The Most MISUNDERSTOOD Feature On Your Drill

For everyone wondering about the test I showed where the DeWalt did a terrible job on limiting the torque, even at the lightest setting, I just shot a new video (it'll be out on the 24th) where I thoroughly tested five drills with big batteries, little batteries and in their high gears and low gears. The results were pretty crazy. The DeWalt DCD999 didn't do well. It's a fantastic drill overall, just not so great on limiting torque. And just to clarify, the Flex drill shown in this video was in all of the exact same settings. Big battery, 1st gear, and the clutch worked way better. Every drill is different.

For me, even more important using the clutch is driving bolts. The right clutch setting prevents the bolt head being snapped off, preventing the 5 minute job ballooning into a 5 hour job. Also, when driving bolts without the clutch (drill setting) you risk injuring your wrist when the torque counter rotation suddenly hits your hand once the bolt is fully seated.

I appreciate the tear down of the clutch system. I'm a commercial HVAC service tech. I have M18 tools for construction/installs, but most days I use the M12 hex-drive drill driver is my go to. Most panels are sheet metal and a hex-drive impact rounds out the holes. Using a clutched drill allows me to consistently remove and reinstall panels without needing to make new screw holes or us larger screws.

I'm a noob with a black and decker drill trying to do small projects around the house and this was wayyyy more informative than I expected it to be. Bonus points for being easy to understand. Good stuff.

I've been using my Dewalt drill and driver for close to 10 years now, and I really like them. However, this explains why I've been using hand drivers for simple home repair. Thanks for the info!

Very good for the newby to get a quick-start on using a drill. As a professional, having a whole host of drills, and varying over the years, clutches will vary from MFG to MFG, and then add in usage. Density of woods, age, and a host of other things add to the variance involved. Age and usage of the drill are definitely a factor. Simple situation. My favorite Bosch Impact and regular drill for cabinet installation, the drill finally gave-it-up, the new replacement was a WOW-Factor - quick learning curve. Last quick note. the hardware you are driving, I.E. type and make of the screw and pilots has a large factor in the overall success. As an over-review of this video, ... this guy is on his game. He's quick, to the point, doesn't drag out the obvious with idol chatter. As a professional woodworker (Certified KCMA - Old School) This guy is worth the listen, I may be looking for other videos. Keep hitting it guy ! GB

I am so happy that you have put this together. I had absolutely no clue what I would want to set the “turning thing to”. I didn’t even know that I would not want to use the full power of the drill. I previously just would use the trigger button and as I got closer to the final spot on the screw and run the drill short amounts of time until the screw was where I wanted it to be. Thanks

Your finger is your clutch/safety. 🙂

Subscribed as a mother of 5 who love's diys. I have been a drill owner for 8 years now as it is the only tool (besides a hammer and screwdriver) that I own and know about, well at least I thought I did. If I have not found your channel there is no way that I would have known that I have been using my drill the wrong way. Wish I could go back and recreate my diys the correct way using the correct mode and clutch setting. Thank you for your well explained videos so glad I found your channel. I will continue to follow, watch, and learn as I buy new tools or maybe even win some 😊

When I first learned to use the proper power setting, it blew my mind (in a good way). Instead of tapping the trigger on the impact, setting the ideal power setting on my driver gave me a perfect screw depth every time. Sooo much more reliable. Now all that's left is avoiding getting "screwed" if I ever buy into a brand for 18V handheld tools. *woodwork/electrical

I've been using drills since the days of huge NiCad batteries and man have clutches improved! Great summary as I've never tried disassembling one to figure out how it works. Thanks!!!

Awesome video, especially for folks who are just learning about drills and how they work. Glad you covered electronic clutches. I know zero people who either knowingly or mainly unknowingly bought a drill equipped with it and like it. This is why my Milwaukee hammer/drill/drive has a mechanical clutch even though it doesn’t see much use as a driver. My go to is the M12 installation driver with a mechanical clutch. I can drive everything from 3” construction screws to installing mini blinds. This plus my impact driver has me covered.

One of the best videos I've ever seen explaining and demonstrating the clutch feature. 👍🏻👍🏻💯 Also, Flex aside from its heft in size is an incredibly good brand. Their tools and battery tech are insane. Milwaukee is just raw power 🔥 and Dewalt just no longer wants to disappoint their customers.

Excellent video. This is why I use a gyroscopic screwdriver for driving screws instead of drill with a clutch. I find the clutch on the DeWalt gyroscopic screwdriver to apply much less torque at lower settings which allows greater control. And with anything you're assembling from furniture to plumbing, you don't want to overtorque.

At 10:33: the DeWalt goes to 11. Awesome! Nigel would be proud!

Now this guy was born a Dad.

My first visit to your channel and initial impression having watched this video is that your presentation and content are first rate . Very informative and helpful ..thanks ..Bill in UK

This is probably the best video I've ever seen to help understand how to properly use a power drill!

This just popped up for me and I'm loving the content already. I'm a single Mom in my 50s and I have to fix everything myself. Not knowing what the numbers meant on the clutch really frustrated me, so Thank you for this video. I subed because of this video. Thank you thank you. I pray you do hit your million subscribers soon. :) God bless you.

Man you are amazing. I had never seen a drill used in all its configuration before. How useful seeing it done.