserves More Love
Mark
I use DeWalt 20v tools for the big stuff. I like it very much. I do not understand why anyone would buy into DeWalt’s 12v line though. Milwaukee has a VERY robust 12v offering and is definetly the Juggernaut in the 12v room. I have a rather large collection of milwaukee 12v and they are great.
Tom D
What’s even stranger is that there is NO compatibility between any companies 12 and 18 volt systems that I know of – beyond chargers that can charge both.
So there’s nothing holding back someone having yellow 20v and red 12v.
I do know that some have said the battery not being in the handle makes the d12v fit their hand better and balance better – but I have big hands so I don’t really care.
Tommy
What do you mean compatibility between complains 12volt and 18volt line besides the chargers? Well what else
Could be compatible? Well to be far screw tip, a drill bits and the accessories that attach like that. But I don’t see how much more could be compatible. The batteries are obviously different, the internals are different due to running and different voltages. Also due to different voltage there is different power requirements on the internals. So what else would you want or could be compatible between 18 volt and 12 volt lines?
But as far as people using 12 volt over 18 volt there are many reasons. Now most Diyer’s will not get this or understand this but if someone is making a living using say an impact everyday all day but don’t need all the power that the 18-20volt system produce and don’t want to lug around all the extra weight. Then why not get an impact in a 12volt line? They are lighter smaller, sometimes faster, and replacement batteries are cheaper in some cases. Me personally I’m heavily invested in Milwaukee’s power tool lines both 12volt and 18volt. I also have the multiples of the same type Of tool in both 18 and 12. Like impacts I have 3 12 volt and 3 18volt and they are all different, 4 of them get equally used and all have their place in the shop or on the job site. Now because I make a living with my tools and use them everyday of my life, it makes sense to get a power tool that works the best for a specific job that is currently on the table.
alex
Well I’ll give you my reason. Superior ergonomics. I’m not looking for a 12v line to invest in just a comfortable compact screwdriver and a drill. I don’t like the m12 pistol grip. It’s just too bulky. Plus, the m12 fuel drills are just too big compare to the bosch or dewalt 12v (at least last time I checked). Another nice convenience is that I can use the chargers I already have since my main tool platform is Dewalt 20v.
There are some interesting tools on the m12 platform though like that mini chainsaw.
Kizzle
I had a ton of m12 stuff. Recently offloaded all of it on eBay. Why? After buying and using the new Dewalt 12v xtreme impact wrench, I literally couldn’t use the m12 stuff anymore. Good ergonomics cannot be emphasized enough. I’m working now on replacing all that m12 stuff with slide pack battery 12v tools. There’s a reason everyone else does slide pack batteries. Battery in grip is just unnatural feeling.
Stuart
I bought a Milwaukee M12 screwdriver, but prefer the Dewalt.
I have the benefit of having opportunities to test and use tools I might not have been inclined to buy. The Dewalt won me over. Sure, the 12V system is limited, but it’s okay to pick one tool from a platform if it suits one’s needs.
Joatman
I really didn’t need to see this!!! This is exactly how I got lured into the M12 world.
Joatman
This looks like an impact driver!
I’d love to buy this…..and would in a heartbeat, but, with two other battery platforms on my bench, a 3rd just requires too much thinking in regards to the preparation for a job. I don’t want to have to think that hard in regards to what batteries I have charged and ready to go….not to mention a back-up battery. I’m sure most people out there, have a back-up close by for whatever reason.
Other than that, I cannot see a reason for passing up a deal like this if you’re on the Dewalt band wagon…especially when it includes two batteries.
Tim E.
Same, but worse, I have bosch 12V, Milwaukee 12V, makita 12V, but no DeWalt 12v. This is cheaper than Makita’s brushless 12V offerings, smaller than Milwaukee’s and cheaper than I’ve found Bosch, so on one hand I’d buy it just because I do use the screwdriver-type units more than drills or impacts it seems, on the other… no more 12V ecosystems. 12V is bad enough, 18V is worse, and it has to stop somewhere. I keep thinking every year, every garage organization that I need to get rid of some line, something I don’t use much of and need to just bite the bullet and dump. But so far, it hasn’t happened. Best I can do is just not add another line, and have to try really hard sometimes not to expand the lines I’m less invested in, and hope instead whatever it is that draws me to whatever tool is replicated or has something similar come out in one of the platforms I intend to keep.
Promit
I set up exactly ONE rackmount rig by hand before deciding it was time to get some type of cordless screwdriver tool. A few dozen machine screws wears on your wrists awfully fast, and impact drivers are massively overpowered tools. I was lucky enough to get an M12 installation driver at a great price and it’s been an enormously useful tool. Solved my right angle and drilling needs along with the screwdriving, and the clutch works great to drive screws without smashing the material or threads.
Clay
Wow. I took back the 12v screwdriver as I felt I did not really need it with the lowest setting of the impact driver working so well, but hard to pass this up.
Basically the same cost as the batteries alone.
Len
FYI I’ve seen this exact kit priced at $89 for the last 3+ weeks on Lowes.com, so while this is a great deal it doesn’t mean you have to jump on it right this moment in fear of missing out on this price.
