DEWALT DC980KA 12-Volt Ni-Cad 1/2-Inch Cordless Drill/Driver Kit

by DEWALT

Product Description

Amazon.com

Outstanding torque and speed will power you through any drilling or driving job. The DeWalt-built motor pounds out 400 inch-pounds of torque--impressive for a 12-volt. But even better is the third gear, which provides drilling and driving speeds of 1,800 rpm, with the lower ranges at 0-450 and 0-1,400 rpm. We like the carbide jaws in the 1/2-inch chuck, because they really do prevent bit slippage. The ergonomics are great on this drill; because the handle is essentially balanced under the heft of the motor, we felt minimal arm fatigue. The grip is comfortable, the curved trigger fits the finger nicely and the reversing switch is right where you want it. DeWalt's XRP batteries do hold a greater charge than standard batteries, so run time is longer and there's less down time on the job. Great performance and jobsite-tough.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste

From the Manufacturer

DEWALT DC980KA 12-Volt Ni-Cad 1/2-Inch Cordless Drill/Driver Kit

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 13.8 x 13.6 x 4.5 inches ; 11.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0002AJKQI
• Item model number: DC980KA
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #233,208 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Drill/Driver. Just the right size, December 11, 2005

By 

PSD (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: DEWALT DC980KA 12-Volt Ni-Cad 1/2-Inch Cordless Drill/Driver Kit (Tools & Home Improvement)

This is my Third Dewalt Cordless Drill. I have a 9.6 volt, an older 12 volt and now this 12 volt. For me, 12 volts is the right size/power combination. This unit is much nicer with the three speeds, it handles most needs. Sometimes it is a bit tricky to shift gears. I love that the chuck can be tightened with one hand.

I bought this drill because I needed new batteries for my existing 12volt. Made more sense to by a whole new kit and get the new features and extra drill than to just buy two new batteries. While, just a home owner, I heavily use all three drills and they keep on going.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars First Gear breaks screws, February 1, 2005

By 

DJ "djsailor" (VA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: DEWALT DC980KA 12-Volt Ni-Cad 1/2-Inch Cordless Drill/Driver Kit (Tools & Home Improvement)

I had an older 12v Dewalt drill that I used around a farm and other places for over 9 years. After the second set of batteries started to die on me and the drill started showing some bearing wear, I decided to get a new one. The 3 speeds seem nice even with the extra weight that comes with it.

I do have a problem with the clutch mechanism while the drill is in first gear. Even at the lowest setting, the clutch does not release while the drill is in first gear and breaks off the heads of screws. The clutch does work in second gear and is down right loose in third, however it would be nice to be able to use first gear so as to slowly drive a screw without worrying about the head snapping off. I returned the drill and got a second one thinking it was an adjustment problem. The second one has the same problem. I am now thinking of returning this model drill and getting a Panasonic or other brand.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Second thoughts..., March 26, 2006

By 

John W. Wendt (Lubbock, TX and Gulu, Uganda) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: DEWALT DC980KA 12-Volt Ni-Cad 1/2-Inch Cordless Drill/Driver Kit (Tools & Home Improvement)

When I originally reviewed this drill, I was thinking that the evolving battery technology sort of left this one in the past. Well, now I have second thoughts. Having had the drill for well over 5 years, it's still going...and going...and going. The batteries--well, the original NiCads lasted me maybe 4 years, which isn't too shabby. But lately, I've seen that you can get NiMH 3 amp-hour batteries for this baby on Ebay at a very nice "buy-it-now" price.

So, combine the new batteries with a drill that is fairly light weight, a huge range of speeds, and, as I said, just shows no signs of wearing out after 5 years and multiple tumbles off the workbench...All I can say is, Dewalt knows how to make a drill. The 400 in-lbs of torque comes in very handy for sinking lag screws deep into wood or for using Forstener bits. That's a lot of torque. You can get a bigger Dewalt drill, like the 14.4 or 18 v versions, but they weigh more (in the case of the 18 V, a LOT more).

Some other alternatives: The Panasonics seem to be at the top of the heap with 3 to 3.5 amp-hours with their NiMH battery packs, and Makita's lithium ion batteries on their 18 v unit have 3 amp-hours. The tiny Makita, recently out, has a 1.5 amp-hour battery that charges in 30 minutes, and is super lightweight. I own the 2 Makitas, and the smaller one is my prefereed (except when I need to hammer drill)--but I don't know yet if either will outlast this Dewalt. I've already had clutch problems with my larger Makita.

In sum, if you want a durable, long-lasting, high-torque, very variable speed drill that doesn't weigh too much, this one may be hard to beat.