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When I saw how highly-rated this drill was, I thought I'd run out to a big box home store to give myself instant tool gratification. Imagine my surprise when I discovered the asking price everywhere else seems to be $40 more than here on Amazon. $129 vs. $89? I can be patient for my two-day shipping!
I'd been struggling with whether to buy a replacement battery or two for my Hitachi 12v drill, or to just buy a whole new drill. It'd been solid over the years and was still in great working order, but the batteries had clearly lost their mojo. I was ultimately stumped by the details of my charger and whether it could properly charge NiMH batteries, which most of the replacements for my Ni-Cd batteries seemed to be. I could pay 50% of the cost of this drill just on a new battery without being sure I'd even be able to use it. I decided to take the plunge and order this.
Where has this 18-Volt drill been all my life?
So it's torque-y. Like, don't accidentally injure your wrist by holding it weakly if what you're drilling or driving suddenly gets stuck. I used it over a several day period last week, not heavily, but intermittently and regularly. I have yet to run out the charge on the first battery. My 12v drill never had this much torque, and never lasted this long. I was eyeing one of the XRP drills (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003OKEV44/ref=psdc_552794_t1_B002RLR0EY) thinking I might want something more powerful than this. Forget it. Having used this, it's plenty strong to be your daily driver for projects around the house.
A few thoughts:
Does it have a case? From the description and photos, I wasn't sure, and I didn't want to buy loose parts without a way to carry them around. The answer is... sort of. It has a zippered bag. I liked that my old hard drill case had molded spots where everything fit perfectly. This bag is smaller, lighter, and still fits everything nicely, but you have to figure out how to arrange the pieces so it'll still sit flat and stable. You can't just throw them in and have a low-profile package, but after a bit of use you'll get the knack of how to pack it effectively. The bag seems well-made and I don't expect it to wear out quickly.
The mechanism for switching the forward/reverse direction of the driver on my old drill was easier to operate one-handed. This one is a bit smaller and harder to flip casually, but some people might consider that a good thing.
It's heavier than my old drill. I think I'd have regretted purchasing the more expensive, heavier-duty XRP hammer drill. This one is plenty heavy and powerful for me. If I were a construction professional, I might consider the upgrade, but for 90% of casual users out there, I'm guessing they'll find this drill to be nicely matched to most tasks. I'd never describe it as lightweight, whether in power, actual weight, or build quality. If a good tool is one that does what you need with a minimum of fuss or attention paid to making it do what you need it for, then this fits the bill in spades. I have a feeling I'll be happily using this drill years from now. If it continues as strong and long-lasting as its first impression, it's a winner.
| Brand | DEWALT |
|---|---|
| Power Source | cordless-electric |
| Maximum Rotational Speed | 1500 RPM |
| Voltage | 18 Volts |
| Maximum Chuck Size | 0.5 Inches |
| Color | Yellow/Black |
| Included Components | 18V 1/2" (13mm) Cordless Compact Drill/Driver, 1 hour charger, (2) 18V batteries, double-ended screwdriver bit, contractor bag |
| Special Feature | compact |
| Material | Plastic |
| Speed | 1500 RPM |
| Item Weight | 4.7 Pounds |
| Maximum Power | 380 Watts |
| Manufacturer | DEWALT |
| Part Number | DC970K2 |
| Item Weight | 4.7 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 14.75 x 13.5 x 4.7 inches |
| Item model number | DC970K2 |
| Batteries | 1 12V batteries required. (included) |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Style | Drill/driver |
| Wattage | 380 watts |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Number Of Pieces | 1 |
| Measurement System | english/standard |
| Special Features | compact |
| Batteries Included? | Yes |
| Batteries Required? | Yes |
| Battery Cell Type | NiCAD |
| Warranty Description | 90 Day Money Back Guarantee |
