Power Tools · Review

WORX WX317.2 Review

4.4 out of 5 stars· 50 reviews

Intro

Assembling flat-pack furniture, putting up shelves, hanging curtain rails, or drilling into a brick wall for a few Rawlplugs — most homes need a reliable drill, and for the vast majority of DIY tasks, a corded impact drill is the sensible choice. It costs less than a comparable cordless drill, never runs out of battery mid-job, and the impact function — while not a substitute for a true rotary hammer — adds enough percussive force to get through brick and light masonry without the drill bit stalling. A good all-round drill for the home needs to be light enough to use comfortably in awkward positions, powerful enough to drive a 25 mm spade bit through a joist, and simple enough that you do not need to read the manual every time you pick it up. The best ones also include a carrying case that keeps the drill, the chuck key, and the accessories together — because a drill that lives in a case is a drill you can find when you need it.

Generalities

WORX is a brand that sits in the value-oriented segment of the power tool market, offering DIYers and occasional users capable tools at prices that undercut the premium brands. Their impact drills use a mechanical hammer mechanism — two toothed discs that ride against each other — to generate percussive blows while the bit rotates. This is simpler and less expensive than the pneumatic hammer mechanism in an SDS rotary hammer, and while it does not produce the same impact energy, it is perfectly adequate for the 6 mm and 8 mm masonry holes that make up most home drilling. When evaluating a corded impact drill, the key numbers are the wattage, the no-load speed range, the chuck capacity, and the weight — because a heavy drill becomes a burden quickly when you are working above shoulder height.

This review looks at the WORX WX317.2, a 600-watt corded impact drill with a 13 mm keyless chuck that has earned a solid 4.4-star average from 50 customer reviews on the French market. We will examine its drilling performance, the features that affect everyday usability, and the value proposition at its accessible price point.

Description

A 600-watt motor drives this drill from 0 to 3,000 RPM with full variable speed control via the trigger, letting you start holes slowly to prevent the bit from skating and then increase speed once the bit has established its position. In impact mode, the mechanical hammer mechanism delivers up to 48,000 blows per minute — enough percussion to push a masonry bit through brick, blockwork, and lightweight concrete, though you should expect slower progress in high-density engineering brick or heavily reinforced concrete. The 13 mm keyless chuck accepts standard cylindrical drill bits and screwdriver bits without a chuck key, and it tightens securely enough that bits do not slip under load. The drilling capacities are 25 mm in wood, 13 mm in steel, and 13 mm in masonry — realistic figures for this power class.

The drill has a forward and reverse switch for driving and removing screws, and a lock-on button for the trigger that is useful during extended drilling sessions — you can lock the drill running and focus on keeping it straight rather than maintaining trigger pressure. The auxiliary handle screws into the side of the drill body and is adjustable, providing the second point of control that is essential when the bit bites into hard material and the drill tries to twist. A depth stop rod is also included and slides through the auxiliary handle, letting you set a maximum drilling depth for repetitive holes — practical when you are mounting multiple brackets or drilling a row of holes for shelf supports.

At just 1.6 kg, this is a genuinely lightweight drill. You can hold it overhead to drill into a ceiling, reach into the back of a cupboard to drive screws, or work one-handed for quick jobs without arm fatigue setting in. The compact dimensions — about 240 mm long by 70 mm wide by 280 mm tall — mean it fits into tight spaces and stores easily on a shelf. The body is predominantly black with WORX's distinctive orange accents, and the rubberised grip surfaces provide a secure hold even with dusty or sweaty hands. The trigger is progressive, so you have fine control over the speed from a gentle crawl up to full RPM, which matters when you are starting a screw in a precise location or drilling into a delicate material like ceramic tile.

The drill ships in a moulded plastic carrying case that holds the drill body, the auxiliary handle, and the depth stop — keeping everything together and protected from dust and knocks when stored in a shed, garage, or under-stairs cupboard. The case is a simple clamshell design with a carry handle, sturdy enough for home storage but not built for being thrown in and out of a van daily. The drill draws power from a standard 230-volt mains socket and has a cord long enough for most home workshop and DIY scenarios, though you may need an extension lead for outdoor work away from the house.

