Popular Mechanics - USA (2020-05)

MOST INTUITIVE

MILWAUKEE M18 FUEL

SURGE HYDRAULIC

Price: $250 Power: 18 volts

Motor: Brushless RPM: 3,000

IPM: 4,000 To r q u e : 450 in.-lb.

The M18 is relatively quiet due to Mil-

waukee’s “Fluid Drive” hydraulic impact

technology, which reduces metal-on-

metal contact, generating comparatively

little noise to traditional impact drivers.

It also sustains torque longer. On small-

er-diameter fasteners like cabinet or deck

screws, the M18 Surge is fast and makes

it easy to set them at the desired depth. It

drives larger fasteners without straining

under the load, taking just a little longer,

mainly due to the lower RPM. The M18

features three speed settings and a ded-

icated self-tapping mode that helps get

screws started and prevents them from

stripping out—especially useful when

you’re driving fasteners into sheet metal.

EDITORS’ CHOICE
MAKITA 18V LXT

Price: $329 Power: 18 volts
Motor: Brushless RPM: 3,600
IPM: 3,800 To r q u e : 1,600 in.-lb.

Visually, Makita’s LXT is svelte and
compact—pull the trigger and you’ll
immediately notice the smooth, quiet
motor. Factor in the numerous speed
and mode settings, and you have a tool
intended for daily professional use.
Though deciphering all those settings
may seem daunting at first, there are four
for speed, both wood and bolt modes, and
two tightening modes that prevent fas-
teners from breaking or stripping. Once
mastered, these helped us perform repet-
itive tasks, like driving deck or cabinet
screws and quickly installing the lag bolts,
with consistent results. The LXT was
louder than hydraulic drivers, but if speed
and a variety of modes are what you’re
after, it’s hard to beat this Makita.

BEST FOR DIY-ERS

DEWALT 20V MAX XR

Price: $236 Power: 20 volts

Motor: Brushless RPM: 3,250

IPM: 3,600 To r q u e : 1,825 in.-lb.

Everything about the Max XR—with its

1,825 inch-pounds of torque and big

4.0Ah battery—feels solid. We appreci-

ated using the simple mechanical switch

to click between the three power set-

tings, easily tailoring the power to the

job at hand. This machine drove and

removed our lag bolts with surprising

speed, although it was a bit loud. The

5⁄1 6-inch torqued bolts presented lit-

tle resistance, with the Max XR spinning

them off quickly. We liked the one-

handed chuck, which works reliably,

making bit changes go smoothly. This

DeWalt has three LED lights, spaced

evenly around that chuck, that illumi-

nate the work area without dark spots

or shadows. PH

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76 May/June 2020

Tools

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