Modern cordless drills have come a long way from the heavy pistol-grip corded tools of the past. Get yourself a new lightweight drill and you may end up looking for new projects to undertake just for the fun of using it. Let’s take a look at two popular models to see which one will be the best for you.
DEWALT DCD777C2 20V Max Lithium-Ion Brushless Compact Drill Driver
While the DEWALT DCD777 may be an entry level product, it has impressive specs. It has a brushless motor, the hallmark of a professional’s tool. Brushless motors run cooler and more efficiently, extending the lifetime of the tool. Plus, one battery charge lasts longer on a drill with a brushless motor.
The DCD777 has a rating of 340 unit watts out of power. That doesn’t mean much if you’re not familiar with the way they measure torque and how it compares to units like inch-pounds. For example, when you see the description for the Hitachi drill below, it’s rated for 300 in/lbs of power. Does the higher number on the DCD777 mean it’s more powerful than the Hitachi?
It’s hard to say when DEWALT doesn’t reveal how they do their calculations. When you see a rating for UWO, it’s really only good for comparing different drills in their own lineup, not against other manufacturers’ products.
Instead, take a look at the rest of the specifications to see what you think. The two-speed transmission makes it easy to sink fasteners in delicate materials or drill into metal. The two gears are 0-500rpm and 0-1750rpm, plus you’re working with a variable speed trigger for even better control.
Although DEWALT keeps the price down by using a plastic chuck, it’s a half-inch chuck, which supports a wider variety of bits and accessories than the Hitachi drill can with its 3/8-inch chuck. The body of the DCD777 is also nice and compact, measuring a hair over 7-1/2-inches back to front.
It weighs 2.6 pounds, with its weight balanced over the ergonomic handle grip. There is a single LED work-light mounted underneath the barrel to help you see where you’re working. It has a 20-second shutoff delay, but that won’t drain the 1.3Ah lithium-ion batteries that come in the kit.
More features of the DEWALT DCD777C2 drill kit:
- Covered by a 3-year limited warranty
- Comes with a contractor bag, charger and two 20V lithium-ion battery packs
Hitachi DS10DFL2 12-Volt Peak Cordless Lithium Ion Compact Drill Driver Kit (Lifetime Tool Warranty)
The Hitachi DS10DFL2 drill kit is made for homeowners with light jobs to complete on occasion. The drill is very lightweight at only 2.2 pounds, which is very handy when you’re working overhead. It comes with a seven-piece bit set ready to use in its 3/8-inch chuck. Even nicer, it has an LED work-light set in the foot so you can see where you’re working.
The DS10DFL2 drill runs off Hitachi’s 12V batteries, but it has up to 300 inch-pounds of torque. Its two-speed transmission is enhanced by 21+1 clutch settings, so you can drill, fasten, and countersink flawlessly. If you’re hard at work, don’t work about overheating or overworking the drill. It has circuitry to protect against that. It’s also protected by a lifetime tool warranty with a 2-year warranty on the batteries.
More features of the Hitachi DS10DFL2 drill kit:
- Covered by Hitachi’s Lifetime Lithium Ion Tool warranty
- Comes with quick charger, two 12V lithium-ion batteries, hard-sided carrying case, Phillips driver bit, and 7-piece bit set
Recommendation
The DEWALT DCD777 is an excellent buy for an entry-level product. It has a brushless motor, which makes up for the plastic chuck and small capacity batteries in the kit. If you’re a do-it-yourselfer or homeowner who won’t need all the bells and whistles of a pro tool, this may be perfect for you. Its half-inch chuck is compatible with a wide range of bits and tools like sanding accessories.
The Hitachi DS10DFL2 kit comes ready to use with bits included. Although it has a smaller 3/8-inch chuck and runs off 12V batteries, it’s lightweight and covered by a long warranty. If you have occasional jobs around the house, consider this drill for your tool collection.
Click here to purchase DEWALT DCD777C2 on Amazon.com!
Click here to purchase Hitachi DS10DFL2 on Amazon.com!