DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill & Impact Driver Kit

Got this set for a great price on sale. I have cordless Makita drill-drivers (brushed and brushless). My sons are both Dewalt fans, and got me thinking I should try Dewalt, so when the sale came out it was a no-brainer. I really like my Makita drill-drivers; good power, excellent weight and balance, and good clutch. I really hate Makita replacement battery costs.

After using these Dewalt drill-drivers for a while, I would say they are good, and should make most people happy; but I do like my Makita drill-drivers a little better for me. First, the Dewalts are a bit heavier and a bit less balanced, partly because of a bigger battery although the tools alone a a bit heavier. This is an issue for me because I have significant arthritis in my hands, and have had aristropathy. Power-wise I think both are on par, with maybe Dewalt having a slight edge over Makita. Noise-wise, the Dewalts seem louder especially when letting go of the trigger. The Dewalts snap to a stop with a clack of the brake; the Makitas don’t have this immediate brake. I’m actually not sure why this brake is needed, but it does contribute to the increased noise. The last major difference is the clutch mechanism. There is a lot written about this online. In a nutshell, when chucking a bit into the Dewalt, you can run the drill to close the chuck on the bit, but once it is tight, you *must* use your hand on the chuck to manually close it further. If you don’t you run the risk of centrifugal force loosening the bit when the drill brake engages after releasing the trigger. This is why there are comments about bits falling out. I don’t notice this with the Makitas.

So in the end, I do like the Makitas a little better than the Dewalts, but only a little, and I hate Makita battery pricing. I think that for most people, the weight and balance of the Dewalts will be fine. I also think that the little manual snugging of the chuck when chucking the bit will become second nature over time.

What did I do? I kept the Dewalt set. It was a good deal. I will likely use my Makitas more for long projects, and manually rebuild the Makita batteries. For every day projects, or short projects, I’ll use whichever comes to hand first (Dewalt or Makita) and be happy.

In the intricate world of jewelry making, 3D design, and the diverse range of crafts I delve into, having tools that are reliable, powerful, and versatile is not just a preference—it’s a necessity. When I integrated the DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit into my studio, it was with the hope that these tools would meet my high demands for precision and performance. I’m thrilled to report that this combo kit has not only met my expectations but has significantly exceeded them, becoming an indispensable part of my creative process.

The first thing I noticed about the DEWALT 20V MAX Combo Kit was the quality of construction. These tools are built to last, with a robust design that can withstand the rigors of a busy studio environment. Whether I’m working on metal for jewelry, creating molds for casting, or assembling the frames for my 3D pieces, these tools have proven their mettle time and again.

The power and efficiency of both the drill and impact driver are remarkable. The 20V MAX batteries provide long-lasting power, ensuring that I can work through project after project without worrying about mid-task slowdowns or power loss. This sustained performance has been crucial for my productivity, allowing me to focus on creativity rather than battery life.

Versatility is another key strength of this combo kit. The drill’s precision is perfect for the detailed work required in jewelry making and 3D design, while the impact driver offers the high torque needed for tougher tasks like forging and smelting. This versatility has streamlined my workflow, reducing the need to switch between different tools and thus saving me time and effort.

The inclusion of two batteries and a charger in the kit is a thoughtful touch, ensuring that I always have a charged battery ready to go. This continuous power supply is invaluable, especially when working on time-sensitive projects or during extended streaming sessions where interruptions are not an option.

Lastly, the portability of the DEWALT Combo Kit has enhanced my flexibility in working across different areas of my studio and even on the go. The compact size and cordless design mean I can easily move from workstation to workstation or take the tools with me to offsite projects without any hassle.

In summary, the DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit has become a cornerstone of my creative toolkit. Its durability, power, versatility, and portability have not only supported but elevated my work in jewelry making, 3D design, and beyond. For fellow creators looking for a reliable power tool combo that can keep up with the demands of a diverse range of projects, I wholeheartedly recommend this DEWALT kit. It’s not just a set of tools; it’s an investment in the quality and potential of your creative endeavors.

I have seen mixed reviews about these drills. My review is 5 star. Being a dewalt it performs very well and is durable. Size is just right has plenty of power. Battery life is par and charging is a tad slow but overall the best value for quality is this kit.

I live in Australia and the seller contacted me separately to make sure I was informed (using charger US voltage) the product matched the product description and I am happy with everything.

Great low-cost set, it comes with an impact and a regular drill, as well as a battery charger. I got it on sale through Amazon for $130, and it was a great purchase of that price. Made by DeWalt, sturdy and great performance.

I got two of these because I had to return the first one since the impact driver smoked and smelled like burning when I ran it. When I got the second one, I had the same problem. You can clearly see the sparks inside when you run it and then you can smell the burning. I’m hoping it’s just a bit of excess machine grease or something from the factory that will burn off after some use. Will update this review after I use it for a while to see if it gets better.

Other than that, it’s a great kit to get the impact driver, drill, two batteries and the sturdy carrying bag for under $150. I’m starting to think that the massive discount is because of some quality control issues with the impact driver, but it’s till a good deal regardless. Besides the smoke issue, the drill and driver both work great. I’ve done small projects around the house and they performed well. The light is also a nice touch to help you see what your drilling/driving.

The ergonomics are also good. It’s nice that it’s a bit lighter but it doesn’t sacrifice feeling sturdy in the process. So it balances comfort with confidence in its durability.

Once I’ve used both the drill and driver a bit more, I’ll come back and update the review. Til then, I’m not upset that I bought it (even with the smoking issue).

Update: I’ve been using the impact driver quite a bit recently and can say that the burning smell does not entirely go away, though it doesn’t smoke at all and it doesn’t smell as bad as it did at the beginning. The driver itself works great though so I’m bumping this up a star. If I were to do it again, I would have just paid the extra to get the brushless driver, but given I’m using this for DIY once in a while and am not doing daily jobs, I’m fine with it since it works great. I also got a cheap 6.0Ah battery that fits Dewalt 20v tools and the power I get out of it is good enough to do pretty much anything I’d ever need to do around the house.