DeWalt Reviews

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.

This is the first air nailer I have bought. I used it to put bead-board on a ceiling and trim my house.

The only jam I have had required me to disassemble the entire feeding mechanisim. I don't think that is normal protocol for this tool.

It took some adjustment on the air pressure to really get these guns working well.

I don't particularly like the soft case for storage. However, when I have to take them to the worksite it is nice to have the extra room for different sized nails, oil, wrenches...

My husband wanted a pneumatic finish nailer, so I bought this combo set for him for his birthday. He's used it a lot already since we are in the process of redecorating our house. So far so good!

I bought these nailers to trim out a house. I'm almost finished now and I've had no jams or misfires. I've only bent one nail and I'm pretty sure I tried to shoot that one into a drywall screw :)

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

I've used this impact screwdriver for a year and a half daily. So it's tough enough. It drives big screws like butter. Amazing! It drives Phillips as nicely as Robertson without stripping, also amazing. It is very short, so it easily fits between joists. The NiMh batteries are better than NiCd: they carry more power for their weight, are less finicky about charging technique, stay charged longer when unused, and charge rapidly.

cons: Bits always get stuck in the hex chuck, requiring Visegrips to get them out. But I generally use a guide sleeve. Phillips bits sometimes shatter. Robertson bits sometimes jump out of the screwhead since virtually no force is needed to drive the screw. It is single-speed, so you have to be careful as the head sinks into the wood or sheetrock. Also, it's very very loud, requiring hearing protection.

My other impact screwdriver is a Makita. That version has external ports for the motor brushes, and a built-in worklight. But it's hex chuck jams just the same.

I guess everyone has already echoed my thoughts about this great product. Yes, it does drive large screws into hard wood, without stripping the heads or breaking the screws. It requires a lot less effort, so you don't get as tired at the end of the day. And yes it will be your most favorite tool of all.

There are however some shortcomings that should be mentioned. First, it works best with a full battery. By the time the battery is half discharged, it will no longer drive large screws. The work around to this problem is to invest in a couple of Panasonic 12V 3.5Ah NiMH Batteries. These babies provide plenty of long lasting power. The other is the bit holder. The bits get stuck inside and are difficult to remove. The work around is to get a MagZilla Mag Bit Holder from www.mcfeelys.com for $10 and leave it in permanently. This bit holder will accept any kind of 1/4 bit you insert into it (short or long etc.) and hold it securely, yet releases it easily. With a setup like this, you have a tool that is truly rated at five stars.

Big fan of panasonic cordless tools.. this is my 3rd. I was having a problem countersinking big screws into hardwood or cement board so based on some advice picked up this tool.. It took over where my very powerful 15.6 left off.. taking 3" screws that were stripped and wouldn't go in and countersinking them no problemo... the impact nature makes it less likely to break screws like the 15.6 does occasionally... I actually put a 3" screw about 1" countersunk into a FIR stud just testing out the capabilities. Quite literally it will keep driving most screws 'til you let go of the trigger, so better use a dimple bit on softer material.

caveat: i had a few minutes of buyers remorse when i first used it as it is QUITE loud.. make no mistake when this is working your house is 'under construction'.. however you do get quite used to it, it's definiately worse as a bystander.

I would rate it 4 1/2 stars for the one major problem: non standard chuck... argh on panasonic.. why why why? the solution to fix it is to put a slug of 1/4 hex cut off an old bit shank into the chuck or perhaps a couple #4 hex nuts (if that's what is 1/4"). .makes for easier removal if necessary... anyhow they did it so the double-headed bit that comes with fits nicer but makes NORMAL quick bits jam... and i have yet to find any bits whatsover including from panasonic that match the groove for the double headed quick bit that comes with.

The charger that comes with is awesome because it works up to 18V batts... i can bring one charger and all my tools someplace and can charge my drill, my impact or my saw no need for 3 chargers.

Until the torque load gets high enough it operates just like a drill, so small bits and small screws work great just like your drill and pretty much silent.

I'm thrilled with the driver it's possibly my favorite tool.. too bad it needs a hack to fix it, but with the fix it's flawless.

To any body reading this review. Eariler I rated the rousseau #2775 table saw stand with a (1) star rating because the directions are not real helpfull. This is true. If you call rousseau they will help you with this problem. second I reported that the stand would not fit the Dewalt portable table saw with out twisting the saw to make it fit. I also blamed this on rousseau for A bad design. After talking to rousseau, I found out that it's not the design that bad, it's actually my dewalt table saw thats the problem. The BASE on the table saw is only (1") smaller then the top, thus making it hard to fit into the stand without some effort (not rousseau's falt). They advised me that most people that have this saw, and I am finding this to probably be true, are either doing the hard fit or they are eliminating about 1/2" of the base of the saw (which by the way you probably won't miss). If someone else has a better idea let me or rousseau know please. By the way. You'll notice I have upgraded my rating.

I was very pleased with the quality and construction of this product. It took a few minutes to adjust the spacers that fit the bottom of the Bosch 4000 table saw. Once it was set, the saw set level in the table. The fence is well made and slides easily along the track. I placed the metal tape measure along the track and adjusted the calibration without too much difficulty. The height of the table and saw is just right. I think the price is fair and looks like a good purchase. Have fun.

