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Someone who needs a drill for Saturday projects would be far better off getting a 12 or 14-volt Hitachi, which is lighter and fine for occasional use. Only a professional who uses a drill all day long needs more voltage. I have owned an earlier version of this for years, and while there seems to be a voltage arms race which has left this tool in the dust, it is a superb tool with more than adequate power. With steel gears, it should last forever, but expect to replace the batteries every four years or so. I have one of these, also, and am very happy with it. That said, it should be noted that it is designed for continual use, and is far more tool than a typical homeowner needs.
So far - I have not received an adequate explanation as to why this happens. Ergonomically designed, with an eye towards evolution and not revolution. still never having needed professional service - clearly this is a testament to durability. Virtually all manufacturers make useful drill/drivers 12v - 18v; price becomes paramount in evaluating a best choice.Many times - contractors work in closed groups; always the same electrician, plumber, HVAC installer and carpenter.Over time they form a consensus for integrating tools. Amazon's price is still cheap - and you may save the price of gas when you discover that the product is no longer in stock.Whereas many other manufacturesr's drill/drivers have been redesigned to obsolesce previous battery configurations - Dewalt has supported legacy integration. Occasionally you will find less is more. More pronounced when chucking up hex shank bits - every cordless drill driver that I have ever used wobbles. The 12v xrp drill/ driver - the smallest brother of the 14v and 18v group is manageable by women and men - a professional tool - according to price and construction.The homeowner is cautioned - not to indiscriminately perceive a cost/value advantage for "professional tools."The reality is that professional tools may not necessarily perform at a higher level but are perceived to have greater lomgevity.I have had great success with my dewalt xrp drill/drivers and have convinced my associated contractors to support the advantages of a single manufacturer discipline.For me - dewalt drill/drivers make sense.
It remains a sad experience to accept the demise of useful tools whose battery design is no longer supported.I have owned one Dewalt 12v XRP since 2001 and one Dewalt 14v XRP drill/driver since 2005- the 12v XRP has always been my favorite -because of it's light weight and sturdy construction. )For the homeowner or stand alone handyman - there are no clear choices. Always the good and the bad. Not a consideration for the do-it-yourselfer - but very important to an integrated contractor. Dropped often and used almost everyday. Update 8/22/08: Still going strong with no noticeable drop in battery performance12 volt cordless tools seem to have been supplanted in the market place by their 18v brothers.
5-26-07 ASAP - visit your loacal Sam's - registered as a one time buy - the Dewalt 12v XRP drill/driver- 12v xrp batteries and carrying case - pre tax $108.00. .with 12v xrp batteries costing $50.00 - I jumped at the chance of purchasing the whole kit- drill, 2 batteries and carrying case for 108.00 plus tax.There are a lot of cordless drill/driver offerings on the market - from the inexpensive junk to the sturdy professional grade.It remains evident that the needs of the homeowner are not necessarily in line with contractors. For the average homeowner - there may be no need to pay the premium on what is called a professsional tool.addendum:The wobble factor - if you have a cordless drill - you probably know what I am talking about. When you work in a group that has chosen a specific, manufacturer's platform - you always have backup ( charged batteries adjustment tools, etc. My venerable 12v xrp drill/driver remains serviceable and on par with all current inovations. I acknowledge the testaments of bosch, milwaukee, ryobi, hitachi, dewalt, ridgid and makita owners.
It is what it is.Caslo As a contractor -my defining course has always been to adhere to or define the group consensus - pick your tools in conjunction with those who work around you.
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