Panasonic EY6432GQKW 15.6-Volt NiMH 1/2-Inch Cordless Drill/Driver Kit

Panasonic EY6432GQKW model features the longest running 3.5 Amp Ni-Mh batteries in the industry, compared to other 18 Volt tools. The drill/driver weighs only 4.8 pounds but delivers 390 in./lbs. of torque. Max. Torque (in.-lbs.): 390, Volts: 15.6, Chuck Size (in.): 1/2, Keyless Chuck: Yes, Clutch Settings: 18, Reversible: Yes, Variable Speed: Yes, Side Handle: No, Battery Amp/Hour: 3.5Ah, Battery Included: Yes, (2) 3.5Ah Ni-MH batteries, Charger Included: Yes, 55-minute charger, Case Included: Yes, Tool Weight (lbs.): 4.8

Panasonic EY6432GQKW 15.6-Volt NiMH 1/2-Inch Cordless Drill/Driver Kit Review

Terrific combination of power, weight, size, & ergnomics...
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 own and use both.
Power. With 500 inch pounds of torque, the Brute out-powers the Panasonic's 390 inch 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 buy a cordless drill thinking you will have the "most powerful" tool.)
Chuck. Slight edge to the Brute. Both drills have terrific one-handed keyless chucks that will tightly hold any bit, from tiny 1/16 inch round bits to 1/2 inch bits. Both are very quick 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 place. The Brute chuck does not wobble and the shaft always locks immediately. (One Panasonic reviewer said "It is difficult to center small bits in the chuck"; probably a result of the chuck being open 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 clear winner in this department as I can use it all day without arm fatigue. The same cannot be said for the much heavier Brute; it is especially uncomfortable to use overhead for any length of time, and I'm 6/4 260 lbs.
Size. The Panasonic is 1/3 smaller, and can be used in tight spots where the Brute will not even fit.
Run-time. The Panasonic seems to run longer. (Its NiMH batteries have a higher amp-hour rating.) Also, the Panasonic, when not in use, seems to maintain its charge longer than the Bosch. I keep the spare Panasonic battery in the charger so it will be ready when needed. On a construction job when the Panasonic is used 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 small screw, to maximum to drill a large hole. Both have a "lock" position 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 fast. About 30-45 minutes. However, if the spare battery (for either brand) is kept fully charged, this isn't usually important, because run time is far longer than charge time.
Ergonomics. Tie. Both fit my [large] hand, have no sharp spots, nothing pinches my fingers and the grip is comfortable. The reverse switch is perfectly logical on both, in my opinion.
Speed control. Tie -- both are excellent, going smoothly from a dead stop to full speed. (One reviewer that had a problem with his Panasonic speed control must have had a defective switch.) Release the trigger and both tools stop 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 speed selector set between high and low.) Steel gears are important to me ever since my Porter Cable 14.4 v drill stripped its nylon gears.
Noise. The Panasonic whines a little, as though its gears are really tight. So what; it is not annoying.
Auxiliary handle. The Brute comes with an excellent side handle that can be tightened into place at any point in the 360 degrees. The Panasonic does not come with such a handle, probably because it is not sufficiently powerful to need one. Have not used the Bosch side handle often, but it is useful when working with large bits that can bind, and stop instantly. I.e., that handle could save your wrist from a nasty 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 just fine.
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 site, I use a corded drill more often. But using the heavier Brute for hours on end tires my arms, and sometimes that Brute is just too big to fit where I'm drilling. Invariably, when I take one cordless to a job, it is the Panasonic.
February 2007 update:
After 26 months of frequent use (e.g., construction jobs), the Panasonic batteries have not noticeably deteriorated in power or run-time; and the drill works just as well as when new. After 39 months of less use, the Bosch batteries are fading and need frequent recharging. To my dismay, two new Bosch batteries cost about the same as a new Panasonic drill. So, I bought another [new] Panasonic drill, which of course includes two of those terrific NiMH batteries.

Awesome
Shear power. At 390in./lbs. of torque I have been having trouble 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 way home and finish off the deal by hand.

I just 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 speed under strain, and while getting hot, it did not overheat. The only reason I would need to stop was to let the fostner bit cool 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 full day under heavy use. The drill is well balanced and has good ergonomics. The electronic brake stops on a dime. This can't be good for the brushes, but no problems so far. I like the weight of this drill, it is substantial but not too heavy.

The best feature of all - SMALL DRILL BITS WILL NOT SPIN IN THE CHUCK. WOW

I will probably dedicate the 15.6 volt to drilling and buy the Panasonic 12 volt cordless for driving screws. The 15.6 easily overpowers cheaply made screws. Highly recommended!!

Best overall drill
I'd been waiting for years for the perfect overall drill to come 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 SPEED... 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 run a halogen light for 75 minutes! I recently put in an entire subfloor on one charge, the battery just doesn't quit. Note of caution: the chuck has an anti-loosen mechanism that while loosening or tightening makes a pretty loud whine... 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 purchase.. they just came out with the 3.5AH battery.. it uses squared off battery cells to get more juice in almost the same space as the 3.0AH batteries that have cylindrical battery cells.

I've used the bosch 24V which has 25% more torque.. a monster.. but this drill will put 4" screws into hardwood w/o thinking about it so it has gobbs of torque yet is still a very nice small size.. it fits no problem between two studs to drill holes for wiring and i've used 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 just shuts off when battery is low).

Summary: impossible to beat this drill for overall use... get the new 12V impact if you want light and high power mostly for screw driving... get the 15.6 if you want the best general purpose drill made.

-awr

Buy Now $ Panasonic EY6432GQKW 15.6-Volt NiMH 1/2-Inch Cordless Drill/Driver Kit