Fein fein Review

Pros

• Very well-balanced and comfortable to use at less than 3-1/2 pounds
• Kit includes two batteries, charger and 5-position flashlight, all in a sturdy plastic case
• 1/2-inch ratcheting chuck holds bits more securely than other cordless drills I've tested
• Covered by Hitachi's 5-Year Professional Warranty

Cons

• Would love to see Hitachi add an on-board bit holder
• Has a bit of an annoying high-pitched squeal when in operation, but it's a minor annoyance.

Description

• Hitachi's design includes externally accessible brushes, making brush changes quick and easy if they ever need replacement.
• 1/2-inch keyless chuck with a 22-position clutch.
• Features a handy belt hook and an LED light to illuminate your work surface.

Guide Review - Hitachi DS18DSAL 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Drill/Driver

My first impression of the Hitachi DS18DSAL Cordless Drill was how comfortable it felt in my hand. The slim, soft-grip handle seemed a bit smaller than some other drills I've tested, which leads me to believe that it might be more comfortable for woodworkers with smaller hands than some other models.

The kit includes a pair of 1.5Ah Lithium-Ion batteries and a fast charger, which, at 40-minutes per charge (according to the manual) isn't as fast as competing fast chargers, it's still a lot better than the time to charge a NiCad or NiMH-powered unit.

Hitachi added a few other features to their design which should be beneficial to users. They made their brush and armature assembly accessible from the exterior of the drill, which means that, in the event that the brushes ever need to be replaced, they can be changed without a major overhaul of the drill. I also appreciated the belt clip and LED light, which illuminates the work surface as you're using the drill.

One more quick note: as I was testing this drill, I inadvertently dropped the unit off of my work table and onto the concrete floor. I was a bit concerned with the way that the drill landed, on the top-rear corner of the unit. However, because the external shell of the drill appears to be made with a semi-pliable material, there wasn't as much as a scratch on the unit.