Dewalt Cordless Hammer Drill Reviews

Got jobs that need to get done around the house but don't need the type of powerful hammer drill that the professionals use? You need to check out the Dewalt DCD930KX. Even though this hammer drill still uses NiCad battery technology, the batteries are powerful and last a long time. The NiCad battery makes it a little heavy, but the balance on this drill makes it a very comfortable tool.

Dewalt uses a self tightening chuck on their drills. What this means is you'll never have to stop mid-way through the job to tighten the chuck. As you drill the chuck continually tightens around the bit. It works very well. All the Dewalt drills I've ever used have had this feature. I've never had a drill bit come loose. The handle of the drill is ergonomically sound. It's so comfortable it's like wearing a glove. The ergonomics of this drill help reduce operator fatigue if you have to drill for long periods of time. An illumination L.E.D. above the trigger switch lights up the area you're working on. The Dewalt DCD930KX
does not come with a side handle, which is a shame. So you'll need to make sure you've got a good grip if you're drilling into material that can catch the bit and cause the drill to twist in your hand.

A 22 position clutch is standard on the drill, giving you plenty of fine adjustments for working on many different materials. Combine the 22 clutch positions with the 3 speed transmission and you'll get a whole slew of torque combinations. Like all Dewalt drills, the transmission is of all metal construction. This makes for a very durable transmission that dissipates heat easily. Recommended usages for the various speeds are as follows. First speed is ideal for use with hole saws and self feed bits when drilling large holes in wood. The second speed is designed for use with auger bits or screw driving. Third speed is meant for hammer drilling into concrete and brick. Maximum RPMs for drilling are 0 - 425 in low speed, 0 - 1,200 in mid speed and 0 - 1,800 in high speed. When using the Dewalt DCD930KX as a hammer drill the BPMs are 0 - 7,225 in low speed, 0 - 20,400 in mid speed and 0 - 30,600 in high speed.

All the KX series Dewalt drills use the XRP NiCad battery. Even though the battery technology is NiCad, Dewalt engineers have come up with a way to get the most out of NiCad technology. Dewalt's NiCad batteries use advanced manufacturing processes that allows the batteries to be recharged up to 2,000 times. Even if you charged the battery once per day, every single day, the batteries would last a minimum of 5.6 years. Dewalt has also designed their batteries for a lower self-discharge rate. This means you don't have to worry about the batteries going dead when they aren't being used.

For anyone needing to tackle every day jobs around the house you can't go wrong with the Dewalt DCD930KX. There's plenty of power for building swing sets, drilling through block, brick or wood for those times when you're pulling wire or even hanging pictures. This Dewalt truly makes short work of the toughest typical around home jobs.
DEWALT DCD930KX 14.4-Volt 1/2-Inch XRP Hammerdrill/Drill/Driver

DEWALT DCD930KX 14.4-Volt 1/2-Inch XRP Hammerdrill/Drill/Driver

Specifications
Capacity - ½"
No Load Speed - 0-425 / 0-1,200 / 0 - 1,800 RPMs
Blows Per Minute - 0-7,225 / 0-20,400 / 0 - 30,600 BPMs
Maximum Torque - N/A
Battery - 14.4 Volt NiCad
Power - 325 UWO (Unit Watts Out)
Weight - 5.75 lbs.
Length - 9.5"

If you're a Dewalt enthusiast, and a home owner then the DCD950KX is the hammer drill for you. The combination of the XRP battery and rugged construction means this drill has all the components necessary to be the go to drill around the house or even a secondary drill for the professional contractor. It is a little heavy compared to other 18 Volt hammer drills, but you'll love that feel as you're plowing through some brick, block or wood. It's the drill for every job around the house.
Like many other top notch hammer drills, the Dewalt DCD950KX has a built in illumination L.E.D. just above the trigger switch; a feature that is very nice to have when working in dark areas like basements or attics. The grip handle is slightly smaller than previous models and has a two piece rubber that extends the full length of the handle for maximum comfort. The chuck is Dewalt's continuous tightening system which grips and tightens on the drill bit the more you drill. You'll never have to stop to re-tighten. Balance on the DCD950KX is very nice. Some older hammer drills could not be set on the battery without tipping over. They were front heavy. This drill does not suffer that same problem. It's a well balanced tool. A side handle is also included to help with the torque available.

