Hitachi DS18DL, Should You Get It?
If you are looking for a great drill, then the Hitachi DS18DL Cordless Drill Driver may be the tool for you. But, one tool is not going to fit everyone’s taste.
In this Hitachi DS18DL review, we will take a close look at what this drill is. Use this to help you decide if this will work for you or not.
What Is It?
The Hitachi DS18DL is a lightweight but tough 18V drill powered by 3.0 AH Lithium 18V batteries. It has been designed to weigh up to 50% less than many of the models in the market and has 570 in/lbs of torque.
Here are some of the features of the Hitachi DS18DL that you should know about.
Great Torque - One of the top features of the DS18DL drill from Hitachi is its torque class. The motor produces 570 in/lbs or torque. This makes the drill powerful enough for professional use, but it can also be used for smaller home projects.
The DS18DL’s torque allows it to go through wood, aluminum and other metals with ease. That way, you won’t have to switch from one drill to another.
Variable Speed - A variable speed is necessary for any drill because not every job is created equal. In some, you would want to save up on energy and battery power and in others, you need all the power you can get. With the DS18DL cordless drill, you get 4 different speeds that starting at no load. These speeds are: – 200 rpm – 400 rpm – 900 rpm – 1800 rpm
Ergonomic Grips - The grip of the DS18DL drill has been designed so that it gives the utmost comfort to users, even for long jobs. Side handles are a new addition to drills like these. They help to increase the usability of a tool and it gives users ultimate control. The side handle of the DS18DL drill is detachable but installs easily.
Belt Hook, LED Lighting and Other Features - The Hitachi DS18DL drill features a 5 position belt hook. This makes it very portable and ideal for any handyman who likes to have their hands free while still having their trusty tools within reach.
The LED lighting is also designed to illuminate the workspace. It is ideal for jobs in enclosed or dark areas.
The drill also features a carbon brush that can be used for easy drill maintenance. It also features a Jacobs chuck, which makes tightening and loosening bits easier.
Quick Charge and Batteries - Quick chargers are necessary to keep downtime to a minimum. The DS18DL drill’s quick charger promises to provide full power in as little as 45 minutes. To add to that, the charger also features a Cool Air Flow system that maintains ideal temperatures when charging.
The batteries are also a great feature of this drill because they are very lightweight. They are also guaranteed to last 3x longer than most of the batteries in the market today. The Hitachi DS18DL drill’s HXP Lithium Ion batteries can be used for up to 500 charges. Each battery is also protected by Hitachi’s Over Current Protection Technology.
This helps to make the batteries last much longer. The batteries are also compatible with older Hitachi cordless drill models.
Long Warranty - The drill comes with a 10 year Lithium Ion Tool Warranty. An impressive warranty and the longest one in the market for any other Lithium Ion Tool. You will find very little to no complaints regarding this drill’s batteries.
Other brands are swamped with issues regarding battery life, not this Hitachi compact cordless drill. It’s certainly is built solid and will last any user years of use.
What Others Are Saying
The Hitachi DS18DL 18V Cordless Drill has received a lot of good reviews from users. Here are some of what people had to say about this drill in Amazon.
“I have purchased several brands of battery powered drills for installing electrical lines in new construction, so I tend to use my cordless drills more than most. This Hitachi is hands down the best I've ever used. Not only the superior torque, but the battery life is incredible.”
“I have to tell any and all of you that this is by far the best drill on the market. I have had numerous cordless drills over the years and the Hitachi is the one that I keep going back to.”
“…if what you're looking for is a drill that won't let you down, this is it.”
“It is a fantastic drill, better than any I've ever used (and I've used many brands).”
“Combined with the automatic spindle lock, this high quality chuck is a breeze to tighten and loosen. It is big enough to wrap my entire hand around for serious tightening. This chuck just doesn't slip when tightened [sic] properly.”
“This is a fantastic product. use this constantly all around and for a drill with the power and battery life this has, it is pretty lightweight.” “I have continued to use the drill for many projects, with total satisfaction.”
“WE have been using the Dril for the Mixing of Thinset, one of the toughest job for any battery powered drill and it worked great.”
“It has plenty of torque for any job. It comes with a super quick tightening chuck that ratchets for superior grip. The chuck only takes one hand to tighten or loosen.”
“I am very impressed with this drill.”
“The power of this drill is awesome”
“I've used craftman drills for the past 10 years but they in no way compare to this great drill.”
“Absolutely the best drill I have ever owned.”
“Just used this Hitachi for a big project. Worked like a charm.”
“This drill is really powerful, especially considering it's size. The battery lasts forever!”
Disadvantages
One report from a user states that the Hitachi DS18DL 18V Cordless Drill has too much wobble in the drill bit. This is often only due to improper tightening of the bit. If you encounter the same issues, be sure to tighten the bit properly. Another user also commented about the aesthetics of the DS18DL drill/driver.
There seem to be a small number of users who do not like the idea of dressing up a power tool like a cross trainer. Lucky for Hitachi, there are a lot more users who like the sporty look of their drill. I do. It’s fun and it is a great separation from the boring design of some of the drills in the market today.
How Much Is It?
This drill sells for around $550 with most retailers, but you can get this for a discount at Amazon. The online store provides the clients with discounts of up to 39%. Click here if you want to get this from Amazon.
Product Specifications -
Dimension: 6 x 17 x 27 inches
- Weight: 4.6 lbs – Chuck Size: 1/2 inches
- Battery Voltage: 18 Volts – No Load Speeds: 0-200/400/900/1800 rpm
- Maximum Torque: 560 inch-pound – Battery Type: Lithium Ion
- Chuck: Keyless – Variable Speed: Yes – Spindle Lock: Yes
- Electric Brake: Yes – Detachable Side Handle: Yes
- Model Number: DS18DL
- Battery Interface: Yes
What’s In the Box
- DS18DL Drill Driver
- Driver Bit
- Two 3.0 Ah Lithium Ion Batteries
- Quick Charger
- Side Handle
- Carrying Case
Where Can I get More Information?
For more information on this Hitachi Drill, you can go the official Hitachi website. You can also visit the product’s official Amazon page, click this link.
If you are ready to get this drill for your home, click on this link to quickly get to this drill’s page at Amazon.
Tags: compact drill, cordless drill, drills, power drills, power tools