Comments on: Clutches, torque and you.

By: Richard Robertson

Richard Robertson — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 05:45:23 +0000

Nice post. I used to carry a 3/8th inch drill because it was light and fast, and a 1/2 inch hammer drill because it was slow (for large drill bits) and powerful (for drilling concrete, up to 1 inch diameter holes). This DeWalt is twice as fast as my 3/8th inch drill, twice as powerful as the hammer drill that I wore out, and the variable speed trigger works well, too. That means I no longer have to carry 2 drills in order to always have the right tool for the job.

By: Fernando

Fernando — Thu, 12 May 2016 02:07:07 +0000

Hello, my question goes a little bit further. What is the connection between Voltage of the battery (12V, 16V, 20V), the RPM of the drill/driver and the number of "gears" of the clutch. I started with this when I was between two black & decker drill/drivers cordless. One was: 20V, 600RMP, 12 gears, plus light but this is another subjective thing. = $49.90 Other: 12V, 750RMP, 22 gears, no light = $29.90 give or take.

Which one would be "stronger"?????, 22 gears sounds a lot more than 12, but maybe 12 gears with 20V are equal or even more.., i don't know; and how the RPM comes into the play???

Does anyone knows about this? Just because it is interesting. thank you.

By: Reece

Reece — Tue, 12 Apr 2016 17:53:08 +0000

So helpful! Timeless article and couldn't find anything similar when searching. Very well explained, thanks!

By: Helena Hanbasket

Helena Hanbasket — Sun, 27 Mar 2016 02:30:38 +0000

Thank you! My drill has been giving me fits. I thought I might need a brush up course. I'm pretty sure it needed a good charge, and I need one, too. So, we're charging up tonight, and I will go at it again tomorrow with a higher setting.

By: Seth

Seth — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 19:05:29 +0000

Drywall. I wish I'd known how to use the clutch on my drill before I started blasting screws straight through my drywall patches. It's tough to get drywall screws sunk to the right depth on full power. I just thought you had to get the hang of finessing them in!

By: BMitch

BMitch — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 19:39:19 +0000

The high/low is the speed setting (drill on high for speed, screw on low for control). Torque is a measure of force, and the clutch is the part of the tool that releases when you reach that level of force.

By: Jay Bazuzi

Jay Bazuzi — Tue, 15 May 2012 03:01:05 +0000

I like the clutch a lot when I'm driving a lot of screws. While one hand operates the drill, the other hand reaches in to the nail bag for another screw. I don't have to watch what I'm doing carefully, so I can go really fast. As soon as the clutch slips, the next screw is in position and ready.

Be sure to set the clutch low enough for conditions so it doesn't spin the screw. You may need to go back and tighten down some screws that hit firmer wood, like a knot.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Mon, 14 May 2012 21:55:49 +0000

I think your clutch pedal is on backwards:

"With the clutch pedal all the way up, no power goes from the engine to the wheels. With it all the way in, they are mechanically linked 100%. Anything in between, and they slip past each other and transmit some power."

By: John

John — Mon, 14 May 2012 21:18:16 +0000

You mention both torque & clutch in the headline, but only discuss the clutch in the body. Of course, since torque is just a hi/low setting on most drills that have such a setting, it's not hard to figure out.

By: chris cudmore

chris cudmore — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:22:17 +0000

If you're going to do another on drills, I'd suggest different bits for different materials, and when to use the hammer setting.