Dewalt DCF601 Sub-Compact Xtreme 12V Brushless 1/4” Hex Screwdriver Quick Look

I’m usually a Milwaukee user but this tool caught my eye and I thought I’d share some stuff about it.

[@ICanDoItMyself]

Most videos show how fast and how powerful the drill is. The first video that shows the lowest speed! Thank you! I want for delicate uses, so the slow speed is important. My 20v Atomic has a minimum speed that is faster than I want. I think this'll work!

[@kennethkuhlman8864]

You are welcome!

[@pete1323]

Great video! I’m a Milwaukee fan boy. I have tons of 18v and 12v tools. Never liked the “pod” style batteries. The electronic clutch is the worst idea in years. I have recently purchased the 12v Dewalt xtreme 1/4 and 3/8 impact. They are so comfortable to use and the impacts have the finesse required for smaller fasteners. I will be picking up the drill to replace the Milwaukee m12 drill. Again, great video, I thought I was the only one who hates the clutch!

[@kennethkuhlman8864]

Sorry for the 2 year late reply. Lol. We have the same M18 drill at work. We were doing work on a container, adding holes for electrical and I didn’t realize I had it the clutch on instead of drill mode. When it would stop I had no idea what was going on. I thought I was having trigger issues. It’s so bad. Hopefully on the next gen drills they are going to put the mechanical clutch back on it. I feel they will because the m12 installation drill driver came out after the current M18/M12 drills and it opted for a mechanical clutch. Fingers crossed.

[@tooolboxx]

Glad to see such an honest review from someone heavily invested in a rival brand. I own all of the previous 12v models and when the new line (and great packaging with 2 batteries, charger and bag) came out, I upgraded. Try out the drill and impact, they all feel great in the hand and well-balanced.

[@stormsilagy5744]

I think I may spring on that one. I have the old brushed one, about two years on it and I've made it smoke more than once but it has held up great. Glad they added the fuel guage to the batteries.

[@gustavomacall4997]

Got mine today and I'm very pleased with it , the battery stays on tight and it feels solid .

[@kennethkuhlman8864]

Nice!

[@legendarypillow1450]

The Xtreme 12v system is better than every single m12 tool in my opinion, their drills destroy milwaukee’s. If not the power, the durability, longevity, and ergonomics are better.

[@blueridge8992]

Came across your channel when I was researching a new set of compact power tools. You definitely helped me narrow it down so I appreciate it! Ended up getting the screwdriver, driver, impact wrench, drill, two bags, four 2AH batteries, and two 2amp chargers for $310 with the Father’s Day sale at Lowe’s and WOW, these little guys are super nice. I’m most impressed by their ergonomics and how fast the batteries charge. They’re so freakin comfortable to use for extended periods with the design of the grip and the light weight and the batteries charge from 1 bar to full in under 25 minutes. My Flexvolt yard tools came with 4amp chargers and I’m looking forward to see if they might cut the 12V charge time down to like 15 minutes. These little Dewalts feel plenty powerful too. I just got them to use around the house and I wasn’t expecting 500 in-lbs of torque from them, but so far it’s looking like I’ll be able to leave my Makita 18V stuff at work from now on.

[@kennethkuhlman8864]

Wow that’s awesome, I appreciate it a lot! It’s nice to have some resources available to help you cut past the marketing hype and the vast amount of tools available!

[@pennfishing9246]

The dewalt feels great in my hand perfect balance

[@kennethkuhlman8864]

Yea that’s one of the things I appreciate a lot about the Dewalts.

[@swami15]

I've been trying to learn more about this drill and you just answered all my questions. Now I can buy one! THANKS Kenneth!

[@kennethkuhlman8864]

That’s awesome glad I could help!

[@ImagineSomeCoolNameHere]

I'm fully invested into Milwaukee too and I appreciate the honest review, been thinking about getting this Dewalt DCF601as well. Great review going over all the important facts. Keep posting brother!

[@kennethkuhlman8864]

Thanks man! I just got something to help with video so I’m probably going to post more now.

[@PatrickMondor]

Nice vid! Agree on all points. The Dewalt 12v Extreme line is excellent, love the screwdriver and the impact is pretty powerful.

[@21area21]

Hey, i see some comments about the driver's clutch failing. Do you have any problems with yours? Also, it's no longer being sold in home depot either, so i'm kinda suspicious. Was tryna decide between this and the Milwakee 12V screwdriver. (Edit: the first gen with a mechanical clutch. New one is electronic and terrible)

[@loucifer323]

@@21area21 Your a fucking liar home depot never sold the new brushless 12v only Lowe's

[@21area21]

@@loucifer323 yeh looks like I was wrong. mb mb

[@gogators5762]

I have this and I love it! It'd light enough that my wife can also use it if necessary. Beats a regular screw driverr by miles!!! Also the battery is perfect tiny size with battery life display!!

