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DEWALT DC825B Impact Driver Review

Bare-Tool DeWalt DC825B Cordless Impact Driver

Before starting this review on the DEWALT DC825B mpact driver it is important for readers to realize that when you buy it, you will be getting the tool only. The battery and charger must be purchased separately. That is why it is referred to as the Bare-Tool DEWALT DC825B.

The DEWALT DC825B can be used with DEWALT 18V NiCad or lithium-ion batteries. It has a frame less motor for extended tool durability and added life. And the compact size and weight allows you access to tighter and smaller work areas, plus it reduces user fatigue.

With 1,330 in-lbs of torque this tool can perform a wide variety of fastening applications. It performs 0-2400 rpm and 0-2700 ipm for faster application speed as well. The brushes are replaceable for increased performance, and the Bare-Tool DeWalt DC825B has a textured anti-slip comfort grip that allows the user maximum comfort and control.

DEWALT has been manufacturing cordless power tools for years and has a line of over 200 products and 800 accessories. This could include anything from hammer drills to jig saws. The Bare-Tool DEWALT DC825B is one of those tools, and you will love the variable speed reversing switch to help control both the setting and removing of fasteners. It also features a bright LED work light and on board bit storage for convenience. For working on long projects the tool has advanced handle ergonomics and the textured anti-slip rubber grip helps user comfort and productivity.



What Actual Customers Think of The DEWALT DC825B Impact Driver

• “I own 9 impact drivers from 3 different manufacturers and my old Dewalt (ni-cad style) was my least favorite of the group but the Bare-Tool DeWalt DC825B (which is made for the new 18v Lithium-Ion type batteries but works with all my old 18v ni-cads) is top notch. Dewalt has apparently fixed most of the problems found in the old ni-cad style impact guns (like excessive bit wobble) and added a light like the Makitas and Ryobis have. Now more compact and more powerful than the competition. A definite winner.”

• “I use the Bare-Tool DeWalt DC825B to drive drywall and lag screws. I have not had any problems. The redesigned tool is smaller than the older one and the led light has made this tool even better.”

• “I was very pleased to discover that Amazon had a DeWalt impact driver available in a battery free and case free package (for those of us who already have a charger and several batteries) for about $125. I purchased the Bare-Tool DeWalt DC825B for a mix of yard projects- this is a great tool for driving the big screws used to tie landscape timbers together- home projects, and motorcycle/scooter maintenance. And amazingly, it’s even lighter and more compact than the DEWALT DC759KA Heavy-Duty 18-Volt Ni-Cad 1/2-Inch Cordless Drill/Driver Kit. I’m giving away my Makita 12v drill/driver to a nephew who likes tools and gadgets, and switching 100% to the DeWalt system.”

Customer remarks are paraphrased to save space.

You can read more DEWALT DC825B Impact Driver reviews here



DEWALT DC825B Impact Driver Review Summary

When preparing this review of the Bare-Tool DEWALT DC825B we studied almost 80 reviews of customers actually using this product. The reviews and feedback were astounding on this product. At first it was unsure if people would like a tool without the battery, but research shows that if you have a battery from another power tool that will fit the Bare-Tool DEWALT DC825B, this will save you a lot of money. Many of the batteries and chargers from different power tools are interchangeable, and this is a great advantage to buyers.

Customer seemed well pleased with the performance of the DEWALT DC825B impact driver, and we could find no complaints to mention in this review, which is high praise for sure! The product is lightweight and easy to use and performs many fastening applications.

All in all, the DEWALT DC825B is an excellent impact driver. It is not the cheapest but clearly one of the absolutely best impact drivers on the market.

