Customer Reviews

DEWALT DC989KA 18-Volt Ni-Cad 1/2-Inch Cordless Hammer Drill/Driver Kit with Pistol Grip

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a great drill! I have the older version, the dewalt Dw998 which has the power needed for every job. Some complaints was that it's not balanced properly, but that becomes an issue only if you have it over your head all day. I actually like it better because it gives you an extra 3in. extension or reach. With the handle in the back you could go further without having to add any extension. If you are drilling a screw in the ceiling it gives you an extra three inches of height because the handle is further back, so if you want the drill to be able to do a little bit of everything this one is hard to beat. And the hammer drill part, everybody needs it, and you will learn that the first time you need to use the hammer drilled in concrete. The difference is night and day , so I make this a five star drill, better than the others. If I would install sheet rock all day, then I would probably be buying a fourteen volt drill instead.

After owning a low grade Harry Homeowner drill/driver for the last 8 years, I wanted something that would get the job done, no matter the job. Torque? Hold this thing tight, or it will tear your wrist apart. Make sure you set it correctly for the job, otherwise you'll end up with headless screws. As far as the previous complaints about sloshy settings.... It's not a solid switch from speed mode 1, 2, or 3. It is a bit clumsy, but gets changed less. The torque setting however is just fine. I've had no problems setting it. The only thing that takes away a star is the fact that it will not stand up. If you try to stand it up on its battery like most drills, it falls over. To me thats a design flaw, so it gets 4 out of 5 stars. Other than that, its great. Compared to Makita, Milwaukee, Ridgid, and other drills in this class, I'd buy this drill again. I would however probably buy a different manufacturer like Makita for a light duty drill only because the DeWalts are a bit heavy by comparison.

Mounting the handle at the rear of the drill has advantages. However, this drill will not stand on its battery like most, if not all, cordless drills I've used in the past. Dewalt should have included a clip on the drill that hangs on your belt, pocket, pouch, ... so that you don't need to consider where to hang it, or where to lay it flat each time you use the drill.

Otherwise, this is a fine product. I deducted two stars for what I feel is Dewalt's oversight in not providing an integrated method of hanging the drill when you use it. If that isn't an issue for you, then give the drill 5 stars.

Plenty of power so it has the versatility to do anything around the farm. Drives screws into hardwood with ease. Have used it for fencing, roofing, stall installations. Quick recharge makes it a useful tool for the entire workday which can be sunup to sundown!

This has been a great drill for me and has proven itself over a period of 4 years with almost weekly use. I have to drill a lot of holes in all different types of material ranging from wood to metal and have never had a problem with the exception of battery. I am now coming to a hard decision of buying a different drill or buying a different type of battery since everyone is going to lithium-ion batteries. DeWALT has a nano battery able to fit this drill but with no new pistol grip design yet it is hard to say which would be better buying a new drill or buying a new battery. For now I will most likely go w/the new battery due to my fondness of the pistol due to the advantages one receive with this drill.
Advantages: You are able to use both hands in the same manner as a corded drill.
You have further reach before you have to apply an extinction.
It is easier to keep the drill level and you do not have to be right on top of what you are drilling
(A big plus if you are in need of seeing what you are doing while you are drilling)
Cons: Do not know how much longer the battery is going to stay the same for new models.
If you are in need of setting the drill down on its battery do not get a pistol grip go w/a standard
cordless.
This has been a great drill and I hope DeWALT never stops making them.

This is an extremely powerful cordless drill. Using this is like using a heavy duty drill with a cord. Very great for the money. Highly recommended!!!

A must have for any workshop. The portability of a cordless with the power of a hammer drill. It has the power to tackle MOST jobs - however extremely hard concrete will wear down batteries quickly.

It also has a good bit of weight to it, but it is balanced well.

I just love the new DeWalt hammer drill. Best drill I have ever had. Would buy another one next time.