For years I have struggled to get my full-size cordless drill into tight spots. I have tried everything from flexible-shaft-bit-holders to crazy angles when I drill. Finally a solution -- and one that works interchangeably with my other 18 volt tools. The first task I put this to was drilling holes for 3 inch PVC drain lines in 50 year old southern pine floor joists. Using firm but gentle pressure, I was through the joist in no time. After a dozen or so holes, the tool was running hot, but had plenty more power to keep running. I then employed it replacing some drawer guides in a cabinet and it worked like a charm on the low speed setting.pOverall, another great product from DeWalt. I continue to wonder what takes them so long!pPROS: Great power; interchanges with DeWalt 18v system; easy to hold; comfortable to operate; plenty of power for carpentrypCONS: forward/reverse switch is very small (or my fingers are fat); no adjustable torque (really not needed for most applications)

Out of necessity and because it has ample power, I had been planning to convert this drill to a 1/2" chuck for some time, but just recently got around to it. Since the DW960 comes with a 3/8" capacity chuck, I assumed that it would be mounted on a 3/8" X 24 TPI spindle as most 3/8" drills are.Before buying a 1/2" chuck with a reduced 3/8" X 24 TPI mount, I decided to remove the original chuck and check the spindle to be sure.With the chuck removed, I found that the DW960 has a 1/2" X 20 TPI spindle, which is the standard spindle size for mounting a 1/2" chuck. I wouldn't bother changing out the chuck on my older model DW966 14.4V right angle drill because it doesn't really have enough power to make it worth the expense, but I decided to check the spindle size on it anyway. It too has the 1/2" X 20 TPI spindle. Dewalt most likely does this to give the short spindles more strength, not to allow for an upgrade to a 1/2" chuck. Nevertheless, I really need this drill to be a 1/2", so I purchased a Jacobs made Dewalt OEM style keyless chuck from McMaster and installed it on the drill. It fit perfectly, actually better than the original did, and for my work needs, the extra chuck capacity makes all the difference.I would never attempt to use this right angle drill as hard as my straight 1/2" cordless drill, but when working in a tight space, it's great to finally be able to use the DW960 with my Greenlee hole saws larger than 7/8", which have 7/16" shanks. This was the main reason for wanting to ditch the standard 3/8" chuck.I've used it with hole saws up to 3-1/2" in 1X and 2-1/2" in 2X material. This seems to be completely within the drills ability without producing any unusual motor strain or heating. Understandably, I'm sure Dewalt would not approve of this modification and if the motor or gear train does eventually end up as toast, I'm okay with the fact that it will be my fault, not Dewalt's.With that being said, it now appears that I can finally stop waiting for Dewalt to produce an 18V cordless 1/2" right angle drill.

You probably won't use this tool on every job, but when your Hole Hawg is too clumsy to fit in a tight spot or you just don't need all that firepower, this "little" RAD is a godsend. Like another tool reviewer did, I too replaced the 3/8 chuck with a 1/2" keyless chuck which makes the tool more usable. It was the most difficult chuck I had ever removed from a tool. It was torqued and loctited on very well, almost too well. I have not experienced any of the problems other reviewers had, but unfortunately there are lemons and DOA's with most anything you buy today. I feel the tool is well made and serves it's intended function very well. If you buy this elsewhere like Home Depot, be aware that they sell the kit with only 1 battery for $199.00 not the 2 batteries that come with the kit sold on Amazon.com. The designation is DW960K-2 for the 2 battery kit and DW960K for the single battery version. Both kits include the same drill, kit box and charger.

This tool worked great for about three months, then while driving a#10 sheet metal screw the trigger froze in the on position, smoke started coming out of the battery pack, the only way to stop it was to disconnect the battery. I'm a cabinetmaker and this is one of the better right angle drills I've owned, it's a bit heavy and the forward and reverse switch is hard to use. The batteries last a long time, I can be on the job all day without charging them,nice.The keyless chuck is one of the best I've used, I hope this is just one of those lemons you get every now and again because I was really begining to like this tool.

A previous review complained about DeWalt customer service phone number not answering.brI just called them at that number and they answered immediately. I got my support specialist and my problem is solved.brTry again.

