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We’ve written about some of Worx’s tools before, mainly their small cordless screwdrivers and outdoor tools. Chris wrote in with a question about their 20V Max cordless drill and impact driver, which I presume are relabeled Rockwell tools.
I haven’t worked with any Worx drills, or Rockwell’s for the matter. Have you? Please let us know about your experiences with the brand’s cordless tool offerings.
Chris wrote:
On occasion I see good deals on Worx cordless drills. Menards currently has a 20v max drill and impact driver set on sale, and it has once again made me wonder about the quality of their tools.
I once asked at a store about them, but they were a new selection and the manager did not yet have a good handle on the brand.
From what I’ve gathered, they are a respectable yard tools company that has translated their cordless capabilities into a small line of shop tools. Have you worked with any Worx drills or have any insight into the quality and durability of these tools?
Short answer: I would consider Worx cordless drills to be consumer-grade, but some might be contractor-grade, or in-between. It’s hard to say without seeing the exact tools.
Menards’ website is currently showing a drill and impact driver deal, model WX916L,for $99. The sale price ends 7/5/2015.
I think that, generally, Worx drills might be rebranded Rockwell drills, as the two brands are owned by the same parent company. So if you see a Worx power tool that doesn’t fit into their lawn & garden tool segments, you might be able to find reviews of the same Rockwell tool to help with your purchasing decision.
The tools in the WX916L combo look to be very similar to those in Rockwell’s RK1806K2 combo ($165 via Amazon), but there are some differences. First, the drill chuck looks different. It’s not always fair to compare drill chucks based on online product images, but it could be that the Worx has a lesser chuck. The battery system is also a little different.
On closer inspection of specs, both drills have 3/8″ chucks, and the torque of Worx and Rockwell drills and impacts have the same torque ratings. It seems that the Rockwell charger (1-hour?) is faster than the one included with the Worx combo (3-5 hours).
Update: I should have also pointed out that companies use 3/8″ chucks in 18V-class cordless drills as a cost-cutting measure, or when they’re matched with a less powerful motor. From what I have seen, 1/2″ chucks have really become the norm these days, for all but the most entry-level models.
The Rockwell combo is normally priced at $165, but was on sale for $100 last holiday season. The Worx set is said to be regularly priced at $130. I am not confident that reviews of the Rockwell combo will shed insight into what you can expect from the Worx combo, but at the very least I don’t think the Worx performance and durability will exceed that of the Rockwell tools.
The Worx set seems to be designed around an attractive price point for DIYers and homeowners. The other thing to be mindful of is that the Worx system probably doesn’t offer much in the way of expandability. After checking the website, I see that Worx also offers a compact trim circular saw, an oscillating multi-tool, and that’s it. But… the battery system IS said to be compatible with Worx’s 20V Max outdoor power tools.
That all said, I’ll try most name brands once, and I won’t shy away from “lesser” brands just based on name. When doing so, just keep the receipt handy, or if buying online make sure the return policy is flexible to allow for easier returns.