DeWalt DCD771C2: The Perfect Tool for Precision-Driven Drilling Tasks

When you need to search for tools or gear for construction, building, and DIY projects, DeWalt is a trusted name that stands for performance. The company has a rich history of professional tools that have stood the test of time. They have a wide range of products, high-end industrial types of equipment, and DIY project tools used at home. There are hundreds of hand and power tools available for construction, manufacturing, and woodworking.

DeWalt continually brings new and innovative features to all of their products, including the entry-level models. Given this, if you're a DIY-er, you do not have to spend too much on affordable yet well-made DeWalt tools.

In recent years, DeWalt has invested in compact and lightweight drills that lots of DIY enthusiasts loved, and the DeWalt 20V max Lithium Ion Compact drill driver kit is one of those. So if you find yourself among this group of customers, this review is dedicated to you.

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2. Cordless versus corded

If you're reading this review, you're likely more interested in a cordless drill. However, I believe it would help provide you with useful information about the differences between a corded and a cordless drill. In doing so, I hope you can make a well-informed decision as you reach the end of this article.

As with many other cordless home appliances, a cordless drill offers excellent mobility and convenience because you can take it anywhere. You do not have to keep finding a socket or drag a cable or extension lead with you. However, most cordless drills are heavier in weight than their corded counterparts as they come with a heavy rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack.

Corded drills’ power is measured in watts, whereas their cordless siblings are rated in volts. The former's power ranges from 450 to 1500 watts, depending on usage purposes. The latter's battery can range from 12V to 20V, and the higher the voltage, the more powerful it is. As the name suggests, the DeWalt 20V drill has a 20V battery.

When it comes to power, electricity-powered drills tend to deliver more constant power compared to their cordless cousins. Battery-powered drills will deteriorate as the battery functions go down. Price-wise, I have come across a DeWalt 20 volt max review saying that the cordless models usually cost more than the corded ones. However, from my research, their price difference is negligible. You can easily find either one at under $100.

So, which type of drill should you go with? If only there were a straightforward answer to this question. Since each style has its strengths and weaknesses, I would choose one of each, if cost allows. A more versatile cordless drill would be ideal for smaller tasks, while a regular corded drill would be perfect for heavy-duty jobs.

3. Specs, pros, and cons of the DeWalt 20V drill

The best cordless drill should be a reasonably priced model that performs most of your tasks effortlessly. The DeWalt 20V was built with robust materials, making it sturdy and durable to handle the most challenging drilling projects.

However, is the DeWalt 20V the best drill that you can find for its price? Read on for the specifications, pros, and cons. They will give you a quick overview of this tool so you can have an idea of whether it could be a good fit for your needs.

The DeWalt DCD771C2 comes with a soft bag

Specifications

• Dimensions: 13.88'' x 9.88'' x 4.25''
• Weight: 3.64 pounds
• Number of batteries: 2
• Battery type: 20V lithium, 1.3 Amp
• Control: variable speed trigger
• Speed settings: 2 (0-450RPM and 0-1500 RPM)
• UWO (unit watts out): 300 watts
• Power settings: 16
• Direction control: forward and reverse
• Case: soft bag (the contractor style)
• Warranty: 3 years

Pros 

• Affordable
• Lightweight
• Compact and feels balanced in hand
• Two batteries to provide extra power and minimize downtime
• Sturdy build
• Two-speed gearbox for excellent precision
• Soft case for easy transportation
• Excellent customer service

Cons

• Not designed for hammer drilling or commercial use
• No battery meter
• The low-speed setting gear (0-450RPM) occasionally fails
   

DeWalt DCD771C2 review
 

1. Compact design

The DeWalt 20 volt cordless drill is relatively lightweight. At 3.6 pounds, it is in the group of compact drill models that let you get work done without all the strain on your arms or hands. You can compare it with other small electric drills like the DeWalt 18V XR Brushless Compact Lithium-ion Combi drill, weighing only around 3.5 pounds (1.6kgs). The DeWalt DCD771C2 20V max's weight is also somewhat equivalent to the Bosch PSR 18 Li-2.

Notably, a few cordless drills are much heavier even though they come with about the same voltages. For example, the Milwaukee 2801-22CT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless is powered by two batteries of 18V each, but it weighs almost 9 pounds, which could be a burden for your arms. Similarly, the DeWalt DCD791D2 - a very high-ranking drill for heavy-duty tasks - is also a heft. It weighs 8 pounds, giving you lots to hold while you're drilling.

