Compare Prices - DeWalt DC729KA 18v

DeWalt DC729KA 18v Drill Driver

Dewalt DC729KA Cless Drill Driver 18v: Specifically designed for use in tight situations, this excellent 18v drill driver offers the user everything for drilling and screwdriving applications and has a compact, lightweight design. There are 17 positions for the adjustable torque control giving consistent screwdriving into a variety of materials with different screw sizes. Two speed settings, variable speed and reverse switch for controllable use and 10 mm single sleeve keyless chuck with automatic spindle lock for quick and easy bit change with one hand.

Includes :1 hour charger, 2 x 1.3Ah NiCd Batteries, heavy duty carrying case

Specifications:

Voltage: 18v
Chuck Capacity: 1.5-10 mm
Battery: NiCd 1.3 Ah
Power Output: 350 Watts
No Load Speed: 0-400 / 0-1400 rpm
Max Torque: 40 Nm
Max. Drilling Capacity [Wood]: 38 mm
Max. Drilling Capacity [Metal]: 10 mm
Weight: 2.0 kg
Length: 218 mm
Height: 229 mm

Reviews

Username: Uriel

Overall Rating: 4 / 5
Value: 5 / 5
Features: 4 / 5
Performance: 4 / 5
Reliability: 5 / 5

Good general purpose drill

"I was looking for a general purpose cordless drill and the DeWalt DC729KA has been very satisfactory. The carry case is sturdy without being too bulky. The batery charges quickly and holds charge well - the spare is invaluable. I have found it powerful enough for all but the hardest jobs (it doesn't have a hammer option) and light enough for small jobs."

Username: Routerman

Overall Rating: 5 / 5
Value: 3 / 5
Features: 4 / 5
Performance: 5 / 5
Reliability: 5 / 5

Safe Buy

"I purchased the DW729KA to replace an ageing Bosch 18v that was losing battery life. The DW is well packaged and well specified; the batteries charge relatively quickly and appear to have good life per charge. It's easy on the hands, not being too heavy or too bulky and the metal gearing should ensure reliability. One of my better buys!"

Read this review and more at Screwfix.com

Fantastic examples of 12v Cordless Drill Drivers include the Black & Decker CD12CA 12v, Bosch PSB12VE-2 12v, DeWalt DW907K2V 12v, Hitachi 12DVF3 12v, Makita 6270DWPE3 12v, as well the Ryobi CHD1202 12v

In Case 14.4v Cordless Drill Drivers are better suited, then make sure to peruse the Black & Decker Lithium Ion 14.4v Drill Driver, Bosch GSR Tough 14.4v Drill Driver, DeWalt DC757KA 14.4v Drill Driver, the Hitachi DSDL Li-Ion 14.4v Drill Driver,Makita 6337DWDE3 14.4v Drill Driver, and the Ryobi CHD-1441 14.4v Drill Driver

For coverage of your 18v Cordless Drill Drivers needs, why not view
Black & Decker CD18CA 18v, Bosch PSR18VE-2 18v Drill Driver, DeWalt DC920KB 18v Drill Driver, Hitachi DS18DFL 18v Drill Driver, the Makita BDF452z 18v Drill Driver or the Ryobi CHP-1802 18v Drill Driver

Doing DIY Safely

Another vital aspect to consider is the amount of voltage a cordless drill driver has as the higher the voltage the more speed and torque the drill might have. The speed and torque of a cordless drill driver might help to determine how easy and quick the drill is to use. Over the years the amount of voltage that these power tools have has increased and manufacturers such as Bosch and Hitachi now produce a range of cordless drill drivers including 12v, 14.4v and 18v. What needs to be considered here is that the more voltage the drill has the larger the battery might be thus affecting how heavy the drill might be.

There are a lot of types of drill on the market place today, rotary drills, drill drivers, hammer drills, SDS drills made for drilling brick, concrete, masonry, metal and wood. You can pick cordless or electric, when choosing an electric drill there are two voltages, 110 and 240. 110 volt power tools need a power tool transformer and are used mainly on building sites, 240 volt tools for home use could be used with a RCD circuit breaker for safety. Cordless drill drivers give more flexibility due to the fact that you do not have a mains lead to contend with.

The least expensive drill drivers run at a single speed, but most have two fixed speeds: 300 rpm and 800 rpm. A slide switch or trigger lets you select high or low speed. These drill drivers are ideal for most light-duty operations. The low speed is for driving screws, the high speed for drilling holes. For more refined carpentry and repair tasks, pick a drill that has the same two-speed switch and a trigger with variable speed control that lets you vary the speed from 0 rpm to the top of each range. And if you do more hole drilling than screwdriving, look for more speed, 1000 rpm or higher at the top end.

Accessories for drill drivers include bits for drilling wood, metal, ceramic, glass, and masonry. In addition to bits other accessories include hole saws, screwdriver bits, files, rasps, and sanders.

