DeWalt showed us a product that has been on the market for a while, but which is still pretty impressive in its own right. The DC927KL is a 1/2" hammerdrill/drill/driver that is built for high power, high speed use. The high efficiency motor delivers 425 unit watts at max power to ensure that all drilling and fastening applications are met with plenty of power and speed.

DeWalt brands its batteries as an exclusive Nano-phosphate lithium ion cell which offers long battery life & durability: around 2,000 recharges according to DeWalt. A patented 3-speed all-metal transmission is one of the newer additions and allows the driver to match the speed to the application for optimal performance. A heavy-duty 1/2" self-tightening chuck tightens throughout use. We've found this to be a good feature that provides solid bit gripping strength. Just behind the torque ring is a separate clutch setting. This means you can switch between drill/driver and hammerdrill modes without losing your last torque setting. This is a very nice upgrade and addresses one of the former shortfalls of this tool.

On these tools, DeWalt added an anti-slip comfort grip which we thought felt good in the hand. Combined with the three-speed motor and excellent balance of this tool, the new DC927KL is a comfortable tool to use. Driving down a 1/2-inch bolt into a simple 2x4, the DeWalt literally sank it so fast and hard that it went almost flush into the wood. While I don't recommend this as the best method of securing lags, it was fun to see the hammerdrill unleashed at its full speed and power. We look forward to giving this tool an even more in-depth look soon.