The Bottom Line
At first blush, the Porter-Cable PCL120DD 12v Max Cordless Drill/Driver seems like so many of the other lightweight but surprisingly power-packed 12-volt max drill/drivers that are on the market today. However, upon a closer inspection, there are a few features that really make the Porter-Cable PCL120DD worth a second look. In addition to the lightweight, balanced body and the adjustable clutch behind the 3/8-inch keyless chuck, I really liked the six-gun style placement of the belt hook, as well as the magnetic bit holder on top of the body. It all adds up to a very nicely designed woodworking tool.
Pros
- 12-volt max battery powered unit packs enough punch to drive 3-inch screws with ease
- Six-gun style belt clip (left or right side) makes grabbing tool from your belt quick and easy
- Magnetic bit holder on top of body
- Three-year limited manufacturer's warranty
Cons
- Like many other 12-volt max drivers, not enough power to handle drilling with large spade bits
Description
- 3/8-inch keyless chuck with multi-position adjustable torque clutch
- Dual-range gearing and adjustable speed trigger
- Includes drill/driver body, battery charger, two 12-volt max batteries, combo flathead/Phillips bit, soft case and manual
Guide Review - Porter-Cable PCL120DD 12v Max Cordless Drill/Driver
Much like other similar tools in it's class, in the Porter-Cable PCL120DD 12v max Cordless Drill/Driver, Porter-Cable's engineers have employed three small 3.6 volt lithium-ion cells in series to produce a battery pack that produces 12-volts measured without a workload, but a nominal voltage of 10.8 volts under a workload. This means that, while the overall package of the drill/driver is quite compact and lightweight, it still has enough power to handle many tasks. Case in point: the PCL120DD is fully capable of driving more than a large handful of 3-inch screws into decking material, a task that many 18-volt models would've fought with only a couple of years ago.
In this model, Porter-Cable chose to use a standard 3/8-inch keyless chuck rather than the quick-release 1/4-inch quick-release bit holder prevalent on many similar competing models. This has advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are in versatility, allowing the drill/driver to handle any bit up to 3/8-inch. The disadvantages of using the keyless chuck over the quick-release bit holder are in speed of bit changes, and the inability to focus the LED lighting clearly on the workpiece. For these reasons, I like to have one style of each in my shop.
Two features about this unit that I really like:
First, I like the magnetic bit holder on the top of the unit. It uses a very strong magnet to hold the combo driver bit securely in place. Just remember not to use that bit if you want to do any work on a computer with this drill/driver, as the metal bit could pick up some of the magnetization from the holder and damage electronic components.
Second, I really like the way that Porter-Cable positioned their belt clip. It might not seem much, but the clip allows the driver to hang on your belt or edge of your pants pocket in a way that feels a lot like an old west six-gun in its holster. You can work with your hands free, then reach down, grab the handle of the of the driver like a gun, pull it off of the belt and put it to use without having to look down to find it. The clip can be switched to either side for lefties or right-handed users. A small touch, but one that really makes a difference when I'm using the tool.
In this model, Porter-Cable chose to use a standard 3/8-inch keyless chuck rather than the quick-release 1/4-inch quick-release bit holder prevalent on many similar competing models. This has advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are in versatility, allowing the drill/driver to handle any bit up to 3/8-inch. The disadvantages of using the keyless chuck over the quick-release bit holder are in speed of bit changes, and the inability to focus the LED lighting clearly on the workpiece. For these reasons, I like to have one style of each in my shop.
Two features about this unit that I really like:
First, I like the magnetic bit holder on the top of the unit. It uses a very strong magnet to hold the combo driver bit securely in place. Just remember not to use that bit if you want to do any work on a computer with this drill/driver, as the metal bit could pick up some of the magnetization from the holder and damage electronic components.
Second, I really like the way that Porter-Cable positioned their belt clip. It might not seem much, but the clip allows the driver to hang on your belt or edge of your pants pocket in a way that feels a lot like an old west six-gun in its holster. You can work with your hands free, then reach down, grab the handle of the of the driver like a gun, pull it off of the belt and put it to use without having to look down to find it. The clip can be switched to either side for lefties or right-handed users. A small touch, but one that really makes a difference when I'm using the tool.
Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.