You can buy the Bare-Tool DEWALT DC825B Cordless Impact Driver at Amazon.com, taking advantage of Amazon’s cheap prices and excellent customer service. Click here to go to Amazon.com

Makita LCT300W 3-Piece Combo Kit Review

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Makita LCT300W 18-Volt Compact Lithium-Ion Cordless 3-Piece Combo Kit

Average Customer Rating: 4.6 out of 5

Rating: ★★★★½ 

Note that there is a new model, the Makita CT300RW 3-Piece Combo Kit, which replaces the Makita LCT300W kit. Here you can learn more about the Makita CT300RW 3-Piece Combo Kit

The Makita LCT300W Combo Kit is a three piece combo kit with quite a few great features. First, it has a two-speed 1/2 inch 18V driver-drill (Makita LXFD01CW) that delivers 450 inch-pounds of max torque, and secondly, the powerful 18V impact driver (Makita BTD142HW) provides 1,280 inch-pounds of max torque while weighing only 2.8 pounds. Both tools have LED lights, making it easy to work in dark environments.

This cordless combo kit also has a four-position flashlight with Xenon bulbs and it will run over two hours on one charge. This combo kit is built for the professional, a person who requires the very best in cordless tools that can be used for drilling, driving, and fastening, yet in a compact size. All this makes the Makita LCT300W one of the bestselling combo kits on the market.

The Makita delivers 2,000 cycles, which is 2.5x more than Ni-Cd. It also contains built-in shock absorbing features that protect the battery and firm contact terminals to ensure constant high power. Additionally, Makita offers a rapid automotive charger which plugs into the standard car 12V DC sockets. Note that the rapid automotive charger is not included in the LCT300W Combo Kit. It has to be purchased separately.

What’s In The LCT300W Combo Kit
• 1/2-Inch LXFD01CW Driver-Drill
• BTD142HW Impact Driver
• Two 18v Compact Lithium-Ion Batteries
• Rapid Optimum Charger
• Contractor Bag

An interesting fact found while making the Makita LCT300W Combo Kit review. In the past three years since they have debuted their 18V LXT Lithium-Ion battery they have grown their series to over 35 tools. And they all provide a wide range of cordless solutions for professional tradesmen.

Research shows the Makita LCT300W to be very high end when it comes to cordless equipment and the price reflects that. However, pros consider this the cost of having dependable equipment that works when needed. We did find that if the Makita LCT300W combo kit is the one you want you can save over $200 by purchasing it on Amazon.com.

Makita’s Lithium-Ion tool is backed by a three year warranty that covers repair due to defects, or workmanship from the date of purchase. The charger only have a one year warranty. You can see all the details at makitatools.com


Makita LCT300W Combo Kit Review By Customers

• “Impact Driver: I will never drive wood screws with a drill again! Significantly less pressure is required to keep the phillips bit in contact with the screw head. I’ve driven 3″ wood screws all week and not a single stripped head. It can install a fastener in tight places where a drill or hammer/nail just can’t go. Superior torque will bury the screw (head and all) as deep in the wood as you want to go. I will use the Makita LCT300W more than any other tool in the kit. It is a little beast!

Drill: Good combination of power and speed. Enough to push a 1 1/4″ self feeding bit through 3 1/2″ of pressure treated lumber the high torque setting. 5/8″ self feeding bits eat through studs in a flash on the high speed setting. It is light like a cordless tool should be, and has the best power/weight ratio of any cordless by far. It comes with a quality chuck and plenty of torque. I think the drill is slightly better than the compact 18v Milwaukee and just a shade behind the Dewalt DC720KA which are both fine products.”

• “First off, I’m a professional fabricator, and I’ve been typically really hard on my tools, especially cordless tools, but these have far exceeded my expectations. I bought the Makita LCT300W when I was in a jam, my heavy duty 18v Milwaukee crapped out after only 2mos of service, and only a week back from its first warranty repair (I’m no longer a Milwaukee fan, sadly). Well, needing to finish a project for Monday, and stuck looking for a new driver/drill on a Saturday night, I picked up the combo kit at a Home Depot minutes before closing, figuring it would get me through the project, and the impact driver might come in handy for some light duty projects later on.”

