Today Ryobi announces a new 18V 1/4″ Hex Screwdriver that at first glance looks like an impact driver. However just like its name, it actually is a screwdriver – one with all its features stripped out. Let’s check it out further below.
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Ryobi 18V 1/4″ Hex Screwdriver PCL212K1 – Features
It’s funny because when I received the press release info from Ryobi and was looking it over, I honestly thought I was looking at an impact driver.
As I looked at the images, especially the one above, I noticed the chuck seemed different from typical impact drivers. I thought to myself, that looks very familiar. Then it hit me. It’s like the one on my Milwaukee M12 screwdriver.
Above is an image of the model I’m talking about, its the Milwaukee M12 screwdriver 2401-20. I thought it was a bit weird they’d put a chuck designed for a screwdriver onto an impact driver. However even though it sounds weird to do so, the two chucks aren’t that different from each other in how they accept bits. They both only accept 1/4″ hex bits with locking grooves and wont accept regular round shanked bits. The M12 screwdrivers chuck’s downside is that it’s longer than regular impact driver chucks so that makes it longer than need be. However it has a cool trick up it’s sleeve in that it can spit bits out when you pull out on the chuck. That’s something you don’t see on impact driver chucks.
Then I looked at the specs for the Ryobi 18V hex screwdriver (and keep in mind I hadn’t looked at the title of the tool yet). I saw that the screwdriver only had 125 in-lbs of torque which I thought was ridiculously anemic for any impact driver. Even puny and weak 4-8 volt impact drivers have torque in the multiple hundreds of in-lbs range, and this Ryobi is an 18V tool. Then I saw that the RPM is 0-600 RPM which again is ridiculously low for an impact as they are usually around 3,000 RPM more or less. Then that’s when I looked at the title of the tool and saw that it was a screwdriver – to my surprise. Now it all made sense.
Ryobi 18V 1/4″ Hex Screwdriver PCL212K1 – Features Continued
That explains why it has a chuck similar to Milwaukee’s M12 screwdriver. Here’s a bit of trivia for you; Milwaukee and Ryobi are both made by parent company TTI, so it makes sense they can share technology between the two brands. What doesn’t make sense to me though, is if they made a screwdriver similar to something like the Milwaukee M12 screwdriver, why did they strip the Ryobi 18V version of its features? The Ryobi doesn’t have the two features that make the M12 screwdriver great. The first and main feature they omitted is the torque select collar. This allows you to dial down the torque when full torque isn’t needed and is perfect for screwdriving as you can set the torque so that a screw is driven flush or you don’t strip out machine screw threads or heads. The next feature they omitted on the Ryobi is a belt clip, which is another very useful feature on any drill/screwdriver, or impact type tool. Not only does the Ryobi screwdriver not come with a belt clip, it doesn’t even appear you can add one later.
Not only did Ryobi strip out useful features from their version of the screwdriver, they even reduced its torque. The M12 screwdriver has 175 in-lbs of torque while the Ryobi has 125 in-lbs. That’s a considerable drop and leaves me initially scratching my head as to why they did so when you would reasonably conclude that an 18 volt tool would produce better performance than a similar 12 volt tool. Though it might make sense that they lowered the torque since they removed the torque limiting collar. The Ryobi model always has full power at all times, so maybe they lowered the torque to reduce overdriving fasteners is my guess.
Ryobi 18V 1/4″ Hex Screwdriver PCL212K1 – Pricing & Availability
They Ryobi does beat the M12 screwdriver in price as you can get the Ryobi screwdriver in a kit with one 18V 1.5ah battery and charger for $59.97. The M12 screwdriver is currently at $99 as a kit with two 12V 1.5ah batteries, charger and bag which though more expensive might offer a better value or at least far better feature set in a smaller more compact package. Ryobi says their new screwdriver will be available in May 2024.
This new Ryobi screwdriver appears to be the hex-chuck version of their latest budget 18V drill the PCL201 model we discussed recently, and for the same price point as a kit.
- Everyday DIY screwdriver
- Easily drive screws
- Lightweight design at only 2.5 lbs.
- Fast driving with up to 600 RPM
- 125 in-lbs. of torque for fastening applications
- 1/4″ keyless quick connect collet for easy bit changes
- On-board LED worklight
- Variable speed trigger
- Part of the RYOBI ONE+ System of over 300 Cordless Products
- 3-year manufacturer’s warranty
- PCL212K1 Includes: 18V ONE+ Screwdriver, 18V ONE+ 1.5Ah Lithium Battery, Charger and Operator’s Manual
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