Welcome to my Dewalt DCK280C2 Review!
If you are looking for a quality driver combo kit that combines a 1/2-inch drill/driver and 1/4-inch impact driver, the DEWALT DCK280C2 combo tool kit is an answer.
When you have an important DIY project to complete, two of the most vital tools would be an Impact Driver and a Compact Drill.
What if the ones you had failed to meet your requirements? In that case, getting these two becomes a necessity. But buying both the tools separately can cost you a lot. That’s why, you need nothing but a combo set, especially the DCK280C2 one by DEWALT.
Contents
What Is Dewalt DCK280C2?
The Dewalt DCK280C2 is a two tool cordless drill combo kit manufactured by Dewalt.
It is ideal for those people who often need and use these two cordless tools, like cabinet makers, plumbers, and contractors, to go through various applications.
So if you are in need of a drill and an impact wrench for whatever reason it may serve you, you should definitely check out the DCK280C2 set features.
What is Dewalt DCK280C2 Combo Set?
Dewalt DCK280C2 Combo Set xxx is one of the upgraded versions of all the siblings Dewalt has in its combo set line. You get a driver-drill in the form of DCD780B and an impact driver in the form of DCF885B. The package includes 2 Lithium-ion batteries, a charger, and a carrying bag too. But that’s not the end. You get a bit holder and 2 belt hooks that serve as cherries on top in the combo set.
The brand has constructed all the tools in their typical yellow and black color. So appearance-wise, the drill and impact driver look appealing.
While the high-functioning features of the tools can be first reason to buy the set, its reasonable range can be the second one. That is what caught my attention.
Now let’s highlight the two main tools.
Dewalt DCF885 20V Max Impact Driver
Dewalt DCF885 Impact Driver
The first trait of the DCF885B Impact Driver that you will notice right after you grab it is its lightness. I can tell how much comfortable it will be to hold.
The impact driver has a compact design. This means you can use the tool in complex areas with ease.
Moreover, you will get comfort from its LEDs too. Using them will give you a big benefit of working in lowlight ambient.
To add more, the impact driver can deal with different applications while withstanding heavy use and abuse.
Not only that, the tool features long battery life so you can enjoy its longer duration of the operation. As for the charge, it’s quick enough to power the tool completely.
The impact driver is extremely user-friendly. And its ergonomics are strikingly impressive.
Dewalt DCD780 20V Max Compact Drill
Dewalt DCD780 Drill/Driver
If you are hunting for a drill that can fit into complex spaces, DCD780 makes an ideal pick. Besides its compact size, the drill ensures comfort with its lightweight attributes too. This means, you can use it for a prolonged period without feeling any ache.
Its prominent additions are the onboard bit holder and belt hook that can give that extra convenience you want.
Besides, the drill owns a changeable speed of transmission. This feature will help you a lot in using the tool in different projects.
Just like the Impact driver, it comes with a set of LED lights. And you already know what kind of advantages it can give.
All in all, the compact drill is a tough and powerful tool that lots of enthusiasts including me admire.
Features & Benefits
Lightweight and Compact Design
DCF885 Impact Driver possesses a weight of about 2.8 pounds. As a result, you can get to enjoy using it for longer duration.
The compact design comes in 5.55 inches long if you measure it from front to back. Not only it is easy to carry but small enough to save space too.
DCF885 has a hex throw of 1/4 inch and you can load it one-handed. Besides, it holds bit tips of 1 inch. This is one of the reasons why you can use it in tight spots.
The driver features a belt hook too that the brand attached to both sides. Having been made of high-quality metal, I feel the belt hook is durable. Not only that, it is strong enough to hold the power tools around the job site too.
Another big plus of the tool is its nonslip handle. Not only it is thin but can fit into the hands of any size easily.
Just like the impact driver, the DCD780 Compact Drill gives you its lightweight benefits. With 3.4 pounds of weight, working with the drill has become more effortless.
Moreover, the tool is 7.5 inches long which I find half an inch shorter than all the rivals it has. Since it comes compact, you can love using it in areas that are complex and hard-to-reach.
However, I think the highlights of the drill are the belt hook and bit holder. While the former gives you an advantage of carrying your tools, the latter offers convenient holding of the bits.
