I've had Dewalt drills and other tools before (still do), and I have always been very pleased. The last set of drills I had was a comparable Milwaukee 18 volt set that I used for the last 8 years or so. I bought them when I started building my new house. They worked very well, and I have no complaints. Lately though they stared losing battery power (both batteries), so I decided to get new drills. The drills I got are the extra run time 20 volt set. One of the reasons I decided on the extra run time (the larger batteries on both drills opposed to one large and one small, shorter run time battery) is because I already have the 1/2" Dewalt 20 volt impact driver with the same batteries. Now I have 3 batteries, and 2 chargers, all the same.
After reading some of the other reviews, I was hesitant to get these drills because of complaints about loose batteries, switch problems, and the chuck apparently not tightening down (or whatever). On those things I have comments.
On the loose battery issue... I see that the battery moves around a bit by about a 32nd of an inch. After having the impact drill already with the same battery setup, I never noticed that until it was suggested in the reviews on these drills. I went out to my shop and looked at it, and sure it does that, but it is not noticeable at all (like I said, had it not been suggested, I would not have noticed!). So when I got these drills, they are exactly the same movement; no big deal (not even a small deal).
On the switching issue... I have been a contractor for 20 years building aluminum patio covers, etc. I have used many different brands and sizes of cordless drills over the years. I have never had one that didn't need to be turned on for a second to get the gears to sort of "mesh" (for lack of a better term). Every drill I have ever used, period. When building those patio covers you are running in hundreds of screws a day, and drilling hundreds of holes, every day switching from speed to torque. There is no issue here.
On the chuck issue, I cannot speak for the drill that apparently has an issue, as the chuck that came with these drills has the black, all steel, knurled chuck (vs. the one with the black plastic grip and the shiny chrome looking chuck. I believe those are the ones that get the complaints. Mine works perfectly.
I am no longer a contractor, but (besides building a lot of stuff) I am in the process of converting a 45 foot bus into a motor home. This will be about a 2-3 year project, and I am looking forward to using these new drills. They are nice and heavy, and balanced (even with the extra run sized battery, the drill motor is heavier than the battery, providing good balance). Keep in mind that a heavy drill doesn't kick back as easy as a light one (when the drill bit suddenly gets stuck in the material). Also, I don't know how necessary the "3 speeds" are, but I'm ok with them. I don't want to forget to mention the little LED light that comes on when you drill. I LOVE the 3 brightness levels. The highest one puts me in mind of those high powered flashlights. It is VERY bright, and will come in handy.
I highly recommend these drills. Thank you, Glennman
| Amperage | 0.4 Amps |
|---|---|
| Included Components | (1) DCD996 20V MAX* XR 3-Speed 1/2" Hammerdrill, DCF887 1/4" Impact Driver, (2) DCB204 High Capacity Li-Ion Batteries (4.0Ah), Charger, Belt Hooks, 360° side handle, Contractor Bag |
| Maximum Rotational Speed | 3250 RPM |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00885911445726 |
| UPC | 885911445726 |
| Manufacturer | DEWALT |
| Part Number | DCK299M2 |
| Item Weight | 11 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 9 x 6 x 15 inches |
| Country of Origin | USA |
| Item model number | DCK299M2 |
| Batteries | 2 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included) |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Size | 4.0 Ah |
| Color | 4.0 Ah |
| Style | 20V XR Brushless Combo w/4.0Ah Battery |
| Finish | Brushed |
| Material | Blend |
| Pattern | Kit |
| Shape | Rectangular |
| Power Source | Battery Powered |
| Maximum Power | 300 Watts |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Type of Bulb | LED |
| Speed | 2000 RPM |
| Measurement System | Metric |
| Batteries Included? | Yes |
| Batteries Required? | Yes |
| Warranty Description | 3 year limited warranty |
