Dewalt recently came out with new 20V max compact brushless drills and drivers. We’ve started testing these new tools, and like them quite a bit. What can be better than brushless drills that are faster working, more compact, and more powerful than their previous versions? (Here’s the DCD791 and DCD796 preview post.)
But Dewalt didn’t stop there. They also just introduced new 20V Max premium 3-speed brushless drills, models DCD991 for the drill/driver, and DCD996 for the hammer drill.
I wouldn’t say that the previous versions, models DCD990 and DCD995, are long in the tooth, as they were released a little less than 3 years ago. But my enthusiasm skyrocketed when I learned about what the new 2nd gen tools have to offer.
According to Dewalt, the new cordless brushless drills are Faster.Stronger.Better.
Faster
As with the compact brushless drills, the new Dewalt premium 3-speed brushless drills are said to offer faster application speed.
In case you’re still married to Dewalt’s 18V system, the new DCD996 cordless hammer drill is said to perform up to 2.8X faster than the DCD950 18V hammer drill, when using a 2-9/16″ self-feeding bit into 2″ x 10″ lumber.
Stronger
The new Dewalt DCD991 and DCD996 3-speed brushless drills deliver up to 820 UWO (unit watts out) of power. This is quite a bit higher than the 650 UWO of peak power the previous versions could deliver.
The DCD990 and DCD995 had 80 Nm (~708 in-lbs) torque ratings overseas. If the proportions stay true, that would put the max torque at around 893 in-lbs. But… we’ve seen Dewalt’s premium cordless brushless drills match up with competitive models that have higher torque ratings. I suppose that’s why Dewalt prefers to rate their drills in terms of power instead of peak torque.
In any case, Dewalt’s newest 3-speed brushless drills are more powerful than their previous models.
Better
As with the other new Dewalt brushless drill offerings, the DCD991 and DCD996 both have similar ultra-bright 60 lumen LED worklights. Each worklight has 3 settings, including a 20-minute spotlight mode.
Both new drills also feature:
- Durable nitro-carburized metal ratcheting chucks
- comfortable handle grips
- 3 speed range gearbox
- 2,250 max RPM
- 0-38,250 BPM (hammer drill)
- 8.4″ long (hammer drill)
- Weighs 4.7 lbs (hammer drill)
Models, Pricing, and Availability
(All options include an auxiliary handle, not shown above.)
Dewalt DCD991 Drill
- DCD991B, Bare Tool, $139
- DCD991P2, (2) 5.0Ah battery kit, $279
Dewalt DCD996 Hammer Drill
- DCD996, Bare Tool, $149
- DCD996P2, (2) 5.0Ah battery kit, $299
- DCD996P2V, (2) 5.0Ah battery kit with vehicle charger, $319
Combo Kits
- DCK299M2, Hammer drill and impact driver combo kit with 4.0Ah batteries, $379
- DCK299P2, Hammer drill and impact driver combo kit with 5.0Ah batteries, $399
ETA: April 2016
Both of the new drills are said to be made in the USA with global materials.
First Thoughts
I’ve been using my USA-built Dewalt DCD995 cordless hammer drill more and more, and it’s been plowing through every single task I could ask of it. It is a seriously powerful drill.
But now Dewalt has come out with an even more powerful model? Sounds good to me!
I have also been using their newest compact brushless drills, and find myself favoring Dewalt over my personal Bosch drills. I think it’s the 20V Max grip that I have always liked.
According to the product images, the new cordless drills are being built in the USA, the same as the DCD995 I took home after building it at their factory.
See Also: How Dewalt Brushless Drills are Built in the USA, and More from my Factory Tour
I’m not yet sure whether I like or love the new bright spotlight worklight, but if it’s take it or leave it, I’d rather take it.
The press release didn’t mention how the new Dewalt cordless drills match up to competitors’ very high torque offerings. But do most users need 1000+ in-lbs of torque in a cordless drill?
Are you as excited over these new offerings as I am?
I imagine that the previous models will stay on the market for a while, perhaps at discounted prices. That would be pretty good news too.