The first tool of Dewalt’s new 12V Max compact cordless tool lineup that we’ll be reviewing is the 3/8″ drill/driver DCD710S2. We already reviewed the handle and common features of the 12V Max lineup, so you may want to check that out before or after this one. As expected, the drill was a pleasure to use, and operates pretty darn well.
Specifications & Features
Here is a brief summary of the drill’s specs fromw hen we introduced it a few months ago:
Advertisement
- Compact and lightweight (2.4lbs)
- 2-speed transmission: 0-400 and 0-1500 RPM
- 15 clutch settings + drill mode
- 3/8″ single-sleeve chuck
- LED worklight
- Belt hook
- Ergonomic handle and flat-bottom battery
- Function, Build Quality & Features
Feel & Performance
If you’ve read our review of the new Dewalt 12V Max handle, you’ll know that we absolutely love it. It’s ergonomic, it’s comfortable, and it’s extremely well designed. The rest of the drill’s body is just as impressive.
Toggling the reverse switch and speed selection switch is quick and easy, with a very nice click as they’re set into place. I don’t quite like mushy-feeling buttons and switches, such as the one on Craftsman’s RAID. One thing to note is that the switches are somewha smaller than those on Bosch’s compact cordless drill/driver. This isn’t a criticism or downside, only an observation.
The 15+1 setting clutch is easy to adjust, and its raised bumps are a nice touch that improves how it feels through gloved hands. We’re a fan of ratcheting chucks, and this one is no different. The chuck is a single-sleeve ratcheting design that is quick to spin and hand-tighten. A “click-click-click-click” lets you know when the chuck is fully tightened and a bit held tight.
Size-wise, the drill is larger than some competitors’ models, but its slimmer handle and improved balance more than make up for this. When lined up and compared to Dewalt’s 18V compact lithium ion drill, the compact size of the 12V Max drill is highly noticeable.
Dewalt rates the power of its tools in UWO (unit watts out), and it should come as no surprise that the 12V Max drill can put out a little more than half the power of a full-size 18V drill. This ratio is comparable to other brands’ rated performance.
Advertisement
We tested the drill’s performance in a number of projects, drilling hard and soft woods, plastic, aluminum, and thin gauge steel. We tested the accuracy and repeatability of the clutch in several driving applications as well. One of these days we’ll setup benchmarking test protocols, but for the time being we prefer to test tools in real-life applications.
Overall, the performance of the tool is on par with other compact cordless tools we’ve tested before. One thing to note is that the 12V Max tools do have built-in sensors and circuitry to prevent damage to their batteries from over-temperature, over-current, and under-voltage conditions.
Dewalt appears to have designed these preventative measures in a different way than other companies have. It is our understanding that the 12V Max tool’s electronic switch will adjust subtly to avert potential damage whereas a competitor’s tool might shut off at the first sign of trouble or stalling, In some applications, it seemed that this made the Dewalt drill seem much more powerful than competing tools, but we have no way of knowing for certain.
Finally, the drill does have an LED light at its front, but as with most other drills, the chuck blocks a good portion of light from making it to the workpiece. There is no battery gauge, nor is there on-tool bit storage, but to be fair we found ourselves missing neither.
Conclusion
The 12V Max drill is a pleasure to use overhead and for extended periods, and as mentioned its ergonomics are quite marvelous. It packs a great deal of power for its size, and handles light to medium duty drilling and driving tasks with ease. We absolutely recommend it for jobsite use by electricians, installers, woodworkers, other tradesmen, and definitely for homeowners and DIYers of all levels as well. We loved it!
Dewalt bundles the 3/8″ drill as part of a standalone kit (DCD710S2) including two batteries, a charger and a soft bag for $159, and as part of a 2-tool kit (DCK211S2) that adds an impact driver to the kit for $40 more.
Dewalt 3/8” 12V Max Drill/Driver via Amazon
Dewalt 3/8″ Drill/Driver & Impact Driver Combo Kit DCK211S2 via Amazon
Product Info via Dewalt
The full product line is also available via CPO Outlets.
