New Rockwell 16V Lithiumtech Drill, Impact Driver Fills Gap Between 12 and 18-20V Models
Charlotte, NC ─ There’s never a dull moment with a manufacturer that’s an innovator and unafraid to chart new territory. Enter Rockwell’s new 16V MaxLithium Drill/Driver and Impact Driver. These new power tools are compact, lightweight and feature shorter head stocks than competitor’s tools. They are the only 16V power tools in the professional tool marketplace today.
“The new 16V line is more powerful than our 12V models and don’t have the bulk associated with some 18- and 20V tools,” said Jeanne White, Rockwell® senior product manager. “They are fully-loaded and highly maneuverable to get in and out of tight quarters quickly and efficiently.”
When Rockwell’s 16V Drill/Driver was tested against the leading major manufacturer’s 12V tools, its 302 in. lbs. of torque matched or exceeded every other brand. The tool on a single battery charge outperformed the majors by driving more 1-5/8 in. drywall screws into 2 in. MDF board.
Performance counts, and when the new Rockwell 16V Impact Driver went up against industry leading 12V tools, it outperformed them all. Take 7/8 in. self-tapping sheet metal screw and drive them into 1 in. MDF and see how many screws the tool drives on a single charge. Winner – Rockwell. Take the same size screws, and in a 3 minute efficiency face-off, the Rockwell impact driver drove 25 percent more screws. At 950 in. lbs. of torque, it squares against Dewalt’s 12V impact and exceeds all other 12V impacts in torque, including Bosch, Milwaukee and Makita.
Feature-packed, the Rockwell 16V Drill/Driver has a 3/8 in. keyless, single-sleeve Jacobs® chuck and a two-speed (0-400/0-1500, no-load rpm) gearbox. The 2.75 lb. drill/driver also has an auto spindle lock, a 16-torque-setting clutch, forward/reverse button, LED work light that doubles as a low-battery-charge indicator when blinking The tool’s drilling capacity is 1 in. in wood and 3/8 in. in steel.
There’s also a belt hook that can be mounted on either side of drill’s body for handy storage when not in use. A soft-grip handle provides comfort, especially during extended use periods. The tool is balanced so it stands on end when it’s set down. The Rockwell 16V Drill/Driver includes two, 1.3 Ah batteries, a 30-minute charger, a double-end screwdriver bit and carrying bag.
A feature that’s immediately noticeable about the new compact Rockwell 16V Impact Driver is that its headstock is only 4.9 in., while DeWalt and Makita 12V impact drivers check in at 6.2- and 6.1 in. respectively. That’s not a big difference until you find yourself working in tight quarters. Other manufacturer’s head stocks are fixed at 90° to the handle, while Rockwell incorporates an upward pitch. The slight angle improves the tool’s ergonomics and the driver’s handling.
The Rockwell 16V Impact Driver has a 1/4 in. hexchuck and an all-metal gearbox for durability and long life. The 2.5 lb. tool has no-load speeds of 0-2400 rpm and 0-3000 bpm and a variable-speed switch. A built-in LED work light illuminates the work area and doubles as a low-battery-charge indicator when blinking.
The belt hook on drill’s body can be mounted on either side of the tool. It’s handy for storing the tool on the user’s belt or pocket. The tool’s soft grip handle helps minimize vibration and fatigue, especially during long use periods. The tool is balanced so it stands up when not in use. The Rockwell 16V Impact Driver includes two, 1.3 Ah batteries, a 30-minute charger, a 2 in. screwdriver bit and carrying bag.
The Rockwell 16V MaxLithium Drill/Driver and Impact Driver are part of Rockwell’s Free Batteries for Life program, which reinforces the company’s confidence in the quality of its batteries and cordless tools. Registered users never need to worry about buying new batteries because Rockwell will replace them free for the life of the tool. The Free Batteries for Life program reduces the overall cost of owning a Rockwell cordless tool by 40 to 70 percent.
The Rockwell 16V Drill/Driver (RK2600K2, $139.99) and 16V Impact Driver (RK2611K2, $139.99) are expected to be available in late January 2013 through Menards, www.rockwelltools.com and other online websites, as well as regional hardware and home centers nationwide.
About Rockwell
Rockwell power tools are a part of the Positec Group of companies, which have been designing, engineering and manufacturing power tools since 1994. The Rockwell brand offers the performance-minded do-it-yourselfer and the price-conscious tradesman with excellent options compared to higher priced professional power tool brands. For more information about Rockwell, visit www.rockwelltools.com