Drills Reviews

Mounting the handle at the rear of the drill has advantages. However, this drill will not stand on its battery like most, if not all, cordless drills I've used in the past. Dewalt should have included a clip on the drill that hangs on your belt, pocket, pouch, ... so that you don't need to consider where to hang it, or where to lay it flat each time you use the drill.

Otherwise, this is a fine product. I deducted two stars for what I feel is Dewalt's oversight in not providing an integrated method of hanging the drill when you use it. If that isn't an issue for you, then give the drill 5 stars.

After owning a low grade Harry Homeowner drill/driver for the last 8 years, I wanted something that would get the job done, no matter the job. Torque? Hold this thing tight, or it will tear your wrist apart. Make sure you set it correctly for the job, otherwise you'll end up with headless screws. As far as the previous complaints about sloshy settings.... It's not a solid switch from speed mode 1, 2, or 3. It is a bit clumsy, but gets changed less. The torque setting however is just fine. I've had no problems setting it. The only thing that takes away a star is the fact that it will not stand up. If you try to stand it up on its battery like most drills, it falls over. To me thats a design flaw, so it gets 4 out of 5 stars. Other than that, its great. Compared to Makita, Milwaukee, Ridgid, and other drills in this class, I'd buy this drill again. I would however probably buy a different manufacturer like Makita for a light duty drill only because the DeWalts are a bit heavy by comparison.

Plenty of power so it has the versatility to do anything around the farm. Drives screws into hardwood with ease. Have used it for fencing, roofing, stall installations. Quick recharge makes it a useful tool for the entire workday which can be sunup to sundown!

I got this tool after my last drill (a Craftsman 12Volt) was stolen out of my garage. I went back and forth between 14.4 volt and 18 volt drills, but went with the 984K bebause it has a higher peak torque than many other 18V drills. Also, I used the 18V drill, and it's a little heavy to hold over your head for a while. I've used this for drilling holes in metal and wood, and it has performed flawlessly. I'm very happy with this drill.

I purchased the DW984k-2 several months ago and am happy to report that it has performed like a champ. It is a great middle-weight cordless and the hammer function has come in quite handy on several occasions where my corded rotary hammer would have been too much. Perhaps the best feature on this drill is the keyless chuck. Nothing has slipped or skipped so far and I don't expect it will. I highly recommend this drill for anyone who needs a cordless for multiple applications.

I just bought this new drill. It is stronger than my old 18 volt Makita. I have been using it to set bolts in rock. DeWalt is rating the 14.4 at 1/4" diameter in masonry, but I am getting 1/2" holes 2" deep with no trouble. The third gear makes a huge difference when drilling into concrete or rock. Trust me, buy this drill and you won't look back.

I used this drill to put timberlocks into engineered lumber, and they died too fast. But I used same type (voltage, hp and etc.) batteries form other Bosch drill, and they died as fast as original ones. So I think batteries are not strong enough for this drill. Bosch needs to come up with so radical ideas here.

To start, I have 32 years in the home building trades and purchased this impact driver to fasten approximately 2500 LF of mahogany 5/4 on one of our usual high end jobs. Initialy I found the drill to be exceptional, power was good, comfort of use, # of fasteners installed between charges, but then I noticed the batteries were not lasting as long after only 5 or 6 charges. I was only getting about 32 3 inch screws in per charge about half of what I was getting out of the box. Others on the job use the Makita 14.4 with the 2.6 amp hour batteries and install 2 to 3 times the # of fasteners as my Bosch. The Bosch batteries are the same 2.0 AH that they have had for years and most likely need to upgrade them to Ni-Cad or better if they wish to keep their contractor grade status. As for me, a diehard Bosch man, I'll be returning this and getting the Makita.

this drill kicks butt, when it's charged. I just built a massive deck, 4 days to lay planks on 40x28 ft deck. The biggest complaint about this drill is the ridiculously weak battery. panasonic is up to 3.5 Amp hrs, these are still at 2 A.Hrs.
Also, the battery won't begin to recharge if it's too warm, and when your firing screws all day, in the sun, things tend to heat up. I spent way too much time with my old drill in my hand waiting for these batteries to cool down, then re-charge.
i think buying this tool took about 5 hours off my life!

In defense of this tool, it kicks butt at driving a 3" screw into really hard woods!!! and outperformed all the other drills on the jobsite, when it was ready to go.

