Toolbox: Power-Packed Cordless Drills

Porter-Cable and Black & Decker each have introduced new cordless drills with a lot more power than conventional models. The Porter-Cable model 850 Magnequench is powered by a 12-volt battery. The Black & Decker model 2661 Kodiak Holgun sports a big 13.2-volt battery. Each manufacturer takes a different approach to making a heavy-duty drill. Porter-Cable relies on a low speed, direct-drive motor with an adjustable clutch. Black & Decker eliminates the clutch and goes to a dual-range reduction gear driven by a high-rpm motor. This makes the Holgun a bit faster than the Magnequench, but the Porter-Cable is more efficient and will run longer. Both drills have an equal amount of torque, seemingly as much as most 120-volt plug-in drills. Field Tests To