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February 27, 2019

Combo Kit Reviews

It’s been said that sometimes less is more, but when it comes to power tools, who are they kidding? In this case, more is always more. More tools, more power, more projects, more variety, more more more! So in this section I’m going to talk about tool kits that give you more – tools! That’s right, combo kits are put together by tool manufacturers so you can get more tools, usually with more accessories, in one place. It’s kind of like Tool Heaven for some of us. So let’s take a look at some combo kits I found and see if your new best friends are here. Trust me, there’s no way any tool lover will walk away from these without a feeling of longing and a deep desire to drop those credit card numbers and get a hold of one of these combo kits.

Makita LCT209W 12V Drill/Impact Driver Kit

Tool manufacturers often sell their products in combination packs, which are usually a pretty good value when it comes to pricing, and sometimes it can even turn out that you get one tool basically for free, depending on how many tools are packaged together and what their individual prices are. So I figured it would be a good idea to see what kind of combo packs are out there and check a few out. I absolutely had to take a look at Makita’s #1 selling combo kit, which is the LCT209W 2-piece combo kit.

DEWALT DCK290L2 Hammer Drill/Impact Driver Combo

How can you resist the lure of the power embodied in a 20-volt hammer drill, especially if it comes with a matching impact driver?

After preventing myself from making the impulse buy I really wanted to make, I went on out and drove home so I could do some investigating into what might possibly be the greatest thing I’ve ever encountered. Let me share with you my journey.

January 4, 2019

Cordless Drill Reviews

A cordless drill can be found in just about any home, especially those with any kind of do-it-yourselfer as an occupant. It’s a highly versatile tool and can be used for so many things, from driving screws into the wall to hang a picture, to framing a house. They can drive any kind of screw or bolt, mix grout or paint, make little or big holes depending on what you need, and they can even grind metal or sand curved surfaces with them. They typically have a keyless chuck which will accept a variety of hex and round-shank screwdriver and drill bits, as well as rotary sanders, wire-wheel brushes, grinding wheels, hole saws, and the list just really goes on and on. Whether you are looking for your very first cordless drill, a replacement, or an addition to your cordless drill collection, this is a good place to start.

DEWALT DC970K-2 Compact Drill/Driver Kit

Not only is this the #1 Best Seller on Amazon, but it also boasts an impressive rating from users. The fact that it is the best-seller doesn’t automatically mean it’s good, but the Amazon rating had me thinking. Besides, DEWALT is known for making great power tools and I’m willing to bet their cordless drills are no exception. Let’s check it out.

Black & Decker LDX120C Cordless Drill

Black & Decker is a name that is arguably the most synonymous with drills, both corded and cordless, so naturally I had to take a look at what they have to offer.

I’ve chosen to review the LDX120C, which has garnered some great user reviews online. This particular cordless drill/driver is not a heavy-duty model, so you can’t expect it to tackle professional construction jobs, but if you are looking for something that is excellent for making small repairs, drilling a few holes here and there, fastening screws around your home, or even light woodworking projects, the LDX120C is quite good.

I’ll also touch on Black & Decker’s entry-level model, the LDX112C, which is a bit like the “Mini Me” version of the LDX120C.

Porter-Cable PCL120DDC-2 Dril/Driver

Although most people think that 12V cordless drills are only suitable for light-duty home maintenance and basic DIY projects, these compact little drills will also appeal to professionals who use far more powerful drills.

Why? Even though the bulk of heavy-duty work on some projects is done using 18V or 20V drills, when it comes to finish work, or stuff like putting up cabinets or shelves, or getting into tight spaces in order to complete the job, 12V cordless drills are essential. Basically, they are great for some basic tweaks around the house, but they also have a professional appeal.

DEWALT DCD780C2 Lightweight Cordless Drill/Driver Kit

Along with their series of 18V cordless drills, DEWALT also offers 20V drill/drivers designed to bridge the gap between light, entry-level models and high-performance models. I reviewed two of their 18V drills, so I decided to check out one of their 20V drills as well, the DEWALT DCD780C2.

From the looks of it, and the online user reviews, it appears to hit the sweet spot between performance and ease of use. Let’s see if I am right.