[@losbush]

Thanks for the video. I have the Hercules 12v screwdriver which is similar to this. Bought for the same reasons of not wanting to mess with a chuck and needing a clutch for light duty stuff. Like it a lot but thinking about this Dewalt.

[@kennethkuhlman8864]

losbush Yea this one is a bit shorter than the Hercules which is nice if you’re trying to reach through places with a lot of surrounding wiring or piping.

[@mallugasify]

I after using the older model for about a year of daily use it finally started smoking , still works but the smoky smell is unpleasant . I had this one for a week, wished it had the same power and a 2 setting speed just like the drill version.

[@jettschenker]

I don't know the 12-volt extreme cordless tools, but what I would really love is for DeWalt to make a 12-volt extreme version of the 850 20 volt impact driver. It would be even smaller and lighter and get in the tighter places than the 850 and I would love to own one for working around the house and in my profession which is aviation maintenance

[@kennethkuhlman8864]

They do make a 12volt impact driver. I just checked Lowe’s and they are on sale. The screwdriver with 2 batteries and a charger is $99 down from $130 and the same kit with the impact driver is $130 down from $150.

[@irvingg.1437]

I have this drill. Love it. I also have Milwaukee. I don't like their grip. Too wide due to the battery.

[@kennethkuhlman8864]

Agree!!

[@fourtysix4646]

Yeah I almost wish Milwaukee would have made the dewalt style of 12v battery but they have too many tools to switch it up now... I mean makita made the switch but they didn’t really have much of a selection on their 12v barrel grip tools anyway so it prob didn’t piss too many ppl off. If Milwaukee made the switch now too many ppl would go ape shit.... even myself... I have a ton of the m12, even the mini bandsaw....

[@gustavomacall4997]

I have have Milwaukee fuel one , I've heard it has more powe then the Dewalt one.

[@Rockcal11]

I use it all day .. it has hundreds of hours on it ( light duty) works great

[@Martinruizthemerchant]

I have to agree I love this tool I bought the Impact 12v but I am returning it after using this because i don't need the Impact since i have the 20v one that does more

[@Afrikaaner11]

Ya talked me into it. I am going up to get one at Lowe's tomorrow.

[@kennethkuhlman8864]

Afrikaaner11 be prepared. They don’t have the reduced price anymore. I think it happened super recently. Check Lowe’s.com for the price.

[@MrChris-bx7ss]

I've got one of these and it is sublime!

[@MoGhotbi]

Great review. Also the Dewalt charger that comes with the kit charges 12v and 20v batteries. I just picked one up at Lowe's for $90 for the kit - great deal.

[@kennethkuhlman8864]

Yea its good benefit. It’s made me think about picking something up from their 20V line. I’m trying to keep my different batteries to a minimum though. I’m already at 4 different brands, in a few years it’s going to be expensive to replace them. 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@kennethkuhlman8864]

Yea I saw that they are really reduced right now. A guy on Instagram just showed they are adding a 1/2” impact wrench and changing the 3/8” impact wrench the same body as the new 1/2”. They look stronger. If I didn’t have the Milwaukee versions of them I’d probably buy them.

[@MoGhotbi]

@@kennethkuhlman8864 Yeah - I know what you mean. I've got Makita and Dewalt and was considering the 12v Makita but it requires a different charger.

[@DavidAmmerlaan]

Luckily you protected your hands. Dangerous job this

[@kennethkuhlman8864]

Sorry I was in between manicures and didn’t want to offend anyone with my unkempt nails.

[@fourtysix4646]

I am also a fan of the mechanical clutch, and also have both Milwaukee and dewalt because I couldn’t help myself... was looking at this one even though I have the non brushless version of this that’s still kicking. More brands need to do the brushless mechanical clutch combo. The electronic ones are too powerful for light tasks. Doesn’t matter what brand I’ll always have a soft spot for the right combo. Now if only the m18’s didn’t get rid of the mode selector for that all in one clutch ring selector...

[@kennethkuhlman8864]

You know it’s funny you say that. Before I got my m18 I would have said the all in one ring was the better way to go, but after using it I don’t really like it as much. It’s much faster the old way when you’re using one drill.

[@fourtysix4646]

@@kennethkuhlman8864 the fuel gen 2 hammer drill was near perfect imo. Still have a brand new one stored away, besides my old trusty beat up one just in case. Also not a fan of this new trend of chucks without the treaded screw. I have a dewalt rohm chuck (what is in 9 series dewalt) on one of my Milwaukee drills and the metal Milwaukee chuck I took off on a mid size dewalt that had the plastic sleeved chuck stock. Frankenstein drills so I know they are mine and both much improved.