• “I have been using the Makita LCT300W every day at work and have never been more impressed with their performance. The light weight makes carrying them around a breeze and the battery life has been nothing short of amazing. The batteries recharge in what seems like no time at all (15min at the most, much less if they just need a topping-off).”

Customer remarks have been paraphrased to save space.

Here you can read more Makita LCT300W Combo Kit customer reviews


Makita LCT300W Combo Kit Review Summary

Our review shows that Makita has really stepped up to the plate on this tool and customers are very happy with the results it gives you. The Makita LCT300W combo kit includes everything you need to get started, from the tools, to batteries, and charger. You get two powerful but compact and lightweight tools. It is not the cheapest combo kit but you get good value for your money.

The only complaint we found from a few customers was that the chuck has a wobble problem, however those people did return it for a new one. Other than the wobble problem there was one person who felt the battery did not last long enough as well. These two problems seem to be random, and not a problem for the majority of customers. We feel the good warranty still gives you a safe feeling to purchase this combo kit. As mentioned earlier, go to Amazon to get all the details about the Makita LCT300W Combo Kit and the best buy ever! Click here to go to Amazon.com

Drill Bit Material

Having a good drill is very important but you also need good drill bits. Needless to say, no drill bit is perfect for all jobs. Knowing what drill bit to use can be difficult to find out. Drill bits are available in numerous forms, material and coatings. What kind of drill bits you need depends on what kind of drilling you are going to do.

Just to make sure that your drill bits are performing optimally, remember some rules of thumb.
– Use slow drilling speed when working with hard material
– Use fast drilling speed when working with soft material
– Lift the drill frequently, to clear the flutes of the drill bit and to increase air flow
– Always let drill bits cool naturally, don’t use water to cool them quickly

Drill bits are made of a lot different material but most of them are made of steel. The cheaper drill bits are generally made of low carbon steel. They are softer than drills bits made of high carbon steel. The low carbon steel drill bits are not suitable for drilling in metal instead they are used for drilling in wood. In order to increase their life span they need to be sharpened regularly. The main advantage of low carbon steel drill bits is low price. High carbon steel bits are more expensive but can be used for both metal and wood drilling.

High Speed Steel (HSS) is a type of tool steel that can withstand high temperatures. This means that HSS drill bits can be used for most materials. HSS drill bits are available with various coating material. Thanks to its superior qualities, HSS drill bits have become the choice of the professionals. Given that HSS bits are cheap, it does not really make sense to buy low carbon steel bits, you don’t save much money.

Other materials used for drill bits include cobalt steel alloys, which is similar to High Speed Steel. The advantage of cobalt is that it is less susceptible to high temperatures than HSS. The main disadvantage is that it is more brittle than HSS. Tungsten carbide is very hard and is suitable for extremely hard materials. Due to high cost and brittleness, they are often used as drill bit tips. Polycrystalline diamond (PCD) is extremely hard and used for drill bits or drill bit tips in special cases there downtime for replacing or sharpening drill bits is extremely expensive, for example in automotive industries.

Numerous coatings exist for drill bits. The cheapest of the most common coatings is black oxide. It provides heat resistance, lubrication and corrosion resistance. Black oxide coating is used to increase the life span of steel drill bits. Titanium nitride, sometimes together with aluminium or carbon, is an extremely hard ceramic material. It is often used to coat HSS bits to increase their life time. Note that it is difficult to sharpen coated drill bits without removing much of the coating.

DEWALT DW920K-2 Review

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DEWALT DW920K-2 1/4-Inch 7.2-Volt Cordless Two-Position Screwdriver Kit

The DEWALT DW920K-2 is a quality screwdriver at a very competitive price. It is a nice combination of quality and power. This particular screwdriver has a two-position handle for using as both an in-line or as a pistol-grip; a real advantage to getting into tight spots.

