DEWALT DC6KITA 18-Volt Ni-Cad Cordless 6-Tool Combo Kit

DWOS REPLACED BY 115-DCK650X

Power, power and more power! The 18-volt 1/2-inch hammer drill/driver's high-torque motor churns out an impressive 500 inch-pounds of torque—imagine the jobs it could tackle. We were surprised by how good it feels in hand, thanks, we think, to its neatly balanced design that places the handle toward the center of the tool. A nice touch is the ratcheting chuck with carbide jaws for a superb hold on your bit. And the all-metal, three-speed transmission is so innovative that DeWalt patented it. All we know is that this is one powerhouse of a hammer drill/driver, no matter what mode it's in. The DC385 recip saw's keyless blade clamp wins points in our book for fast blade changes. And talk about fast—with its one-inch stroke length, it runs at 2,900 strokes per minute. Like the drill, it's well balanced and feels good in hand. It's compact, lightweight and offers great cutline visibility through the pivoting shoe's open top. Plus, we like that the blade will reverse for flush and plunge cutting. The circular saw slices into 2x4s like butter, and you can always see your cut because the blade's on the left. Bevel cuts are no sweat; the saw's easy to adjust and the scale's clear. If you're often working in tight spaces, you'll appreciate the design of the right-angle drill, which spans just 4-1/2 inches. Still, it's got two speed ranges (0-500 and 0-1,500 rpm) and reverse, and it packs 310 inch-pounds of torque. We like the multi-grip trigger, especially for cramped quarters. The grinder's hardworking with a nice three-position side handle. Kudos to DeWalt for the metal gear case and the longer life it'll give this grinder. Finally, the flashlight's neck is super flexible, shedding light in just about any direction for up to three hours. This is a great collection of tools, essential for the contractor and perfect for the skilled do-it-yourselfer.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste