DEWALT DC984KA 14.4-Volt Ni-Cad 1/2-Inch Cordless Hammer Drill/Driver Kit

List Price: $429.29 Discount Price: $208.99

Features:

• DeWalt built high torque motor provides 450 in.-lbs. of maximum torque
• Exclusive 3-speed transmission features a maximum 3rd speed at 1,800 rpm
• Hammerdrill mode: 30,600 bpm drills faster holes in masonry applications
• 1/2" ratcheting chuck with carbide jaws prevents bits from slipping
• Superior ergonomics provides optimal balance, comfort, and control

Accessories:
DEWALT DW6609 1/4-Inch Window and Door Bit	DEWALT DW6611-1/8-Inch Carbide Burr Bit	DEWALT DW6613-1/4-Inch Carbide Burr Bit	DEWALT DW6615 1/8-Inch Replacement Collet	DEWALT DW6601-1/8-Inch General Purpose Bit (5 pack)

Customer Reviews:

A Dependable Drill !!! [Posted on 2006-12-27]
This is a very dependable drill! You can depend on the batteries to be dead any time you want to use the drill - even if you charged them a few days before. You can depend on the clutch to wobble like an out of control spinning top. You can depend on the clutch not working at all in any gear other than 3rd (the fastest). You can depend on the transmission not shifting into any other gear smoothly. Lastly, you can depend on Dewalt customer service to try to convince you that thats how they designed these drills and there is nothing wrong with them. There are far better choices out there but I'm not sure if I'm supposed to mention them here.

Pros: Gobs of torque, enough to hurt you if your not careful but nice when you need it. Comfortable grips and well balanced. Hammer feature works very well. Great overall design. Comes with nice extention handle and well thought out case. Nice tough, all metal chuck. I love the light battery charger - it only weighs a few ounces.

Cons: Terrible battery life, batteries fit very loosely, heavy, wobbley chuck, quirky transmission, and useless clutch.

DeWalt quality going downhill..... [Posted on 2007-04-05]
I like everything about this drill, except for the 3 speed gearbox. It refuses to change between gears smoothly. My 12 year old DeWalt 12v XRP changes between its 2 gears much more smoothly. When I first got it I thought it was broken, but I tried several similar models in various hardware stores and they all felt the same. I guess it's typical, but I hope I get 10 years out of this one.

Otherwise, the drill is great. Awesome power and battery life. Feels very balanced in the hand (I wouldn't buy a standard rear-handled drill again). Nice 1 hour charger. Sturdy case.

I recommend it, but if I could do it over again I would seriously consider a Panasonic.

*UPDATE*

After using the drill heavily since my last review, I have decided that the quality of this drill leaves a lot to be desired. It has good power, I'll give it that. But the clutch is worthless - it simply does not work unless you shift the gearbox into 3rd gear, but even at the lowest torque setting, it still transmits a lot of torque. Research online is showing that this is a common issue and there is currently no fix for it.

So it has 2 mechanical flaws that are common with this product.

If you will ever use the clutch or shift between the 3 speeds the gearbox offers, I would recomment against buying a DeWalt.

I change my rating of this drill 2 Stars.

good drill [Posted on 2008-08-14]
So far this has been a good drill. It made quick holes in the brick of my house.

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