I took a chance and picked up the MM300 for $129 on closeout at one of the Big Box stores. I punched about a dozen 3/8" holes in some scrap pine - and then tried one 1/2" hole. Sheared the pin that holds the lever on, right off.

Had it repaired, under warranty, and had it back in about 10 days. After that - stuck with 3/8" bit and did another two dozen holes in some Mahoghany. For the price I paid, I'm OK with it. But if it was the MM300 for $200, then I'd consider the 651.

In either case - head on over to Lee Valley and pick up their conical hones to touch up the chisels before you use it.

I just last week received the mortiser, put it together. The instructions were clear, only took a few minutes to assemble. I was surprised at the quality. The quality of Delta products (and Jet) varies wildly. I got a good one, it seems. I punched a dozen holes with each of the chisels in some mahogany scrap I had lying around, all were quite satisfactory. I haven't tried it yet on any of the hard maple or oak I usually work with. I'll report back later if I have any problems. Menards wanted another [money]for their Jet model, without chisels. A set of 5 chisels is [money]. The Jet I checked out in the store wasn't fit for use, sloppy dovetail, sticky slide. Be sure to get the preservative grease off the dovetail and gears, and grease it all before you use it. So far, I'm having fun drilling square holes!

Gary

I've had this mortise machine for a little over a year now. It has worked perfectly giving me square true mortises every time. Setup is quite simple and with a few shop made supports drillling mortises in long rails has never been easier. I've only used the 3/8", 1/4" and 5/16 chisels to date but none of them faltered. Note: pick up a set of conical honing stones from Lee Valley. Sure makes life with a sharp bit simple! Great prodcuct from Delta. Not quite as fancy as the new replacement but works just as well for a few $$ less.

I bought this tool several months ago, and I'm really disappointed with its performance. This tool is for light weight wussy work. Has no durability whatsoever. I was working with heavy duty concrete and after 2 months the performance was getting weaker and after 1 more month the engine burned. No technical service and I got no responses from my e-mails.
I just got a Hilti Rotary hammer and this tool is kicking hard. I pay double of the price, but with this tool I can work for years without worry.
Do Not Buy dewalt

At no point in my life have i felt so complete as that first day that I picked up my DeWalt Hammer drill. I cannot describe the utter quality and sheer genius that this fine tool radiates. if you are going to buy one rotary hammer drill kit this year, make it the DeWalt DW004K 24 Volt Heavy Duty 7/8"SDS rotary hammer drill kit.

I bought this particular drill just over a year ago now, i cant find 1 single fault with it. it has taken the knocks and blows, and i am as yet to find ANY drill of its size to rival it, either corded or cordless. I paid �550 for mine, and it is the best value for money of ANY object i've bought EVER !! I have been asked several times "was it worth it", as to which i have replied on every occasion - "every single penny".

I too bought these Dewalt bits, actually two different sets with different cases. The first case's hinges broke apart and the second sets case had the insert holding in the bits come unglued. The bits themselves are bits, nothing special about them. I have other dewalt products and this one, especially the case, is uncharacteristically of poor quality.

I bought this set, even though it was more expensive than the competition, primarily because of the very substantial-looking case: I figured that, once the bits suffered the inevitable fate of dulling, snapping or loss I could use the case for replacment bits. The bits were of excellent quality but the case turned out to be poorly designed; the hinge is a flimsy snap-together affair that fell apart right away. Now I have two halves of a case floating around in my tool bucket. So much for my plan! DeWalt, how could you?

As seems to be the case with some of the other reviewers here, my case's hinges are hanging on for dear life. But I have to say, the bits are what I paid the bucks for, and they're certainly performing up to snuff. no regrets here in paying up for these...

Just received my DW3178 blade from Amazon and see it is now made in China. Looked carefully on the Amazon site and couldn't find where it is made. For me there are too many other choices to buy a chinese blade, no matter how it cuts. Also wish Amazon more clearly showed country of origin.

Ok so I went from a steel blade that came with my skilsaw, to this, and can't praise the dewalt high enough. It cuts easily through 2x stock, and just as easily and clean through plywood. I doubt I'll go thru more then one blade a year, which for the price I paid its a small investment into a quality blade. And I would do it again.

This blade is a very nice blade. it cuts smoothly and I have never had it bind on me. But it is the same caliber as the porter cable riptide blades. I use this most frequently because its what my boss supplies to us for use in our saw. but it is inexpensive and a great value.