You will also love the industrial quick-release hex-shank chuck for quick screwdriver bit changes and the fact that is weighs only 7 pounds with battery! The DEWALT DW920K-2 is battery powered with a Ni-CAD battery that makes this screwdriver fast, efficient, and versatile.

DEWALT DW920K-2 Review Features At A Glance
• 7.2 volts
• 80 inches-pounds of maximum torque output
• Variable speed (0 – 500 rpm) with reverse trigger switch
• Includes batteries, charger, bit, and kit box
• Three years limited warranty and 90 day money-back guarantee

The DEWALT DW920K-2 has been designed to be user-friendly and efficient, and the adjustable two potion handle is one of the best selling points for this screwdriver. There is a heavy-duty metal hinge that provides a good lock on the two position handle for safety and stability.

DEWALT claims that the DW920K-2 will stand up to a variety of job site task and believe the lighter weight will stop fatigue in the hand while still giving a great performance.



DEWALT DW920K-2 Review Remarks By Customers

• “I have been using the DEWALT DW02-K-2 Cordless Screwdriver to attach the shelving to my garage studs and rafters with 3 inch wood screws.

I am more than impressed with the power this little screwdriver has. Screwing 3 inch screws into a pair of 2×4’s by hand or by using a drill and Phillips bit is not an easy task. The DEWALT however, has the power to get the job done easily. I don’t have to soap the screws either, a task that was necessary with my old Craftsman cordless screwdriver.

• “The DEWALT DW02-K-2 is simply the best cordless screwdriver around. With a drill you either have too much torque, speed and size. Having a power screwdriver is a necessary piece of equipment for any homeowner.”

• “I had always suffered with stripped screw heads or insufficient torque. No more – not with this baby. Balance is perfect, controls are terrific. I was really (pleasantly) surprised to find the chuck is a rapid load self ejecting chuck. This is really a necessity in a screwdriver (and probably in drills too – DEWALT hope you are reading this….)”

• “Bought mine here from Amazon.com about a month ago and have used and tested it with much satisfaction ever since. I reviewed all 57 reviews for this tool here before buying and I rely heavily on these reviews before buying. I was concerned about the shaft wobble and the easy release ability of the bit when the chuck is bumped or put into a tool bucket. These were so well written up by earlier reviewers. I am pleased to say that it appears as if both situations have been resolved. The chuck release spring has been stiffened and the shaft turns true.”

Customer remarks may have been paraphrased to save space.

You can read more DEWALT DW920K-2 Screwdriver Kit reviews here


DEWALT DW920K-2 Screwdriver Kit Review Summary

We found in this DEWALT DW920K-2 review that this screwdriver kit has received rave reviews online and seems to be a favorite among homeowners and contractors. One of the favorite features of the screwdriver for most people is the two-position handle and the light weight of the device. It has lots of torque to be such a lightweight screwdriver.

Out of all the customers reviews we found there was only two complaints that stood out. One complaint is that on some models sold the chuck wobbled when in operation, and the other one was that some people feel the batteries don’t have a long enough life. All in all, there was not much said about the DEWALT DW920K-2 that wasn’t wonderful. Based on these results we give this DEWALT screwdriver a “thumbs up” and consider it a great buy.

The price of the unit at retail is a great buy for this product but you can save any more money by purchasing this screwdriver on Amazon. Right now they are offering the DEWALT DW920-K for a special price. And you can get it with free shipping. Click here to go to Amazon.com


Milwaukee 2691-22 Combo Kit Review

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The Milwaukee 2691-22 18-Volt Compact Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit is an excellent blend of power, weight and performance. The Combo Kit is made up of the Compact Drill/Driver 2601-20 and the Impact Driver 2650-20.

The Milwaukee 2601-20 drill/driver weighs 5.3 pounds and the 2650-20 impact driver only 3.5 pounds. Both tools have built-in LED light, making it easy to work in dark environments. The impact driver has a convenient belt clip.

