Mini Drill/Driver

We have  Black and Decker cordless screwdriver here at work. I'm not a big fan of the newer B&D but its worked fine for 8 years now with the original rechargeable battery. I wish the Riobi and Dewalt drills were as durable.

 

Pete

I use a Black & Decker VPX system drill/driver. it's a 7.2v rechargeable. as far as i know, they are still available on Ebay. They are a bit scarce, as B&D discontinued the whole VPX line of tools. It works very well, I have 5 batteries and a dual charger- so I always have fresh charged battery when i need to change 'em. 

I have two of these and love them.

 

http://www.skiltools.com/Tools...l.aspx?model=2354-02

For my train related stuff, I have a 4V rechargable mini drill/driver.  It's called Dual Driver XL.  It is made by Channel Lock...comes with a few drill bit drivers and screw driver bits.  On this one the handle can rotate to take a cordless screwdriver form.  There is a charge meter on top and it has a light that shines where the bit is.  I picked it up recently at Costco and am very happy with it for hobby purposes.  Sorry, I can't remember the price.

Cando,

 

I'm leaning toward your Channel Lock drill due to it's many features, including a couple of different "heads".  I found one on the Bay for around $39.+. 

 

The Skil model appeared to have some nice features as well.  However, a bunch of reviews on it were running nearly 50% poor rating due to faulty switch.  So, buying one of those would be playing Russian Roulette in hopes of getting a good one.

 

I suppose Micro-Mark's model is too new to get any feedback.

 

Thanks to all for the suggestions. 

 

Bill

Go ahead, use those power tools to put those SMALL screws into those SMALL PLASTIC screw holes. Some of us just love charging you big bucks to fix the stripped out holes.

 

For any screw in any piece of rolling stock or engine always use a manual screwdriver. Your hand is much more sensitive than any power tool and never needs batteries.

 

Al

While I agree for the most part, when I can, I use a lower powered older power screwdriver (I think Black & Decker) to get the screw in almost all of the way and hand tighten

I bought that ChannelLock Dual Driver XL for $12.99 at Costco about 6-8 months ago.

Gunnrunnerjohn,

 

I checked Costco's website, but in the power tool category there was only one tool listed.  The price you paid appears super, but I wonder if there are/were different models of the Channel Lock tool.  The one I'm watching on the Bay has, in addition to various bits, two detachable drive heads - one is "offset"; the other is a 90 degree one.

 

However, I'm hesitating on the purchase because it appears the tool does not have variable speed.  IMHO, variable speed is important because you can control the drive rate when approaching final screw seating.

 

Bill

The tool does not have variable speed, and the bits are held magnetically.  It really is the same package, I got all the stuff you mentioned.  I actually gave it to a friend because it didn't fill my needs.

I guess it depends on how much versatility you expect from this tool. A cordless screwdriver like the Black and Decker mentioned above turns relatively slowly and has at least 20 torque settings. Thread damage is unlikely if the torque setting is adjusted correctly. Just start with a low setting and increase until you are satisfied with tightness. Its not the tool if you want a drill.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Black-De...driver/dp/B0000302UJ

 

Pete

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/catalog2.asp?tool=power&Cat_ID=629022&Sub_Cat_ID=629301&store=snapon-store

 

http://www.reconditionedtools.com/factory-reconditioned-milwaukee-2410-82-12v-cordless-m12-3-8-in-drill-driver/milr2410-82,default,pd.html?start=2&cgid=milwaukee-drills

 

http://www.lowes.com/pd_122297-70-LI3100++A_4294857554+4294898872_4294937087_?productId=3265369&Ns=p_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr%7C0%7C%7Cp_product_quantity_sold%7C1&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_BLACK%2B_4294857554%2B4294898872_4294937087_%3FNs%3Dp_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr%7C0%7C%7Cp_product_quantity_sold%7C1&facetInfo=BLACK%20&%20DECKER

Other than track screws, I've never used a power tool to remove or drive screws on any toy trains. Nor do I use one on anything else with precision threads. I want to be able to feel the feedback that occurs when a screw is cross threaded. That includes the threads that are cut by a self-tapping screw into plastic or untapped metal.

