Drills Reviews

Used to cost $60 now selling for $50.

Purchased my first to replace the originals provided with the 12v XRP 1/2 drill/driver. This battery is better constructed and delivers good power for a long time.The original batteries lasted about a year and a half. The jury is no longer out on this unit. I just purchased my second unit. If you use your tools everyday - buy it - you'll like it. For someone who does not use their tools everyday it may be more cost effective to buy the DW-1214's at $28.00 per. So far the 12v XRP drill/drivers have remained unchanged so your batteries will still have value when your drill wears out.

This is the first serviceable battery I have seen from Dewalt; it is screwed together rather than glued. The packaging states that the battery has a 2 year, free service guarantee, which implies that the internal batteries can be replaced within 2 years for only the cost of parts. The packaging states that there is a 3 year limited guarantee on this unit, however there is no documentation that explains what the "limited" guarantee covers.

These 12v batteries can fit in and operate my 14.2v xrp driver - a good thing to know in a pinch.

What kept me from giving the unit 5 stars is the price. They are still rather expensive.

caslo cranston

This battery does not list for $94.00, as Amazon claims. Home Depot and others sell it for $60.

I have used this battery for over a month now. My drill is only 3 years old and the two batteries that came with it never had this much power and lenght of use between charges. I am very pleased.

I just recently purchased the DW716 and will admit, have yet to cut with it. The motor is powerful, runs smooth and I expect it to cut very strong but some things need to be noted about the craftsmanship of this tool. Once I had it out of the box I instantly noticed a few things. For instance, both the bevel and the miter pointer were misalligned and the bevel scale was somewhat crude (not finished or polished). I'm not sure if the bevel scale was part of the cast or it was etched into the aluminum but the end result is a "grinded" finish. I adjusted the pointers and cleaned the bevel scale but the markings still can be difficult to read. It almost looks as though they were painted (maybe white) and the paint rubbed off. Once I fit the saw to it's stand I found that when it is beveled 45 degrees to the right on a 45 degree right miter, the arbor housing on the right side of the blade hits the fence before the blade is completely down. Sure this is an extreme cut and the saw will complete it ... but just barely. The back edge of the saw blade, where the fence meets the table, clears the plane of the fence by maybe 1/8th of an inch. You must back the miter down to 35 degrees to get the full range of the 45 degree bevel cut.

The saw seems to be a fairly good quality tool that could use some refining. Based on reviews I've read for other double bevel compound miters it may be the best choice in this category. The DW716 is a powerful saw with crown stops and other accessories available for an additional cost.

Post review update: I returned the DW716 along with the laser and ordered the Makita LS1214L from Grizzly (through Amazon) ... what a difference! For about $100.00 more than what I paid for the DeWalt compound miter saw and laser, I received a much finer sliding compound miter (w/laser) from Makita. Although I didn't cut with the DW716 (b/c I was leaning towards returning it) there is one very big difference between the belt driven DW716 and the direct drive LS1214L and its head torque. The combination of the belt drive and no soft start on the DeWalt causes the head to pull down when you activate the trigger. A similar degree of torque is felt when the brake activates. Although some torque is felt with the brake on the Makita, there is none at start-up. Also, the Makita does not brake as hard so the torque is minimal.

I realize I'm comparing a sliding compound miter with a non-sliding saw but for the price of the DW716, it's not unfair. If you've read some of the reviews for DeWalt's DW718 slider, the quality issues I posted here will sound familiar.

The 716 is still the trusty model 706 saw with 1 change and 1 new feature.

Gone is the twist knob to set the angle,
in its place is a push lock, like a table saw fence, which is quick and easy to use
( make sure you adjust it if its to stiff).

The new preset miter stop release lever is a very nice feature,
allowing you to over or under cut angles without the saw snapping itself into the preset lock

Excellent saw, powerful and accurate.

I have used up several delta 12" compound saws. They were good, but I cut a lot of large aluminum and steel solids on them, and it is very hard on them.
I decided to try this Dewalt because it was belt drive, and I thought that would smooth it out on fierce cuts. That proved to be the case, it has been a very good and very smooth saw. So far, no problems, have had it about a year and half. It also has very good power. Adjustments are easy, table section is reasonably stout.
All in all, I am pleased

GREAT FOR THE HOME PROJECT. THE REASON I DIDN'T RATE IT FIVE IS I AM STILL WAITING FOR A REPLACEMENT GAUGE, AND I THINK THEY SHOULD INCLUDE THE NECESSARY OIL WITH THE COMPRESSOR

I've had the HL5501 for a few months now. Until recently I used it for blowing a workbench clean and filling the cars' tires. About a month ago, the home renovation project I bought it for finally got under way.