Aside from the weight, the DeWalt DCD771C2 has a unique head design that makes it stand out from others. This head is only 10 inches, which means it will easily fit in small cabinets without the need to attach an angled adapter. This type of head design also comes with a shorter extension of the handle, allowing users to drill corners from the inside or overhead.

The DeWalt DCD771C2 has a compact design

The compact DeWalt 20V drill is easy to use for smaller jobs that require more precision. Thanks to a 90-degree angle handle, the drill gives you better maneuverability when you need to get into smaller areas.

This DeWalt compact drill is also designed for one-hand operation. It can minimize vibrations and tension, even after continuous use. Thanks to an easy-to-use handle, the tool is also comfortable to hold and maneuver. 

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2. Powerful motor 

The motor of this compact DeWalt drill spins up to 1,500 RPM so that you can drill through most projects with ease. RPM stands for revolutions per minute, and it refers to the rotation speed, which determines how easy you can drill into hard materials. Most drills on the market range from 800 to 3,000 RPM. The higher this power rating, the stronger the drill will be in hard materials like stone, concrete, or metal.

Shoppers tend to choose the best cordless drill based on its power rating. While power is essential, the gearbox is also worth your attention when making a purchase. The DeWalt DCD771C2 has a two-speed gearbox, allowing you to quickly switch between low speed (450RPM) and full-speed (1,500RPM).

For small tasks that need a high level of precision, you only need a low-speed rating. For bigger jobs, you will need a full-speed rating to get through the hard surfaces fast. So the variable speed control of this DeWalt cordless drill is useful, as it adapts the drilling speed to different types of material effectively, allowing you to handle multiple tasks with ease.

Another power rating to look at is the UWO, which stands for unit watts out, and it is unique to DeWalt tools only.  DeWalt measures their drills in UWO instead of in/lbs - the typical power rating of other drill brands. UWO indicates the point when the drill's speed and torque output reaches their maximum. The higher the UWO, the faster it performs on the job site.

UWO takes into account both speed and torque; therefore, it can be confusing for many people. The easiest-to-understand formula is: Speed (RMP) x Torque (inch-pounds) / 560 = Max Watts Out. When using this formula, it is best to take the lower speed to get a higher torque figure reading.

This DeWalt 20V cordless drill produces 300 UWO, which puts it at around 373 in/lbs in the lower speed setting. This is certainly not the most potent power, but definitely powerful enough for many tasks around the house.

If you still find it complicated to convert UWO to inch-pounds, it is easier to think of UWO in horsepower (hp). This DeWalt 20V produces 300 UWO - equivalent to 0.4 hp - which is not the highest power rating, but relatively good power given its size and price.

3. Brushed and brushless motor

The 20-volt cordless drill from DeWalt comes with a brushed and brushless driver, giving you the versatility to use it on multiple drilling projects.

True to its name, a brushed motor relies on carbon brushes, rotor, axle, commutator, and a magnet to generate the spin. All of these components must connect smoothly so that the motor can work properly. Brushed motors have a simple yet effective design; therefore, they're chosen by many first-time users.

Brushless motors are more recent and came around to address the shortcomings of the traditional brushed motor. They do not include the carbon brushes nor require any physical connection between the rotating and stationary parts. Instead, their operation is based on the roti-mounted magnets which generate the required spin.

Brushless drills are more efficient than their brushed siblings as they do not produce any heat and noise. Additionally, they are also more lightweight and portable because they contain no brushes at all. Using this type of drill on different work sites, therefore, is much more convenient.

4. Quick charging battery

A 20volts Lithium-ion battery powers this DeWalt DCD771C2 20V max. This extended mileage is more powerful than most other compact drills with an 18v battery. More importantly, its battery takes less than an hour to charge fully.

We all know that overcharging is harmful to our equipment batteries because it causes excessive gassing. The electrolyte tends to get hot quickly, and both hydrogen and oxygen gas can be generated to create an overheat to your battery. This buildup of gas can cause a burst in the overcharged battery. The good news is the built-in Lithium-ion battery in this DeWalt drill stops charging when it finishes.

The ability to hold power is another selling point of the DeWalt 20 volt cordless drill. Its battery can last for weeks or months, depending on your usage frequency, the temperature where it is stored, and your construction tasks' requirements. When you finish a project, you can put the drill away and come back later to use it again without recharging first.

The DeWalt DCD771C2 has two 20V lithium-ion batteries

I also noticed that the DeWalt 20V max Lithium-Ion Compact drill driver kit costs only around $70. Still, it comes with two batteries, allowing you to handle different tasks without worrying about constant re-charging. This extra battery availability is quite unusual at this price point.

