Steve emailed in the other day, with a tip that the Dewalt DCD777C2 brushless drill kit was on sale for $105. I thought he was on to something, and decided to check back in a few days.
Lo and behold, I checked the price of the drill kit first thing this morning, and found it to be $99, a new all-time low according to my records.
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The Dewalt DCD777 was born as a holiday season mass market model, originally being released at $119 last holiday season.
When I first wrote about the DCD777, I said:
Heck, if this kit was $99, even I would have a hard time keeping my wallet in my pocket.
Hold on a second.
OK, DONE! I just ordered one for a long-time friend that just moved to a new house. With a new baby and in a new house, they’re bound to have lots of little projects here and there. And now they’ll have a compact and capable brushless drill to help them get to it. After some time they’ll get back to me with feedback.
Specifications
- 340 UWO (unit watts out) Max power
- 0-500, 0-1750 RPM
- 1/2″ ratcheting chuck
- LED worklight (under the chuck)
- 7.52″ length
- Weighs 2.6 lbs
- Kit comes with (2) Li-ion battery packs, charger, and carrying bag
Price: $99
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I had been flip-flopping about which cordless drill kit to get them as part of a housewarming and “best tools for homeowners and DIYers” post update. It was between this one and Milwaukee’s 2606-22CT or 2606-21L kit. The 2-battery kit isn’t on sale at the moment, and wasn’t during last holiday season, and the 1-battery drill plus flashlight bundle is still $119 and not yet at the $99 price I expect it to hit for Father’s Day.
So with this Dewalt brushless drill dropping to $99, it was a pretty easy decision. While this isn’t a drill I’d buy for my own use right now, it’s definitely something I would have bought a few years ago when I had less demanding needs and less money to spend on tools.
I think that this could very well be the most appealing cordless drill kit for under $100. I haven’t tried it out (yet?), but at its current price of $99, I’m awfully tempted to buy a pair to hack into a robot project.
Public user reviews have been pretty favorable, and no complaints have hit my inbox either. I’m optimistic that it’s a good choice for those in the market for a $99 drill kit.
I don’t think most of those buying or using this drill were ever concerned with the brushes wearing out on a brushed motor drill, but the greater efficiency of the brushless motor provide should deliver longer runtime from the entry-level compact battery packs.
If you’ve already bought or received this drill kit, how well has it served your drilling and driving needs?
Side note – has anyone taken the guts of a brushless drill for use in an electromechanical project? I wonder how well Dewalt’s electronics play well with signals from an Arduino or other microcontroller.
Thom
So what does 340 UWO convert to in Inch lbs of torque?
kman
Just wanted to point out a possible discrepancy. The link on the amazon listing shows 1500 rpm max and 300 unit watts of power. Your specs list different values?
Stuart
The specs above are reflected taken from Dewalt’s website. (Although, there is a discrepancy there too, listing the no-load speed incorrectly as 0-1600RPM in addition to 0-500/0-1750.)
I guess Amazon has early or outdated specs, which look to have been copy/pasted from the DCD771 brushed motor specs.
On 9/28/16, my contact at Dewalt provided the following in response to my request for official specs:
DCD777C2:
Power – 350 UWO
RPM – 0 – 1,750
Batteries – 1.5Ah
MSRP – $149
Length – 7.5”
Weight – 2.6 lbs. (Tool only)
I can’t guarantee its accuracy, as noone is infallible, but I can tell you that I personally trust these specs to be correct.
Thom
Ok so using the formula RPM x inch/lbs / 560 I figure it at 380 inch lbs…not very impressive even for $99
Thom
I mean RPM x inch lbs / 560
Mark
I’m more interested in adding an impact driver but that would leave me unable to use hs drill bits. then I remembered that I have a hex to threaded chuck adapter but, being ‘ancient’,, the chuck is small and keyed. I’m wondering, going to look in to, the availability of a keyless version of this.
Alternatively there are hex shank drill bits but can they be sharpened?
I’m a retired contractor and really don’t want to but a drill and driver kit. I’m in a “less is more” phase. And, less is also less expensive.
Stuart
They do have keyless impact driver chuck adapters, but they’re often 3/8″ and seldom wobble-free.
Amazon Search Results – scroll down past the no-name brands to see ones from Dewalt, Makita, Hitachi.
An impact can be used to drill, but in some applications it might not be as straight or true as a drill.
Raoul
Home Depot has the Ridgud Gen5x brushless drill for $79. I think that would be better.
Dean in Des Moines
I pulled the trigger on this purchase yesterday on your recommendation. I hope it compares favorably to my beloved DeWalt 14.4 3/8. Sigh. I miss that drill.