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Porter-Cable 9878 14.4 Volt 1/2-Inch Cordless Drill Kit | List Price: $198.21
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Brand: Porter-Cable
Binding: Tools & Hardware
Features: - Includes two,14.4 volt/2 amp hour batteries
- 1/2" keyless chuck for easy bit changes
- 360 in./lbs.torque, 20 position clutch
- Two speed gear box
- One year warranty/30 day performance certification
Great Drill-Great Power [Posted on 2002-05-25]
I'm a remodeling contractor and was searching for a replacement for my aging Dewalt. I didn't want the weight of the 18v models, but still wanted all the power I could get. The Porter Cable 14.4 has 20% more torque than the equivalent Dewalt and costs $...less. What more could you ask for?
I use this drill every day in a wide variety of applications and have been very satisfied with it. While I own Dewalt and other brands of tools, Porter Cable has become my manufacturer of choice. I own and am very satisfied with their finish nailer, brad nailer, air compressor and finish sander.
CADILLAC? NO! MERCEDES BENZ!! [Posted on 2002-08-06]
I love this drill. It has 10 times the torque my old Makita 9-Volt had. It starts up slow and smooth, no dead spots. It is a little bit hefty, but is very well balanced. The bit holder clips are easy to use and handily placed. Battery life is impressive even under heavy stress. Go ahead buy it. You won't be sorry.
Good at first, but didn't hold up [Posted on 2002-09-26]
I bought this drill as part of the kit with the 6" circular saw in advance of purchasing a house that needed some major renovations. For about the first year, I used this drill frequently on weekends for everything from drywall screw driving to drilling 1" holes in studs, hole saws, metal drilling, you name it. I was pretty satisfied overall, and I gave it a fair amount of abuse from a homeowner standpoint, but not as much as it would see on a jobsite. Right about as the one year warranty expired, I was working on a furniture project, and noticed that with longer drill bits, there was an unacceptable amount of wobble at the end of the bit. Made it difficult to start holes and the drill would shake a lot once the bit was deep enough into the hole. So I sent it to the factory service center for a diagnosis, thinking they might replace the chuck or something. The service center was absolutely unsatisfactory. They agreed something was wrong, but said there was nothing they could do about it. "These things just happen, there are a lot of plastic parts in there, and it's normal wear and tear." They said that I should just deal with the obvious wobble in the bits, and sent it back to me. I am disappointed that I only got 1 year of useful service out of the drill. I will relegate this tool to beater status and buy a Bosch or Makita. By the way, the cordless saw is useless for anything except where it is impractical to bring the corded saw. Update: Since writing the original review, (above) the drill performance has deteriorated. The wobble is worse, and now the motor makes a weird smell when in use. Doubt it will last too much longer - hope it makes it 'till Xmas!! ;-)
the best cordless drill period! [Posted on 2002-10-30]
I am a carpenter who uses his drill everyday and in my opinion this drill is better than Dewalt, Milwaukee, or Bosch.
The drill is light and well balanced. The torque output is greater than Dewalt's 18v. This drill is not a hammerdrill but they do offer it (Model# 9877).I reccomend the 9878 to homeowners because they don't need the hammerdrill for around the house. Contractors will love the 9877 for light to medium concrete drilling (ie:Tapcons,thunderbolts and hammerdrives.)
The run time on this drill is excellent, more than adequate to complete any project without waiting for the batteries to recharge.
I have found only two problems. First, the head of the drill is too long to fit into small cabinets when mounting them.
Second, The battery charger will not charge the batteries when the battery or the charger are colder than 40 F or warmer than 90 f. The temperature problem was intentionally designed that way to maximize the life of the batteries because most cordless drills' batteries die before the drill and to replace them would cost almost as much as a complete new drill. Here's a tip, keep the batteries in the house when not in use. Extreme temperatures will diminish the life and capacity of the batteries.
I have owned my drill for 3 years w/out any problems and will buy another when this one eventually dies.
Rock solid performance! [Posted on 2004-04-29]
About 5 years ago I started looking at cordless drills. I wanted something powerful, yet easy to hold. I am not a contractor, but I do lots of home improvement and build furniture / cabinets on the weekends as a side business. I used to be a DeWalt fan, but after reading the literature I decided on the PorterCable. I can say with confidence that this is one of the best drills around. The batteries hold a long charge and refill quickly. The drill has plenty of power for its size (3/8" lag screws max it out, but lets be reasonable about the weight to power ratio). Durability, unsurpassable. I have dropped the drill onto concrete from 8 or 10 feet more than once and I have seen my girlfriend run it over when it gets left on the floor and it still works just like new. Value, I figure it has cost me less than a penny per screw or hole drilled and I see no reason why it will not last at least another five years. Bottom line I have become a PorterCable man. I now have the palm sander, 12" compound miter saw, Biscuit cutter, router with table, and tiger saw. Everything else will be replaced with PC when they die or just because I want something better.
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