Black & Decker 20V Max Lithium Drill/Driver with Autosense Technology
One of our favorite power tools makers, Black and Decker, has just introduced what it believes to be the latest in drill technology.
Differentiating between the mass of cordless drill / drivers on the market today is not easier. While pretty much all of them come with a built in clutch system many DIY enthusiasts find that they are not particularly accurate and can easily be set incorrectly.
The new Black and Decker Autosense technology is meant to overcome this by incorporating an automatic clutch that can more accurately predict when a screw head is flush with the work surface.
The BDCDE120C drill driver employs microprocessor controlled sensors to continually measure the torque applied to the screw or drill head (depending upon which mode you are in).
When it senses a rapid rate change in torque it can stop the drill head in as little as three milliseconds, fast enough to ensure that your screw end up flush.
If you need to countersink a screw head then there’s an option for that as well and you can make micro adjustments to get the required depth.
When using the BDCDE120C as a drill the same autosense magic ensures that you get just the right amount of power to complete the job quickly. Imagine, no more sprained wrists when you manage to jam the drill bit.
The Battery
Compact and lightweight the Black & Decker BDCDE120C is made for the handyman
The 20 volt Lithium Ion battery delivers a good amount of power and lasts a considerable amount of time (18 hours according to the spec. sheet). Once flat it’ll recharge in around 4 hours using the charger that comes with the unit. You can interchange the battery with other units that use the 20v system such as some yard tools and reciprocating saws from Black and Decker.
Handling
Weighing in at a lightweight 3.8 pounds this cordless drill driver is easy to handle and the tactile rubberised grip ensures that it stays balanced and in position while you go around your work.
How about the Chuck
There’s a standard 3/8’s inch chuck on this unit which rotates up to 800 rpm for drilling. Suitable for home owner use rather than the professional. The chuck can easily be tightened with just one hand.
Professional Touches
The LED light is a nice touch and one that you’ll find on many pro models at the moment. If you’re working in a dark corner with limited visibility or your eyes are just old like mine then you’ll find it a blessing.
Autosense Technology
Autosense technology automatically stops the driver when the screw is flush
Is it really worth paying the extra for a drill driver with autosense technology?
To some it may be. If you’re the sort of person that doesn’t want to waste time setting up a clutch through trial and error and constantly over-tightens screws then it may be worth paying to get this driver to makes things a little easier.
Amazon has this unit on offer for around $80 at the moment so you’re probably paying an extra $20-$30 to get that peace of mind.
It technology actually works quite well, but the screw head is moving pretty slowly when autosense is enabled so most people wouldn’t have an issue stopping the driver in time anyway. It appears to be more accurate when driving short screws and can sometimes struggle with longer ones 3 inch and over.
If you have a lot of Ikea furniture packs that you need to put together then this could make the job less frustrating.
Click here to see what others are saying…
Inbuilt LED lighting illuminates even the darkest corner
What We Liked
- Autosense
- Compact & Lightweight
- Built in Light
- Interchangeable Battery
What We Didn’t
- More expensive due to Autosense tech.
- Only one battery included
- No fast charge
The Bottom Line
This is a very nice compact drill driver aimed at the weekend DIYer. The autosense technology works well and saves a lot of messing around setting up a manual clutch but this does make the BDCDE120C drill a little more expensive than other models such as the Black & Decker LDX120C.
If you don’t need that level of accuracy then some may find it not worth the extra cost.The battery is rated to hold it’s charge for around 18 months and comes with a display to show how much life is remaining. Perfect for a home owner who just needs a drill at the ready for the occasional quick job.
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A great drill for home use that'll make life a little easier for those occasional home improvements. Autosense is a little wasted on the professional who is used to adjusting clutch settings.
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