Editorial Review
We'd be hard-pressed to name another drill that packs as much power yet weighs as little as this one does. When you pick it up, it's so lightweight that you can't imagine it can tackle much, but just draw back the trigger and be amazed.
This 14-volt two-speed drill/driver has a two-piece magnet motor and a 22-position clutch that together put an impressive 300 inch-pounds of torque in your hand so you can effortlessly drive screws into the hardest woods. The two-speed transmission is controlled with a one-touch button on top of the tool body, giving you the choice of 0 to 400 or 0 to 1,200 rpm, and operations are smooth at either speed. The 3/8-inch chuck is keyless, of course, for super-easy bit changes, and the jaws grab and hold the bit securely with zero runout.
We're always on the lookout for easy battery changes, and this one qualifies, because it's easy to disengage and slides off without a struggle. It's a good choice for smaller hands, and not just for the easy battery removal: the whole drill weighs just 4 pounds and measures up at not quite 8 inches long. The grip is extremely comfortable and again, great for smaller hands. Balance is perfect, and we can imagine working overhead for hours with this drill without strain. It maneuvers perfectly into the tightest spots, places that beefy 18-volters just can't go.
The belt hook is a nice feature, with five angles to choose from: 0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 degrees. We like the bit set that comes with this package, too, and have found Hitachi bits to be reliable and durable over the long run. The flashlight also is a nice addition, and it runs off the same battery as the drill. The beam is powerful and the light stands independently, and you can't ask for more than that. Finally, Hitachi's got one of the best warranties, with 5-year coverage. This is a set you won't regret buying.
--Kris Jensen-Van Heste
What's in the Box
Drill/driver, flashlight, two batteries, quick charger, carrying case, bits
The Hitachi Story
Hitachi was founded in 1910 as an electrical machinery repair shop by Japanese entrepreneur Namihei Odaira. Since then, Hitachi has grown into a global company operating in industries ranging from tools to computing. The company's flagship office remains in Japan, but it has offices all over the world.
Hitachi's history in the power tools business really got started in 1948 with the launch of Hitachi Koki, an electric power tool manufacturing unit designed to meet Hitachi's growing industrial needs. Hitachi Koki pushed the envelope few key areas, most notably high-speed motor, precision machining, and electronic control technologies. In 1973, Hitachi Koki began exporting tools to markets worldwide.
Hitachi Koki's goal from the start was to eventually produce and sell all of its products locally. In 1980, it launched Hitachi Power Tools U.S.A to market tools in the United States (it didn't start producing tools in the U.S. until 1994). During the 80s, Hitachi Power Tools U.S.A. built its reputation for quality on the success of its pneumatic framing nailer and sliding compound miter saws. At the same time, it poured resources into research and development in other areas, leading it to a number of firsts power tool technology. Hitachi pioneered the sliding compound miter saw, cordless impact driver, collated automatic screw driver, pneumatic concrete nailer, cordless screw driver, metal stud cutter, portable rebar cutter/bender, 10-minute rapid charger, 2.0, 2.2, and 2.4 Ah Ni-Cad batteries, 3.0 Ni-MH batteries, and the use of rare earth magnet motors in cordless tools.
Hitachi Power Tools U.S.A. was renamed Hitachi Koki U.S.A. in 1994 to denote the addition of manufacturing to the United States. Today, it sells more than 1000 models of electric power tools, focusing on compact/high out-put motor technology. The company has obtained recognition under the ISO 9000 series international standards for quality assurance. Hitachi Koki also received ISO 14001 certification for environmentally sound management.
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Customer Reviews
Great Product 
2008-10-06
I have only had my Hitachi Drill for a few weeks and it has performed great. I mainly use it around the house for odd home maintenance jobs. I love the fast charge time for the batteries and the light is very useful as well. Overall I am very pleased with this product. Hitachi DS14DVF3 14.4-Volt Ni-Cad 3/8-Inch Cordless Drill/Driver Kit
A must have for all do-it-yourselfers. 2008-08-31
A cordless drill that has the torque to get the job done, no matter what the job, is a tool with many talents. The flashlight is very bright and has come in handy on many occasions. The charger is fast and compact. I love the set...
skip it 
2008-08-06
I own a lot of Hitachi power tools and like them all - until this drill came along. The battery doesn't last and is only powerful enough to place long screws in wood for 3 or 4 screws. My twelve year old Dewalt 12V is stronger and lasts longer (i bought the Hitachi because the price of it was about that of a new DeWalt battery - should have clued me in).
I do love the way it handles. If you need a drill for around the home that is not used extensively this may be a great buy. If you are a heavy user don't do this to yourself.
A great drill 2008-08-06
I love how this drill fits in my hands - it is so well balanced and comfortable. The bit holders are useful for holding screwdriving bits and the hook lets the drill rest nicely from my belt. The batteries last a nice long time. Also I really like the flashlight - I use it all the time now when I bbq at night. The powerful wide beam is great. Overall I think this drill is a great value for the money.
Edit: One more thing I forget to mention: the set comes with a full 5 year warranty, something you don't find often, yet quite neccessary for power tools.
Excellent handyman's tool 2008-08-01
This drill is not a contractor grade tool. I've worked construction and this is not the cordless drill that I'd want to rely on at a job site. But then it's half to a third the cost of a contractor grade drill. You get what you pay for.