This Combo Kit has been a bestseller for a long time. The reason for the success of the Milwaukee 2691-22 is easy to explain, you get a good drill and a good impact driver at a very competitive price.

Note that the kit includes Lithium-Ion batteries, the best batteries you can get. Lithium-Ion batteries are lighter but more powerful than the older Ni-Cad batteries. Lithium-Ion batteries are more expensive but if you are going to use the tools a lot, it is well worth paying extra for Lithium-Ion batteries. It takes less than 30 minutes to recharge the batteries. The Milwaukee’s batteries have LED power-level indicators, a very useful feature. It is worth mentioning that some Milwaukee 2691-22 Combo Kit customers have reported that one or both of the batteries have not lasted long. After being charged a couple of times, the battery was no more able to hold the charge. But most of owners are happy with both the tools and the batteries. Maybe there has been some manufacturing issues with the early batteries in the M18 series. Lately, no one has complained about the batteries. The batteries come with a 2-year warranty, so you have some protection.

The drill and impact driver in the Milwaukee 2691-22 Combo Kit come with a 5-year warranty. The lithium-ion batteries in the M18 Series are backed by a 2-year warranty.

The Milwaukee 2691-22 Combo Kit contains the following:
– The Milwaukee 2691-22 M18 1/4-Inch Hex Compact Impact Driver
– The Milwaukee 2691-22 M18 1/2-Inch Compact Drill/Driver
– Two 18-Volt Compact Lithium-Ion batteries
– A 30-minute Charger
– A Soft Bag (No Carrying Case any more)


Milwaukee 2601-22 Compact Drill specifications

Torque 400 Inch-Pounds
No Load Speed Low 0-350 ROM
No Load Speed High 0-1400 RPM
Chuck Size 1/2 Inch
Chuck Type Keyless
Spindle Lock Yes
Clutch Settings 21
Length 7-3/4 Inches
Tool Weight 4.0 Pounds
Built-in LED Yes
Voltage 18 Volt



Milwaukee 2650-22 1/4″ Hex Impact Driver Specifications

Torque 1400 Inch-Pounds
Driving Speed 0-2200 RPM
Impact Speed 0-3200 IPM
Length 5-3/4 Inches
Tool Weight 3.3 Pounds
Anvil Type 1/4 Inch Hex
Voltage 18 Volt


Pros
– Lightweight
– Powerful
– Very good value for the money

Cons
– You don’t get the most powerful 18V Milwaukee batteries


Milwaukee 2691-22 Combo Kit Owner Reviews
The customers have given the Milwaukee 2691-22 Combo Kit an average rating of 4.6 out 5. Most customers are very happy with their 691-22 combo kit.

Some customers were not happy that not the most powerful batteries are included in the kit. Milwaukee has more powerful lithium-ion batteries.

“This combo set works great. Love the use of the impact. Lithium Ion batteries work an extra lomg time between charges. Would definately recommend this combo set to anyone looking for this type of tool set.”

“The impact driver is wonderful, same for the drill, both have lots of power. I didn’t receive a plastic case as shown. Received a canvas zipper bag but I do prefer it. Everything fits in it and it has handy pockets.”

“I recently used these tools on a woodworking project. The impact driver was a dream to use. I should have gotten one of these sooner. The drill also performed very well. The chuck close tight, unlike the PC NiCad I had before. Both had to be recharged once. They were ready to go again in 30 minutes. I opted for the smaller battery due to weight and cost. For the home shop, this is not a big deal. This was a good choice.”

Customer comments were paraphrased to save space.

You can read more Milwaukee 2691-22 Combo Kit customer reviews here

Milwaukee 2691-22 Combo Kit Review Summary

The Milwaukee Combo Kit is an excellent choice for the professional user. You get two very powerful but lightweight tools in a carry case. Add to that two 18V Lithium-Ion batteries plus a 30-minute charger, and you have all you need to take on a wide range of projects. The tools are sturdy and will last a long time. At the current price at Amazon.com you get very good value for your money.

