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First. I was not willing to take my chances on another. Our work is often done way "off the paved road" for you Foxworthy fans. But this drill was nothing but problems for me and I returned it. Sounds like Dewalt has some real quality control issues on this drill. The chuck adjustment was terrible, the speed(transmission switch) would not stay locked in position and the final straw was the distinctive sound of metal on metal and a wisp of smoke. I have a workshop, barn and truck bed full of Dewalt tools and I would give every one of them a five or four rating. Just returning the drill is a long trip for me and we need tools that we can rely on.
This was within the first five hours of use. Given the number of great reviews this drill gets I am willing to accept that I got a lemon. A competitors product in the same price range has been used and abused for a month now and is going great. If you buy one hope you get one of the five star drills and not a one star like I did.
I can drill 3 holes in the time it takes others with gas augers to drill one hole. The best part of it is not having to carry a heavy gas drill around.
My expectations were based on other ice fisherman recommendations. I was pleasantly surprised and satisfied with the results.
I bought this cordless to use with a 6" Lazer ice Auger. I found that I could drill about 10 - 15 holes on a charged battery, depending on the ice depth of 10 - 18 inches.
The Dewalt was able to handle the job easily. I used an Beaver Bay 10" long adapter between the auger cutting head and the drill, but added a strap, just in case the auger pulled free of the drill (problem for some I talked to).
no startup and warmup. I carry both batteries along and I keep them warm to get the maximum power and life.
product was almost exactly what i wanted, dewalt 18v hammer/drill/driver was great and delivery prompt and better than expected delivery date. but as selling to international clients maxtool could/should disclose more information about battery charger input voltage (as australia is different to united states)output voltages mentioned in detals. minor detail but some small details are important.
My first one lasted about 4 years, until the body finally cracked and wouldn't hold the battery anymore. I'm not saying anyone should do more than it's rated for, but lets face it in real life sometimes things happen This is something every one should own, would probably last a lifetime for a moderate user.
I have been on my own 7 years and am now on my 2nd one. I do low voltage installations, I use this mostly for intercom/entry installations.
Used a 2 1/2 hole saw through 2x4.OK get the idea. I ABUSE them pretty good.
I have used it to drill 1/2 holes through new brick(I know go through the morter, but cant always do that) I have put 3/4 holes through cement block. I STRONGLY recomend getting them service every year or so.
Plus the 988 is compact enough to fit between joists w/ a 1" bit on it
The tool balance really makes it feel comfortable anyway regardless of the weight. A rotary hammer is far more powerful but is pretty useless for anything else as they are typically to large, heavy and too violenty powerfull for smaller work. The 18v XRP battery should provide enough power to work reasonably continuously while the other is finished charging. It feels really well in your hand. I have not been dissapointed.
The balance of the tool is great. I would normally use a rotary hammer for this but rotary hammers tend to oversize holes so tapcons don't grips as well (or at all). Did some research and came upong this drill which seemed to pretty much offer anything you can possibly want in a cordless drill. The keyless chuck saves so much time and grips bits as good as a keyed one.
I can many times go a full day of extended usage without having to bother recharging. Lately I've been using it to drill mainly into insanely hard 40 year old structural concrete columns in a building and driving tapcon screws in. Its a little on the heavy side but pretty average and to be expected from a NiCD 18v drill. The three speed transmission is very versatile and has as far as I can tell the highest RPM speed (2000rpm)for a cordless drill which is very useful for masonry applications. Softer stuff like brick and blocks, it plows through with no sweat.
Having blown a few corded hammer drills over the last 15 years I finally decided to try a good cordless model to get rid of the irritating cord. Finally, the reason I really bought this drill, the masonry performance. Remember this is a hammer drill, NOT a rotary hammer. This hammerdrill I have found can easily outperform even many corded hammer drills. Most cordless models only have slow and fast, and fast isn't that fast, pretty frustrating for masonry work. I give this tool the full 5 stars. I really don't know how I ever got along without this tool.
It's by far the most versatile and best performing tool in my box. The middle speed (1450rpm) is great for when high speed and higher torque are needed such as hardwood, holesaws, etc and finally the slowest (450rpm) for maximum torque and driving. The battery life is very good. With a good bit the drill powers through pretty effortlessly into the reinforced columns. If you need a cordless drill that can do everything and replace all others, this is the one.
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