Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I've had the DeWalt for 6 months now, so I think it's fair to enter a few comments.

First, clearly the XRP series is a much better, much higher quality tool than DeWalt's "homeowner" series of tools. If you're a heavy user, contractor, or serious woodworker, I wouldn't consider any DeWalt except the XRP series.

Here are my thoughts:

- The DeWalt drill has good power and speed in a very lightweight package. It also feels rugged and it's already survived one fall off a sawhorse onto a concrete floor.

I bought the 12 volt specifically because I wanted a light tool for the many hours I spend working above my head where an 18 volt drill will blow your shoulders out. The XRP seems to do a good job in the power to weight range.

The drill has a good heft to it and appears to be made out of real metal including an virtually all metal chuck. The chuck holds bits very securely with no slippage.

- The battery life seems a little short to me, even for a 12 volt tool. I drove just over 50 - 1 5/8 inch decking screws to a full charge using the second gear. That's about average in my experience, but because the DeWalt is sold on its "extended run time", I'd have expected it to be above average in this regard. I could probably extend this by using low gear, but that's too slow. This is not scientific, just my impression.

- I can absolutely confirm another user's comment that in low gear, the clutch mechanism does not function as you would expect. Even using the lowest clutch setting #1, in low gear I drove a 2 inch deck screw into a cedar timber without the clutch popping. No way should that be possible, with a 14.4 Milwaukee the same screw wouldn't even get started with the clutch setting on 1.

The clutch does seem to work right in second and third gear, but in first, it takes the heads right off of small screws even with it on the lowest setting.

- The gear selector doesn't engage very positively when changing between the 3 speed settings. Several times I've changed the setting only to have it pop out of gear and grind the gears. Not a great design, I'd say.

- I'm not really sure what the 3rd speed (high gear) gets you. The extra 200 rpms seems to come at the cost of sapping the low end torque. This drill doesn't really need the 1400 rpm high because if you need that kind of speed, you should be using a plug in screw gun.

Overall this is a good, usable drill, but given some of the funny issues like the clutch and the gear selector popping out, I'm left thinking maybe there are better choices out there, especially if you're a heavy user as I am. I'm going to give it 3 stars, it's fine but not great. The price seems high for the performance.

I think there are better choices out there to be honest, especially considering the high price. DeWalt needs to improve this package.

Left mine on the truck bumper, drove off and never saw it again. Love it so much I'm buying another one. Drives screws long and short. Not too heavy in the hand. Plenty of adjustments and decent battery life. I know I'll love number two also.

***I do not own or use this tool***

I can't tell for sure buy looking at dewalts diagrams but I think dewalt has used the same (or at least vary similar) drive train and clutching for there new 12, 14.4 and 18 volt models. I use the 18v because I need it's bat life and power. I somewhat agree with DJ djsailor, I mean you getting over 33 ft punds of torque of a 12V drill, that's a lot! I would not give up on dewalt through, they have a 9.6 drill that is relatively low torque/speed you might want to look into. David C. Gosse you have the opposite problem consider upgrading to the 18V model a little more torque and noticeably longer bat life than the 12 or 14.4. Hanging dry wall means a whole lot of screws regardless and you didn't define your wood work well. Sounds to me that something like a 5 amp corded craftsman is what you need that kind of work...

I have used the 14.4 and my opinion is dewalt could have done a little better and given the 12V the same design of the 9.6. From what I've read and herd about dewalt should have not produced this model and just re-marketed The DC727...

I LOVE THIS CORDLESS DRILL. I USE IT ALMOST EVERY DAY. I HAVE HAD 3 OTHER CORDLESS DRILLS BEFORE THIS ONE AND I CAN SAY THIS IS THE BEST ONE SO FAR.

couldnt believe the price.i check all home improvement centers.amazon had the best price.about 60 dollar savings!wwo hooooo

The newer production 12-volt drill drivers aren't worth your money. do some more research (as I am in the process of) and get something else!
My first Dewalt 12-volt drill driver (from 1993- or 94) was great, versitile, heavy-duty, and the batteries lasted longer than their spec'd work time. It finally started wearing down when it got to 10 years old and I bought two new batteries for it--they didn't perform well, one would work great for 10 minutes and die while the other would work at about 60% power and die 12 hours later.
I finally got a whole new Dewalt 12-volt system last fall and both batteries are terrible. Each lasts for about 20 minutes tops worktime (1 and 1/2 hours on the job, medium duty woodwork or drywall hanging). I'm really disappointed in this product and will steer away from Dewalt products in the future.