Customer Reviews

DEWALT DW953K-2 12.0-Volt 3/8-Inch Cordless Compact Drill/Driver Kit (2 Batteries)

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

 

 

I bought this kit about four years ago when it was the best Cordless DeWalt drill you could get. I am not a contractor and don't use it every day "on the job", but have put it to the test several times. I have used it in the construction of a six-stall barn, numerous household tasks, and the construction of a small shed. In all cases, this drill has never failed to perform at or beyond expectations.

I was disappointed to see the release of the 14.4 Volt and then the 18 Volt series of drills shortly after my purchase of this 12 Volt drill, but that doesn't detract from the performance of this drill. Given the fact that the battery life is good and it comes with two batteries, I have been able to work continuously until my arms were tired - the drill was still working. I have abused this drill by dropping it in the dirt, using it in the rain, and forgeting it outside overnight, and it keeps working. The recharger works quickly, the batteries last a long time, the drill keeps working. What more can I say - it works for me.

I helped build a deck and my brother used a 12 Volt Makita and the Dewalt beat it hands down. I had to charge my battery half as often. Also the two speed setting made it easier to switch from drill to screw driver.

This 12V DeWalt is quite disappointing. It comes with smaller, lower-capacity batteries, cheap switch, and has a lower speed than the true DeWalt tools. Obviously intended for the occasional user, it makes me wonder what else they scrimped on.

Save your money for a real DeWalt, which can be identified by the black soft grip handle, or buy Porter-Cable or Makita.

After using the DeWalt for 1-1/2 years around the house the chuck broke. Replace that but now the clutch has gone out on me. I used it for drilling and screw driving. I am going to another drill with a longer warranty that is better built.

I am not a contractor, but I have been working on a 100 year old house in the Adirondacks for the past two summers, including replacing the ancient wiring. I use this drill almost every day in the summer. The Dewalt has served me well, despite my abuse of it, including repeatedly dropping it in the sandy soil under the camp. It is light enough to use constantly, with enough power to do anything I've run in to, including boring holes in dense, thick, old wood structural members, and driving 10 inch lag bolts into pressure treated wood without pilot holes.

I have a couple of these little drills. They backup my other bigger, fancier drills, and have done an good job of it. I suppose you could level lots of critcism - like "They are not as strong, nor as well finished, nor do the batteries hold their charge as well as a Makita, a Bosch, a Panasonic, or even as well as other 12V Dewalts." - BUT what makes a "good" drill is it will reliably do the job for which it was purchased. This drill has done a good job of that. Several times I have reached for it when I am between charges on my "other" drills, and I have been able to finish the job, or when a friend needs to borrow a drill. I don't feel "undergunned" with it. Would I work it all day on a tough job site? - No, but it is a good DYIer or household drill for not much money. At that level, this drill should last a long time, and it is certainly a better drill for the money than some of the others on the market. I guess it is kinda like a serviceable, basic sedan compared to an SUV or sports car. There is always a place for a good, no-frills sedan. Will it get you there, sure. Will it climb mountains or go 0-60 in 5 seconds - no. This drill is a basic "sedan" of drills, but it gets the job done, and if you don't abuse it, it should last a long time.

I used a dewalt 12 volt for over 5 yrs as a carpenter. Unfortunatly the batteries finally wore out. Trouble free dependable drill/driver. Ive replaced the batteries and use it now as my home cordless. I replaced it w/ a 14.4 porter cable. Big mistake. its been in the shop twice in two yrs and still works poorly. So Im looking at an 18 vlt Dewalt. The porter cable will go in file thirteen.

Don't get me wrong I like this drill. It is powerful and I have yet to come up with a job it could not handle. I think it is a good value for the money but I have a few reservations about it.

1. I think its a Black & Decker (the parent company of Dewalt) dressed up for the prom. Like I said just because its yellow does not mean it's the best. It is kind of cheesy construction wise and does not have the "feel" of the "professional" series Dewalts. The grip which lacks the rubber inserts of other Dewalt models can become a bit uncomfortable after a while and if you drop it (as I did) don't expect it to keep on ticking. When I dropped it (from about 3' or less onto a wood floor) I messed up the clutch so it would only engage in "low" gear. I took it apart and rigged it to work but I wouldn't trust my life on it now.

All and all I like this drill but I would recommend you spend a little bit more and buy a "real" Dewalt or a Porter Cable. Or if your dead set on spending less get the top of the line Black & Decker and you will basically get this drill in Red for less money.

I've owned this model for 6 years and it just started making some noise (clutch, tranny?) and I'm deciding whether to fix it or just get a new one. The 12V seems to me to be a nice trade between weight and strength. We've built a house and a shed along with numerous other projects. I use it for everything from augering holes for plumbing/electric, mixing thinset/concrete, to driving 1/2" lag screws. It is light enough to hang siding all day or just turn screws when doing finish electric (outlets, lights, switches) in addition to the thousands of screws and holes (I've all but forgotten how to use a manual screwdriver). For the tougher jobs it can bog down and the battery also goes pretty quick (I'm still using my original 2 batteries, though I added one over the years), but for these jobs, I really should be using my Milwaukee (too lazy to grab it). It is by far the most used tool in my shop. It has been dropped off the roof and keeps on working (until now!). I can't comment on whether DeWalt has cut some corners to keep this model in a competitive price range over the years, but I really have nothing bad to say. In fact I'd be raving except that a lot of negative comments on here make me think they have (cut corners).

I've used this tool for 5+ years and it has never failed me. I've driven 1000s of screws and drilled 1000's of holes. Each battery has been charged probably 200 times and they still are going strong.

I use it mostly for driving in #8 and #10 screws up to 3" long. Plenty of power for that.

It would probably be underpowered for drilling anything bigger than 1/2", but that's what what my drill press or corded drill is for.