Tool Box Buzz

DEWALT 20V MAX 1/2″ Hammer Drill/Driver – Model DCD805

DEWALT 20V MAX 1/2" Hammer Drill/Driver

5/5

Manufacturer: DEWALT
Model number: DCD805
Price: $179.00
Power source: 20V MAX
Weight: 2.95

The most significant upgrades to DEWALT’s Drill/Drivers are in the size reduction and power increase.  The DCD805 brushless motor is touted at having 40% more Unit Watts Out (think tool Horsepower if unfamiliar) while residing in a package 1/2 inch shorter than the previous generation DCD796.

DCD805 Features and Specifications

• 40% More UWO than the previous DCD796
• Compact Size – 1/2″ shorter than DCD796
• Great Bit Retention with all-metal ratcheting chuck
• Variable speed trigger and 2-speed settings (0-650rpm,0-2000rpm)
• 0-34,000 BPM in Hammer Mode
• 17 position Clutch including Drill and Hammer Setting
• Powerful LED – 3 mode LED with up to 70 Lumens and 20-minute work light mode
• Tool Connect™ compatible for integration with the Tool Connect Site Manager App

Hands-on Impressions

Compact Size

The new DCD805 Hammer Drill/Driver benefits from years of solid over-mold design and comfortable grip ergonomics.  With such a short length for a drill, the tool is remarkably well balanced in your hand. I have been running an older DEWALT Hammer Drill for years, the DCD985.  While the new DCD805 is touted as being 1/2″ shorter than its predecessor, the DCD796, its amazing to see how much more compact the drill is than one of its older brothers

Small but Powerful

A Drill/Driver with a Hammer Drill mode is a bit of a jack of all trades tool.  Capable of driving fasteners, drilling small precision drill bits or larger wood auger bits, and even smaller masonry tasks, these tools can do it all.  One task I find myself always dreading is driving a small masonry bit to prepare a fastener like a Tapcon with an underpowered Drill/Driver.  I loaded a 3/16 Tapcon bit into the all-metal chuck, selected the hammer mode on the clutch, and get after it.  The DCD805 has 850 Unit Watts Out and up to 34,000 Blows Per Minute in Hammer mode.  This little drill had more than enough guts and was surprisingly fast at drill 2″ deep holes in mature concrete.

The all-metal ratcheting chuck is fantastic and really gives you assurance the bit is going to hold.

The Power of Light

The last impressive feature I want to touch on is the three-position switch and corresponding LED.  Most cordless hand tools have some form of LED illumination these days.  The DCD805 comes with a 3-position selector that allows you to keep the LED Off, Activate on trigger pull and lastly crank the Lumens up to 70 and remain on for 20 minutes.  This feature can become pretty useful if you find yourself working in a cramped location like a closed joist bay or attic space.  Being able to drill your hole and set the tool down and rely on its light while you complete your task is a nice touch.

The DCD805 and its little brother the DCD800 (without the Hammer Mechanism) are available now as a bare tool or a kit with a battery.  We recommend pairing the Drill/Drivers with DEWALT’s new Powerstack compact batteries to take full advantage of the impressive power to size ratio these drills provide.

1 Comment

1. Lance Bunyan

   July 24, 2022 at 9:25 pm

   Tryed em all .back to old faithful .nothing matches refined handle comfort .and heaps of power .green and red .great too but yellow my pick .

   Reply

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