ToolGuyd

Tool Reviews, New Tool Previews, Best Tool Guides, Tool Deals, and More!

  • New Tools
  • Reviews
  • Guides
    • Best Cordless Power Tool Brand
    • Tool Brands: Who Owns What?
    • Best Cordless Drills (2021)
    • Dewalt UWO Explained
    • Where to Buy Tools
    • Best Tool Kit Upgrades
    • Best Extension Cord Size
    • Best Tape Measure
    • Best Safety Gear
    • Best Precision Screwdrivers
    • Best Tool Brands in Every Category
    • Ultimate Tool Gift Guide
    • More Buying Guides
  • Hand Tools
    • Bit Holders & Drivers
    • EDC, Pocket, & Multitools
    • Electrical Tools
    • Flashlights & Worklights
    • Knives
    • Mechanics’ Tools
    • Pliers
    • Screwdrivers
    • Sockets & Drive Tools
    • Wrenches
    • All Hand Tools
  • Power Tools
    • Accessories
    • Cordless
    • Drills & Drivers
    • Oscillating Tools
    • Saws
    • Woodworking Tools
    • All Power Tools
  • Brands
    • Bosch
    • Craftsman
    • Dewalt
    • Makita
    • Milwaukee
    • Ryobi
    • All Brands
  • USA-Made
  • Deals
ToolGuyd > Power Tools > Cordless > New Hitachi 18V Compact Brushless Drill DS18DBFL2

New Hitachi 18V Compact Brushless Drill DS18DBFL2

Mar 8, 2017 Stuart 12 Comments

If you buy something through our links, ToolGuyd might earn an affiliate commission.

Hitachi DS18DBFL2 18V Brushless Cordless Drill Driver

When browsing over at Amazon, I came across a new Hitachi compact brushless drill. There are 2 kits – DS18DBFL2 with 2x 1.5Ah battery packs, and DV18DBFL2 hammer drill with 2x 3.0Ah compact battery packs, and a bare tool (drill/driver), DS18DBFL2P4.

In recent months, Hitachi came out with a very good triple anvil brushless impact driver, and a compact 1/2″ impact wrench. There’s also a new super-powerful brushless hammer drill with anti-kickback safety feature, but it has not yet been announced for the USA market.

Advertisement

Correction: The super-powerful brushless hammer drill IS available in the USA now.

The new Hitachi 18V brushless drill looks pretty straightforward. It delivers up to 620 in-lbs in a compact package.

  • Keyless all-metal 1/2″ chuck
  • 620 in-lbs max torque
  • 1800 RPM Max
  • 22+1 clutch settings
  • LED work light
  • Belt hook
  • Balanced design and ergo grip
  • Length: 6-29/32″
  • Weight: 2.7 lbs w/o battery
  • On-tool battery indicator

As with some other Hitachi drill/drivers, the new compact brushless model has an optical trigger switch, which offers more responsive variable speed actuation, as well as greater wear resistance for the trigger assembly. In other words, enhanced control and greater longevity.

Price: $200 for the kit with 1.5Ah batteries, $140 for the bare tool

Buy Now(Drill/Driver Kit with 2x 1.5Ah)
Buy Now(Hammer Drill Kit with 2x 3.0Ah)
Buy Now(Bare Tool)

First Thoughts

There’s not much to talk about here – this is just another strong-looking release by Hitachi.

It has very good power specs, a compact size, light weight, and reasonable and competitive pricing.

Advertisement

We don’t yet know the pricing of the more premium kit, which pairs the drill with Hitachi’s compact 3.0Ah battery packs. I would expect it to be maybe $100 more than the 1.5Ah kit, at $300 or so.

I’ve got to say, Hitachi’s 18V product family is looking better and better these days. This is one more appealing brushless addition to the lineup.

Related posts:

Craftsman Gyroscopic Cordless ScrewdriverNew Craftsman Gyroscopic Cordless Screwdriver Will be a BIG Hit

Sections: Cordless, Drills & Drivers, New Tools Tags: brushless drills, Hitachi 18VMore from: Hitachi

« Coaster Werx “Opener Coaster” (or Small Parts Tray)
New Dewalt Hollow SDS Drill Bits »

12 Comments

  1. Mike

    Mar 8, 2017

    This is why Hitachi doesn’t sell well – where is the company’s marketing coverage for this and their other tools? No press release, no advertising, no representatives at stores, nothing of the kind. Not even a badly done YouTube video with overly loud ‘knarly’ background music. You had to run across it by chance. How does Hitachi hope to get any market share without promoting their products?

    Reply
    • The yeti

      Mar 8, 2017

      Hitachi is one of the world’s biggest companies . Power tools are probably somewhere down on their list . They build heavy ships equipment and nuclear power plants . I doubt they care much about the tools.

