Customer Reviews

DEWALT DC9PAKIA 18-Volt Cordless 9 Tool Combo Kit

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

 

 

Dewalt tools speak for themselves and the tools I received are no exception but as a buying review, a buyer can't go wrong with Dewalt, Makita or Milwaukee. What drove me to Dewalt was of course professional grade/quality, previous experience with the tools but mostly the variety of tools offered under one platform. I have 3 different 18v platform tools and all 3 require a different battery. No other manufacture offers the variety of tools that Dewalt offers. I now have doubles and triples of some tools, but now I can throw one bag over my shoulder with one charger and head to a jobsite. I'll give my review on each tool at the end but first a plug for Amazon...

Amazon is on the way to ruling the shopping world. I have made many small purchases with Amazon, but this was my second high dollar purchase and Amazon has earned my trust. I actually made a multi item purchase when I ordered this Dewalt kit; mostly Dewalt accessories (bits and blades), two extra batteries, dual pod charger and a CLC Carpenter Bag. Everything but the dual pod charger came directly from Amazon, which I normally prefer because they use UPS and the tracking is impeccable but the charger came USPS and was the first to arrive (with accurate tracking). I am the type of shopper that if it costs over $50 I do serious research, price comparing and contemplating before I commit to the purchase...buy it once and buy it right is my philosophy. It has been a huge step for me to trust on line shopping (especially $1000 order) and although there are certain things I probably will never buy on line Amazon has been flawless for me and I will always use them...especially when they beat everyone else's prices.

Now back to the important stuff. Dewalt's XRP platform is top notch...all of the tools feel and operate better than any other brand of tool I have used (which is all). Milwaukee is the closest but I find their tools larger and more bulky and missing many important tools in their line-up. Makita is the opposite with sleek light tools; I personally feel the overall quality with Makita is a little less and again missing many tools. Craftsman, Ryobi and Husky all have the same feel and quality; not for the heavy user but suitable for the average user; Ryobi has a nice line up of tools but with less quality.

Review per tool:

XRP Hammer Drill: Wow, the most solid cordless drill I have ever used, durable and powerful. It's even leaps ahead of Dewalt's (standard) heavy duty drill.

Circular Saw: Great base, good feel (balanced), smooth operation, easy adjustments and cuts through 2X stock with ease. I believe with a metal cutting blade it will cut sheet metal with ease (have not used it for that yet). Does not replace a quality circular saw or miter saw but extremely capable and handy, especially for work in precarious situations like working on roofs or places where cords are a pain. The safety switch takes some getting use to because it's too close to the trigger; a little cramped for big hands but I'll learn to work with it.

Reciprocating Saw (Sawsall): Nearly as good as a corded version with good balance in your hand and great power for being cordless...can't argue the convenience of not dealing with cords.

Impact Driver: This was the deciding factor for this kit. Dewalt offers another 9 tool kit but with an angle drill instead of this. The times I've needed an angle drill I've found a way to get by without it. If I ever get into repeat work that requires one I can get it later...but the ability to drive 2 1/2" screws like butter makes this tool arguably the most used and valuable tool in the kit. Very impressive tool!

Cut off tool (angle grinder): I was leery about this due to some other reviews and have only used it as a test. Does not replace my corded Dewalt angle grinders but performs very well...even under loads. I put on a 4 ½" 60 grit cloth disk and sharpened my ax with it. It ground into the steel as well as any of my grinders. Has the feel of quality.

Jig Saw: Sweet as butter and the reason I upgraded from the 6 tool kit; it was the single most wanted tool that I needed. Dewalt's Jig Saw is as good as any I have used hands down. I also have a Ryobi 18v Jig Saw, which is a good tool, but again the quality is not comparable.

Impact wrench: Seems to be ok but a bonus tool for the kit. I upgrade to the 9 tool kit for the Jig Saw, which was less expensive than buying the 6 piece and adding the Jig Saw. I suppose I may find a use for it someday (bolting a wall down), or changing a flat tire if I happen to have it with me. My home shop is loaded with air and high end air tools, so I don't see any immediate use for it...I would rather see Dewalt exchange this out of their kits for a drywall gun or even the angle drill...anyone want to trade?

Cut out tool (rotozip): never used the cordless version before but this tool will be very handy. Good quality and feel to it. The battery makes it feel a bit large but a workable trade off to get rid of the cord.

Flashlight: Whatever...it's a light. Handier than most because you can more precisely point it at something but definitely not a factor in buying Dewalt tools...a $15 light that requires and $80 battery to operate? Now if Dewalt would have included the hanging Florescent light...that's a handy little light to compliment a jobsite.

I would recommend this kit for all the reasons I've mentioned...but mostly because of Dewalt's numerous tools (and quality) under one platform. I plan to add a few more Dewalt tools; Drywall screw gun, fluorescent light(s) and maybe even the angle drill. I hear the shop vac is handy too. That would be 14 tools under one battery platform.

Oh yeah, the tool bags are pretty good too (I was surprised). I would prefer the larger bag with a shoulder strap and may purchase it later. Very fair price for the quality

This review probably will not be of much help for most of you guys out there because I know absolutely zip about tools and such. I do know the difference between a hammer and a saw, but that is about it. The reason I am doing this review is that I bought this set for my brother-in-law as a birthday present. He is a general contractor and is always running around fixing things, many of them for me. Anyway, he was delighted with them, uses them almost on a daily bases and has no complaints what so ever. Now this is impressive as he is not a man to suffer in silence and is brutally honest. If he had a complaint about them, I am sure he would tell me. He is a rather bright fellow, and other than the fact that he had the poor taste and was stupid enough in marrying my sister, he is an okay guy. Anyway, he was happy, had no complaints and when he finally got me to tell him how much I paid, he was quite impressed...for what ever that is worth.

The tools are great... but the current price of over $1100 is a rip off. This same product was previously listed at $720. Either wait until you can get the deal or by from another place. This is way over priced.

Edited: The prices really flux on this thing. One dealer put them on at a lower price, then removed them to jack the price up a couple hundred dollars. I would wait until the price is in the 700's before even considering it.

This is a Great Purchase, I highly recommend it. If you work in construction you definitely need this. If your fixing your house, these tools will make a hard job, a piece of cake. The 18 volt XRP batteries get the job done in a breeze, the charger usually fully charges the batteries in under an hour. Once in a while you have to treat yourself to some new tools. I think that everyone who buys this product will be very happy with their purchase.

Each tool in this set is just as I expected them to be. I have been using all these tools for over 2 years at work along with 20 other people. They are very sturdy, perform as well as any of our corded tools, batteries last more than long enough for any and all jobs we put them to. The drills have enough torque to snap screws. I bought the set because I know how they perform at work. I expect these to last me a lifetime as they will get much less use than in a job site setting.

I wanted to buy this literary within the next few days. I researched this set for my birthday and it was $729 just a few days ago. Now it's half a thousand dollars more!!! You kidding me? This is such a disappointment.