DEWALT DC742KA Heavy-Duty Cordless 12-Volt 3/8-Inch Compact Drill/Driver

DEWALT DC742KA Heavy-Duty Cordless 12-Volt 3/8-Inch Compact Drill/Driver
This compact drill provides its users with first-rate performance and durability along with exceptional ergonomics. Increased speed and power keep the performance of the drill up while the frameless motor and all metal planetary gear support the durability. Also included is a built in LED light and onboard bit storage as well as two DW9072 12 volt Battery Packs, a DW9116 1 hour charger, and a heavy-duty kit box.

What people say about this

“While I admit that I was a little concerned about the compact design of this drill, I was glad to give it a try in light of Amazon’s return policy. However, this drill is not going anywhere. Like many other cordless drill owners I got to that place where purchasing replacement batteries was almost as much as purchasing a new drill with two batteries. I used it to for driving some 3.5″ framing screws and drywalled a bathroom, laundry room, and small hallway. It has plenty of power and balances well in the hand. The LED light is also a nice enhancement for dark corners in tight workplaces. “

“It meets all expectations. Nothing significant will disappoint you with one caveat. There is a small light that comes on when the trigger is slightly depressed. It does not light the tip area of the driver as it should. The chuck casts a shadow exactly where you need the light. I seldom need the light but when I do it isn’t there. It may work better if you can use an extension. If the light is important to you it will be your only disappointment. “

“Well balanced and nice weight at 3.8 pounds, it is only 7 ounces heavier than the 9.6V it replaced (probably 10 years old). Work light is useful. Love the chuck. My old 9.6V Dewalt was ‘grip strength’ and I sometimes didn’t crank it enough such that it would open if I reversed and there was tension on the bit in the wood. The new models have a ratchet chuck that is easy to tighten.

The 12V cost little more than 2 new batteries for the 9.6V it replaced and it came with 2 batteries, not a difficult decision to get the 12V. In fact, two 9.6V batteries cost 10% MORE than a new 9.6V drill WITH 2 batteries. Go figure. The Dewalt chargers are ‘interchangeable’. Multiple voltages (7.2 to 18V) and the batteries for the 12V have the same ‘plug’ configuration as the old 9.6V so I have 2 batteries AND two chargers.

This drill has only 1 ‘holder’ for screwdriver bits. Not a big deal, but I did like the “one on either side” bit storage on the 9.6V. “

“It meets all expectations. Nothing significant will disappoint you with one caveat. There is a small light that comes on when the trigger is slightly depressed. It does not light the tip area of the driver as it should. The chuck casts a shadow exactly where you need the light. I seldom need the light but when I do it isn’t there. It may work better if you can use an extension. If the light is important to you it will be your only disappointment. “