Dewalt is soon coming out with a new 20V Max brushless cordless hammer drill, model DCD795D2. This is not their first brushless tool, but it is their first brushless drill/driver, and one of their first 20V tools to sport “XR” branding.
Meet the Competition: Milwaukee M18 FUEL Hammer Drill, Makita LXPH05
Dewalt previously came out with a brushless impact driver, and has recently announced a brushless cordless framing nailer (first look and specs), although we’re told the framing nailer won’t be released in the USA until February 2014. But this is their first brushless drill.
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The new hammer drill is said to last “up to 57% longer” than their brushed compact hammer drill. It is also paired with their new 2.0Ah battery pack, which is also “XR” branded, to stretch the brushless advantage even further.
Features:
- 7.8″ length
- 3.6lb weight
- 360 “UWO” max power
- 2-speed gearbox (0-600, 0-2000 RPM)
- 0-10,200, 0-34,000 BPM
- 1/2″ metal ratcheting chuck
- LED worklight with 20-second release delay illumination
- 14 clutch settings
- hammer + rotary or rotary-only drill modes
- DCD795D2 kit includes DCD795 drill, 2x 2.0Ah batteries, fast charger, belt hook, bit holder, kit box
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
See Also: The new Dewalt DCD790 Compact Cordless Drill
First Impression & Comparison
I know that a lot of users are really hoping for Dewalt to come out with a premium heavy duty brushless drill/driver, but this compact model will still be appreciated. They might still surprise us with a brushless premium drill or hammer drill later this year or early next.
My first thought is how does it compare to their other compact hammer drill? Well, the brushless model provides 360 UWO – Dewalt’s non-standard measure of power and torque – while the brushed motor model, DCD785 (here’s our brief review), delivers 350 UWO, a difference of 2.86%.
Brushless motors are more efficient than brushed motor, so for similarly sized motors you get greater power, greater runtime, or most often a greater balance. In this case, Dewalt seems most focused on runtime, which we know is what many users look for in compact power tool.
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Learn More: Brushless Tool Tech 101
Size-wise, the new drill doesn’t look to break any records with its 7.8″ length, and its 3.6 pound weight is just a little heavier than what their brushed hammer drill weighs.
Dewalt says that the drill provides up to 57% more runtime than their brushed hammer drill. The 2.0Ah batteries included in the kit provide up to 33% more runtime than 1.5Ah batteries and are said to take 35 minutes to recharge.
It’s also great to see that Dewalt followed Bosch and Ridgid’s lead in moving the LED worklight to the base of the drill near the battery, as this can provide for better quality illumination with fewer shadows.
Overall the new brushless hammer drill looks to be a nice design, but expect for it to be priced higher than the non-brushless model.
If you ask my opinion, users who want a compact hammer drill might be better off looking at Milwaukee’s M12 Fuel model. It’s small, lightweight, and exceptionally powerful for its size (350 in-lbs torque). The Milwaukee M12 kit even comes with one each of 2.0Ah and 4.0Ah batteries.
And if you want something better suited for heavier duty tasks, Dewalt’s premium (brushed motor) hammer drill and other brands’ heavy duty brushed and brushless models offer more power. Heavier duty hammer drills also come with removable auxiliary handles and depth guides, a feature compact models like this one lack.
That all said, this model seems like a great option for users looking for a compact and long-lasting light- to-medium-duty hammer drill.
Dennis
I have always bought Coldfire cryogenically treated drill bits from Home Depot. Will you also have cryogenically treated bits that can be used with your new drill? I find cryogenic drill bits to last at least three times longer and definitely justify the higher price.
jesse
What?
Stuart
Ridgid offers Coldfire Cobalt drill bits, but I don’t think they make any Coldfire cryogenically treated masonry drill bits.
I don’t think there are any cryogenically treated hammer drill bits, bit will continue to look. Personally I tend to prefer Bosch masonry drill bits.
fred
I’m also pretty sure that cobalt-steel – which tends to be designed for drilling hard materials – and is also a bit more brittle – may not be suitable for hammer drilling.