      Reply
    • Stuart

      Mar 8, 2017

      I run into a lot of new tools before they’re officially announced.

      Different companies have different ways of doing things.

      Reply
      • Dale

        Mar 8, 2017

        I wonder if things will change now that Hitachi Power tools (Hitachi Koki) has been sold to US private equity firm KKR.

        Reply
        • Thom

          Mar 9, 2017

          So does this mean Metabo and Hitachi are now American owned?

          Reply
  2. Matt

    Mar 8, 2017

    I went to check it out in Amazon and see that the Hammer Drill is there. Paired with 2 6ah batts for $399

    Reply
    • Stuart

      Mar 8, 2017

      Thanks! The model number is a little different, but you’re right – that’s the same drill!

      Reply
      • Matt

        Mar 8, 2017

        Specs look killer. And 6ah kitted batts?

        Reply
  3. Thom

    Mar 8, 2017

    Hitachi bought Metabo in late 2015. I think their share of the market is secure!

    Reply
    • fred

      Mar 8, 2017

      They likely wanted Metabo to improve their presence in the European market.

      Their power tool business – is part of a larger sector that includes medical electronics, test and measurement equipment, and semiconductor processing equipment. The entire sector accounted for 10% of their revenues in 2015

      Reply
  4. ktash

    Mar 8, 2017

    Perhaps it’s up to the big box stores that handle them. When I go into Home Depot, I see lots of PR for Milwaukee and their other brands. Ace is always promoting Craftsman as well as their other tools, lots of visibility. It’s like these two companies are excited about these tools. Lowe’s doesn’t do as good a job with Hitachi. I’ve gotten some of my best tool deals at Lowe’s on closeouts and sales, however, so I’m not putting them down, just an observation. I like their staff better than the local HD staff. This may just be a local variation, though I’m not sure.

    Reply
    • Stuart

      Mar 9, 2017

      You’re not alone in that criticism of Lowes. After they announced a big partnership, I watched and watched, but failed to see a notable increase in visibility.

      Home Depot’s strategy tends to be more active, Lowes tends to be more passive.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Newsletter

Sign up to receive the latest tool news.

ToolGuyd Forum

Recent Comments

  • Aaron SD on Do “Buy as You Need it” Lean Manufacturing Principles work for DIYers?: “Seems like they need to add Kanban to ensure enough parts. Also seems they don’t have a good handle on…”
  • Rx9 on Do “Buy as You Need it” Lean Manufacturing Principles work for DIYers?: “Good post. You articulate a lot of the hidden costs that lean manufacturing advocates often fail to account for. I…”
  • Rx9 on Do “Buy as You Need it” Lean Manufacturing Principles work for DIYers?: “Good observation. I’ve noticed that often times, the wealthy have meticulously arranged and sparsely decorated homes. It often feels like…”
  • Rx9 on I Am a Brand Name Tool and Equipment Snob: “I’m no brand snob, by any means. This comes from my understanding that in the age of massive multinational conglomerates,…”
  • DRT42 on Do “Buy as You Need it” Lean Manufacturing Principles work for DIYers?: “I live in a fairly rural part of the world, and agree with Mr. C’s observations. “Lean, buy as you…”
  • Mr. C on Do “Buy as You Need it” Lean Manufacturing Principles work for DIYers?: “I’m in a semi-rural part of the country. It’s a solid 30+ minute drive to the nearest store — and…”

Recent Posts

  • Do "Buy as You Need it" Lean Manufacturing Principles work for DIYers?
  • I Am a Brand Name Tool and Equipment Snob
  • My CNC Mill Conversion - Motor Selection
  • Home Depot has HOT Ryobi Cordless Tool Deals Right Now
  • Harbor Freight Takes on Portaband with New Universal Band Saw Stand
  • Milwaukee Adds New Longer Pry Bar Sizes
  • Air Coupler and Plug Fittings Kits
  • HOT Milwaukee Drill Bit and Screwdriver Bit Set Deals!
ToolGuyd New Tool Reviews Image

New Tool Reviews

Buying Guides

  • Best Cordless Drills
  • Best Euro Hand Tool Brands
  • Best Tool Brands
  • Best Cordless Power Tool Brands
  • Tools for New Parents
  • Ultimate Tool Gift & Upgrade Guide
ToolGuyd Knife Reviews Image

Knife Reviews

ToolGuyd Multi-Tool Reviews Image

Multi-Tool Reviews

ToolGuyd LED Flashlight and Worklight Reviews Image

LED Light Reviews

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Stores
  • Videos
  • Gear
  • AMZN Deal Finder
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Disclosure