Cordless impact wrench

The Black&Decker cordless impact wrench XTC12IK is said to have a much higher torque than a conventional cordless drill. For whom is the purchase worthwhile?

In addition to cordless drill drivers and cordless impact drills, there are also cordless impact drivers. They are comparable to the compressed air impact wrenches at the tire dealer, only weaker. Black & Decker is proud of the C12IK from the new XT series 80 Newton meter (Nm) as maximum torque, significantly more than conventional cordless drill drivers. The machine is also a bit smaller and lighter than a comparable drill/driver.

While other cordless impact wrenches have so far only been available as professional machines at prices from approx 300 euros are offered, is the Black & Decker already for 129,95 to have euros. Black & Decker wants to sell it as a universal cordless machine.

The typical application for cordless impact wrenches is screwing threaded screws into metal profiles. The machine works quickly and powerfully here. She turns the smooth-running screw with up to 2600 revolutions per minute, to finally tighten them with the support of the very loud percussion mechanism. Wood screws are different. Small screws go in faster, than the do-it-yourselfer can see. With thicker screws (from approx 4 mm diameter) however, it becomes difficult. Engine power alone is not enough here, to continue turning the screw. Then the rotary percussion mechanism must also come into action. With a great deal of noise, it continues to hammer in the screw bit by bit of a turn. The noise is very annoying, and it lasts, until the screw is in. Only, the user does not have to counteract the counterforce generated by the drill/driver with his hand, that's what the percussion does.

The tougher the material, the weaker the XTC12IK becomes. With the wood screws we usually use to measure the soft joint, with a diameter of 10 mm the machine was overwhelmed. In this case, the maximum torque when tightening and loosening was just between 20 and 25 Nm.

+ Most affordable cordless impact wrench on the market, high torque when screwing in threaded screws in the metal area, no counterforce required when holding. Easier to unscrew stuck Phillips screws (no come-out effect).

– Can only be used to a limited extent for wood screws, high noise pollution from the rotary impact mechanism, inadequate tools.