Using a Gilmour Handi-Sand sand blaster, it worked pretty hard to sand blast a set of garage door hinges custom built by the blacksmith of the family. Sand blasters are notoriously hungry for volume, and the HL5501 was hard pressed to get the job done. For very occasional use, on small projects, I'll blast with it, but I don't think I'd ask it to do any production sand blasting. Twelve pairs of pintle hinges, each leg 2"x 3/16"x 20", took a long, long time.

Which brings me to my first complaint: during that job, a couple of the fittings under the protective plastic shield vibrated loose and leaked enough air that the compressor couldn't reach shut-off pressure. No big deal to pull the cover (four phillips-head screws) and tighten the fittings, but I don't think they ought to have vibrated loose in the first place.

The second job was powering a Porter Cable palm nailer, driving nails for framing work. For this it worked like a champ. Using the nailer at 100psi, the compressor cycled fairly regularly, but could keep up with the nailer without any trouble. It gets an A+ for that job.

The next tool I have in mind to attach is the Critter spray paint rig. It should work okay. We'll see...

Noisy? Yes, but so is every other air compressor I've ever heard, and it cycles fast enough that for occasional use it's tolerable. For a day with the palm nailer, I use hearing protection.

My only real problem with the HL5501, other than fittings that come loose, is that the air outlet comes off the side of the manifold in such a way that by the time you've attached a water filter and a female quick-disconnect fitting, there's quite a bit of potential leverage hanging out there unprotected. I'm always worried about hitting it, or pulling the air hose too hard, or doing some such thing that bends the manifold, or tweaks the regulator, or busts the water filter.

Oh, and in freezing temperatures, the pressure release valve tends to stick open. Nothing an hour in the heated laundry room couldn't cure, but it makes me concerned about what else might stick.

Excellent for hobbiest use. Adequate for renovation use. Don't buy it for sand blasting. Make sure to site it so that that air outlet is protected.

I purchased this for my mom because she lives alone a few miles outside of town. She doesn't need it to run air tools, basically she'll use it for airing up tires. When I first plugged it in I was very suprised at how quickly it was allready filled up. It should work very well for small around the house type stuff.

EXCELLENT FOR BASEMENT DEWATERING CAN BREAK 5 TO 6 INCH THICK CONCRETE. BEST WORKING RANGE WOULD BE LESS THAN 4 INCH THICK. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND BUY THE 18 INCH BITS UNLESS YOUR REALLY SHORT. WOULD BE NICE IF UNIT WAS 6 INCHES TALLER THATS MY ONLY BEEF WITH THIS HAMMER

Just used this to break up 4-6" thick 30 year old concrete in my basement. Started the job with a rental Bosch Brute, but needed something smaller to get into some tight spaces. I decided to buy rather than rent this time and I'm glad I did. While not as powerful as the Bosch Brute, it is less than half the price and weight. Priced way less than 35-42lb hammers from Makita and Hatachi, it has similar power output. I am very pleased. I could have done the job with my smaller Bosch rotary hammer but might have ended up having to replace the tool afterwards. This DeWalt will fill in nicely between the abilities of the Bosch rotary and a larger rental unit. It may even eliminate the need for a rental, because it seems to be very capable. The video of this tool on the DeWalt website sold me, not to mention giving me some ideas about uses I had not thought of myself. The video is worth checking out. Also, check Tool King for reconditioned options. Save some $$$.

I have been in heavy construction for over 30 years and have used many pavement breakers,jack hammers and demo tools. This is just the right size for good control, great variable power and reduced vibration. The first job was on some very old 4000PSI conrete. No problem. The handle can be a small problem for left handers. For the smaller demo especialy inside structures it is perfect. Unit did not wear me out. Great productivity. Completely satisfied with the product.

I to am glad that they haven't changed there design for the way it locks in. I would choose the sliding option over this but I have many Dewalt tools and the batteries are interchangable....A very big plus.

These have been fantastic. There seems to be no memory problems and so far have lasted for many charges. As stated earlier they have a better clip-in system, which is definitely an improve. But to be fair I only had the old XR batteries fall out once. The run time has also improved.

I highly suggest upgrading to the XRPs if you only have the old ones. But when purchasing them just buy the 2 pack. For about $20 to $25 more you get the second battery.

As the cordless tool leader, Dewalt recognized that their first line of 18volt battery pack had faulty clips. With this issue, they improved the design of the clips and boosted the performance of these batteries. Though the sliding battery packs maybe easier to use, it is good to know that Dewalt has not abandoned their design.