Dewalt carries over their all metal 3 speed transmission case. Not only is the metal more durable, it also helps dissipate heat which prolongs the life of the transmission gears. With 3 speeds and 22 clutch settings available you will find the right combination between clutch setting and speed to drill through wood, brick or concrete. The first speed is ideal for use with hole saws and self feed bits when drilling large holes in wood. The second speed is designed for use with auger bits or screw driving. And the third speed is meant for hammer drilling into concrete and brick. Maximum RPMs for drilling are 0 - 500 in low speed, 0 - 1,250 in mid speed and 0 - 2,000 in high speed. When using the DCD950KX as a hammer drill the BPMs are 0 - 8,500 in low speed, 0 - 21,250 in mid speed and 0 - 34,000 in high speed.

The Dewalt DCD950KX uses Dewalt XRP extended run time battery system. The XRP drill features a NiCad battery designed for extended run time. The battery design provides users with increased battery durability and cycle life, offering 2,000 recharges. The battery is compatible with the existing system of DEWALT 18V power tools produced since 1996. The backwards compatibility of the XRP battery enables users to continue to expand upon their existing 18V platform and use any DEWALT 18V battery with any DEWALT 18V tool. Get yourself a new Dewalt XRP battery and your old drill with be like new again.

If you're a home owner looking for top of the line equipment that will last for years to come, or a professional that needs the occasional backup drill, the DCD950KX is a perfect fit. With its combination of 3 speeds, 22 clutch positions and hammer or driver drill functionality, you've got a drill that can do almost any job you throw at it. The only ding on this drill is its weight. For an 18 Volt drill it's a little heavy compared to the Makita offerings. That extra weight comes from the battery chemistry. NiCads are heavier than lithium-ion batteries. Unless you're drilling for hours on end the small weight disadvantage shouldn't be a concern.
DEWALT DCD950KX 18 Volt 1/2-Inch XRP Hammerdrill/Drill/Driver

DEWALT DCD930KX 14.4-Volt 1/2-Inch XRP Hammerdrill/Drill/Driver

Specifications
Capacity - ½"
No Load Speed - 0-500 / 0-1,250 / 0 - 2,000 RPMs
Blows Per Minute - 0-8,500 / 0-21,250 / 0 - 34,000 BPMs
Maximum Torque - N/A
Battery - 18 Volts NiCad
Power - 450 UWO (Unit Watts Out)
Weight - 6.25 lbs.
Length - 9.5"

If you're in the market for a top performing 18 volt hammer drill, then chances are the Dewalt DCD970KL is the drill for you. This drill will handle any task a home owner could throw at it, as well as most jobs a professional contractor would ever need to do.

When we ordered this drill it arrived in a black plastic case with a paperboard envelope. The case was tie wrapped shut. There was a little bit of scuffing on the case from shipping, but the drill and accessories were in perfect condition. Not only does this packaging scheme result in a lighter weight for shipping and less money passed onto the customer for packaging costs, it shows Dewalt is trying to be environmentally friendly. Hard cases are great because they allow you to keep your tools and accessories in one place.

Ergonomic features of the drill include an illumination L.E.D. just above the trigger switch. These powerful little lights are great when the job at hand is in a crawl space or dark basement. The DCD970KL hammer drill has 3 speeds, with the speed selector on the top of the case. The handle is wrapped in black rubber for comfort. Switching from drill, screw, and hammer mode is done with a ring that is next to the clutch ring. This makes it quick and easy to switch between different applications during use. A side handle is also included to give you extra grip when needed. Like the rest of the Dewalt line the chuck is a self tightening model. As you drill the chuck tightens more around the bit.

The mechanicals on the drill are the exact same as the Dewalt DCD950KX. This includes the all metal 3 speed transmission which is pretty much bullet proof. There are 22 clutch settings to go with the 3 speeds. Revolutions per minute for the drill are 0 - 500 is low speed, 0 - 1,250 in mid speed, 0 - 2,000 in high speed. Blows per minute for the hammer drill are 0 - 8,500 in low speed, 0 - 21,250 in mid speed, and 0 - 34,000 in high speed.

The lithium-ion battery is backwards compatible with all previous generations of Dewalt 18 Volt drills. If you've got an older generation drill that you'd like to upgrade to newer battery technology Dewalt has you covered. Just get a new lithium-ion battery and charger for your old drill. Dewalt's lithium-ion battery technology is top notch. The new charger is also capable of charging the older NiCad series batteries.

One of the jobs we did when testing this drill was building a dock. To make the dock sturdy we had to drill a number of ½" and 5/8" holes. Many of the holes we had to drill were through 12" pressure treated lumber. The drill never tired or showed a lack of power. For more testing we drilled a series of holes into concrete, block and brick. The block and brick posed no problem for the drill. The concrete was tougher. But the only time we ran into an issue is when we used a cheap carbide bit. When we used a high quality Tapcon bit we were able to drill into concrete. Not as easily as with a 28 or 36 volt drill, but we did finish the job we had intended to finish.