I used this right angle drill on several projects ranging from kitchen cabinet installation to the removal of a CD changer from my vehicle. I found the torque and build quality to be excellent. However, for very tight spaces, I can see how the weight and size does not always make this the ideal tool. During one project, in order to get the correct angle to remove a screw, the chuck rubbed against metal rails causing the chuck to loosen several times.
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br /I chose the DW960K over other right angle drills because I needed cordless portability and I was impressed with most of the DeWalt 18-volt tools. I bought this last year before the Bosch PS10-2 Litheon 10.8 Volt Lithium-Ion I-Driver Kit became available. The new Bosch I-Driver, although pricy at 150 dollars, is very compact, light, uses a quick-change chuck, and comes with two lithium ion batteries.
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br /I will probably keep the DeWalt right angle drill for projects requiring more torque and in less confined areas. However, I will probably purchase the Bosch I-Driver for less demanding tasks that require a very compact right angle drill.

this little drill is a workhorse. I bored a goood 15-20 1" holes a speedbor before it even got hot even after that it didnt lose any torque or drain the battery. I wouldnt use it for real large jobs but if you need to drill 30-40 hole that aren't too large it easier to use this than to have to plug in a hole hawg and deal with the weight of one of those things

The DEWALT right angle drill works well but you need to take good care not to drop it. My DEWALT 18V cordless right angle drill broke when I knocked it off my tool box. It was a 14" fall and I guess it just landed the wrong way. When I picked it up, it started rattling. I was thinking "NO WAY". I couldn't believe it. It was a 14" fall. I also have a Bosch 18V hammer drill which my neighbor accidently dropped on a hard concrete floor from the top of an 8 foot ladder. A few scratches but it still worked flawlessly.

Why is it that everyone that buys a defective tool must write a negitive review? Just pack it up and send it back! You have no more idea what kind of drill you have than a person that has never purchased one.
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br /As far as durability, any tool can be damaged by dropping it. Don't blame the tool.
br /This tool is very ergonomic. My hands are small and it works great for me.
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br /The low center of gravity makes it very steady while sitting on the battery base; much more so than a regular drill which is nose heavy.
br /Unlike a convential drill, the trigger is over three inches long, and very easy to activate with any part of you hand.
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br /By grasping the drill just above the base and placing the heel of your hand on the back of the head, you can apply pressure to insure fast and firm application of any bit or driver you choose to use.
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br /The other thing I like about this tool is that it is easy to carry on a belt and fits into ANY tool bag or box that I want to use. The convential drill never sits well in my tool bag and it is hard to find a carrier that feels good to me.
br /I wrapped a velcro strap around the base of the drill and attached a carabiner to the strap and I can hook it to a belt, a belt loop, or even a button hole of my old bid overalls.
br /The fact that it is easy to use in tight places is only one of the many reasons that I love this tool.
br /If you think that it is too expensive, rent one first and see for yourself how great it is to operate.
br /After a month of using my angle drill, I put my regular drill on the shelf.

I was remodeling a bathroom and needed to drive a couple of screws attaching the vent braces to the joists. My other cordless drills wouldn't fit. The tiny screwdriver and my big hands wouldn't fit or would take me forever at 1/4 turns. So, I looked around for a right angle drill. I like Dewalt products, and this was no exception. It is maybe not a tool you would use everyday or on every project. It is a good tool to have on hand when you need it. I also find I use it a lot more than I thought I would. The forward and reverse buttons are small and I sometimes wish for an adjustable torque capability. The tool isn't too heavy and is easy to use. I recommend it.

This tool never even made it onto the jobsite. Just testing in the workshop proved too much! The chuck spun out of round, and the motor was taxed and stripped trying to run a 3/4 auger. Even a large Irwin speedbore proved too much. I am O.K with a drill not being able to spin a bit-I will back off and try a smaller size. But this tool just seems to strip the gears way too easily. I tried 2 of these, figuring I might have gotten a lemon, but 2 lemons? The gears sound like they are cheaper quality. I think next time I will look at the small Makita corded or perhaps the Hitachi corded or cordless.

The drill has a lot of power and works really well in tight spaces. The handle get a little hot when working for a long time, but other than that it works great.