All cordless drill drivers come with a battery charger, with recharge times ranging from 15 minutes to three hours. But faster isn't necessarily better. A contractor might depend on fast recharges, but slower recharging isn't usually a concern at home, especially if you have two batteries. What's more, there are drawbacks to fast charging. A quick recharge can damage a battery by generating excessive heat, unless it's a specially made unit. If you want a speedy recharge, go with a tool from Makita, Hitachi or Panasonic, whose "smart" chargers are equipped with temperature sensors and feedback circuitry that protect batteries. These units provide a charge in as little as nine minutes without battery damage.

If a Li-ion battery is stored with too low a charge, there is a risk of allowing the charge to drop below the battery's low-voltage threshold, resulting in an unrecoverable dead battery. Once the charge has dropped to this level, recharging it can be hazardous. Some batteries therefore feature an internal safety circuit which might prevent charging in this state, and the battery might be for all practical purposes dead. In circumstances where a second Li-ion battery is available for a given device, it is recommended that the unused battery be discharged to 40% and placed in the refrigerator to prolong its shelf life. While the battery can be used or charged immediately, some Li-ion batteries might provide more energy when brought to room temperature.

Drilling a hole isn't rocket science but it can be quite frustrating if you don't know how to do it. For example, if you try to use a wood auger bit to drill a hole in metal you'll ruin the bit, score the metal and possibly injure yourself in the process. Drilling a hole correctly, however, is something you can easily accomplish with a little practice.

Not all holes need to go all the way through the material. Some holes need only be a certain depth in the wood. The easiest way to make certain you drill the correct depth is to measure the necessary hole depth on your drill bit. Then mark that point on the bit with a marker or wrap some tape around the bit at the measured spot. Then when you drill only insert the drill bit to the mark or tape. You can also purchase bit collars that slide over the bit and are secured at the appropriate depth. The collars usually attach with a small hex wrench or screwdriver. The drilling is done and you have to get the bit out. Give the drill a little power to spin the bit and slowly pull it out of the hole. Don’t be too quick or pull it out without spinning the bit. Either of these may cause the bit to bind in the hole. The hole is complete and now you need to attach the fastener. Bits can be inserted into the drill turning the drill into a screwdriver or wrench. If you are attaching screws determine the size of the screw head and select a matching screwdriver bit. Connect the screwdriver bit to the drill in the same way you would other bits. Put the bit head in the screw head and squeeze the trigger. Be careful not to provide so much power that you go all the way through the material (if that’s not called for) or pressure the screw head too far down into the material. It’s easy to get carried away with the power of the drill. If you are attaching a bolt fastener you can also purchase bolt sockets that can be attached to the drill. Match the bit size with the bolt, attach the bit to the drill, and screw in the bolt.

As the name suggests masonry bits are made for drilling into brick, block, stone, quarry tiles or concrete. The cutting tip is often made from tungsten carbide bonded to a spiralled steel shaft. Some masonry drill bits are described as 'durium tipped', this term refers to a highly durable silicon bronze alloy used instead of tungsten as the cutting point. Masonry bits are usually used in a power drill; although they can be used with a lot of effort in a hand brace. Most masonry bits can be used with a hammer action power drill driver, but always check as the action is quite punishing on the bit and cheaper bits have been known to shatter when subjected to the pounding. Always use a slow rotational speed for drilling into harder materials to avoid overheating the tip and frequently withdraw the bit to remove any dust. Long Masonry bits (300 to 400mm) are available for drilling through masonry walls and bit sizes range from 4 to 16mm. Use a drill sharpener or grindstone to sharpen the tungsten carbide tip.

DIY Safety tips:

Use a voltage tester to check the power to the wires or connections are off before touching them. Check your work thoroughly before restoring power to the circuit. If you are not certain, seek professional help. Remember the golden rule ... " If you don’t know – ask".
Wear protective clothing including safety goggles, gloves and dust mask when working with potentially hazardous materials such as glass or spray paint. It is also advisable to wear a mask when working in a dusty environment e.g. sawing wood or MDF.

Don't wait until disaster strikes to find your stop-cocks and gate valves. Opening and closing them four times a year might ensure they easily work when you need them to. Don't let a blown fuse leave you in the dark: keep a repair kit close to your mains fuse box, with a torch - check the batteries regularly - screwdrivers, spare fuses, bulbs and fuse wire, rubber gloves and insulated pliers, a trimming knife and insulating tape.

Take extra care with old paint. Some old paint could give off harmful dust and pose a poisoning hazard if ingested by small children. You must not burn off old paint or rub it down with dry sandpaper or a power sander; you could clean up properly, using a high efficiency industrial vacuum cleaner with heavy duty filters. Have a basic First Aid kit accessible.

If you have any doubts whatsoever about how to safely use any material, or equipment, ask the manufacturer or supplier.

Cordless Drill Drivers