Mastercraft 12V Lithium-Ion 1/4" Hex Drill/Impact Driver
If you are looking for a 12 volt tool that offers the combined features of a drill/driver and impact drill, then you might want to take a look at the Mastercraft 54-1263-0, one of the few such tools currently available.
Impact drivers are all the rage, in large part because of the tremendous torque advantage they offer over conventional drill drivers. That difference is readily apparent with the 54-1263-0, which delivers 75 inch-pounds of torque in drilling mode, and ten times that much, 750 inch-pounds of torque, in impact mode. Likewise, there is a significant difference in rotational speed. In drilling mode the 54-1263-0 provides 0 to 700 RPM, while in impact mode it delivers 0 to 2,350 RPM. What is amazing is that this variation in power and speed is driven by the same little (well, relatively little) 12-volt 1.3 amp-hour battery. Part of the reason for this difference is that, in impact mode, the extra energy comes from the circular hammering that takes place - it's much like turning a wrench to loosen a nut and simultaneously hammering on the wrench to provide extra force. Most drilling operations don't need a lot of torque; it's when sinking screws and bolts that torque shows its true mettle.
The 54-1263-0 has a 1/4" hex chuck, as do virtually all impact drivers. I've a slight preference for 3/8" chucks, as I have a large investment in high quality drill bits, and I use them frequently - which means that for all my drilling work I'd end up using a different drill. However, if you primarily use (or intend to use) hex shanked drill bits, or you're looking for a driver (rather than a driller), then this might not be an issue for you.
In impact mode the 54-1263-0 performed quite well. The high speed range (0-2,350 RPM) and impact rate (0-3,300 impacts per minute) made short work of sinking 6" lag screws in 2 by material. The only issue I had was the quite noticeable vibration in impact mode - much more vibration than I've noticed with other impact drivers.
The only other feature it has is an LED light, which I consider to be a standard feature today. Likewise for the much referenced 'rubber overmold grip'. An on-board battery fuel gauge would have been nice, along with a belt clip. Still, you do get two batteries, a fast charger, and a carry bag (though it doesn't look to be very durable).
The 54-1263-0 would, in my view, make a good choice for an avid DIYer, or a hobbyist woodworker looking for a single tool for both drilling and driving. If you don't think that you'll really need the impact feature, then take a look at the Mastercraft 54-1211-4, which is a standard 12V drill driver (without the impact feature).

KEY FEATURES:
- 1/4" Hex
- 12V lithium-ion battery, 1.3 Ah
- 21+1 chuck settings
- 0-700 RPM (drill) 0-2,350 RPM (impact)
- 0-3,300 IPM
- 75 in/lbs torque (drill) 750 in/lbs torque(impact)
- LED work light
- 2.4 lbs weight
- 7-3/4" head length
- 3 year warranty
- Includes: fast charger, 2 batteries, bag, bits
MANUFACTURER: | Mastercraft |
AVAILABLE FROM: | Canadian Tire |
RETAIL PRICE: | $179.99 |
MODEL #: | 54-1263-0 |
MADE IN: | China |
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