I have a B&D 12V that I'm ready to recycle in the garage sale, noticed my local Lowe's has the model shown above on clearance for $95. How's the battery life - Consumer Reports gave it poor marks for battery, good for everything else.
I really like the Panasonic 15.6V - better to hold out for that one?
If you are considering a Panasonic, get the Panasonic. Superior drill , Superior battery technology.
The February/March edition of Wood magazine has a good article on 14.4 volt drills (including the Panasonic 15.6v). The DeWalt DC983KA, Festool TDK
15.6, and Panasonic all got "Top Tool" marks. I own two of the DeWalts and couldn't say enough good things about that drill.
By the way Dave, the drill you mention and the one I mention are two different drills. The 983 is a heavier-duty model and got good marks in the Wood article all the way around. Same price as the Panasonic (about double the other DeWalt). My first one is about 5 years old - I bought a second as a backup at a recent Lowe's 20% of all power tools sale, so I couldn't resist. (It was either that or another router to add to the collection!) ;-}
I have been using the 12v Dewalt for over 10 years and I love it. I have been using 5 of them in a cabinet shop as well as home and had zero problems with it. max
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