Compare Prices on Panasonic EY6432GQKW
Panasonic EY6432GQKW 15.6-Volt NiMH 1/2-Inch Cordless Drill/Driver Kit
Since this drill has been extensively reviewed, this write-up will compare it to another highly rated (by Amazon reviewers) tool, the Bosch 33618 18-Volt Brute Tough Drill/Driver. I hold and employ both.
Power. With 500 bound pounds of torque, the Brute out-powers the Panasonic's 390 slide pounds, and most other cordless drills, on sheer torque. (However, putting things in perspective, my DeWalt DW235G 1/2" Heavy Duty 7.8 Amp corded drill overwhelms the Brute in this category; so do not capture a cordless drill thinking you will have the "most much" tool.)
Chuck. Diminutive edge to the Brute. Both drills have terrific one-handed keyless chucks that will tightly gain any bit, from cramped 1/16 bolt round bits to 1/2 slide bits. Both are very snappy to change out bits, even with one hand. However, my Panasonic chuck wobbles a tad and sometimes the shaft turns 1/2 revolution or so when trying to tighten the chuck, before it locks in situation. The Brute chuck does not slip and the shaft always locks immediately. (One Panasonic reviewer said "It is difficult to center minute bits in the chuck"; probably a result of the chuck being begin too far -- simply close-up the chuck more before inserting the bit.) Both have a terrific electric brake. Release the trigger and the chuck stops instantly.
Weight. The Panasonic is the obvious winner in this department as I can exhaust it all day without arm fatigue. The same cannot be said for the considerable heavier Brute; it is especially miserable to spend overhead for any length of time, and I'm 6/4 260 lbs.
Size. The Panasonic is 1/3 smaller, and can be worn in tight spots where the Brute will not even fit.
Run-time. The Panasonic seems to hurry longer. (Its NiMH batteries have a higher amp-hour rating.) Also, the Panasonic, when not in employ, seems to acquire its charge longer than the Bosch. I maintain the spare Panasonic battery in the charger so it will be ready when needed. On a construction job when the Panasonic is obsolete frequently, a battery discharges about once a day. On rare days, I change out batteries twice. Neither the Panasonic or Bosch battery gets hot sitting in the charger for hours (or even days) .
Clutch. Tie -- both offer a wide range of choices, from a few pounds of torque to run-up a shrimp screw, to maximum to drill a colossal hole. Both have a "lock" residence which bypasses the clutch to provide maximum tool torque. I've snapped many a screw and phillips bit with each of them.
Charge time. Tie -- both are rapidly. About 30-45 minutes. However, if the spare battery (for either mark) is kept fully charged, this isn't usually principal, because urge time is far longer than charge time.
Ergonomics. Tie. Both fit my [large] hand, have no spicy spots, nothing pinches my fingers and the grip is comfortable. The reverse switch is perfectly logical on both, in my concept.
Speed control. Tie -- both are apt, going smoothly from a tiring, conclude to tubby hasten. (One reviewer that had a spot with his Panasonic accelerate control must have had a substandard switch.) Release the trigger and both tools halt instantly.
Gearbox. Do not know what the Panasonic gears are made out of, but the Brute gears are steel, and should last the life of the tool. (One Brute reviewer said his gears "stripped out, I. e. the motor was turning but not the chuck; my guess is he had the bustle selector location between high and outrageous.) Steel gears are valuable to me ever since my Porter Cable 14.4 v drill stripped its nylon gears.
Noise. The Panasonic whines a minute, as though its gears are really tight. So what; it is not annoying.
Auxiliary handle. The Brute comes with an suitable side handle that can be tightened into position at any point in the 360 degrees. The Panasonic does not approach with such a handle, probably because it is not sufficiently much to need one. Have not faded the Bosch side handle often, but it is useful when working with gargantuan bits that can bind, and cessation instantly. I.e., that handle could effect your wrist from a immoral sprain if the drill continued turning before you could release the trigger.
Tool case. Tie. Both cases are molded plastic, have metal latches, and fit the tool honest glowing.
Question: Which is best?
Answer: The Panasonic does everything the Brute does, except for those few times when I need greater power. Without the Brute on a job status, I exercise a corded drill more often. But using the heavier Brute for hours on extinguish tires my arms, and sometimes that Brute is honest too mammoth to fit where I'm drilling. Invariably, when I acquire one cordless to a job, it is the Panasonic.
February 2007 update:
After 26 months of frequent exercise (e.g., construction jobs), the Panasonic batteries have not noticeably deteriorated in power or run-time; and the drill works unprejudiced as well as when unusual. After 39 months of less exercise, the Bosch batteries are fading and need frequent recharging. To my scare, two fresh Bosch batteries cost about the same as a modern Panasonic drill. So, I bought another [new] Panasonic drill, which of course includes two of those terrific NiMH batteries.
Shear power. At 390in./lbs. of torque I have been having disaster trying not to shear the heads off of galvanized screws (pre-drilled w/countersink) . I've tried both speeds, and all of the clutch settings. This has forced me to drive screws 7/8 of the design home and carry out off the deal by hand.
I fair finished using this Panasonic to drill 3/4" x 2 3/8" deep holes into a hardwood workbench for bench dogs. The Panasonic maintains constant hurry under strain, and while getting hot, it did not overheat. The only reason I would need to finish was to let the fostner bit icy down.
The 3.5 amp NiMH batteries are A+++++. The kit comes with two, so you always have one in the ready. One charge lasts a plump day under heavy spend. The drill is well balanced and has beneficial ergonomics. The electronic brake stops on a dime. This can't be grand for the brushes, but no problems so far. I like the weight of this drill, it is broad but not too heavy.
The best feature of all - Minute DRILL BITS WILL NOT Traipse IN THE CHUCK. WOW
I will probably dedicate the 15.6 volt to drilling and prefer the Panasonic 12 volt cordless for driving screws. The 15.6 easily overpowers cheaply made screws. Highly recommended!!
I'd been waiting for years for the perfect overall drill to reach into my workshop. I have a brother that sells power tools for a living and he told me about this Panasonic drill that he liked better than all the rest of the pack. The couple of selling points he had was the high torque at ANY Hurry... pull the trigger a bit to turn a screw in slowly even when the going gets tough... and the almost never-ending power supply of 3.5 Amp hours... that's enough power to rush a halogen light for 75 minutes! I recently set in an entire subfloor on one charge, the battery impartial doesn't stay. Price of caution: the chuck has an anti-loosen mechanism that while loosening or tightening makes a graceful loud philosophize... or ratchteting click when hand turning.. but it pays off.. my bits never loosen while on my milwaukee it happens any time i bump the chuck while loosening screws.
I lucked out in the timing of my seize.. they impartial came out with the 3.5AH battery.. it uses squared off battery cells to secure more juice in almost the same dwelling as the 3.0AH batteries that have cylindrical battery cells.
I've dilapidated the bosch 24V which has 25% more torque.. a monster.. but this drill will set aside 4" screws into hardwood w/o thinking about it so it has gobbs of torque yet is detached a very nice minute size.. it fits no pickle between two studs to drill holes for wiring and i've former it to bore 2 1/2" holes in cabinets.
I bought the lantern and a spare battery and it's extremely convenient to have a constant portable light source that will last 5-6 hours straight with no dimming whatsoever (light objective shuts off when battery is uncouth) .
Summary: impossible to beat this drill for overall expend... earn the unusual 12V impact if you want light and high power mostly for screw driving... earn the 15.6 if you want the best general purpose drill made.
-awr
