Published tool lengths in inches
Bars share a zero baseline. Add actual bit projection, grip, battery envelope and any required side handle before judging access.
3403-20Cordless drill/driver
- M12
- M12 FUEL drill/driver; no hammer mode.
- 3403-20 — US listing
3601-20Cordless drill/driver
- M18
- M18 Compact Brushless drill/driver; this listing is not branded FUEL.
- 3601-20 — US listing
2904-20Cordless hammer drill/driver
- M18
- M18 FUEL hammer drill with AUTOSTOP control and a side handle.
- 2904-20 — US listing
1 · 3403-20
5.9 in
2 · 3601-20
5.7 in
3 · 2904-20
6.9 in
Bars share a zero baseline. Add actual bit projection, grip, battery envelope and any required side handle before judging access.
Align three different tools
3403-20 is M12 FUEL, 3601-20 compact brushless M18, and 2904-20 M18 FUEL hammer drilling. All do suitable ordinary drilling and screwdriving, but they are not one drill with different batteries.
Swipe or scroll horizontally to see all columns.
| Item | 3403-20 | 3601-20 | 2904-20 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | M12 | M18 | M18 |
| Modes | Driving, drilling | Driving, drilling | Driving, drilling, hammer drilling |
| Length | 5.9 in | 5.7 in | 6.9 in |
| Published weight without battery | 2.1 lb | 2.3 lb | 3.3 lb |
| Low/high no-load rpm | 0–450/0–1,550 | 0–550/0–1,700 | 0–500/0–2,100 |
| Published torque in-lb | 400 | 550 | 1,400 peak |
| Steel | 1/2 in | 1/2 in | 1/2 in |
| Wood flat/auger | 1-1/4 / 1 in | 1-1/4 / 1 in | 1-1/2 / 1-1/2 in |
| Wood hole saw | 2 in | 2 in | 3-1/2 in |
| Self-feed bit | Not listed here | Not listed here | 2-9/16 in |
| Masonry | No hammer mode | No hammer mode | 5/8 in |
The 3403’s 2.1 lb is explicitly published without battery; its current product introduction also says 2.5 lb without stating the condition. Do not mix that figure with other tools’ bare weights. Your chosen pack adds weight. Keep bit categories separate: a hole-saw diameter is not a general wood-drill limit.
Existing M12, small holes and assembly
Reliable M12 batteries and charger make 3403 a natural starting point for hinges, timber pilots and small metal brackets. Its listed steel and wood-bit capacities match 3601; the 18V name alone is not reason to rebuy a system.
It has no hammer mode. Do not assign 3404 masonry capability to it or treat clutch markings as precision torque. Appropriate bits, a material test piece and gradual adjustment still matter for screw seating; advertised maximum torque is not the target.
Existing M18, restricted cabinet access
3601 is 0.2 inch, about 5.1 mm, shorter than 3403: M12 is not smallest in every dimension. It is about 30.5 mm shorter and 1 lb lighter without battery than 2904. For repeated small holes and assembly this can matter more than maximum torque.
Measure hole centre to obstruction plus bit projection and grip. M18 battery bases consume space too. Release the trigger, wait for complete stop and remove the pack before physical assessment. Keep it removed, use planned pack dimensions for base clearance, and do not run the tool into a gap as a test.
Larger wood holes or suitable masonry
2904 offers more than hammer action. A planned 2-1/2-inch wood hole saw exceeds the other two tools’ listed 2-inch capacity. Its larger range remains subject to cutter, material, gear and gripping conditions. Clamp work, do not force or angle the cut.
For suitable masonry, 2904 publishes up to 33,000 impacts per minute. Establish substrate, anchor specification, hole size/depth, hidden services and dust controls first. Frequent large/deep hard-concrete holes may require a rotary hammer rather than expecting this drill to cover everything.
Include its required side handle in access and grip. AUTOSTOP assists in some over-rotation situations, not replacing the handle or eliminating all reaction.
Compare complete configurations last
3403-22 provides M12 4Ah plus 2Ah, 48-59-2401 and bag. 3601-22CT provides two M18 2Ah, 48-59-1812 and bag. 2904-22 provides two M18 5Ah, 48-59-1812, side handle and hard case. Existing owners can start with -20 and missing items; new owners need the full total.
48-59-1812 charges both families but does not make tool batteries interchangeable. Eliminate insufficient capacity or access first, use existing platforms to avoid duplication second, then compare equipment you will actually use.
Models referenced