Thanks to an easy-to-release locking button, the batteries on this drill are easy to swap. Users only need to press the button to slide the battery in and out. However, there is no battery meter, so it is difficult to know how much battery is left. This is one of the cons of this compact drill that I hope DeWalt will improve in its later versions.

5. Performance

My colleagues and I carried out a test to see how this DeWalt performs compared to a few popular models of the same size and voltage. We tested all of the drills and evaluated them based on three key metrics: drilling, driving, and ease of use. Below are the results of this test.

The DeWalt 20 volt cordless drill performs very well at drilling into a 5'' hole saw. Within less than one minute, I can see a nice and smooth drilled hole. This cordless drill also offers you lots of control, thanks to its well-balanced structure and lightweight design.

This cordless drill's performance is phenomenal when it drives in standard wood screws. We used a 5 long and 1/2 diameter lag screw, and the drill showed that it has a robust screw head design to drill through even the most challenging drilling projects, giving the perfect depth you need.

The DeWalt DCD771C2 has unsurpassed performance

When it comes to usability, we assume that DeWalt engineers must have put a lot of thought into the design of this DeWalt 20V cordless drill. The tool is equipped with a built-in LED light located directly above the trigger, making it convenient to drill in dark areas. Additionally, it stays on for a little more than 20 seconds after you let go of the trigger.

Alternatives

1. DeWalt DCD791D2 - A more powerful cordless drill

If you are looking for a more powerful tool, do not underestimate the DCD791D2. It comes with several similar features as the DCD771C2, but packs a higher RPM, so you can handle more demanding tasks with ease. This short DeWalt DCD791D2 review will briefly go through its essential functions and see how it performs.

DeWalt DCD791D2

The DCD791D2 produces 2000 RPM, giving you lots of power to tackle a wide variety of projects with little effort. It delivers 460 UWO, which is significantly higher than the DCD771C2. However, this higher performance comes at a price. You will have to hold an 8-pound drill in your hand.

With two speed settings, this cordless drill gives you the versatility to use it on many different applications, be it DIY projects or more difficult tasks that require a powerful drill. It is also equipped with a 3-Mode LED light with a spotlight mode, giving you multiple illumination choices on various drilling projects in dark and confined spaces.

Similar to the DCD771C2, this device's high-speed transmission delivers two-speed variations, allowing users to choose the level of performance that they need. Additionally, this cordless drill is also equipped with a comfortable grip that gives users excellent balance while working on their drilling tasks.

2. DeWalt DCD996 -  A hammer drill for the professionals

If you are in the market for a rugged yet lightweight cordless drill for professionals, then the DCD996 is your drill. This DeWalt DCD996 review will further detail this tool's outstanding features and functions.

DeWalt DCD996

Its measurement is 4'' x 10'' x 8'' and it weighs only 4 pounds, but this fantastic drill delivers 110120 RPM. Additionally, this brushless motor drill produces 820 UWO at its max power, which means you can have lots of energy to handle multiple challenging projects at ease. When you look at a DeWalt drill with a power rating of above 500 UWO, you know that it is a high power machine.

For users' safety, DeWalt engineers have incorporated in this model a forward/reverse control button to prevent you from starting the drill unintentionally. There is also a brake to ensure that the chuck will stop as soon as the trigger switch is released.

The DeWalt DCD996 has three gearboxes: 0-450, 0-1300, and 0-2000 RPM, allowing you to have the versatility to tackle different kinds of drilling tasks effortlessly. It has won customers' trust from drilling holes in concrete surfaces to metal panels as a powerful battery-operated drill.

Similar to the DCD771C2, the DCD996 also comes with two batteries, which means it minimizes downtime when you tackle more significant projects. Last but not least, its 360-degree handle will further enhance the control of this tool. The belt hook can also be attached to either side of the device, making it an easy-to-use tool for both left- and right-handed users.

Conclusion

I hope this DeWalt DCD771C2 review has provided you with ample information to decide whether the DeWalt DCD771C2 20V max is the best drill for you. It is a reasonably-priced, yet high-performing, cordless power drill. Its two gearboxes allow the user to perform multiple drilling tasks with ease, whereas its two batteries ensure that users have extended usage on demanding jobs.

This compact and sturdy drill is an ideal choice for small tasks around the house. It is a well-rounded and user-friendly tool. However, if you are a first-time user, you might want to look for tips on how to use a drill on the DeWalt website. These tips are also available in the user's manual.