Today the installer's drill and the hackzall finally arrived. I haven't had the time yet to put them through their paces, but here's my first impression of the drill.

The balance and weight are great. I really like how this drill feels in hand. The forward/reverse button issue some mentioned is no issue to me. My hand is just a bit too small to reach the button on top without changing my grip, but I don't think that will detract from it's usability.

Despite all the plastic this drill does feel sturdy.

I don't know why, but I've always hated belt clips on drills. So that was removed as soon as I took it out of the box. It is attached with one screw, so not problems there. You can screw it back on either side of the handle if you prefer to do so.

The magnet on the front is strong enough to not lose bits or fasteners. The LED is powerful enough and aimed in such a manner that I think it will be quite useful in actual use.

There are two things that surprised me though. The first is that the 90 degree angle chuck rotates in the opposite direction as the drill itself. So when you use that chuck, forward is reverse and vice versa. I did not try this chuck during the demo, so I hadn't noticed before. No biggie, I will get used to it.

The other thing is that the hex chuck it too deep for my Wera bits (see photo).



I tried several bits with it and noticed it does not really lock the bits. You can pull them out quite easily with your fingers, if they are long enough (the bits that is  ). But it is not like the bits will fall out either. Wera rapidators on the other hand can't be pulled out of the chuck without using excessive force.

Some commented on the trigger not being "linear". That may be true. However, I already found that with a little Fingerspitzengefühl you can manipulate the speed quite well. So, while not optimal, this shouldn't keep anyone from choosing this drill either in my opinion.

I haven't tried the torque or how long the battery will last yet, but all in all I think I will be quite happy with this drill.

[Edit: the bit next to the drill is identical to the bit in the chuck]

I just couldn't get on with the fact small wire bits almost disappear into the chuck and are a fiddle to get out. Quick change bits should be quick to change. Also, not physically holding the bit in place was a let-down. Wera Rapidapters are great in that they hold any kind of bit solidly and are easy to change bits but, for a drill that's meant to get in to tight spaces, I don't want to have to swap it in and out.

The Bosch Flexiclick won the battle between the two drills pretty easily. It's not as pretty but it works... and works well IMO.

No impact driver or bit holder for drills are meant for those little 1” bits. The 1” bits are for chucked in bit holders. For chucking bits straight into drill/drivers you need 2” or larger bits.

Times must be a'changing as both my Bosch Flexiclick and Makita DDF083 take them in and out without blinking. The Trend and DeWalt snappy chucks I have also work really well.

Edit: the DDFs have Rapidapters in them and are a right faff with short bits. Oops, my apologies! The Flexiclicks hold them (and Centrotech bits) perfectly tight though - and that includes the right angle and offset chucks too.

Before I do that I'll try a trick I've used before. I must have a rare earth magnet of the right size somewhere. If I can find it I'll drop it in the chuck and see if that improves the situation.

When I went to use my driver yesterday I realized you might not know about the secret feature. So here it is...Remove the 1/4" chuck, and insert your tip directly into the end of the 1/4" shaft. It already has a magnet for holding the bits, and it will hold a shorty bit. Happens to also make the tool shorter.

Still my preference is to use 2" bit drivers, and the magnet on the front of the tool holds two 2" bit drivers. I typically carry 4-5 bits (T15, T25, #2 Phillips, flat blade, and other times a larger flat blade or larger #3 Phillips), but 2 bits are better than non on the tool itself.

Just a friendly heads up for anyone looking for an M12 hackzall.

We have a pretty sweet deal coming on an M12 FUEL (brushless) impact driver and hackzall kit starting on 7/1 for $100 off the current price.

Quantities will be limited, while supplies last.

Shane