These two kits are great whether you’re a contractor who does occasional drilling or a do-it-yourselfer with weekend projects. The kits include two of the first 18-volt compact cordless drills that DeWalt launched and they’ve had many satisfied owners over the years. Let’s see what they can do and help you choose the kit that works for you.
DEWALT DC970K-2 18-Volt Compact Drill/Driver Kit
This kit offers the DC970 driver-drill. It’s part entry-level tool and part powerhouse. Some users have complained about the plastic chuck, comparing it to higher-end models that have metal chucks. But it is a keyless ratcheting chuck. The ratcheting action helps it hold bits securely. The user can change bits one-handed if needed. The ergonomic handle and weight distribution helps the drill feel balanced.
The DC970 has a two-speed transmission with 17 clutch settings so the user canchoose just the right amount of torque. It can do everything from driving screws up to drilling light masonry. In fact, the DC970 is rated for drilling with bits sized up to 1-1/2” in wood, ½” in steel, and ¼” in masonry.
For safety, the DC970 has an electric brake that stops the drill from spinning as soon as the trigger is released. The reverse switch locks off the drill trigger when the switch is in the middle, or neutral, position.
The charger included in the DC970K-2 has an automatic tune-up mode that extends the lifetime of the batteries. A battery can be left on the charger indefinitely so there is always a fresh one ready to go.The charger also alerts the user if the battery pack needs to be replaced or if the power source isn’t sufficient. This is helpful at job sites operating generators.
More features of the DeWalt DC970K-2 Kit
- The DC970 drill is rated for 380 unit-watts-out of power
- The two transmission speeds are 0-450rpm and 0-1500rpm
- It has a ½-inch ratcheting chuck
- It weighs 5.2 pounds with the battery
- The two 1.2Ah batteries included in the kit are nickel-cadmium
- The included charger takes only an hour to fully charge a battery
- The kit comes with a contractor bag
- DeWalt offers a 90-day money-back satisfaction guarantee, a 1-year free service contract, and a 3-year limited warranty
The kit does not include bits, but it has a powerful entry-level drill and two batteries to keep the job moving with no downtime. It is a good introduction to the DeWalt power tool lineup.
DEWALT DC759KA 18-Volt NiCad 1/2-Inch Cordless Drill/Driver Kit
The DC759KA kit contains the DC759 driver-drill. It is basically the DC970 drill with a few ounces shaved off the weight. The kit includes a hard carrying case instead of a contractor bag. DeWalt also throws in a handy extra—a double-ended screwdriver bit.
The DC759 drill is rated for 380 unit-watts-out of power. This means it can handle wood, steel, and light masonry when used with the proper bits. For example, its rated bit size for masonrygoes up to ¼-inch, and for steel, up to ½-inch. It has a two-speed transmission with 17 clutch settings so it’s easy for the user to set the right amount of torque for drilling or driving.
The DC759 has a couple of nice safety features too. The reverse selector switch can be set to a neutral position to lock off the drill. The electric brake stops the bit once the trigger is released. This cuts back on undesired over-drilling and it saves battery life.
Users have been pleased with how long the the 18-volt nickel-cadmium batteries last. The kits contain two and they recharge in an hour. One can be left on the charger so it’s always ready-to-go. The charger has an automatic tune-up mode that extends the lifetime of the batteries.
Features of the DeWalt DC759KA Kit
- User can select between two speeds: 0-450rpm and 0-1500rpm
- There are 17 clutch settings including one specially marked for screw-driving
- The DC759 has a plastic ½-inch ratcheting chuck that allows for one-handed bit changes
- The drill weighs 4.7 pounds, slightly less than the DC970
- DeWalt offers a 90-day money-back satisfaction guarantee, a 1-year free service contract, and a 3-year limited warranty
The DC759KA kit is another fine entry-level addition to the DeWalt 18-volt line. The hard-sided case is better for protecting and storing the tool. The driver bit is a welcome addition that makes the drill instantly usable, if only for driving screws.
Recommendation
It can be a tough choice when the two kits are very similar. If weight matters, the DC759 drill weighs a few ounces less than the DC970. That could make a difference in all-day use or when doing a lot of overhead drilling. The DC759KA kit includes handy extras too, like the screwdriver bit.
The DC970K-2 kit is the way to go if you only want the basics and don’t need the extras. Or maybe you just want the contractor instead of the case.
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