DEWALT DW160V 3/8-Inch VSR Right Angle Drill

by DEWALT

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

A remarkably compact tool, DeWalt's 3/8-inch, 3.2 amp right-angle drill is designed for electricians, plumbers, remodelers, and anyone else who works in tight places. The drill offers good speed (1,200 rpm) and weighs 3-3/4 pounds. The tool's most distinguishing feature is its paddle-type trigger, which runs nearly the length of the tool's body, allowing the user to engage the drill using all manner of inventive hand configurations. The molded neck makes the drill comfortable to grasp by the head, as well. The paddle trigger, however, does make it possible to engage the drill unintentionally while you're maneuvering or when you set the tool down. In order to make this drill so compact, DeWalt had to make a few design compromises. The tool has a keyed chuck; a keyless chuck, when you think about it, makes the drill's nose significantly longer. The drill also doesn't reverse, and depending on the materials you'll be drilling through, this is something to consider before you buy. But for anyone looking for an extremely compact drill that's built to last, this DeWalt is a smart buy. A key and a rubber key holder complete the package. --Jon Groebner

From the Manufacturer

DEWALT DW160 3/8-Inch Heavy Duty Right Angle Drill

See all Product Description

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 12.6 x 4.2 inches ; 4.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 6.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00002233H
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: DW160V
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #94,112 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Poorly designed w/little features, July 15, 2001

By 

Clarke Prichard (Lima, Oh United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: DEWALT DW160V 3/8-Inch VSR Right Angle Drill (Tools & Home Improvement)

I'm an Industrial Technology teacher and have access to many new tools. I am very disappointed with this Dewalt Product. I still don't understand why they didn't put a reversable switch on this unit. It would have been great for installing and removing Kitchen cabinets. Moreover, when using spade bits to drill through flooring, you periodically need to "back" the bit up to remove it when it becomes bound. I think a better purchase would be a temporary 90 degree chuck that mounts to a portable drill. Be very careful when setting this unit on the ground ... it's super easy to hit the start switch and if you've got a large spade bit in the chuck "watch out!!" I also would like to see a variable speed adjustment as this drill does create a lot of torque and can easy twist and sprain you wrist if you're not anticipating it.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Its ok for the money, but far from terrific., February 27, 2001

By 

Scott Pointon "Former Marine, Librarian, Wood... (Crest Hill, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: DEWALT DW160V 3/8-Inch VSR Right Angle Drill (Tools & Home Improvement)

I bought one of these for my father, a retired electrician who occasionally still takes jobs. At first, he loved this little drill. The only shortcomings he noticed in the beginning were the lack of a keyless chuck and the fact that the paddle-switch could be dangerous if you weren't paying close attention to what you were doing. In the end though, what became this drills downfall was the cheap construction inside the housing. After only a few jobs, a plastic component around the motor cracked, allowing the teeth to slip under strain. A DeWalt service shop charged... to fix this problem. The second hole it drilled after that caused the gears to give out. It was a great idea, but DeWalt needs to send this one back to the design board for more work... I wish now that I had spent the extra money on the bigger DeWalt right angle drill.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What no variable speed and reversing?, August 31, 2003

By 

Bob Feeser "MillCrafters.com" (Springfield, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: DEWALT DW160V 3/8-Inch VSR Right Angle Drill (Tools & Home Improvement)

I did a lot of looking around at medium right angle drills. The drawbacks on the Dewalt is no variable speed, and no reversing. So it may be prone to stripping screws, and now way to reverse them out when they do. Ouch. For straight drill of holes it is great.
If you have air around, and don't need to make large holes in 2x12s, the air driver Porter Cable is sweet. Has air pressure, to create torque and variable speed adjustments, and has reversing capabilities, and is the best price on the block.
My pick is the Makita 110 volt model. It has the largest amperage motor in the medium duty range, has variable speed, reversing, and an adjustable speed limiting dial, an LED light to illuminate your work, and is guaranteed to last the lifetime of the tool.
Next is the Bosch with a slightly weaker motor at 3.8 amps, and doesn't have the speed range of the Makita, even though it is at the same price. Nice overall tool though.
Then comes the Milwaukee 55 degree angle drill. Fine for additional leverage while drilling, but could be a problem for deeper access areas when making 90-degree applications. Especially important in crammed quarters, when you would have to swing the body out the additional 35 degrees to get a 90-degree angle.
Black and Decker makes a lightweight unit, and will suffice for the occasional weekend warrior.
The Dewalt unit, fills a niche, but is a very good example of getting what you pay for. If it were not for the no reversing, and no variable speed capabilities, and for making the paddle switch so long, that gets in the way, even when you don't want it to, makes the unit, strictly for those who are price conscious first, and tool conscious later.
Wake up and smell the Makita. :-)