You can buy the Milwaukee 2691-22 Compact Drill & Impact Driver Combo Kit at Amazon, taking advantage of Amazon’s low prices and excellent customer service. Click here to go to Amazon.com

Makita LXT211 Combo Kit Review

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Makita LXT211 combo kit

Note that there is a new model of the Makita LXT211 Combo Kit, the Makita XT211. Here you can learn more about the Makita XT211 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Combo Kit

The Makita LXT211 combo kit is a powerful and versatile kit. The Makita LXT211 combo kit has been around for a couple of years but it is still a very competitive kit. Despite the compact size, both the drill and the impact driver are very powerful.

The LXT211 combo kit includes a versatile hammer driver-drill (Makita BHP452Z) as well as an impact driver (Makita BTD141Z) that weighs only 3.3 pounds. Each of these two tools are powered by Makita 18V lithium-ion batteries. You will also be pleased to know these batteries and the charger have a limited one year warranty.

What’s Comes In The Makita LXT211 Combo Kit Box?
• BHP452Z ½ inch Hammer Driver-Drill
• BTD141Z Impact Driver
• two 18V LXT Lithium-Ion batteries
• 30 minute rapid optimum charger
• Tool case


Features Of The Makita LXT211 Combo Kit At A Glance
• Ergonomic Design and compact size
• LED light to illuminate work area
• One-touch chuck with one-handed quick release for bit insertion
• Less downtime on the job due to Rapid Optimum Charger
• Two 18V Lithium-ion batteries
• Three year warranty that covers repair due to defects.

What Customers Think About The Makita LXT211 Combo Kit

• “The impact fastener is a beast! Light compact and battery last a really long time. I’m a general contractor and have Dewalt and Milwaukee lithium tools to compare. Makita and Dewalt win this round of lithium tools. Tool quality is excellent. The LED light and belt clip are handy.”

• “Probably my favorite is the impact driver there is just no other replacement for this tool. The drill has multiple settings such as hammer drill, screw, regular drill, etc. which makes it versatile for any job. I am very satisfied with this set. I did my research and im very glad i chose this set”

• “The Makita LXT211 combo kit is well built all around! Solid feel yet lightweight for an 18V system. Silently delivers torque and speed. The grip and rubberized body ergonomics are just about perfect. These Li-Ion batteries last FOREVER!!! And having a backup driver is almost SINFUL. This combo replaces a 15yr old Makita Ni-Cad system…only because of battery obsolete. Makita has never disappointed and continues to deliver.”

Customer remarks have been paraphrased to save space.
You can read more Makita LXT211 Combo Kit Reviews here.

Makita LXT211 Combo Kit Review Summary

The Makita LXT211 Combo kit appears to be well liked by the majority of users. Although any product on the market will have some complaints. Here are some of the complaints we found on this unit.

One customer says there is a design bug in the batteries which makes them fail sooner, but he also says that Makita will replace them, even after the warranty, because of this issue. We could find nothing to confirm or deny this complaint.

Other customers said that although they love the impacts that the drill has problems. On their drill they had trouble getting the bit out of the chuck without destroying the bit.

The good news is that this combo kit has a great warranty should you get a defective piece. We still believe the Makita LXT211 combo kit is able to perform the tasks it was made for.

As far as price goes, this is one of the top-of-the-line products from Makita. Our research shows that if you purchase this unit at Amazon you will save over $400! That is phenomenal, to say the least!

After studying the reviews and the product we give the Makita LXT211 combo kit a “thumbs up”, and feel it is a great product for you to use.

You can buy the Makita LXT211 Combo Kit at Amazon.com, taking advantage of Amazon’s low prices and excellent customer service. Click here to go to Amazon.com


Cordless Screwdrivers Buyers Guide

Screwdrivers have been around for a long time. The basic design has not changed much over the years but nowadays you also have electric screwdrivers. The electric screwdriver makes it more comfortable to work. Even better is the cordless screwdriver, you are not limited by the range of the cord. There are a couple things to keep in mind when buying a cordless screwdriver.