WORX backs the drill with a two-year standard warranty that can be extended to five years by registering the product on the WORX Europe website within 30 days of purchase — a generous cover period that adds meaningful peace of mind for a tool in this price bracket. The drill holds a 4.4 out of 5 stars rating from 50 customer reviews on the French Amazon marketplace, with users frequently praising the light weight, the value for money, and the usability of the keyless chuck. It ranks #275 in the Hammer Drills category — a modest position, but consistent with a value-oriented tool in a crowded market. For the home improver who needs a capable, lightweight corded drill that covers drilling, screwdriving, and light masonry work, this model represents a sensible balance of performance and price.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • At only 1.6 kg, this is one of the lightest 600-watt impact drills available — overhead drilling and one-handed screwdriving are comfortable rather than strenuous, even for extended periods
  • The 13 mm keyless chuck makes bit changes fast and tool-free — swap from a drill bit to a screwdriver bit in seconds without hunting for a chuck key that has inevitably fallen behind the workbench
  • Variable speed trigger with lock-on button gives you fine control — start holes slowly and precisely, then lock the speed for continuous drilling when you are working through multiple holes
  • Includes auxiliary handle, depth stop, and a moulded carrying case — the complete accessory kit means you are ready to drill, drive screws, and work in masonry straight out of the box
  • The 5-year warranty (with free online registration) is exceptional for a drill at this price point — it covers the tool for far longer than most homeowners will need it
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars from 50 customer reviews confirms that this drill meets expectations for its intended home DIY audience — consistent praise for the weight and value

Cons

  • The mechanical impact mechanism is no substitute for a true SDS rotary hammer — in hard engineering brick or heavily reinforced concrete, progress will be slow and the drill will vibrate noticeably
  • Single-speed gearbox with no low-speed high-torque setting — driving large screws or using hole saws may strain the motor and require patience
  • The 600-watt power rating is adequate for home use but limits the tool to lighter tasks — do not expect to mix plaster, drill large holes in steel plate, or use it for heavy continuous work
  • The 50 review count, while positive, is modest — a smaller sample of feedback means there is less data on how the drill holds up over years of regular use
  • No brushless motor — you are getting a conventional brushed motor, which is less efficient and has a shorter service life than the brushless motors found in premium drills

Use cases

This corded impact drill is designed for home improvers and DIY enthusiasts who need a lightweight, affordable all-rounder for drilling wood and metal, driving screws, and occasional light masonry drilling around the house and garden.

Home Assembly and General DIY

The bread-and-butter use for this drill: assembling flat-pack furniture, mounting shelves and curtain rails, putting up picture frames, and the hundreds of other small drilling and screwdriving tasks that come with maintaining a home. The light weight makes it easy to grab for quick jobs, and the keyless chuck means you can switch from a pilot drill to a screwdriver bit in moments. The corded power means you never pick it up to find the battery flat.

Woodworking and Joinery Projects

Drilling pilot holes for screws, using spade bits and Forstner bits up to 25 mm, and driving screws into timber are all well within this drill's capability. The variable speed trigger gives you the control to avoid splitting timber when driving near the edge of a board, and the lock-on button is useful when you are running a long series of screws in a decking or fencing project.

Light Masonry Drilling

For drilling the 6 mm and 8 mm holes needed for wall plugs in brick, blockwork, and lightweight concrete, the impact mode works well. You should not expect the speed of an SDS rotary hammer — the mechanical impact is gentler — but for mounting a few brackets or fixing a gate hinge to a brick pillar, it gets the job done without the cost and weight of a dedicated masonry drill.

Metal Drilling up to 13 mm

The 13 mm capacity in steel covers common jobs like drilling holes in metal brackets, car body panels, or electrical enclosure boxes. The variable speed is essential here — you want to run slow with a drop of cutting oil to avoid work-hardening the steel or burning out the drill bit. The auxiliary handle provides the extra grip needed when the bit breaks through the far side of the metal.

Garden and Outdoor Tasks

Building a raised bed, assembling a greenhouse frame, fixing trellis to a wall, or drilling drainage holes in planters — outdoor DIY benefits from a corded drill that you can use with an extension lead without worrying about battery life. The carrying case keeps the drill clean and dry in the shed between gardening seasons.