DeWalt DC825 18V NiMH 1/4" Cordless Drill

I bought this because I have a huge basement flooring project and needed to drive over 1100 Tapcon screws. So I bought two. I'm only 1/4 through the project and so far the driver is the only thing that can drive those 3/16 Phillips head screws. Its got plenty of power, more than enough to find that 10% of the Tapcon screws are weak and break off 1/2 way down the length.

Couple of complaints: The first time I used it, it had a very odd smell. Almost like rotten fish. I bout two of these, and both smelled like that until I used them over a couple of hours. The Dewalt phillips head screw driver bits that are "made for the impact" do not last that long. About every 90 screws you're breaking them. I wish Tapcon made a square recessed screw and could use a stronger bit. I've had to postpone my project until I receive my order of more bits. I also got a bit jambed into the driver by not using one of the extensions since I ran out of full length locking bits. What a real pain to take apart the driver, remove the bit, and get it back together without loosing the locking ball bearing.

I initially tried the driver on a couple of pieces of drywall that I had left to hang. Its not a good tool for soft material as it will over drive the screws if your not taking your time. I'll stick with my drywall gun.

I have a deck project for later this summer. I fully expect these will work wonders on the planking. Much better than a standard drill.

Like anything, you need the right tool for the job and the DC825 filled my need for an impact driver. Kind of wish I had one years ago. But then it would not have been cordless. Batteries have come a long way and the batteries lasted about 2 hours before swapping out with the 2nd. That's pretty good considering the amount of torque these little drivers have to put out.

Conclusion: Buy one if you plan on driving long screws into wood or screws into concrete. Don't buy one for drywall or if you plan on using it to drill holes into things. It's not a drill, its a driver. Great tool for the contractor and the DYI'er. Maybe a little pricey, but its a cordless and well in line with quality cordless tool cost.

THE DC825 IS THE 2ND GENERATION OF THE DEWALT 1/4 INCH IMPACT DRIVERS. IT REPLACES THE DW056 AND CONTINUES THE LEGEND. GREAT TORQUE AND CONTROL. LOTS OF POWER TO SINK LAG SCREWS AND DECK SCREWS. ONE OF THE TOOLS YOU DO NOT LIKE TO LOAN OUT, YOU MIGHT NOT GET IT BACK.

I bought two of these drills -- one for each of my two sons. Both sons are quite capable craftsman, so quality is important to them. We have always tried to buy DeWalt tools -- they are very well made and are strong enough to handle even the toughest working conditions.

This particular drill is great to use, especially when hanging sheetrock. It is small, so it doesn't wear you out just holding it, but it delivers enough torque/power to drive in the screws. The LED is an added bonus, especially in the tight, hard to reach places where it is hard to get light into. And, it is able to use our 18v batteries, so we didn't need to spend a ton of money buying new batteries. the literature says that the 20v batteries can be used in it if we decide to go that direction.

My husband works in construction, so as you can imagine he has definitely put this Dewalt impact driver to the test. He always keeps 2 batteries with him and typically goes through several charges per day. It's been dropped, banged, beaten and abused, and it kept on going for over 6 years!! Not bad for that kind of abuse. He swears by their power, durability, and refuses to use any other brand. That's why when the good lord finally put his first Dewalt out of it's misery he decided to purchase an exact replacement. Quality product!

I have had other drivers before and bought this one because I had another DeWalt 18v tool and could share the batteries.
I like the driver because it is small and easy to handle.
I dislike the driver as it has too much power to drill smaller screws and does strip the screw in soft wood or even twist the screw off in hard wood.
I driver I bought was not new and had been well used before with maybe a Hint of abuse, but it still works and I use it daily.