First, how powerful screwdriver do you need? As a rule of thumb, the more powerful driver, the heavier it gets. If you will be working a lot with the screwdriver, a light-weight model is generally the best choice. Note that the powerful impact drivers are brute-force tools. They are very powerful but can’t be used with delicate materials, impact drivers will damage the material. If you have a lot of different projects, you may need more than one cordless driver.

Physical parameters are also important. You should take care of the size of the screwdriver. If your hands are small, a big screwdriver may not be suitable for you. Similarly, if the screwdriver is too heavy for you, you will find it difficult to use it. Apart from size and weight, the shape of the screwdriver should also suit your hands and abilities. These are very small factors but they can create a huge difference, especially when working with the tool for longer periods.

Batteries are another important factor. For heavy duty, you want Li-Ion (Lithium-Ion) batteries. They are more expensive than the older NiCad (Nickel Cadmium) and NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) batteries. But they are lighter, have longer lifetime and are more powerful. As a bonus, they have no memory effect. For hobby usage, the older and cheaper batteries are often good enough.

Torque control, meaning that you can adjust rotating force (or turning power) is very useful. Sometimes you need a lot of torque to fasten screws into hard materials but if you work with softer material, you can damage the material if you use too much power. The larger the torque range, the better. If you are working on a wide variety of projects, you need a higher torque range.

Note that all screwdrivers come with reverse action, making it possible to not only to insert screws but also to remove them.

For most jobs around the house, a combined cordless drill and driver is the most cost effective solution. The drill/driver is adequate for most tasks but will be heavier and larger than a cordless screwdriver. Still, if one tool can do two tasks, why buy a second tool.

DEWALT DC720KA Cordless Drill Review

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The DEWALT DC720KA Cordless 18-Volt Compact Drill is a high-performance, frameless motor with dual-range and variable-speed drill. The DEWALT DCK720KA weighs an comfortable 4.8 pound, making it easy use. It is compact but still a powerful cordless drill.

It offers excellent value for the money. The DEWALT DCK720KA cordless drill has only one small drawback, it is using Ni-Cad batteries rather than better Lithium-Ion batteries. Li-Ion batteries are lighter and more powerful than Ni-Cad batteries. If you are going to use the drill for longer periods of time, you may prefer a drill with Lithium-Ion batteries. The popular DEWALT DCD760KL is our recommended Li-ion drill. Click here to find out more about the DEWALT DCD760KL cordless drill/driver.

Ni-Cad batteries have one advantage, they are cheap. This is also the main advantage of the DEWALT DC720KA drill, you get excellent value for your money. The Ni-Cad batteries don’t last as long as Lithium-Ion batteries but you get two batteries with the DC720KA so you can work while one of the batteries is being charged.

The DEWALT DC720KA drill comes with a 3-year limited warranty, one-year free service, 90-day money-back guarantee. It has a built-in LED light.


DEWALT DC720KA Specifications:

Voltage 18V
Battery Type Ni-Cad
Max Power 410UWO
# of Speed Settings 2
Max RPM 0-500/0-1,700
Clutch Settings 17
Chuck Size 1/2
Chuck Type Plastic ratcheting
Tool Weight 4.8lbs


The following is included with the DEWALT DC720KA Drill
– One-hour Ni-Cad charger
– Two 18 Volt Ni-Cad batteries
– Sturdy kit box (hard case)

Pros

  • Compact size
  • Well balanced and lightweight, making it easy to hold
  • Good allrounder, suitable for most tasks

Cons

  • Ni-Cad batteries rather than Lithium-Ion



What the Owners Say About the DEWALT DC720KA
The customers have given the DEWALT DC720KA an average rating of 4.4 out of 5. With such an impressive customer rating, it is clear that most customers were very happy with their DC720KA. Most customer thought that they had got very good value for the money. According to most of the customers it is a compact but powerful drill. A few of the users were not completely happy with the Ni-Cad batteries, lithium-ion batteries would have been better but also more expensive.

