Hitachi Power Tools DS12DVF2 12 Volt Cordless Drill Kit with Flashlight

 (2 customer reviews)

Weight and price lured me to this drill. I work in a cabinet shop and found the 18 volt yellow and 14.4 volt red drills the other blokes had a bit bulky and heavy for all-day use (plus, I have access to their drills and our electric ones, as well). For screw and glue assembly this drill is a gem--it delivers just enough torque to sink everything home and won't break the heads off coarse drywall screws. Pre-drilling / Countersinking operations take a little longer than with more powerful models (and since time is money, I often keep a second, more powerful drill handy for the pre-drilling. I've drilled pocket holes with this Hitachi from time to time, but prefer to use an electric drill (or a heavy cordless drill on a jobsite) with the Kreg jig. I've also drilled dowel holes in 1 3/4 Mahogany with this drill--not without some effort, though. The light weight and compact size of this drill have come in handy for all of us--several corners in a recent kitchen remodel could only be...Read more

For the price, this 12-volt cordless drill by Hitachi cannot be matched. It is reliable, durable, lightweight, comfortable in its use, and the battery life is well above average.

I am a professional auto mechanic, and use it on a daily basis as a light-duty electric nut driver. My only criticism is that the self-locking chuck is too quick to release when challenged by the laws of physics...which was easily cured by an extra twist with a pair of channel locks.

I use an 18-volt Ryobi for most of my home projects, and the 12-volt Hitachi is a far superior tool, and at considerably less expense - more compact, superior battery life, and lighter weight give it a clear advantage over the heavier, bulkier Ryobi.

This tool is a must for non-professional home-improvement types, and professionals may be surprised by the overall versatility and usability of this tool.