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

List Price: $99.99

Features:

• 9.6-volt motor delivers 850 rpm
• 3/8-inch keyless chuck
• Five-stage adjustable clutch
• Variable-speed control switch
• One-year warranty

Accessories:
Hitachi 725780 SDS 1-3/16" x 7-1/2" Max Quick Change Rotary Drilling Adapter	Hitachi 728119 Quick Change 20 Piece Drilling and Driving Set	Hitachi 321823-1/4-Inch Hex Drive to 3/8-Inch Keyed Chuck Adapter with Key	Hitachi 728105-1/4-Inch Hex Shank,-1/8-Inch Drill, 3/8-Inch Countersink & #10 Bit Phillips Drive Set	Hitachi 728704 Quick Change 70 Piece Drilling and Driving Set

Customer Reviews:

power to weight [Posted on 2001-11-30]
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.

Super cordless [Posted on 2002-01-24]
I am an electrical contractor and also a general contractor.This drill/driver has been nothing but the best.It's estimated torque is definitely under-rated,I have snapped the heads off numerous drywall screws in the drill torque setting.I have used every major name cordless in my profession,and this is the best,it's lighter than the rest,which makes it easy to drill or drive overhead for a long time without tiring,the life of the drill battery between charges is much longer than the rest,it's comfortable,light weight and well balanced.I currently own 4 of them,and my employees will grab one of these,before any of the other drills that I have.I had one employee drop one of these Hitachi drills from the top of a three story building,only damage done to it was that it cracked the left side of the case,but he continued to use it for the rest of the day.Any of my other drills would have been in the scrap pile after an impact like that.I have since replaced the drill case,and it still keeps going and going.I did have a problem with the clutch slipping out of the drill position on only one of the drills,but that was after over three years of heavy,hard usage.I can't begin to tell you how many times my other cordless drills from the major manufacturers have broken down and been in a repair shop.
For the money,this is the best doggone drill out there.I only wish,that in years to come,hopefully many years,when these drills that I currently own finally go to their final resting place,that this drill will still be available for purchase.But,thats just a dream,like everything else that works great,it is removed from the market and replaced with a new deluxe model,which works half as good as the original,and costs twice as much.
The major manufacturers have beefed up the drills with larger than needed,much heavier batteries.Try drilling overhead or driving screws overhead for an entire day with one of the new 24 volt beasts,your arms turn to rubber,and before you even start you better have biceps and forearms as big around as your waist size.

Most useful tool I own!!!!!! [Posted on 2002-04-09]
I have many cordless drills, but this is my favorite! Yeh it a 9.6v and does not have the power of the newer 18-24v class but it fits everywhere. I'm a woodworker and it is the perfect screw driver. Speed is exelent, matched with a magnetic bit and you will be surprised! I bought this drill because it was [less costly]!! I'm now looking for another great buy on one. I do own the 12v hitachi but I still many times prefer the 9.6v. So take this advice and buy one. If you don't like it you can always sell it to me!!!

NO LONGER AVAILABLE [Posted on 2002-07-14]
TRIED TO ORDER BUT WOUND UP AS A NO LONGER AVAAILABLE SO I CAN NOT FAIRLY REVIEW ITEM AS I DID NOT GET ONE, BUT DID GET A BETTER ONE AND LOVE IT , SAME BRAND.

Mediocre drill, not up to Hitachi standards [Posted on 2007-05-28]
Having owned an earlier 9.6V Hitachi drill (that I dropped 8' onto a concrete floor, and it still worked, but with a cracked case), I was hopeful that this unit would make a nice replacement. Unfortunately, the quality of this unit is much lower. Within a year of purchase, I had to pay ~ $75 to get it repaired. Additionally, this unit just doesn't have the same quality feel as my earlier one.

Yes it functions, and is light and reasonably powerful. I love the flashlight. But when it is time to use a cordless drill, I still reach for my original, cracked Hitachi unit, taped-up case and all, rather than this one. Only when I am using two cordless drills do I use this model.

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