 

I do have a Black and Decker Dewalt 12 volt lithium ION variable speed Impact driver and the matching variable speed drill.  It works great!

The line was recently upgraded to 20 volts.  My older son has the 20 volt outfit, and loves it.

The model that I'm considering now is a DeWalt "mini" model, a Li-0n 1/4" variable speed unit.  I just saw a demo on the web.  It's apparently a new model.  A nice feature is the LED light, which virtually eliminates shadows in the work space.

 

It is a bit pricey at $139.00 average, but on the Bay someone is selling it at around $129 plus free shipping.  This model got very good reviews.

 

Thanks to all for the info.

 

Bill

I was mistaken on my previous post. The Impact driver that I have is a 12 volt Dewalt. I also have the matching variable speed drill. My son has the 12 volt impact driver at work, and the 20 volt set (impact driver and variable speed drill) at home.

 

I think the 12 volt Impact driver is way too powerfull for toy trains. The 20 volt is probably even more powerfull.

 

Here is an EBay listing for one of the 20 volt Impact ones:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-DeWalt-DCF885L2-20-Volt-Max-Cordless-Lithium-Ion-1-4-inch-Impact-Driver-Kit-/370578229213?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item56482f07dd

IF you look at lowes they have the same impact driver in 18 volt for 199.00
But it comes with a 1/2 drill, a saws all, a flash light and the impact driver.

All of those are to big for dainty and brittle drill bits . your best bet is the rechargable micro screwdriver from lowes or micro mark and a micro mark drill chuck adapter the fits in the screwdriver
You can find that chuck on the bay also just search for mini drill chuck

David

 

quote:

IF you look at lowes they have the same impact driver in 18 volt for 199.00

 

Dewalt Lithium Ion tools only come in 12 and 20 volt. The 18 volt tools use a different battery technology. The tools are generally larger, and have a different feel.
I have not seen any reviews on the current 20 volt lithium ion models, but the reviews on the previous 12 volt lithium ion models were outstanding. They are powerful, well balanced and light.

 

http://www.toolbarn.com/milwaukee-6547-22.html

Okay I'll do you a review on the new Lithium Ion tools.
My Dewalt Lithium Ion Hammer drill is great , it does everything I want it to BUT although the batteries are easy to charge (I have the fifteen minute quick charger)
The batteries like all Dewalt batteries are over priced with spares costing right at 80 bucks a piece.
The Lithium power packs don't give warning that they are about to go dead.
You'll be drilling and bam it just quits they are lighter than the regular 18 volt batteries which causes an unbalanced feel to the drill till you get used to it.

The Lithium batteries have the same charge capacity as the 18 volt and are much lighter and the pack is more compact meaning if they had added more to the pack they could have had a pack with 3 times the charge capacity of the regular 18 volt pack.
Oh and to further burst your bubble my XRP Lithium Ion hammer drill is 18 volt not 12 not 20 meaning I use the same charger for both types of batteries.

The 18 volt set from Lowes is not contractor grade  but I have the same drill that comes in that set for  about 7 years now and have used the heck out of it.
The set also comes with 2 batteries ($79 each off the shelf) that means your getting a drill,impact driver, saws all, and flashlight for 41 bucks with a charger.

The drill from that set built a train layout (Gotta love drywall screws) I used it on numerous Electrical service changes and just about every job I can think of and it's held up great so for the Hobbyist/Homeowner it's money more than well spent.

David

Don't worry, my bubble has not been burst.

I guess I should have been more precise. It is the Dewalt MAX line that comes in 12 and 20 volt.

 

The XRP:

 

 

 

Or the max style:

 

 

C.W.,
The 18 volt in the pic you posted is what I have. I purposely bought the 18 volt lithium because I already had the regular 18 volt and it made it so I didn't have to carry more than one charger. The one charger will charge both types of batteries.
Like I said, the set I spoke of is not contractor grade but at 199 it's good for a home owner. If I wanted contractor grade stuff the XRP set is going to be almost 600 bucks and I'd probably go with Milwaukee stuff anyway because it seems to hold up better in a heavy work environment .

Anyway back to the subject . I like the pencil style cordless screwdriver if your drilling with it I feel it gives me more control. It works great with a mini chuck.

David