I bought the DW960K-2 from amazon.com about a year ago and I am not disappointed. I expected nothing less from Dewalt though. It is a very handy tool and since there are not too many cordless right angle drills out there this was a no brainer. I do a lot of woodworking projects and I use the DW960K-2 on just about every one. So far it is very strong, sturdy, made very well. The batteries hold a charge well and recharge very quickly too. I'm glad that Dewalt included two batteries that is a definite bonus. I'm still a diehard Dewalt fan so they did not disappoint me on this one.

Purchased item to use in tight spaces where a standard drill would not go. It works perfect. Highly recommend if you find yourself facing similar problems.

I'm a contractor, so I use my tools all the time and rely on them. Most of my hand tools are Bosch, but they don't have a full size right angle cordless drill, so I purchased the Dewalt. The Dewalt is inferior to Bosch in so many ways. First, the reverse switch is too small and hidden. It's difficult to switch when you're under a cabinet or in a tight space and try with just one hand. Secondly, the chuck is difficult to tighten and again requires two hands. Try a Bosch chuck, and you'll instantly know why the Dewalt chuck is worthless. Third, if it falls, the battery typicall falls out. Hey, no one wants to drop their tools, but it happens. When it does, I just want to pick it up, not reassemble it. So, in a nut shell, I haven't been impressed and only use this when it's absolutely necessary for the space. I'll be selling it soon as I'm getting the new Bosch Lithium drivers. They work great for the occasional tight space with none of the draw backs listed above.

I'm in the process of remodeling an old farmhouse. I bought this drill to help with the wiring. Most of the framing is true 2" oak that's over 100 yrs old. This drill in coordination with an auger bit drilled right through the stuff. Any difficulties I had were the fault of the bit getting dulled by all of those old hidden nails.
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br /The only two downsides are that the drill is "fat", sometimes making it hard to grip with average-sized hands. Also, the reverse switch is too small for gloved hands.
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br /This is my first Dewalt drill and will definately not be my last.

This drill was purchased to help in tight areas of cabinet constuction and repair. It has been used numerous times and has proven to be a worthwhile tool. It is easy to use, and reached all but the hardest to reach places. It has ample power and I would reccomend it to anyone who is considering adding a right angle drill to their inventory.

Great buy - received the driil, two batteries, the charger and the case in excellent condition. Drill heavier than expected but still a great tool. I looked at other sellers for the same tool - not all offers came with two batteries - knowing the cost for a new additional battery alone makes this purchase a great buy!

I was installing a new "Composit" Deck at my front door. The directions called for "16 inch on centers" from underside. I soon discovered that not one of my 3 cordless drill/drivers could drive the screws in the very tight space available. I ordered the Dewalt DW960K-2 from Amazon at the lowest price I could find. When the tool came it worked flawlessly and as advertised. Without this tool I am convinced I would have given up and installed the screws from the top of the deck (conventional way)instead from underneath. The result was a very clean install with no tell-tale screws visable from the top the deck.

I've used this a couple of times already. The batteries have a long run time and the tool has a lot of power. Overall a great tool when you have to have the right angle drill!

Drives well in tight spaces. Great to get two batteries. Haven't challenged it's power yet. My other 18V Dewalt drill has not disappionted me. The forward and reverse switch is very small and a pain to use for big hands.

This drill is very large. My big hands can't even make it all the way around it to squeeze the trigger comfortably. Very unsteady.
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br /Not typical of DeWalt, mine arrived with a chuck that spun around in an elliptical fashion, instead of circular. It would not drill a single hole. But that is rare. My review of 2 stars is based on the disappointing size. For what you need this drill for (getting into tight spaces), maybe a Makita would be better. Size is the most important factor with a drill such as this. I sent it back.

I recieved my new DW960k heavy duty cordless drill driver 20 Nov. 03. The next day, FRI. 21 Nov. I took it to work to try it.I put a newer fully charged battery in the tool, there was an imediate bright spark within the drill and it began smoking heavily. Once the fire went out I put a battery back in the drill and now it runs full blast without squezzing the trigger.brI have tryed to contact 1-800-4-dewalt but they aren't answering the phone. It appears that it is better to purchase your tools where they can be tested. I now own every 18 volt cordless tool that dewalt makes, several of some, and I wonder what I am going to have to go through to get this drill replaced, not repaired. I did not purchase a reconditioned tool.

My company uses many cordless drills and we recently found a need to get into tight spaces. Now my crew wants more than one.
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br /Michael P.