This drill is still my favorite in performance in what I do.

Don't bother with the nervous-seeming Black & Decker or Skil 3/8" corded drills. For a few bucks more you can have this professional grade monster powering though whatever you ask it to do. The keyless chuck is easy on your hands and holds fast. The yellow shell is touhg, comformatble, extremely visible, and durable. It's pretty quiet also. No bad things to say whatsoever.

I have owned this drill for 3 years now and it is very powerful for a 3/8" drill. I use it alot and have never had any problems. Only wish that I would have gotten the keyless model.

Good all around drill~Light with plenty of power to drive 3" screws~rear bubble level is a nice touch~unquestionable Dewalt quality!

If you can live without an electric brake, than this is the drill to own. I only use it, where cordless drill wont do. I've built 3 decks (average 500 2 inch screws each)using this baby and it has performed without any problems. It has no rubber grip, so put a glove on before an all day job.

I BOUGHT THIS DRILL ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND FOR THE MOST PART IT IS A VERY GOOD PRODUCT. I AM AN HVAC SERVICE TECH AND I HAVE USED THIS DRILL TO DRILL THOUGH WOOD, PLASTIC CONCRETE AND EVEN SOLID STEEL.THE WAY IT CHEWS THOUGH STEEL IS MOST IMPRESSIVE IT IS VERY POWERFULL FOR IT`S SIZE . MY ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT THE KEYLESS CHUCK DOES NOT ALWAYS HOLD THE DRILL BIT TIGHT ENOUGH AND THE BIT WILL SLIP INSIDE THE CHUCK . THIS ONLY HAPPENS WITH THE LARGER BITS BUT ALL IN ALL THIS IS A VERY GOOD DRILL AND THE PRICE CAN`T BE BEAT.

Although I use cordless drills more than anything, this is the drill I use when I know my cordless drills won't cut it. It's nicely balanced, lightweight, yet powerful enough to tackle most jobs. If your looking at getting a good corded drill to back up your cordless drill, or looking at getting your first drill period, I highly recommend this one.

I purchaced the dw222 of a clearance rack for 50.00. I find that it is a fine drill,I really like the drills push button spindle lock. It is simple, but it works great. The chuck is simple (does not ratchet)but it holds bits tight. I think the trigger is a bit too sensitive(on mine).
Its torque is good,but for big bits I find that I must watch the rpms,this drill does stall.My Milwaukee magnum 302 has never stalled in the 3 years I have owned it. The DW 222 excells in drilling small to medium bits.
For bigger stuff I use my magnum or one of my three 18v drills.
I find that the 18v drill have better low end torque in low gear
(as long as the batteries are charged) The cordlesses will be useful only as long as the batteries last and can be replaced.
The dw222 will most likely out live me.
Overall: a fine drill

For those times when your cordless just won't do it, or when you just have hours worth of holes to drill, here's your ticket.
I've had this drill for about a year and have used it much more than I expected. It has never failed to perform, even under heavy loads.
I've read a few reviews that say that DeWalt motors fail fairly quickly. I haven't had a problem with any of my DeWalt motors cordless or corded. I can certainly recommend this drill.

My only two "complaints" are that it doesn't have a 1/2" chuck and that it doesn't come with a side handle, which it could certainly use.

I can't believe the torque on this thing! I'm not sure if an extra handle is available for this, but if it is, get it. The single sleeve keyless chuck takes away any disadvantages of a keyless chuck. It's got a spindle lock so you can use your whole hand to wrench on the chuck to make sure it's tight. In addition, it's geared low so it gets really tight. The rear grip is figured just right to fit your hand "carpenter's style" That is, squeeze the trigger with your ring and pinky finger while putting the pushing force from behind with your palm and first two fingers. The yellow color makes it hard to lose or leave behind. If you're getting a drill for woodworking, you might want more speed instead of this much torque. If it's going to be used all around, (metal included) either this or a 1/2" Milwaukee is the one to get.

ok, it's heavy, but,.. its got no cord and it's lighter than the 18 volt model. it will take a good bit of abuse and it's quite powerful for cordless. you'll have trouble finding competition with higher rpms. the variable speed switch is smooth and provides alot of control. the clutch works well. it will drive long deck screws and pre-drilled lags comfortably. the hammer works great for small holes(ie tapcon) and well enough for occasional, larger holes, depending on what you're drilling into. it's nearly impossible to find competition that builds a serious duty cordless pistol grip drill(T-handle drills are fine for folks in labcoats or suits who just hold a drill up to the light to admire its balance or price point, but,.. pistol grip drills are for folks who use and abuse them every day and need the added leverage and accuracy that only a pistol grip provides). the only dewalt batteries that i've had trouble with keeping a charge on are the ones i followed dewalt's advice with, to recharge as soon as you feel a loss of power. for what my experience is worth, it's still better to run nicad batteries down all the way, with, say, a flashlight, before recharging. i agree with dewalt, though, that it's a good idea to stop putting a heavy load on the battery once it starts losing power. good idea too, i think, to let the battery cool before charging.

