Customer Reviews

Panasonic EY6407NQKW 12 Volt, 1/2-Inch Cordless Hyperformance Drill Kit

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This drill is great. I returned a 12 volt makita after I got this one. The high torque at low RPM is definitely the best feature. I have yet to strip a screw or damage a bit. No complaints with the battery.

I chose this drill - and over the more powerfull versions - because of its light weight as I will use it mostly for woodworking. I was more than pleasantly surprised by this drill.

Pros: very well manufactured, light weight, very well balanced in the hand, very good keyless chuck, can be left standing on its battery (a minor benefit, high torque, constant speed

Cons: The only one I found so far is that you cannot store screw bits on the drill (as on my Dewalt for example).

Best drill on the market! I have a Panasonic 12 volt drill that is about 11 years old, still works great. I recently bought one of these because of the NiMH batteries. It's even better than my old one! Lots of torque, lots of use from a battery charge. Can drill a 1/2 in hole in heavy steel plate without straining or running the battery down. My favorite tool!

I own a small remodelling firm in upstate NY. I purchased this drill after months of research. I was impressed with it's size and weight. I didn't expect it to outperform my old Dewalt. This is very useful for hanging cabinets with 21/2" screws. The power and constant speed under load has converted my partner, a real doubting Thomas. You won't believe the extended run time. The quick charging and long run time makes it a pleasure to use. I used to have to charge at lunch time, now I charge twice a week. If you're looking for power, small size (for tight quarters) and extended run time, this is your best choice.

It's not often that I'm willing to take the time to write about a product, but these Panasonic drills are far and away the best power tools I've ever owned. I just got my new 12v drill/driver for Christmas, and so far I've been just as pleased as with my first Panasonic. I'm an engineer and a tinkerer, not a tool salesman - and all of this is completely true.

I bought my first Panasonic 12V when I decided to finish my basement about eight years ago. Then, like today, the Panasonic was the top rated, but they were relatively unknown, and hard to find. At that time, they were the only ones with a T-handle (like everyone has today).

Panasonic also had a few features that no one else had then - or has today. First and most important was the electronic speed control. The Panasonic has full torque at the lowest variable speed - so you can turn the drill at 20 rpm and have the same torque as at 1200 rpm. Every other drill I've tried, including DeWault, Ryobi, Makita and Porter Cable, builds up torque as the rpm's increase. This means that you have to drive a screw at high rpm into tough material. Not with the Panasonic - you simply drive into any material at any speed you choose. The electronic control also has an electronic brake, which stops the drill immediately when you let off the trigger - again for control. Another feature of the Panasonic was the fast charging system. My old drill could charge a 12v battery in 15 minutes - when everything else took 3 hours. My new 12v takes 30 - 40 minutes with the nickel metal hydride long life battery - I haven't run a battery out yet to see how long these last. Finally, the Panasonic has the best ergonomics of any of the drills I tried. My new one is slightly smaller, lighter and better balanced than my old one - which was very good. Here's what I really like - set any other T-handle drill on a table top in an upright position. Now bump the table and see how hard it is to knock the drill over. Most of them fall over easily and crash to the ground (unless they've got one of those heavy 18v battery packs). Not the Panasonic - this thing stays put - ready for you to pick up and use. This is a great time saving feature.

As I said, I used and abused my original Panasonic 12v for eight years. I drove more than thirty pounds of 3 ½" wood screws for the basement project. I've hung countless pictures, drilled holes, mixed paint and drywall plaster with it - even planted bulbs in the yard with an auger. I've dropped it off ladders and tables, and it just keeps on going. A couple of years ago I dropped the charger and broke it - but I kept using the drill when I found out a Ryobi charger would charge the battery. Recently the original, NiCD battery started giving out. A replacement battery is about $60-75 and the charger is $100. So it didn't make sense not to spend $179 on a new drill, with a new charger, and two of the new NiMH batteries. I bought the 12v instead of the 15.6v to maintain compatibility with the old drill. The 12v has plenty of power for me. So I got a new drill essentially for free - not that I really need it.

I've never been so impressed by a power tool as to write a review. I've owned and heavily used many of the mainstream cordless drill / drivers over the years, none of which come into the same class as my Panasonic EY64. I agree with other reviewers about the torque at low revs - amazing! Superbly balanced, compact, incredible power to weight ratio - how do they do it ? Add to this the NiMH 3.0 ah batteries and you've got a 1st class product here. To anyone who cares - just buy one, if you're an amatuer or pro (like me )you can't go wrong here. Last thing, there is a compartment for a 50mm driver bit underneath the drill housing, you will see it when you remove the battery.

This drill is by far the best. I use it professionally, and wouldn't buy any other. It has the longest running and most powerful battery on the market. It is incredibly powerful, even for a 12 volt drill. If you need more power, buy a corded drill. The other great feature is that you can tighten the chuck with one hand, and crank down with one hand and the bit won't slip. That feature alone is worth it. You don't need channel locks or pliers to tighten the bit, as I read in a review of cordless drills. Buy it and you will be completely satisfied.

This cordless drill is as close to perfection as a tool could be. I have 2 Porter Cable 19.2V cordless drills besides this one, and I have found myself using this drill more and more. It is relatively light weight, well-balanced in the hand, surprisingly powerful for a 12V drill, recharges the NiMH batteries (2 included) quickly, the one-hand keyless chuck is a joy to use and most of all, the workmanship quality of this drill is simply beautiful. A work of art!

In 1994 or 95 I purchased a Panasonic 12v model after researching all available for several weeks. I have been extremely happy with it and the three others I purchased soon afterwards. All of them as well as the chargers have worked almost flawlessly. Since then I've purchased and or recomnded as gifts probably over 10 various models of the panasonic drill. I've dropped mine and abused it and found any repairs to be minor as well as inexpensive. For example a new complete housing (if it drops and breaks in half which i just recently did to my oldest drill)... and in a few minutes it was good as new. My oldest batteries are weak but still usable after 4+ years. I currently own and use: 3 old 12volts, 1 older 15.6 hammerdrill and just purchased a new 12volt and new 15.6v. Buy this drill and the lantern!! You will NOT regret it. The constant speed/torque feature is fantastic and I don't think it's on most other brands. Btw, I own the 15.6 circ saw and it's great too. Especailly for cutting metal w/carbide blade upto 3/16" thick or even 1/2" rod.

One VERY important thing to remember about his drill, and when making a selection, is that due to the electronic speed control that this drill is equipped with, you have the full torque available to you whether you are barely pulling the trigger or pulling it all the way. This is the ONLY drill that I know of that develops full torque at low RPM - all other drills don't deliver the full torque except at full load.