Average Customer Review:
 ( 30 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
68 of 69 found the following review helpful:
Even better with a 1/2 chuckFeb 05, 2004
Out of necessity and because it has ample power, I had been planning to convert this drill to a 1/2" chuck for some time, but just recently got around to it.
Since the DW960 comes with a 3/8" capacity chuck, I assumed that it would be mounted on a 3/8" X 24 TPI spindle as most 3/8" drills are.
Before buying a 1/2" chuck with a reduced 3/8" X 24 TPI mount, I decided to remove the original chuck and check the spindle to be sure.
With the chuck removed, I found that the DW960 has a 1/2" X 20 TPI spindle, which is the standard spindle size for mounting a 1/2" chuck.
I wouldn't bother changing out the chuck on my older model DW966 14.4V right angle drill because it doesn't really have enough power to make it worth the expense, but I decided to check the spindle size on it anyway. It too has the 1/2" X 20 TPI spindle.
Dewalt most likely does this to give the short spindles more strength, not to allow for an upgrade to a 1/2" chuck. Nevertheless, I really need this drill to be a 1/2", so I purchased a Jacobs made Dewalt OEM style keyless chuck from McMaster and installed it on the drill. It fit perfectly, actually better than the original did, and for my work needs, the extra chuck capacity makes all the difference.
I would never attempt to use this right angle drill as hard as my straight 1/2" cordless drill, but when working in a tight space, it's great to finally be able to use the DW960 with my Greenlee hole saws larger than 7/8", which have 7/16" shanks. This was the main reason for wanting to ditch the standard 3/8" chuck.
I've used it with hole saws up to 3-1/2" in 1X and 2-1/2" in 2X material. This seems to be completely within the drills ability without producing any unusual motor strain or heating. Understandably, I'm sure Dewalt would not approve of this modification and if the motor or gear train does eventually end up as toast, I'm okay with the fact that it will be my fault, not Dewalt's.
With that being said, it now appears that I can finally stop waiting for Dewalt to produce an 18V cordless 1/2" right angle drill.
44 of 45 found the following review helpful:
 Small package - great powerSep 22, 2003
By Atlanta David A
For years I have struggled to get my full-size cordless drill into tight spots. I have tried everything from flexible-shaft-bit-holders to crazy angles when I drill. Finally a solution -- and one that works interchangeably with my other 18 volt tools. The first task I put this to was drilling holes for 3 inch PVC drain lines in 50 year old southern pine floor joists. Using firm but gentle pressure, I was through the joist in no time. After a dozen or so holes, the tool was running hot, but had plenty more power to keep running. I then employed it replacing some drawer guides in a cabinet and it worked like a charm on the low speed setting.Overall, another great product from DeWalt. I continue to wonder what takes them so long! PROS: Great power; interchanges with DeWalt 18v system; easy to hold; comfortable to operate; plenty of power for carpentry CONS: forward/reverse switch is very small (or my fingers are fat); no adjustable torque (really not needed for most applications)
18 of 18 found the following review helpful:
Another Must Have ToolMar 27, 2006
By Tom
"ontrac1"
You probably won't use this tool on every job, but when your Hole Hawg is too clumsy to fit in a tight spot or you just don't need all that firepower, this "little" RAD is a godsend. Like another tool reviewer did, I too replaced the 3/8 chuck with a 1/2" keyless chuck which makes the tool more usable. It was the most difficult chuck I had ever removed from a tool. It was torqued and loctited on very well, almost too well. I have not experienced any of the problems other reviewers had, but unfortunately there are lemons and DOA's with most anything you buy today. I feel the tool is well made and serves it's intended function very well. If you buy this elsewhere like Home Depot, be aware that they sell the kit with only 1 battery for $199.00 not the 2 batteries that come with the kit sold on Amazon.com. The designation is DW960K-2 for the 2 battery kit and DW960K for the single battery version. Both kits include the same drill, kit box and charger.
23 of 25 found the following review helpful:
 Color yellow- lemonApr 11, 2004
By Robert F. Dill
This tool worked great for about three months, then while driving a#10 sheet metal screw the trigger froze in the on position, smoke started coming out of the battery pack, the only way to stop it was to disconnect the battery. I'm a cabinetmaker and this is one of the better right angle drills I've owned, it's a bit heavy and the forward and reverse switch is hard to use. The batteries last a long time, I can be on the job all day without charging them,nice.The keyless chuck is one of the best I've used, I hope this is just one of those lemons you get every now and again because I was really begining to like this tool.
14 of 15 found the following review helpful:
DW960K-2 18V Right Angle Drill:Dec 11, 2003
First the issues... I bought this drill kit about two month's ago and so far it has performed very well on the job.
I was somewhat concerned to find that even with the fairly high price tag the drill and batteries are both being made completely in Mexico. From my experience, this usually results in a noticeable drop in quality. I suppose this is just a sign of the times and I should be getting used to it by now.
Also, after years of waiting for Dewalt to produce an 18V RAD unit, I still feel somewhat let down by the fact that it only has a 3/8" chuck capacity, especially since almost all of the trades really need a good 1/2" cordless RAD. The 18V RAD that Milwaukee makes is virtually useless and this Dewalt drill could probably spin a 1/2" chuck under most realistic workload conditions.
The two NAFTA batteries included are marked only as XR, not XR-Plus as all recent Dewalt 18V batteries manufactured in Japan are. I'm not sure if this means anything, but it did catch my attention. And now the praise... I have owned the almost identical DW966 14.4V version of this drill for several years and it has been worked hard but was always underpowered for heavier drilling tasks such as boring holes in 2X studs and joists or drilling into wall cavities from a basement or crawlspace below or an attic above, even when using spade/paddle type bits. Although the owners manual lists the maximum hole drilling capacities as the same for both the 14.4V and 18V, the new 18V DW960K has 100 inch-pounds more torque and several hundred more RPM's in high speed than the 14.4V model and is much more at ease with the type of heavier work described above. This drill will never replace your corded RAD for continuous heavy use on larger jobs but is great for smaller jobs where you need to drill several holes and don't want to waste time dragging out an extension cord and hunting for a distant electrical outlet. The added cordless advantages of mobility and safety are especially important when working in a damp crawl space or cramped attic area. The DW960 is only slightly larger and just a little heavier than the older 14.4V drill so it can still easily get into the tight places for drilling or driving screws but has lots more of what tradespersons need most, that being, torque and speed with the ability to interchange batteries with all your other DeWalt 18V tools. Overall it seems to be a well made tool and all is fine for now, but I can only wait and see if the NAFTA product durability will be equal to or better than my older Dewalt drill.
See all 30 customer reviews on Amazon.com
|
based on 30 reviews