We almost had to pry this drill out of the hands of our crew when we were testing it. It's that good. There are a couple minor dings against this drill. When the battery goes dead, it's dead. You get full power from the drill right up until it goes dead. Once it goes dead the drill just shuts off. But this isn't such a bad thing and it's the nature of lithium-ion batteries. There is circuitry in the drill to prevent the battery from becoming over dis-charged. This results in a longer lasting battery. The other minor knock is there isn't a battery gauge. Many competitive devices are now including a battery gauge mounted directly on the battery to let you know at a glance the status of the battery.

If I had to put a number between 1 and 10 on this drill for value I'd give it a 7; only because it can be a little pricey depending on where you purchase it. But if you do purchase it you'll get a beast of a drill that rates 9 out of 10 for performance.
DEWALT DCD970KL 18-Volt 1/2-Inch XRP Lithium-Ion Hammerdrill

DEWALT DCD970KL 18-Volt 1/2-Inch XRP Lithium-Ion Hammerdrill

Specifications
Capacity - ½"
No Load Speed - 0-500 / 0-1,250 / 0 - 2,000 RPMs
Blows Per Minute - 0-8,500 / 0-21,250 / 0 - 34,000 BPMs
Maximum Torque - N/A
Battery - 18 Volt lithium-ion
Power - 450 UWO (Unit Watts Out)
Weight - 5.25 lbs.
Length - 9.5"

The Dewalt DC910KL hammer drill fills the niche spot between Dewalt's professional line of 36 volt hammer drills and their homeowner targeted 18 volt hammer drills. As they did with the 36 volt batteries, Dewalt engineers have designed a revolutionary 28 volt battery which gives the DC910KL increased levels of power, runtime, and battery life, while maintaining a similar weight to corded and other smaller hammer drills. Professional contractors and power users will find this drill indispensable for every day work. For a drill this powerful you'll find the size very conducive to work in tighter spaces.

This hammer drill has an anti-slip, cushioned grip surface for comfort while you work. Dewalt's self-tightening chuck means you'll never have to re-tighten your chuck before you're finished with the task at hand. Dewalt has designed their chucks so they automatically tighten and grip the drill bit the more you drill. A very nice feature indeed. As with all hammer drills that pack this much power a 360 degree side handle is included. You'll find the side handle very important because of the torque of these drills.

The all metal 3 speed transmission is the same one you'll find on the Dewalt DC900KL. The first speed is ideal for use with hole saws and self feed bits when drilling large holes in wood. The second speed is designed for use with auger bits or screw driving. And the third speed is meant for hammer drilling into concrete and brick. The DC910KL's transmission provides RPMS of 0 - 400 RPMS in low speed, 0 - 1,200 RPMS in medium speed, and 0 - 1,600 RPMS when used in high speed.

The 28 volt cordless battery on the Dewalt DC910KL was developed to provide power users with the performance needed to complete high powered jobs. Dewalt's 28 Volt line of tools are equipped with a Nano-Phosphate lithium-ion battery technology designed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. These batteries are revolutionary, developing a high level of power, extremely long run time and durability. Dewalt claims the batteries are good for over 2,000 charge / discharge cycles with no memory effect. That means you could charge the battery every single day for 5.6 years. A feat that was unheard of with the older technology. Recharging the battery is done with Dewalt's 1 hour battery charger.
Hammer drilling through concrete or brick with the Dewalt DC910KL is almost a pleasure. There's nothing quite like the dust and debris that flies when you're busting through a nice solid material. Blows per minute is adjustable with the 3 speed transmission. In low speed the range is 0 - 6,800, medium speed offers 0 - 24,000 and high speed gives 0 - 27,200. Plenty of blows for even the most demanding tasks. Switching from drill to hammer drill is done by a simple twist of a collar and speed setting.

The Dewalt DC910KL is really just the smaller brother to the DC900KL. Specifications for these two devices are nearly identical. The DC910KL weighs slightly less than its bigger brother the DC900KL and has a length of 10.5".
The DC910KL is designed for the user that wants the extended battery life and power offered by Dewalt's Nano-Phosphate lithium-ion battery technology, but wants a slightly smaller, lighter, and less expensive drill than the DC900KL. Power home users and contractors will find this fits their needs well.
DEWALT DC910KL 28-Volt 1/2-Inch Lithium-Ion Cordless Hammerdrill/Drill/Driver with NANO Technology

DEWALT DC910KL 28-Volt 1/2-Inch Lithium-Ion Cordless Hammerdrill/Drill/Driver with NANO Technology

