Theย DeWalt DCD780C2 20V MAX Lithium-Ion Compact Drill/Driver shows offย that bigger is not better by demonstrating that power, speed, andย features can be combined in a small package. This drill is ideallyย suited for anyone who has just about any kind of drilling andย fastening requirements โ within reason, that is. Equipped with a 1/2โณ ratcheting chuck, variable speed motor, and a two-speed transmission, you will have the flexibility you need to do many different drilling and driving tasks. Since it weighs in at a very manageable 3.4ย pounds, even extended overhead work can be done with less fatigue.
Features and Build Quality
Professionalย users often have frustrations with compact tools that have to do withย performance or speed. With the DeWalt DCD780C2 20V MAX Lithium-Ionย Compact Drill/Driver, you can be sure that there is plenty of both.ย With a two-speed transmission, there is a low setting that deliversย 0-600 RPM and, if you need more, the high setting goes from 0-2000ย RPM. To make sure that bits stay put once they are inserted, aย ratcheting style 1/2โณ chuck is used that helps to reduceย bit slippage during high torque applications.
The new compactย drill/driver is just 7-1/2 inches long and weighs only 3.4 pounds. Aย removable and repositionable belt hook and on-board bit storage areย also standard features that help keep your tool where you put it andย minimize the amount of time you take to locate a bit. A bright LEDย light positioned above the trigger comes with a 20-second stay-onย delay for extended use in dimly lit spaces.
Electronicsย are built into the switches, making these tools smarter by maximizingย the life of the tools and batteries and helping to protect them fromย overheating, overloading, and deep discharge during use. Twoย 1.5 Ah Lithium-Ion battery packs come with the drill, along with aย heavy-duty carry case. The drill ships with the slim-sized battery pack, which really makes the whole deal more compact. By utilizing theย new sled battery packs, DeWalt was able to thin down the handleย considerably, making it more comfortable to hold and control. Allย these features translate into more comfort and better productivityย for contractors who use drills like this every day.
DeWalt DCD780C2 20V MAX Drill/Driver Features
Theย included 20V MAX Lithium-Ion quick charger has dual voltage functionality, making it compatible with the 12V MAX Lithium-ionย batteries as well. So you might be wondering: What is the deal withย the 20V MAX designation for these tools? Once operating in a tool,ย the batteries measure the expected nominal 18 volts. The reason forย the new name is simply that DeWalt wanted to ensure that theyย did not create any confusion with their current 18V cordless line.ย
Rather than a top-post design like we are familiar with, the new 20Vย MAX batteries are a slide-on sled style, much like their new 12V MAXย compact cordless tools. The DCD780C2 20V MAX Lithium-Ion Compactย Drill/Driver comes with a three-year limited warranty, one-year freeย service contract, and 90-day money-back guarantee. The two 1.5 Ah Lithium-Ion battery packs included come with a two-year free serviceย contract. If you need extra batteries, a 3.0 Ah Lithium-ion batteryย can be purchased separately, and it will also come with a three-year free service contract.
Testingย and Use
Thisย is probably one of the most competitive categories of drill/driversย because it bridges the gap between smaller 12V tools and larger (andย much heavier) hammer drill/drivers. I know in our tool shop that we have several similar-sized compact 18V drills, and they likely have seen more use than all the other types of drills put together. Withย that said, if we were to recommend a compact drill/driver, we wouldย tell you to keep lightweight and powerful at the top of your list.ย
After spending a little time with the DeWalt DCD780C2ย 20V MAX Lithium-Ion Compact Drill/Driver, we would say that this toolย really fits the bill. We enjoyed the slimmed-down handle profile and the very balanced feel of this drill. There definitely is plenty of speed, and the adjustable clutch does its job well to ensure that you donโt over-torque your screws. The belt hook is a real benefit, and thanks to the lithium-ion battery, the whole drill is actuallyย very lightweight.
At first, we wondered why this drill did not comeย with the larger capacity 3.0Ah batteries, but after some extendedย use, we figured out that it would simply weigh you down since theย larger battery does not add more power (just run time). Run time wasย not an issue either because the tool powered through nearly a wholeย dayโs worth of holes and screws without requiring a battery change.
Conclusion
Theย DeWalt DCD780C2 20V MAX Lithium-Ion Compact Drill/Driverย is a great starting place to start your 20V MAX Cordless toolย collection. With plenty of power, a super compact size, and practicalย features, weโre pretty sure that professionals will fall inย love with this drill. That includes remodelers, carpenters,ย cabinetmakers, woodworkers, electricians, and plumbers. For ourย Professional rating, we gave this drill a 7/10 because it combinesย the best of the new with what folks have come to expect from DeWaltย as far as job site durability.
For our Value rating, we gave thisย drill an above-average score of 7/10 thanks to a good warranty forย both the drill and the batteries, combined with features that mostย professionals will appreciate.