C_Andrews
Spot on. My little 12v DeWalt gets lots of use for just what the article describes.
Awesome deal at $89.
Kevin Denny
The ergonomics and balance of the Dewalt 12v xtreme line is absolutely heads and tails above the m12 stuff. I’ve been so impressed with this driver I nearly bought a second one for the workbench in the basement.
SaturnFire
For 12V I use Milwaukee, had a need to a chaulk gun, so went that route.
I had the old Nextec Craftsman 12v line from sears….but we know what happend there. So when they die, all those tools will be replaced by Milwaukee 12v.
For 18v-20v I have a mixed bag, but most of the tools are DeWalt, Rigid, and Ryobi. There are some tools that dont make sense for me to “pay” DeWalt Prices for Home Owner use. i.e. Bandsaw or the power tin sheers. (Ryobi) Also I got “suckered” into Rigid with a clearance 5 tool clearnace toolkit at Home Depot. I really wish Milwaukee would make a straight 12v screwdriver like the deWalt old DeWalt non gyro screwdriver. I would be all over that.
Bill L
I’m in the m12 line, but the drill/driver is huge and I’ve long been jealous of the dewalt ergonomics.
As a screwdriver, how do people like this compared to the dewalt 8v gyro (or similar competitors)?
They seem about the same price, so I think this is the better deal, but has anyone used both and can comment on the pluses and minuses on the tool itself (rather than the system)?
Appreciated.
Stuart
I have the Dewalt 8V (sample), but haven’t used it much after the battery went bad (could have been my fault), although I do have another one somewhere. I bought a Craftsman Gyro screwdriver and don’t like it very much.
I like the Dewalt 12V kit better than any of the inline cordless drivers I’ve used, but my usage also doesn’t often benefit from an inline form factor.
I used the 12V for larger work the other day, and while it wasn’t ideal, 8V or 4V screwdrivers wouldn’t have worked at all.
Steven B
Agreed about DeWalt being far better than Milwaukee at 12v. There is no comparison. I own both for recreational woodworking purposes. The DeWalt 12v driver is my most-used cordless tool. The ergonomics are FAR better on the Milwaukee and it can be balanced vertically with the lightest, cheapest battery. If you’re going to spend every weekend using it, you really appreciate those details. I also love how that since it’s not an impact driver, I can use it with smaller screws, like cabinet ones without worrying about them stripping if I hold the trigger down too hard. I also love how it doesn’t require hearing protection because those impact mechanisms are LOUD in an enclosed space.
I have the original non-brushless model. I can attest that it can drive anything, including into concrete or very large screws. I finally bought the new 20v brushless impact driver after I found my screwdriver couldn’t handle 1/4″ lag bolts. Even on 4″ size 12 screws, the old 12v does well…not as quite fast as the new 20v, but close enough, and I appreciate the reduced weight when climbing a ladder. I’ve been using it heavily for many years and it still runs like a champ.
It is my favorite cordless tool, by far, and really underestimated by most, particularly for the reduced noise (so your family and neighbors don’t hate you when you tinker away).
Javier A.
The DeWalt DCF601 is what made me buy into the DeWalt 12V (and eventually the 20V) line. It is the best electric screwdriver I’ve ever used, period. The size, the (lack of) weight, the myriad of adjustable clutch settings, and the excellent light ring around the collet make it my favorite and “first-grab” screwdriver. The only thing I wish it had was was the ability to use 1″ bits – they fit, but won’t lock into place – but that’s the case with most tools of this type, so it’s really a “wish list” type of thing, and not a complaint.
I was so pleased with the Xtreme line that I wound up with most of it: the Screwdriver, the Drill, the impact driver, and the 3/8″ impact wrench. I liked the screwdriver so much that I bought the Mac-branded version too from my Mac dealer. He had never used it until I made him order one for me, and now he keeps them stocked on his truck because he’s selling so many of them to techs on his route.
I also have thousands of dollars worth of M12 tools too, and keep both lines – there are simply 12 volt tools that Milwaukee has that Dewalt doesn’t (and vice versa on the 20V line) so that why I run both red and yellow. I just wish DeWalt would come out with a 12 volt 4.0Ah battery!
Big Richard
DeWalt should be coming out with 5Ah 12v battery, it is a 6 cell vs. the existing 3 cell 2Ah and 3Ah, so it will be twice as large. Why they went to 5Ah and not a 4Ah or 6Ah, I do not know, and they may very well be coming too. A larger pack may hint at some new higher draw 12v tools coming soon…
https://www.necashow.org/NECA2020/public/eBooth.aspx?BoothID=115997&Task=Products&ProdID=1629
Note: these are their new oil-resistant battery packs, whether they will make the 5Ah in the “standard” format I cannot confirm yet.
Stuart
Thanks! I haven’t seen that yet!
Big Richard
It was part of NECA’s virtual convention/trade show last week, same show the Atomic bandsaw was announced, prior to DeWalt’s official announcement.
With all these conventions being virtual, news seems to spread a little slower.