Tool Crib Catalog 505, page 77 shows this drill with blue tab battery and a price of $49.99. Both in error.

In addition to not being able to read, I believe he maybe blind. There are no "blue tabs" on the photo. There is nothing but black and green.

To the other reviewer, can't you read that it says "Includes two 1.2 Ah Batteries". Don't give the product a bad review b/c you can't read the specs.

I bought this drill as I build cabinets, some of them only 12 inches wide. This drill was a life saver a time or two and did a good job in that capacity!

The problem that arose, and the complaints I have, pertain to the ease in which you can inadvertanly turn this drill on(as the switch is a very accessible paddle) and when pushed hard, such as drilling 3/4 inch holes through 2x4's for wiring, the drill would not shut off, but kept running.

You can not sit this drill down on anything except a flat surface or it can accidently turn on.
Attempting to park it on top of a ladder for a moment can be dangerous.
You also can not tuck it under your arm for a second to reach for something else, as you can accidently turn it on.

I took this drill to the local Milwaukee repair center and complained about the drill continuing to run after I had released the switch. They kept it a week, called and said it tested fine! I took it back, did another drilling job, same problem! This is an accident waiting to happen.

I junked the drill. I could not in good concience sell it to someone whom might use it hard and inadvertantly drill through their leg, arm, or other body part!

Mine arrived looking like new, and works great. Nice to have a US made product that surpasses my expactions.

I resently went into business for myself installing cabinets.I have struggled for months with other drill / drivers to drill holes or drive screws in small or tight cabinets. THIS IS THE PERFECT TOOL FOR BOTH. Also great for removing cabinet door from there hinges. Buy one for yourself, or two. Give one to your helper for Christmas, or his/her birthday. My female partner loves it. She say's "Very easy to handle, but hold on, it has power."

I love Freud cutters and saw blades. They are usually ready to go out of the box. I have a set of Freud HSS Forstner bits, and they are very good. I recieved this set as a gift and even though I already have these size's I was pretty excited to get a set of carbide bits. I work with a lot of hardwoods and you have to be careful about the pressure you use with HSS bits, so you don't burn your workpiece or overheat your bit.
I chucked up the 3/8 bit to bore some holes for decorative plugs and noticed that the bit was not cutting a very clean hole, seemed like I had to apply too much pressure also. I pulled it out of the drill press and upon examining the cutting edge, I noticed it did not have that bright, shiney edge you normally associate with a sharp tool. I examined the rest of the bits and they looked the same. So I carried them down to the local saw shop where I get all my blades and cutters sharpened and ask them to take a look at the bits. Their opinion was that the bits were very dull, looked like the last two steps in sharpening them had been overlooked. So $30 and an hour later I was on my way home with sharp bits. Put the 3/8 back in the drill press and tried again. This time the results were what I had hoped for.The bit cut thru the Padauk very nicely and left a nice clean hole. I cut another 19 holes and each was excellent. Cutting the last hole was as easy as cutting the first. I have noticed no wobble in any of the bits and other than the sharpening problem have had no trouble with this set. I do think my HSS set does a little better job in soft wood and plywood, but it is a close call. Wish I could afford some larger ones in carbide...3"-31/2" would be nice for clock making.
These are the first Freud cutter's I have had that were'nt sharp out of the box, so I won't let it influence my love of Freud blades and cutters in the future. I rated it 4 stars because of the sharpening problem. Still recommend Freud blades and cutters.

First time working with the bits today and well satisfied, as usual, with the Freud products. Very sharp and smooth. Good buy. Rebuilding from Hurricane and getting to use many of the new tools and these bits are well within the five star range for my money. You may pay a little more for the name, but the quality is there.

I have been using the bits for several months. I have had very good results working with soft woods on my small drill press. The bits are very straight compared to the junky Irwin bits I got at Home Depot. The carbide bits are very sharp and cut a very true hole. The only problem I have with this set is that it is missing several handy sizes such as 7/8", 1-1/8" & 1-1/4". I tried to purchase the Freud 1-1/4" carbide bit on Amazon, but they appear to no longer stock them. Instead I went with the 1-1/4" Freud steel forstner bit. The steel bit seems to work just as well as the carbide bits. If I had to choose between the Freud carbide set and the Freud steel set, I would probably go with the steel, because it has 9 more bits. Buying forstner bits individually can get very expensive.