My corded drills don't really wear out as the key parts can be replaced but after many years with a Milwaukee stud drill I decided to try to find one that was lighter and had a dual speed range. In metal the low speed range is necessary but in wood it can be a time eater when the drill has more than enough torque to handle the higher RPM's. It has reverse but then so do all my other drills. When I get a bit stuck in metal reverse is critical if I want to retrieve the bit without breaking it.
The drill also has an unusually good case for a DeWalt drill and on par with the excellent cases from Milwaukee, Skill, and Porter Cable. The case serves more to protect my other gear from this drill than vice versa.
I use the DeWalt DW124K mostly with auger bits on wood or drilling in metal or very large holes in insulated wall panels. On increasingly rare occasions with a self feed bit in wood. For the past year I have been using a 18v cordless drill, also a DeWalt drill, the DCD970, with its 3-speed gearbox, and the new big gullet hole cutters from Blue Boar. The DeWalt DW124K is rated for 4-5/8" self feed bits and 6" hole saws in wood but the reality is that it just takes too long with either cutter. With a modern TCT hole cutter I can cut 3 holes for every one with the self feed bit and I don't need a 13 lb. stud drill, just the DeWalt 18 volt cordless drill. I have used the DeWalt DCD970 18 volt cordless drill to quickly cut 6-1/4" holes in inch thick OSB subflooring using one of the Blue Boar TCT hole cutters.
The DW124K does not have DeWalts ALC anti lock control like its smaller corded 1/2" drills but then it never has worked on my DW249 drill anyway so no loss. Great concept if it worked but from my own experience ALC only provides a false sense of security that quickly leads to injured wrists.
BLUE BOAR 6-1/4" (159mm) Self-Feed TCT 2-1/4" deep multipurpose Tungsten Carbide hole cutter outperforms self-feed bits & bi-metal hole saws. Cut wood, MDF, OSB, laminates, Hardie & chipboard, plaster, drywall, brick, Formica
DeWalt rates the DW124K at 1/2" with a twist bit in metal but I have had no difficulty boring 7/8" holes in mild and cast steel so long as I keep the RPM's low and use cutting oil. Important thought to use a sharp bit and preferably a cobalt drill bit.
Something that is not obvious until you actually pickup the DWK124K is how great a job the DeWalt engineers did at distributing the weight along the entire length of the tool. It feels like half the weight is supported by each arm instead of more like 80/20 with other drills like the Milwaukee Hole Hawg. So even though it's about a pound heavier than the Milwaukee (and has about 25% more power than the Milwaukee) the end result is that it is a lot less tiring to use overhead for extended periods of time.
The only part of the tool that I would change is the handle which has recesses for the head and tends to rock up and down while you are working the drill. No big deal but more of a minor nag with an otherwise very well designed tool.
You can really tell that the tool industry is really competitive with new tools and new refinements to old tools coming out all the time. Seems like more new innovations in the past 3 years than in the prior 20 years with power tools. Would be nice if that competitive spirit was not such a rarity these days instead of company execs trying to get no-bid contracts from the government by bribing their local congressman. Gives a whole new meaning to "buy American".
(8 customers reviews)Customers Rating=5.0 / 5.0
More Detail For
DEWALT DW124K Heavy Duty 11.5 Amp 1 2 Inch Joist and Stud Drill- 100-percent ball-bearing construction for added durability and longer tool life
- Mechanically controlled 2-speed motor to match RPM/torque to application requirements
- 2-position side handle for maximum leverage and control
- Measures 21 inches long and weighs 13-1/2 pounds
- Included with this drill: chuck key with holder, 2-position side handle, bail handle, and heavy-duty kit box
