Customer Reviews

Hitachi FDS10DVA 9.6 Volt 3/8-Inch Cordless Drill/Driver Kit includes 2 Batteries, Flashlight, and Bit Set

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What a great deal! This drill has been a good all around drill. It's lightweight and powerful to do many different jobs. Plus you get a flashlight with the kit. A great value at a reasonable cost!

A friend of mine bought this kit after I gushed about my Hitachi 14.4v system. I loved the chuck, the weight distribution and the fast charger. His 9.6 seemed too heavy, and while the charge held out for a good while, it simply wasn't up to running a masonry bit or driving deep wood screws. He felt like he had bought a weak screwdriver and an expensive flashlight. I just felt bad for recommending Hitachi drills in general. Usually their engineering is such that they don't offer a weak tool. Don't buy this except for fairly light duty. The 14.4 is as good a drill as is out there however, and I have used the 24v Bosch and can still say that.

Bought one two weeks ago. After fairly extensive use (drilling and driving), I can't imagine why anyone would need to spend twice as much or more for a higher voltage drill. Sometimes more power, and expense, is not always better.

i spent a long time looking for the best cordless drill money can buy, and this is it! Features that mattered to me most (in no particular order) included bit holders on the drill, hand bit tightener, battery charging speed, price, drilling speed and stop time. Compared to other 9.6v+ drills this was the best at the best price. Survey included DeWalt, Makita, P&C, Riobi, Sears.

I've owned one of these for 4 years. I recently augmented it with the latest Porter-Cable 12V, and used them side-by-side on a fence-building project.

The Hitachi performed admirably by comparison. In particular, their use of a real Jacobs keyless chuck is to be lauded. Jacobs sets the standard, and the Yakiwas that Porter-Cable and Makita use in some of their drills are just not as good.

There was nothing that the Hitachi could do that the P-C could not, but it could not do it quite as fast. It would slow down a little as it was finishing sinking a deck screw.

However, the 5-position clutch does not have enough useful settings, and what settings it has are slightly difficult to lock in positively.

The flashlight is great; I never realized the psychological difference in using a flashlight that uses rechargeable batteries. I don't imagine the batteries being tossed in the trash, so I am more inclined to use it.

Hitachi has a new version of this coming out with an improved clutch.... I recommend going with that instead.... The 12V version is also a great value,

What a good value! This drill with 2 batteries, case, etc. is only $10 more than just one replacement battery for my older Dewalt 9.6v drill/driver! WOW! Why should I buy just one Dewalt battery for $69.95 when I can buy this whole kit for $10 more! Duh! Maybe I'll have more to say after I get this Hitachi and use it!

An avid woodworker and homeowner. Dave.

I've owned the Hitachi 9.6 v drill for five years and use it with great regularity. It is light weight, very dependable, and easy to use. I highly reccomend it for the average home owner and light industrial use.

As a general contractor in NYC, I quite offen have to travel to job site via the subway. When you have to carry numerous tools you learn to keep the weight down. After 3 years of using the 9.6v I have only good feelings about the tool. It will drive hundreds of drywall screws between charges. It charges quickly and the chuck has never failed me. I bought it as a cheap drill and have ended up using it as my only cordless. The light weight and small size make it easy to use over head and in tight places. The t-handle design is well balance in your hand. I wish the clutch was better but I don't use it much except for very small screws I don't want to strip.

This tool has fallen over 8' numerous times and the only thing that happens is it slips between the high and low gear settings. I just slid the switch back into gear and go off working.

I would say that a 50% more power would be good at times, but in those cases I use a Soiux 1/2" 54' angle drill (same as the milwalkee), very small and powerful. I have come to the conclusion that I don't need the extra power 95% of the time. I have found that the charger does not always charge the battery completely. I just lift the battery in the charge and reset it and charge the battery some more. This really helps extend the battery life.

For the [dollar amount] I paid. It has out lasted a few bosch, and a dewalt that were well over twice the price. Plus it came with a great flashlight. So if you must have the big voltage and the big weight that fine, but I don't need to remove lugs bolts with my cordless drill.

I purchased this little less than a year ago for the flashlight! I didn't care about the drill, having a couple heavey Dewalts.

But, the drill has worked great for going through cement, wood, and light steel. I was surprised by how well it held up to the different projects I had for it.

The flashlight is Great. I use it every night and it has held up very well. I dropped it three times before having to replace the light bulb. Its held up super.

For a 9.6 volt, this really is a good deal for the money.

Have had mine for two years - love the balance and the weight. As for power, I have driven hundreds and hundreds of 3-inch deck screws into pressure treated lumber with no problems. You can't ask for much more drill at this price. 4 stars because the forward/reverse switch seems flimsy.