And not all drills are the same. For example, I have the Hercules 20 volt drills from Harbour Freight. Those things have all the power in the world. And at their lowest possible setting on the clutch they will strip out a cabinet screw in the blink of an eye. So I had to get the 12 volt Hercules for doing delicate work.
To expand on this, there is zero standardization on how much torque a clutch setting allows, even from drills from the same manufacturer released on the same battery platform in the same year. The only things that you can really count on are that 1 is the lowest setting and that each setting allows no less torque than any lower setting on that drill. One drill’s setting 5 out of 7 may allow more torque than another’s setting 24 out of 24.
This video covers a fair amount of what I’m talking about, but even it is fairly limited.
I have hope for the Spesyn ST3. It has a screen on the back that lets you control settings, plus an auto depth stop and some other stuff. It’s allegedly shipping to backers right now, but I’m backer #70 and haven’t gotten an email, so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I believe that’s what he means. The clutch on drills can stop applying torque at various increments so u don’t over tighten screws! Behind the chuck as u rotate the collar the various numbers are the tq limits (roughly, don’t take the units literally as quality and age of drill will impact exact figures)
As someone who doesn’t know shit: when you say clutch, you mean set the power screwdriver to stop turning when it hits moderate resistance, right?
I ask because I think I understand, but I might not.
You got it.
And not all drills are the same. For example, I have the Hercules 20 volt drills from Harbour Freight. Those things have all the power in the world. And at their lowest possible setting on the clutch they will strip out a cabinet screw in the blink of an eye. So I had to get the 12 volt Hercules for doing delicate work.
To expand on this, there is zero standardization on how much torque a clutch setting allows, even from drills from the same manufacturer released on the same battery platform in the same year. The only things that you can really count on are that 1 is the lowest setting and that each setting allows no less torque than any lower setting on that drill. One drill’s setting 5 out of 7 may allow more torque than another’s setting 24 out of 24.
This video covers a fair amount of what I’m talking about, but even it is fairly limited.
Absolutely right. I’d love if manufacturers started giving the torque rating for each setting.
I have hope for the Spesyn ST3. It has a screen on the back that lets you control settings, plus an auto depth stop and some other stuff. It’s allegedly shipping to backers right now, but I’m backer #70 and haven’t gotten an email, so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I will drop it and crack the screen.
Awesome! Thanks for the confirmation!
I believe that’s what he means. The clutch on drills can stop applying torque at various increments so u don’t over tighten screws! Behind the chuck as u rotate the collar the various numbers are the tq limits (roughly, don’t take the units literally as quality and age of drill will impact exact figures)