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p.s. don't waste your time trying to find a holster to hang this drill on your belt. it won't work. if you need to put it on your belt, the big lug is the only way to go,.. and one of those S looking paint can holder/hook things works well on ladders too.

This is a great drill for rough carpentry, but it's a bit heavy for woodworking applications. If you're building a deck, this is the tool for you - it's great at boring large holes quickly and cleanly, and it's got plenty of torque to drive lag screws. The clutch and electric brake make it great for delicate work, BUT IT'S TOO HEAVY! If you need to use it one-handed at arm's length, good luck controlling it. The grip and trigger are very nice, and the variable speed is really helpful. The keyless chuck works nicely - this tool feels very smooth and well-machined. My only serious complaint (besides the weight) is the location of the direction-of-drive switch. The drive direction can be changed without changing your grip on the tool - you just press the button with your index finger or thumb. Some people might like this feature, but I find it's easy to bump the button accidentally when working one-handed. I've only used the hammerdrill feature a few times, but it worked very well. This drill was originally purchased as a gift for my father to use at his camp in the Adirondacks so that he could drill holes in rocks (for boat anchoring) while standing in water without the risk of electrocution. It's primarily been used for rough carpentry and deck repair/rebuilding. THIS IS AN EXCELLENT TOOL AND IT WILL SERVE YOU WELL, AS LONG AS YOU DON'T FIND IT TOO CUMBERSOME. Note that the model I've used is a few years old - it's the exact same model number, but mine doesn't have the automatic spindle lock or the extended-run batteries.

from the moment i bought this drill, it hasn't been put down! building, sheetrocking, repairing all made easier. extremely usful adjustable torque settings and electric brake allow for precision drilling. dual speed alows for different levels of power and control. can be very powerful with hammer feature. i do recommend buying the accessory kit with the rapid change bit attachment. great drill, well worth the price.

My initial pleasure with this value-priced made-in-Mexico combo turned sour once I put bits in the drill: the most run out I have ever seen in any drill at any price. Even my cheap old Ryobi has virtually no run out, and it's from Chiwan! I guess the Mexicans have a way to go to match the stellar build quality coming out of the Far East.

I've contacted DeWalt through their email form, but I've heard they apparently don't do anything except cheerfully apologize and hope you'll go away.

So my options are to keep it or send it back to Amazon and never see the great price again. The nailer seems to work fine, but the drill will never be anything more than a fancy screw gun. With the run out it wobbles and shakes while drilling and the hole is neither where you wanted it nor the size you expected.

I am a contractor and have used all types of finish nailers. This is the future of nailers (I hope). No oil, cords, fuel cells, compressors. It is a bit heavy, but, I am not complaining. The convenience far outweighs this. I have been using it for 2 months now and have had no misfires or jams caused by the gun, only operator error.
I highly recommend this tool and look forward to more like it.

5 stars strictly for bang-for-the-buck (no pun intended). Here is the features list from the back of the box since the Amazon description is not really complete:

Includes
DC618 18V 16 Gauge 20-degree angled finished nailer, DC988 Hammerdrill/Drill/Driver, 2 DC9096 XRP Extended Run batteries, 1 hour charger, side handle, screwdriver bit, and contractor bag.

DC988
*DeWALT Built High Torque Motor: 500 in-lbs of Maximum Torque
*XRP Extended Run-Time Batteries: Long Run-time & Life
*Patented 3-Speed Transmission: 0-450/0-1450/0-2000 RPM 0-7650/0-24650/0-34000 BPM
*�" (13mm) Metal Ratcheting Chuck
*Maximum Job-Site Durability & Reliability
*Preferred Ergonomics: Balance, Control And Weight 5.9 lbs (2.67 kg)

DC618
*Selective actuation operating mode (sequential or bump)
*Uses 1-1/4"-2-1/2" (32mm-65mm) 16 gauge 20 angled nails, rear load 120 nail capacity magazine can be loaded by either lock & load or load & draw
*Contact trip lock-off to constrain the contact trip from accidental discharge
*6 position depth adjustment wheel
*Work surface headlights
*Tool-free jam clearing
*On-board accessories; removable belt hook, low profile no mar pad
*Impact resistant metal top cap