Panasonic EY6409GQKW 12-Volt NiMH 1/2-Inch Cordless Drill/Driver Kit

The EY6409GQKW is ideal for general construction, plumbing, electrical installation work, and finish carpentry. View larger.

Panasonic's EY6409GQKW 12-Volt NiMH Cordless Drill/Driver at a Glance: Max torque: 293 inch-pounds Speed at no load: Low 50 to 400 RPM High 180 to 1,300 RPM Clutch torque (approximately): 9 stage 19 Charging Time: 55 minutes Weight with battery: 4.4 lbs.

The low-speed setting of 50 to 400 RPM is ideal for tough jobs requiring high torque, such as drilling with large bits and driving screws in a controlled manner. Likewise, the high-speed setting of 180 to 1,300 RPM is great for general drilling and fastening in metal.

18-Stage Clutch Plus Drill Position for Precision and ControlThe EY6409GQKW is also equipped with an 18-stage clutch plus drill position, which helps ensure accuracy and control and extends the life of the tool by making sure the correct amount of torque is available for a variety of applications. This helps prevent driving screws too far, snapping them off, or damaging materials as you work.

Ergonomic Construction for Ease of Use
Well-balanced, this drill/driver is easy to work with, and it allows you to work long hours more comfortably. The EY6409GQKW measures a compact 8-3/16 inches in length and weighs less than five pounds. Ideal for both right- and left-handed users, this tool's ergonomic design includes a comfortable, contoured rubber grip to reduce fatigue during extended use. And convenient placement of the variable-speed control trigger and forward/reverse switch permits simple, one-handed operation.

A 1/2-inch heavy-duty keyless chuck means that you'll never have to worry about losing your chuck key. It also means that bit changes will be fast and easy, which is important if you switch tasks often or wear protective gloves on the job.

Reliable, Quick-Charge Battery Power
Effective battery power means no more tangled extension cords that can limit your movement or cause a safety hazard. That's why this Panasonic drill driver is powered by a high-capacity 3.5-Ah Ni-MH battery pack that can be fully charged in just 55 minutes. This industry-exclusive battery has 75-percent more capacity than the 2.0-Ah Ni-Cd batteries that come with many standard drills.

This means less time waiting and more time working. And even when there isn't time for a full charge, the inverter charger features an Emergency Charge function that charges the pack to 15% of its full capacity in just five minutes.

For further convenience, this kit comes with a convenient second battery pack, so you don't have to worry about buying one separately.

What's in the Box
Panasonic EY6409GQKW 12-Volt Drill Driver, two 3.5-Ah Ni-MH battery packs, universal charger, and molded plastic case.

I took off one star because the trigger doesn't give a continuous range of speeds. It starts well at slow speeds, but tends to "kick over" to a very high speed with no transition as the trigger is pulled back. This happens in both the Low and High switch settings. That can be disconcerting.

Things missing that some (other) users might care about: No built-in level; no place to store screws/bits, etc. on the base. Good feature some other units don't have: stands up nicely on its handle. Good universal charger, and I like the NiMH batteries for ecological reasons if nothing else. There is a unit with 3.5 AH batteries, but I got this one with the smaller batteries because I figured the lighter weight was more important than the presumably longer work time between charges for my uses. The chuck is very easy to use, and looks like it runs true to me. Instruction manual tells nothing, but what didn't you know about what it does?


Trully a great drill   November 21, 2004
Marco
14 out of 15 found this review helpful

I'm an electrician and i can tell you out of all the cordless drills we have and had this one is by far the best. It's perfect for me light weight, very powerful, and the battery lasts forever. It beats the Dewalt and makita 14.4 V cordless drills in every department as i own these drills also. My company will in the future buy a few more of these to replace the others since we all fight to get the Panasonic.




Best cordless ever   July 19, 2004
13 out of 14 found this review helpful

I've been using cordless drills since they first came out 25yrs ago. I've had 7.6 volt skill, 9 volt B&D, 12 volt skill, 12 volt bosch, 14.4 Riobi, 14.4 DeWalt and 18 volt Bosch and the 12 volt Panasonic is the best. It's light and the batteries hold a charge longer then any other. I use my drills all day everyday and I have to change from driving screw to drilling holes and this drill works and it doesn't wear out you arm. What more could you want. Yeah it cost more but you get what you pay for.


Good Stuff   August 21, 2005
D. Lewis
12 out of 13 found this review helpful

Just bought my second one. I have no need for anything more than 12 volts with this torque monster. It's light, well balanced, and I use it daily outside in the rain and dirt. (Fence contractor) An electrician friend of mine turned me onto Panasonic drills 3 years ago, and I won't consider another Dewalt. I'd give it 5, but nothings ever perfect. Great tool, great case.