Specifications
Capacity - ½"
No Load Speed - 0-400 / 0-1,200 / 0 - 1,600 RPMs
Blows Per Minute - 0-6,800 / 0-20,400 / 0 - 27,200 BPMs
Maximum Torque - N/A
Battery - 28 Volt Lithium-ion
Power - 650 UWO (Unit Watts Out)
Weight - 6.2 lbs.
Length - 10.5"

The Dewalt DC900KL heavy duty 36 Volt Cordless hammer drill raises the bar for multi-use hammer drills - both corded and cordless. Dewalt engineers have designed a revolutionary 36-volt battery which gives the DC900KL increased levels of power, runtime, and battery life, while maintaining a similar weight to corded and other smaller hammer drills. The drill gives professional contractors the performance of a corded tool with the flexibility of a cordless drill.

For being such a powerful drill, the DC900KL has the ergonomics and comfort of a smaller drill. It is heavier than other cordless hammer drills, but the power coming from this drill more than makes up for the extra weight. Anti-slip, cushioned handles and a smart trigger location makes this drill feel like you're holding an 18 Volt drill. A side handle is included and necessary because this hammer drill, when used at its full potential, has the capability to be a wrist breaker. It's that strong. Another added feature is the self-tightening chuck. As you drill the chuck tightens on the drill bit automatically, just like all other Dewalt cordless hammer drills. You'll never have another loose bit.

Dewalt has a patent on 3 speed transmissions in drills. I have seen another drill or two with a 3 speed transmission, but I believe those manufacturers either license the technology from Dewalt or they are infringing on those patents. Needless to say the 3 speed transmission has its place. The first speed is ideal for use with hole saws and self feed bits when drilling large holes in wood. The second speed is designed for use with auger bits or screw driving. And the third speed is meant for hammer drilling into concrete and brick. The transmission is an all metal design which equates to durability. You won't strip this hammer drill out when going after those really tough jobs. The transmission provides RPMS of 0 - 400 RPMS in low speed, 0 - 1,200 RPMS in medium speed, and 0 - 1,600 RPMS when used in high speed.

The 36-volt cordless battery on the Dewalt DC900KL was developed to provide power users with the performance needed to complete high powered jobs that were previously only possible with corded drills. Dewalt's 36 Volt line of tools are equipped with a Nano-Phosphate lithium-ion battery technology designed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. These batteries are revolutionary, developing a high level of power, extremely long run time and durability. Dewalt claims the batteries are good for over 2,000 charge / discharge cycles with no memory effect. That means you could charge the battery every single day for 5.6 years. A feat that was unheard of with the older Nickel-Metal Hydride technology. Recharging the battery is done with Dewalt's 1 hour battery charger.

Hammer drilling through concrete or brick with the Dewalt DC900KL is like using a hot knife through butter. It's easy. Blows per minute is adjustable with the 3 speed transmission. In low speed the range is 0 - 6,800, medium speed offers 0 - 24,000 and high speed gives 0 - 27,200. Plenty of blows for even the most demanding tasks. Switching from drill to hammer drill is done by a simple twist of a collar and speed setting.

The price of the Dewalt DC900KL is high, no doubt about it. And the weight might will be heavy for some, but for those of you that need very long battery life, extreme power and Dewalt's renowned quality it's worth every penny.

If you're a professional contractor, or a real power user, the Dewalt DC900KL will not let you down. All the power of a corded drill with the flexibility of a cordless drill - that's what you'll get with this drill.

I used this drill for various jobs around the house and did not come close to its full potential. This thing is a brute. It's almost scary to use for fear that you'll end up with a hook for a hand because the power of this thing will rip your hand right off. None the less, it is the drill to have when you need professional power. And durability - my god this thing can take a beating. I dropped it no less than 3 times off a 12 foot step ladder onto my concrete garage floor. Other than a few minor nicks in the plastic and one broken drill bit, I experienced no other problems.
DEWALT DC900KL 36-Volt 1/2-inch Hammerdrill/Drill/Driver Kit

DEWALT DC900KL 36-Volt 1/2-inch Lithium Ion Cordless Hammerdrill/Drill/Driver Kit with NANO Technology

Specifications
Capacity - ½"
No Load Speed - 0-400 / 0-1,200 / 0 - 1,600 RPMs
Blows Per Minute - 0-6,800 / 0-20,400 / 0 - 27,200 BPMs
Maximum Torque - N/A
Battery - 36 Volt Lithium-ion
Power - 750 UWO (Unit Watts Out)
Weight - 6.9 lbs.
Length - 11.2"