I bought the Rousseau table saw stand more than six years ago. It has been one of the best tool purchases i have made. It is sturdy, and the fence works incredibly well. This table has outlasted the first bench saw that i bought the table for, and it is still just as strong and accurate as the first day I bought it.

When you first get a new saw or set the table up for the first time, be prepared to spend a couple of hours to get the saw to fit in the stand properly and securely. After that is done (once, only -- i have never had to adjust any settings -- this is a solid tool), set-up and teardown is fast and the saw is very well anchored into the stand. It is so convenient to be able to fold it up and bring it anywhere, or use it out in the back yard. I am not a professional contractor, but spend all my weekends making furniture as a hobby, so this saw stand has had many, many hours of use. I recommend this stand, without reservation, to anyone who is using a portable table saw.

This battery did not fit my Black & Decker drill. There is a guide key at the top of the stem that is in the center of the shaft. My original battery has a guide key that is offset from center. I suppose it fits DeWalt...

I own a small business and have two DeWalt 14.4 drills. The drills look new, but the batteries are very weak (one is dead). I wanted new batteries, but a set of DeWalt batteries cost as much as a new drill. I ordered two sets (4 total) of the TopCell DW-1420 batteries. I have used them for a couple of months. They work great and are a lot cheaper than DeWalt batteries. I would recommend them.

The replacement battery works just like the orginial. No problems with it at all.

worked fine installing 1/2" plywood in attic space. make sure you wear eye protection as plastic collating does fly in all directions
and is sharp (as you will find out when you inadvertently kneel on a piece). gave it four stars instead of five because of price. a 5,000 pack of similar nails is around $44.00 at home depot.

Just went through my first box of 500, without a misfire using a Porter Cable FR350. I am now ordering more for next project. :-)

These are fairly soft as brads go, but at this length, deflection is not a major problem. You do still have to be careful, though. These are fine for smaller chores, like fastening thin shelves in dadoes or applying trim moldings. They hold well, but are tough to remove if you misfire.

Wow! Age of wonders this is a fantastic product.

I received this sander as a gift (it is replacing an older B&D random orbital sander). After putting it through the paces for over a week now I can say without a doubt that this falls into my "good tool" category. The best features include:

1. Power - though this sander undoubtedly doesn't have as much power as a top of the line Bosch or Porter-Cable model, I have been very pleased with the performance of this tool. I suspect that for a home woodworker like me, the difference in power is negligible since I rarely run my sander for more than 10-15 minutes at a time. Also, I am only finish sanding with this tool, not hogging off large amounts of wood with it.

Dust Control - I always thought my old sander did well in this department but I have to say that so far I have been utterly pleased with the lack of dust coming from this sander while in use. I would have to say the efficiency must be over 95%...

Comfort - I wasn't sure if I would like the jug grip or not, but as it turns out I love it. There are a lot of instances where I am sanding a large panel and with this grip I can now (safely) guide the sander one handed if need be. Believe me once you have tried it you will agree.

As for downsides, I really wish B&D had designed this sander so I could remove the dust canister and connect directly to my vacuum without having to buy an adapter piece...

Overall, this is a great sander at a great price. I highly recommend it!

I've owned (and own) several sanders, and most of them have been (are) B&D, but this is the best they have ever produced. Comfortable fit, nice design, the sanding time really reduces, and is very easy to have a professional finish with one of this...

Give yourself a try with this, you won't be deissaponited! Great tool!

I bought this compressor for use in heavy commercial construction. It is more portable than the wheelbarrow compressors and can be put in the back of a pickup truck (unit is no feather weight though --- about 70 lbs!) This compressor has the best of all features--- reliable Honda engine, reliable Emglo compressor, overbuilt protective frame and quality gauges and quick connects make this an outstanding compressor. In commercial work, there are usually several trades on site (electrician, plumber, HVAC) and all of these guys are using the same power source. Most compressors capable of running two frame nailers draw enough power that it will constantly trip the the breaker on a temporary service pole unless run on 240 volts. With the gasoline compressor, all you have to do is make sure it has fuel and start it up! No extension cords and no more tripped breakers! We have used this compressor to run two paslode frame nailers shooting down 5/8" plywood nailed every 3" around the perimeter (120 mph rating) and this little guy could amazingly keep up! The compressor isn't louder than the DeWalt electric counterpart when running and the Honda engine means it will run for many years to come. Would not recommend this one for strictly running a finish nailer because of the overkill factor. Go buy a lighter,less expensive compressor for the finish guns. This machine is meant to turn out a much more substantial amount of air!

The only downside to this compressor is the price and its weight. That is a lot of money to shell over for a machine that does nothing more than compress air! But, then again, would you really be reading this if all you needed was an average duty Lowe's variety compressor? And if you have a pickup, leave the unit in the back and let it run. After a full day of installing sheathing, it can be a chore to load this 70lb. compressor up.

This is why I rate it 4 versus 5 stars due to the cost and weight. It seems like they could have trimmed a few more pounds off the compressor and a few more dollars!

If you have any questions, e-mail me (Azul005@aol.com)

I'm using this gas powered compressor out in the field to power a T-Post driver when I'm building fence. It starts with one or two pulls and does everything Dewalt claims it will do. I can't really find any faults with it at all. It's well thought out and well designed. If you need a light weight, gas powered air compressor, you can't go wrong with this one.