Thank you to Dewalt for providing the sample for this review unconditionally. Review samples are typically given away, donated, or in some cases kept for further testing or benchmark and comparison purposes.
vgs
Do you plan to review the impact wrench? It is claimed to have 96 ft-lb of torque. Should it be able to take off alloy wheel torqued to 80 ft-lb with ease or not? Is it possible to confirm the manufacturer’s claim of 96 ft-lb torque?
Thanks,
TRAN
No it can not take off the lug nut, i have Milwaukee 3/8 with 166 ft lb almost double power and it’s barely to spin the lug nut off, a 12v MAX DEWALT design for small job, tight area, easy to carry around, perfect for Car maintenace like changing timing belt, Valve cover gasket Etc…
JELAKE
I’m a DIY’er/woodworking guy who appreciates pro-quality stuff. I’m looking to invest in a new cordless platform. I like the new 12v MAX system, especially after reading your awesome reviews. Any indication from the Dewalt folks if they’ll be adding other bare tools to this lineup? I’m specifically interested in a circular saw and a jig saw to be added to my collection but I think I may have to go with an 18v system to have those devices. Any thoughts on this?
Stuart
I hope that new tools are in the works, but it might be too soon to say. The people who could best answer this probably aren’t allowed to talk about the new tools.
Not many 12V lineups include jigsaws or circular saws, certainly nothing like you would find in an 18V lineup.
Makita offers a 12V circular trim saw, and Milwaukee offers their Hackzall, a small recip saw.
For a cordless jigsaw or circular saw, you will have much greater selection with an 18V platform. Plus, 18V saws will be able to provide much greater cutting power than 12V versions.
Even if such 12V tools were to be announced tomorrow soon, it might be weeks or months before they hit stores.
promark
I owned an 18V DeWalt drill/driver that I bought around 1992. I finally wore it out and bought this one. I am very impressed overall. Power is superb. You can drive 3/8″ lag screws with no problem, and you can drill through most anything that does not require a hammer drill. The 3-speed transmission allows you to get enough top speed to optimally drill with small bits, unlike two-speed drivers.
The Lithium battery system is a real advantage. It is much lighter and smaller than the old ‘XR’ Ni-cad packs. If you are using this at home and/or intermittently the Li-ion battery excels. It holds its charge for many months so there is no need to charge it before use just because it sat around for a while.
Beaver
Good review, I just picked up the 12v combo pack from amazon.
I checked this review before buying for the pics and description.
I hope they come out with a 12v worksite radio!!
Kirk
I hope they come out with the 12v hammer drill like milwaukee has. I hang allot of banners in my sign business all 1/4″ holes. I’m sure electricians & plumbers would like a light weight hammer drill for those smaller anchors overhead when needed. Hope dewalt catches up with milwaukee in the 12v line, I’d rather have dewalt.
Stuart
I share your hope there – I’ve tried the Milwaukee M12 hammer drill and certainly do hope that other manufacturers come out with something similar. While it’s not particularly well suited for larger holes in masonry, the tool’s size does it make great for smaller hole sizes. I would LOVE if Dewalt came out with a 12V Max version of the drill!
kirk
Like Stuart I hope Dewalt makes a 12v Hammer Drill like the Milwaukee M12 hammer drill but with Hilti hammer drill like quality. I drill thousands of 3/16″ & 1/4″ holes a year hanging banners small signs etc.
carpenterlcl157ny
This drill is awesome but the impact gun is the sh*t im a union carpenter from ny and i do mill work and the drill goes through solid red oak panels with ease compared to the 18v which also does but its a bit heavier and harder to keep accurate the impact gun goes through concrete with a good drill bit with no problem at all its very light and for a 12v battery it lasts a good while as long as your not killing it…..for the price this drill combo set is the best buy for carpenters doing wood work
brenda
i need to know are these american made tools made in the usa
Steve R.
Brenda–I’m sorry, no they are not. They are likely designed here in the US, but the manufacturing plant is in China. However, build quality is excellent, as is durability; you will not be disappointed.