This is my third attempt at owning a compact drill/driver kit--I've owned the Bosch 10.8V and Milwaukee M12 combo kits previously and borrowed my tile setters Makita 10.8v kit, with the cool anvil type case, on lots of jobs. The Bosch and Makita have their place, but not in my lineup and the Milwaukee disappointed me so badly, I have realized they are not the manufactured they used to be, and I will most likely never buy a new Milwaukee tool again.
When I bought my first compact kit, I was hoping to find a drill that was light, easy on the shoulder (if you've ever tried to use an 18v XRP drill with a fully extended arm and your older than 24, you know what I'm saying) and small enough to navigate in tight places. I needed a drill for doing trim outs, removing appliances, installing fixtures and just general light duty work.
The problem a professional contractor will soon discover, these small drivers/impactors are so convenient and easy to use; you will start pushing them to their limit quickly and get frustrated with the lack of power.
The key to being successful with one of the small kits, you have to recognize they will not and cannot compete with the 18v tools, and none of the compact driver kits I have owned will drive 3" screws successfully (I typically screw my framing on small remodels and basement build outs, so I have a bit of experience here).
This DeWalt kit has the best power and balance combination of the kits I've used. It will not fit into as tight of a spot as the Bosch and Makita, but it has the minimum power this contractor can live with.
I have used the DeWalt on two jobs this month.
I installed new kitchen cabinets (20 boxes) and absolutely enjoyed using the impact driver for driving the wall screws and the drill for the drilling and screwing the boxes together, and I'm absolutely positive, using the drill to install the hardware will be a joy.
Also, I just completed the demo and electrical rough in on a small remodel and I found myself reaching for the 12v more than the 18v.
My only real complaint, there is no bit storage on the tool. You don't realize what you've got till it's gone :)
You won't use these for framing, and cant drill tile and concrete or set Tapcons(no rotohammer setting), but for lighter work, this set is awesome.
Quick charge time, descent power and compact design gives this tool a permanent spot in my tool trailer.
This DeWalt kit is the best of what I've owned and used to date. DEWALT DCK211S2 12-Volt Max Drill/Driver / Impact Driver Combo Kit
Pros:
- compact, short, lightweight = a joy to use
- slim handle is great for smaller hands (e.g. women, kids)
- one-handed chuck uses all types of bits
- good high end speed for drilling
- well balanced
- stands upright; belt hook
- comes with an impact wrench
- excellent battery life between uses
- relatively inexpensive for additional battery packs (30 USD)
- powerful enough for 98% of my drilling/driving needs
- UPDATE: 90 day money back guarantee (which I ended up using)
Cons:
- LED lighting isn't as good as the hex chuck version of this drill
- the one handed chuck adds length as compared to the hex chuck version of this drill
- not cheap (but worth the price I think)
- UPDATE: the impact wrench failed after light use
Dewalt was little late in releasing their compact driver drills (Bosch has had one for years), but they really set themselves apart for the rest with this one.
I think this category of drill is perfect for most homeowners. Bosch, Porter-Cable, Makita, Milwaukee, Dewalt, and others all make ultra compact 12V lithium ion driver/drills. They are all a vast improvement over previous options because:
1) Lightweight: e.g. drilling over you head to hang pictures
2) Lithium Ion Batteries: don't lose as much charge between uses
3) Compact: can fit your drill in tight places
All manufacturers except Dewalt put the battery in the handle which makes for a beefy handle and an off balance drill. Dewalt puts the battery at the bottom which balances the drill and allows it to have a more ergonomic grip. My wife tried some of the other drills with the battery in the handle and found them awkward to hold because of the size of the grip. She loves this one.
The combination of a lightweight drill with a slim grip makes this the perfect drill for many women. Even my kids can use it. My wife hates my Porter Cable 14.4 volt NiCad because it is so darn heavy that she has to use two hands and almost throws out her back doing it. Now my doesn't have to ask me to do the drilling because she can do it herself comfortably.
Dewalt is a great choice for drill to have around the house that every one can use.
UPDATE: After using the impact wrench to drive about 20 lag screws into wood, it stopped working. It started making an even louder racket and lost all torque. I couldn't drive anything with it. Luckily, Dewalt has a 90 day satisfaction guarantee so I returned the set. I could have sent it in for repair, but am thinking I will re-buy the drill only. I didn't find the impact wrench as useful. Since it has no clutch, it is hard to know if you are exerting the right amount of force on the screws. The drill was awesome though, so I definitely want that around. I deducted one star for the impact wrench.
If you found this review helpful, let me know with your vote. If not, then leave a comment on how I can improve the review.
I was trying to decide between HD's Ridgid R9004N Drill/Impact driver set and the new DeWalt 12V DCK211S2 Drill/Impact driver set for my own home DIY'er use. I like both brands for their reputation, but I was pretty much set on the Ridgid due to the lifetime warranty. That is until I decided to head on down to the local HD to try them before buying (my HD has a setup with all the drills out where you can run screws into a 4x10).
Both the DeWalt 12V Impact driver and Drill could run a 3" screw into the board with power to spare. The grips were very comfortable, and the tools were well balanced. And the impact driver was simply amazing. Why had I never owned one of these before?
The Ridgid was not as comfortable, though felt bulkier due to a fatter handle, somewhat top heavy, and was far weaker than the DeWalt. The drill only managed to run the screw about 2/3 of the way in and then stop, shutting itself off. I tried again. It turned maybe once then stopped. Again I tried. It turned a bit then stopped. This time there was some smoke rolling off the motor.
Well, needless to say, I know why DeWalt doesn't need a warranty like Ridgid's. I bought the DeWalt, and it was 10% cheaper on AZ than at HD!!! - Impact Drivers - Combo Packs - Hand Tools - Lightweight'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