As far as choice of brand for hammer drill and rotohammer bits – I took a look at our inventory and ( by eyeball ) – we have hundreds of bits and about 60% are Bosch, 20% Milwaukee and and about 10% each Dewalt and Hitachi. This is probably to do with what was available from our suppliers at the time of purchase – and I don’t ever recall specifying brand at the time of purchase. What I would not mind seeing is some objective testing of the various brands – but I realize that setting up such a test may be difficult and of fleeting value considering manufacturer’s penchant for changing designs (and/or advertising claims) of their products.
Stuart
That is correct – cobalt bits are NOT suitable for masonry drilling. The are super hard and super brittle, while masonry bits are tipped with carbide for its added toughness.
There are other cryogenically-treated cutting and drilling tools, such as Milwaukee’s “Ice-Hardened” bi-metal hole saws, but I don’t recall seeing many cryogenically-treated twist bits on the market.
mnoswad1
ESL maybe? Or seems Home Depot has resorted to paying spammers.
mnoswad1
above was a reply to “dennis”
Stuart
I got what he was saying. On the topic of new drills, he asked about drill bits. Honest enough inquiry.
peter
Hi,
I love reading all about the new tools and equipment you publish simply because out here in south africa these they are unobtainable.
Drool on !!!!
Stuart
I’m glad to please!
Dewalt does have distribution channels in South Africa, so you might (eventually ?) see the new drills in your area.
Joe
These tool companies are coming out with too many new tools to fast.You buy what you think is there new model, which you think will be good for at least 3 years then 6 months down the road they come out with something newer. You can’t keep up and as guys we want the newest and badest so you buy it.
Stuart
With drills and drivers, innovation has been rapid in recent years as companies try to keep up with each other. While there’s no harm in waiting for the latest and greatest, there is always something better on the horizon.
Any of the drills and drivers on the market today should last at least 3 years, regardless of whether they’re pushed into obsolescence by newer and better models one or more times in that time.
John
I [on April 12th] just bought the premium hammer drill, model# DCD985, and am a little sickened to know that this is coming out so soon.
I don’t use it too often, as I can just use my brushless impact with a speedbor bit to get through floorboards and joists. But, when I need to get through brick or mortar, I tend to resort to a hammer drill.
In the opinion of the masses, would I be better off keeping my current, newly purchased drill, or upgrading to the new compact hammer drill?
Thanks to all who reply.
🙂
kevin
Hey John, don’t fret it —
Looks like the brushed 985 is a much stronger performer – using Dewalt’s UWO’s
DCD985L2: 535 UWO
DCD795D2: 360 UWO
Battery life and weight go to the new compact, however the brushed motor cranks out significantly more power. I would rather change batteries than deal with an underpowered drill.
Stuart
I agree with Kevin. It’s kind of apples and oranges. The compact brushless hammer drill will NOT keep up with the brushed hammer drill you already bought. If you wanted a brushless model of comparable power that lasts longer, then you would have to change brands and consider the Milwaukee M18 Fuel hammer drill.
If you don’t use it often because it’s too large and heavy, and you don’t really need the power, then you might want to return it.
Time is also a factor. You might have to wait a while for the compact brushless drill to be available. Plus, with this being a completely new technology for Dewalt, there’s an increased risk of defects or flaws in the first batch or two of production models.
DKing
Thanks for the reviews.
This post lists the new XR 2.0Ah battery as taking 45 minutes to recharge while your other posts (and DeWALT) lists it as taking 35 minutes.
Stuart
Thanks for the catch! Dewalt’s website and authorize distributors’ product pages all originally said the batteries recharge in 45 minutes. The charging time claim has since been lowered to 35 minutes. I thought I changed all posts to reflect this, but seem to have missed this post. I have made the appropriate correction.
DKing
If you liked the old grip try this one out before buying. I found it too big on the DCD790, unlike the excellent DCD780.
Steve Gutshall
Beware , the chuck is defective on the Dc795 .