The company may be a little late to the party, but DeWalt, the leader of the cordless drill-driver market, is rolling out its contribution to the widening herd of subcompact 12v Li-ion tools. The DeWalt 3/8-in. drill-driver (DCD710S2; about $160) is a departure from the now-common look of tools from Bosch, Ridgid, Milwaukee, and Makita. DeWalt’s new 12v platform will also include a single-speed screwdriver, impact driver, impact wrench, and several inspection tools.
I took the new drill-driver for a spin, and I found three features that make this tool a standout:
• Battery configuration: Rather than orienting the three 3.6v Li-ion cells vertically and sliding the pack into the handle of the tool, DeWalt laid them horizontally. This results in a flat-bottomed tool that’s not top-heavy.
• Comfort: Because the battery pack is under the handle rather than inside it, DeWalt was also able to slim down the hand grip and tailor it for a noticeable improvement in comfort.
• One-handed chuck: Quicker bit changes mean less hassle and more productivity. DeWalt’s new chuck allows bits—even 1-in.-long versions—to be inserted without pulling back on the knurled collar.
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