What I got was a great home owner drill. I got this in late spring and have built 230 ft of fence, 3 gates, 2 with arbors, a pergola and I'm half way through building a double Adirondack chair. That's in addition to various household and assembly tasks. The tool has worked fine throughout. Yes, the case is pretty cheap. It works.
This drill replaces a 15 year old Makita that finally died after several battery replacements. I then bought a Craftsman 14.4 volt drill that I returned two days later. It was gutless. Being cheap I tried this drill, thinking that I could spring for another Makita or DeWalt. Thankfully, this does the job. It has enough torque to drive screws into treated fence posts. The batteries last longer than it takes to replace the backup. I've actually used the light in the attic. For what this is it's a good buy.
Great drill for the money! 2008-06-18
We'd be hard-pressed to name another drill that packs as much power yet weighs as little as this one does. When you pick it up, it's so lightweight that you can't imagine it can tackle much, but just draw back the trigger and be amazed.
This 14-volt two-speed drill/driver has a two-piece magnet motor and a 22-position clutch that together put an impressive 300 inch-pounds of torque in your hand so you can effortlessly drive screws into the hardest woods. The two-speed transmission is controlled with a one-touch button on top of the tool body, giving you the choice of 0 to 400 or 0 to 1,200 rpm, and operations are smooth at either speed. The 3/8-inch chuck is keyless, of course, for super-easy bit changes, and the jaws grab and hold the bit securely with zero runout.
We're always on the lookout for easy battery changes, and this one qualifies, because it's easy to disengage and slides off without a struggle. It's a good choice for smaller hands, and not just for the easy battery removal: the whole drill weighs just 4 pounds and measures up at not quite 8 inches long. The grip is extremely comfortable and again, great for smaller hands. Balance is perfect, and we can imagine working overhead for hours with this drill without strain. It maneuvers perfectly into the tightest spots, places that beefy 18-volters just can't go.
The belt hook is a nice feature, with five angles to choose from: 0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 degrees. We like the bit set that comes with this package, too, and have found Hitachi bits to be reliable and durable over the long run. The flashlight also is a nice addition, and it runs off the same battery as the drill. The beam is powerful and the light stands independently, and you can't ask for more than that. Finally, Hitachi's got one of the best warranties, with 5-year coverage. This is a set you won't regret buying.
--Kris Jensen-Van Heste
What's in the Box
Drill/driver, flashlight, two batteries, quick charger, carrying case, bits
The Hitachi Story
Hitachi was founded in 1910 as an electrical machinery repair shop by Japanese entrepreneur Namihei Odaira. Since then, Hitachi has grown into a global company operating in industries ranging from tools to computing. The company's flagship office remains in Japan, but it has offices all over the world.
Hitachi's history in the power tools business really got started in 1948 with the launch of Hitachi Koki, an electric power tool manufacturing unit designed to meet Hitachi's growing industrial needs. Hitachi Koki pushed the envelope few key areas, most notably high-speed motor, precision machining, and electronic control technologies. In 1973, Hitachi Koki began exporting tools to markets worldwide.
Hitachi Koki's goal from the start was to eventually produce and sell all of its products locally. In 1980, it launched Hitachi Power Tools U.S.A to market tools in the United States (it didn't start producing tools in the U.S. until 1994). During the 80s, Hitachi Power Tools U.S.A. built its reputation for quality on the success of its pneumatic framing nailer and sliding compound miter saws. At the same time, it poured resources into research and development in other areas, leading it to a number of firsts power tool technology. Hitachi pioneered the sliding compound miter saw, cordless impact driver, collated automatic screw driver, pneumatic concrete nailer, cordless screw driver, metal stud cutter, portable rebar cutter/bender, 10-minute rapid charger, 2.0, 2.2, and 2.4 Ah Ni-Cad batteries, 3.0 Ni-MH batteries, and the use of rare earth magnet motors in cordless tools.
Hitachi Power Tools U.S.A. was renamed Hitachi Koki U.S.A. in 1994 to denote the addition of manufacturing to the United States. Today, it sells more than 1000 models of electric power tools, focusing on compact/high out-put motor technology. The company has obtained recognition under the ISO 9000 series international standards for quality assurance. Hitachi Koki also received ISO 14001 certification for environmentally sound management.
Hitachi DS14DVF3 2008-05-08
Great drill for the money. Every home owner should have. Not for commerecal use would buy a heavy duty.
This is a great package and an excellent price! 2008-03-17
I had a cordless Black & Decker drill that finally died after about 12 years. I used it for odd jobs around the house. I shopped around for a replacement, and love this package so far. The cost is great, and everything in the kit has worked great. I love that I have two batteries, multiple drill bits, quick charger, a portable STRONG flashlight, and a case to carry it all. Plus, it has a slow and fast switch, so it doubles as an electric screwdriver. Plus, the clutch. What more could you ask for?
It seems that all of the bad reviews were contractors that used a drill all day and dropped them off of ladders. STOP DROPPING YOUR DRILLS! :) For the average or above average homeowner with jobs around the house, this is a great deal.
DEAD AGAIN 2008-02-02
I expected more from hitachi! Coming from a carperter of 18 years, this tool will not make it in the field with me. I use it in the shop and around the house. I do like the drill itself and the flash-light is great. If you put charge on the battery for your next use, it will be dead less that 2 days in a nice warm shop. I can leave my makita in the truck for weeks in 20 degree weather an it will be ready to go when you need it.
best christmas present ever 2008-01-08
I got this for my 19 year old son for Christmas and he RAVED about it!!!!!
He says that it is the best drill he has ever owned.