[@vanenmar7491]

Very helpful video, thank you!

[@grngrss265]

Just bought this for screwing together pockets holes. Thx for the advice on clutch setting for those.

[@kennethkuhlman8864]

Yea it’s really nice for that! I also like my M12 Surge on setting 1. It’s a bit slow but you won’t over tighten it.

[@Joe_Blo]

That clutch rotates a lot easier than the one on the my almost identical drill. Maybe that one has been used more and is broke in? Anyway, I cant justify the driver when the drill does the same work.

[@pennfishing9246]

I like your gloves

[@kennethkuhlman8864]

Penn FISHING yea they are my favorite. They are Radnor gloves with all the labeling worn off from washing them so many times. They last forever.

[@jgamer7715]

What's your opinion on the older m12 screwdriver with the black chuck cersus the dewalt?

[@kennethkuhlman8864]

J Gamer So that one in my opinion isn’t as versatile. It has a max rpm of 500 vs the dewalt 1100. That’s going to slow down you down if you use it for light drilling. Also it’s heavy, larger, has less powerful lighting and doesn’t have the easy one handed chuck of the dewalt. If you go into a Home Depot and handle the Milwaukee you’ll see how big that screw driver actually is. Also the entire dewalt kit is $99 at Lowe’s right now and that screw driver is $80 tool only at Home Depot. I just think the Dewalt is a better deal and tool.

[@ben8878]

G8 review. How do you think this will do for an electrican who needs to tighten a wire for a socket outlet for example? Is it too much screwdriver?

[@kennethkuhlman8864]

I use this tool for that exact thing quite a bit. I like it.

[@ben8878]

@@kennethkuhlman8864 thanks bro I really appreciate ur advice.👍👍👍

[@СимоненкоОлег-д6ы]

Мг,то есть он давно существует?(я просто про то что удивляюсь как это ещё не разработали шуруповёрт с патроном для быстрой смены насадок,а это я просто не туда смотрю все время а он вот он),а есть какой-же только для 18 вольтовых батарей?

[@LacrosseMan0428]

Were you able to get dewalt 1 inch bits to lock in to the collet?

[@kennethkuhlman8864]

Sorry so slow to respond. I have tried dewalt a specifically but I Milwaukee ones do. I don’t usually use it that way though because I can’t see the screw.

[@ghostreality2965]

do you like air hex impact tool ?

[@francispino7999]

Have you tried the Milwaukee m12 screwdriver

[@kennethkuhlman8864]

I have not tried it. But I think I’d still prefer this one. Unless it was for work where the tools are provided. I do know the M12 Fuel Screw driver does have a mechanical clutch and a gear box. I’m sure it’s fine and works perfectly well.

[@bretteballantine2596]

Can I use this tool to undo rust nuts bolts etc

[@kennethkuhlman8864]

So this tool is really just think of it as a fast screwdriver if you can use a screwdriver on it, you can use this on. There are no impacts like you would get on an impact driver more impact wrench, this works just like a drill.

[@gustavomacall4949]

What ? No Milwaukee m12 fuel screwdriver ?

[@kennethkuhlman8864]

I skipped that one because I feel it’s outdated. The chuck is two handed, it’s much heavier, the cost is a lot higher and it’s longer. The new M12 installation drill/driver takes its place for sure. That one is really nice to own if you’re staying in the Milwaukee lineup.

[@kennethkuhlman8864]

But if you’re doing electrical, the switch on the Installation Drill Driver is a pain in the butt. And that’s where the Dewalt really kills it. I just did a side job for someone doing a full replacement on all the outlets and switches in their house. The Dewalt was the main tool I used. I had the IDD just so I didn’t have to change bits between flathead and Phillips.

[@JohnOrtuno]

What gloves are those?

[@kennethkuhlman8864]

John Ortuno www.airgas.com/product/Safety-Products/Gloves/Coated-Work-Gloves/p/RAD64056603 They are the best gloves I’ve ever used. They are the perfect thickness. You can wash them multiple times and they still go. If I need ultra dexterity I cut the thumb tip and pointer finger tip off and they don’t fray out. Super good.

[@fusion106]

Its a 3 ring. 3 ring. 3 ring.

[@anandabalo8885]

this is brassless motor

[@kennethkuhlman8864]

Yes

[@Chillin_Dillin]

Buying a really expensive tool to do "odds and ends stuff" even though you EASILY have enough hardware to build half a hotel complex... Sounds like my kind of guy! 🫡🫡🫡

[@kennethkuhlman8864]

🤙🏼🤙🏼