Here are a few customer quotes:

“I’m a DYI’er and this drill fits the bill. I use it often and it has not let me down. I’ve driven 3 1/2″ screws into pine 2×4’s and it doesn’t hesitate. It equally makes clean holes with the several sizes of drill bits that I’ve tried.”

“Had this drill for a year and a half now no problems and it has worked great. Battery lasts a through a decent amount of work and charges back up quick. The LED light is helpful is low light situations.”

“This drill produces a respectable amount of torque for a compact drill. As you need to expect, the batteries run out sooner than a on full size drill but, having it fit into spaces that other can’t makes it worth the trade off. If your a pro, I think it would make a nice pairing to a full size drill. If you are a homeowner looking to own one drill, I would go with this one.”

Customer comments were paraphrased to save space.

You can read more DEWALT DC720KA customer reviews here


DEWALT DC720KA Review Summary

The DEWALT DC720KA is a compact but powerful drill. The small size makes it also suitable for tight spaces. Despite using Ni-Cad batteries, weight and performance are very close to Lithium-Ion drills. All in all, you get excellent value for the money.

You can buy the DEWALT DC720KA Cordless Drill/Driver from amazon.com, taking advantage of Amazon’s low prices and excellent customer service. Click here to go to Amazon

Cordless Drill Buying Tips

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A cordless drill is a very useful tool. Most modern cordless drills are actually two tools, a drill and a screwdriver. Thanks to the low prices, it is good investment also for non-professional users. The cordless drills have also become lighter and the batteries last longer than a couple of years ago. Even better is that the prices have dropped a lot.

There are a number of things you need to take into consideration when deciding what drill to buy. First you need to answer two basic questions:

–      What are you mainly going to use it for?
–      How often are you going to use it?

Cordless drills come in a number of shapes and sizes nowadays. The most important features are:

Power: Higher voltage batteries give you a more powerful drill but makes the drill larger and heavier.

Battery Life: The higher the Ampere-Hour value, Ah, the longer the battery will last. Note that a high Ah value does not make the drill more powerful, but it will take longer before you need to charge the battery. Generally, a high Ah battery is not heavier than low Ah batteries.

Weight: The more you are using the drill, the more important a light drill is. Holding a drill in the shop is different from holding the same drill in an awkward position. In most cases, a light drill is preferred. If you know that you need a powerful drill, then go for power, otherwise settle for a lighter drill.

Three different types of batteries are used in cordless drills, they are:
– Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd)
– Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH)
– Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)

Nickel Cadmium batteries have been around for a long time. They have a number of disadvantage but they are cheap. Nickel Metal Hydride batteries don’t have some of the shortcomings of Ni-Cd batteries and they are much more environment friendly. But they are more expensive and still have a number of shortcomings. Lithium-Ion batteries are the newest and most expensive batteries. But Li-Ion batteries have a number of advantages, just to mention the most important, lightweight, no memory effect, long lifetime and short charging time. Ni-MH batteries have became less popular, losing out to the cheaper Ni-Cd and superior Li-Ion batteries. Most low-end cordless tools use Ni-Cd batteries while the high-end tools use Li-Ion batteries. Note that Ni-Cd batteries are banned in EU.

If you are going to drill a lot in harder materials, such a concrete, you may want to buy a hammer drill. Hammer drills are heavier and more expensive than standard drills but they add a hammering action, making it easier to drill in hard materials. You can turn off the hammering action when drilling in soft materials. If you are going to use the hammering action a lot, then a corded hammer drill may be a better choice than a cordless model. The hammering actions quickly drains the battery.

Note that with two batteries and a quick charger, you can work non-stop. While you are working the second battery is being charged. Once the first battery is flat, you swap batteries and charge the first battery while you keep on working.