Seems a good deal for a high rating cordless screw driver.
US version of Hikoki/Hitachi DB3DL2.
Inspired by this post.
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/674433
CamelCamelCamel.
Foudn my answer: https://youtu.be/ealubZGT8ec Looks like the dewalt gyroscopic one is the best, bosch and this seem similar but bosch is cheaper
Single-cell underpowered screwdriver at Big Tool cost.
Big comment with little substance.
*powered by single lithium-ion cell. Yes or no?
*a 3.6v screwdriver can be had for as little as 20 dollars at bunnings, with even the ridiculously overpriced model coming in less than this. Yes or no?
*the motor and battery on this is far weaker than bigger drill tools; tools which can be had for this price or less. Yes or no? If you need a lighter tool it is fine, but again the price…
The only little substance was your reply.
Its not underpowered for what it is. So No to your question.
Its for tasks where ‘bigger’ tools are not suitable. And ‘bigger’ tools cost more. For example a Hikoki skin with a battery and charger is $349. There is a special at the moment on two skins. None the less, no to your question.
This isnt some Bunnings $20 3.6V screwdriver and the quality of this is better. So once again no substance.
This is a tool for certain jobs. Thinking only about price is useless. If you only thought about price you could then start arguing that you could use a hand axe to split large log instead of a property tool…
You are comparing apples and oranges on multiple fronts. The only thing that is valid in your statement is that it is powered by a single cell.
@g1: Maybe u missed this:
If you need a lighter tool it is fine, but again the price…
No idea why you needed to talk at length about this point after I already had stated that.
I own a cheap 3.6v tool that has been going for years. Priced reasonably. Used a lot.
Unless.we are taking both apart examining components, you cannot say this is better. Nor can I. It may or may not be. There are also several other models above 20 and well below this one so it's not just about a single model.
You are clearly incorrect that the only thing valid in my post was that it is powered by a single.cell.
I think you are missing the point of the tool.
There isn't a lot of options out there in terms of suitable pen screwdrivers for more delicate tasks.
Sure a $20 pen screwdriver from Bunnings will do the job for some, for some applications the way torque is limited and the way it cuts out is critical.
I already own a Whia speedE II, but I only have two options, 0.4 Nm and 1.0 Nm, and I have the use whia’s VDE slim blades. If I want to use PZ, or Security tips I’m out of luck. If I want more or less torque I need to flip tools. It’s also an electronic clutch, which is great for those two values only.
Which brings me onto DB3DL2. 21 torque settings which I could test and write up a lookup table on roughly want setting is how many Nm. Anyway, this design has been around for some time and it’s very well regarded.
Regarding it being a 3.6V single cell. That’s not an important point. We are not screwing at 3600 RPM at the tip and we are not loading it up to 50 Nm. Size and weight are critical. You don’t need much power to screw something at 600 RPM and get a few Nm or torque.
Whia speedE II, the DB3DL2, and I’m your $20 Bunnings model, probably all feature a pretty basic nylon gearing system. The casing would be mostly ABS with some TPE over-molding. The Whia is obviously VDE and German, so you pay big for that, and the one I’m thinking of getting, the Makita DF012DSE is PA6-GF30+TPE casing, something that generally used on professional tools.
If it’s some IKEA furniture of or kids’ toys, the Bunnings one is probably fine with a bit of care on the trigger. For other’s who need better ergonomics and greater control on what they are screwing than this is perfect.
The below YouTube video is a pretty good demonstration on some common models in all price ranges.
What is the point of this over an impact driver? impact seems way more practical for normal screws, and this seems still too big/insensitive for tiny screws, where a manual screwdriver is better. Seems very niche, no?
That's the thing it's kind of useless if you have an impact driver because you sure as hell shouldn't use it for small screws. I've found the wiha zu hause the best for small screws such as terminals because of its low torque and form factor.
Its great for some tasks. If you do those often then its useful. If you don’t do those often then its not useful.
Good for things like Ikea furniture where you don't need 200nm of torque and saves you holding a heavy impact driver. I have the Bosch gun style one which I use for mostly everything like building PC's / furniture.
Charger for this US model appears to be 120V only.
It's now $104.
The charger is labelled 120v, but I wonder if it's physically a standard 120V-240V SMPS. I have some B&D items that are labelled 120V and are fine @ 240V.
If I was to bet, looking at the PCB, it appears to be a standard SMPS, and probably fine at 240V. Worst thing happens is it lets out the magic smoke….not like you could use it anyway and its worth nothing here.
If we do need a changer factor in another $40-$50, which kills the deal.
I was serially looking at this pen drill, but I think I will hang out for the Makita 7.2V Pen Driver Drill Kit DF012DSE. Seems to be built stronger (casing is labelled PA6-GF30, the DB3DL2 could be ABS), it’s 7.2V. Has a bit more torque, but I suspect the internals, especially the gearbox, is probably nylon.
All in all, the DB3DL2 is a steel especially if the charger works here. The DF012DSE, while better, isn’t twice as good.
Doesn't look promising, the charger a UC3SFL has two different part numbers for the PCB, a 120V and a 230V which almost confirms they are physically different.
To get a UC3SFL locally, you a looking at $99. If it was mine, I would probably charge it off a smart charger wired directly to + & -. The battery pack is probably nothing more then an 18650 @ 1500mAh and I hope nothing in the way or smarts. I would hope the BMS are in the skin and charger and the battery pack is ‘dumb’.
I just got mine. yep, its 120V only, and from a quick google it looks like its not multi voltage (I didn't even check before ordering, just assumed it would be).
The charger only needs 21W. I just ordered a cheap stepdown transformer from ebay.
I got this one, had a $5 coupon so I only paid $6.95 delivered.
Wow! I never knew they were making stepdown transformers that cheaply these days. I remember them being over $100 and being pretty big and heavy.
While not the most portable solution it does work, and is probably a more elegant solution than my hot-wiring the battery with a li-ion smart charger.
It's a pretty good price for a solid pen screwdriver.
I got my Metabo today with the 120V charger. Oops should have read this thread more thoroughly. Crisis averted I ended up ordering the stepdown transformer, thanks for the tip.
Just an observation, the metabo chuck does have a fair bit of play when I put the phillips head tool bit in. Is that what you guys are finding?
Cheers.
Great price! The screwdriver is amazing! And at this price, for the quality its a steal of a deal.