Not just that, the drill has a nonslip handle that you can grab tight and comfortably. Even after holding for several hours, it won’t give you any arm-ache. I think that’s a big plus.
There will be a 1/2 inch ratcheting chuck. It comes with carbide inserts that help reduce bit slip to let you enjoy its gripping power. Not only that, but I also find the chuck heavy duty as well as quick enough to release.
Powerful Motor
DCF885B Impact Driver features a brushless motor whose speed ratings stand at 3200 impacts per minute and 2800 revolutions per minute. Result? It delivers up to 43% quicker than all of its potential competitors.
The performance is power-packed. The only drawback is the noise the motor makes. If you keep that aside, it is perfect, particularly for medium-sized projects. You may want to avoid it for heavy tasks but that’s just a small con.
Speaking of the projects, the Impact driver can deal with quick short works, thanks to its 1400 pounds of torque. I think it’s enough to make your day.
When it comes to the DCD780 Compact Drill, the motor owns two transmissions of speed to deliver. One is from 0 to 600 RPM and one from 0 to 2,000 RPM.
Moreover, you will get to control the power tool too since it has 15 torque settings for the job.
However, just like the Impact driver, this drill has a similar drawback in its motor. And that is its noise. I saw many users complaining about the vibration it makes creating an annoying noise.
That said, you cannot stop loving the performance it gives.
Built-In LED
You will get LED in both the DCF885B Impact Driver and the DCD780 Compact Drill.
The Driver comes with three rings that illuminate the jobsite and lets you enjoy visibility in lowlight condition.
The Drill comes with one light that albeit does the same job but fails to impress much. I saw some users that griped about the low light it illuminates. So, it can be a small downside for you.
However, the LEDs of both the tools have a feature of staying switched on for 20 seconds after you release the trigger.
2 Li-Ion Batteries Included
Dewalt DCK280C2 Combo Set comes with two 20volt Lithium-ion batteries. Since the tools are cordless, you can carry them from one spot to another without any trouble.
The batteries can run the tools for around 4 to 5 hours. It would have been better if it had more hours of operation time, but no regrets. In fact, its 1 hour of quick-charging makes up for the con.
Contractor Bag
You will get a spacious contractor bag with this useful combo set. As for the material, the brand has used canvas that is durable and long-lasting.
The bag is very spacious coming in 12 inches by 8 inches by 6 inches. So, it can hold all the necessary tools the set includes without crowding them.
One minor con I have is with the bag itself. Just like most of its users, I too prefer plastic case for holding the tools over the bag.
Design
Dewalt DCK280C2 Combo Set comes in their signature yellow and black look. There is no reason to not love their appearance.
The brand has ensured the durability and sturdiness of both the tools with its high-quality plastic construction. So, you can expect them to withstand heavy uses.
The handles of the tools have used solid rubber material that offers a nonslip grip. No matter how long you grab the tools, they won’t give you any ache.
And as I already mentioned, both the tools have LEDs that included a 20-second trigger release to ensure needed visibility.
The only thing that has upset me the most is its lack of low-battery indicator. I saw many users griping about the same since it plays a big role in letting you know the state of remaining charge. It would have been amazing if the brand had added that feature.
Having said that, the Impact Driver and Compact Drill can be your fascinating mates for different DIY tasks. Starting from repairing home tasks to carpentry jobs, you can use them for different purposes.
Dewalt DCK240C2 vs DCK280C2
Here is the comparison table where you can see the differences between Dewalt DCK280C2 vs DCK240C2 combo kits.
| Dewalt DCK240C2 | Dewalt DCK280C2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Drill/Driver | DCD771 | DCD780 |
| Impact Driver | DCF885 | DCF885 |
| Battery | 2x 20V MAX* Lithium Ion 1.3 Ah Battery Packs | 2x 20V MAX* Lithium Ion 1.5 Ah Battery Pack |
| Charger | 20V MAX* Charger | 20V MAX* Charger |
| Accessories | Contractor Bag | Contractor Bag, bit tip holder, belt hooks |
| Price | ||
| Review | Read Review | Read Review |
As you can see in the comparison table above there are 3 differences between 240C2 and 280C2 kits:
- DCK280C2 includes a couple of extra accessories – belt hooks and bit tip holder
- You can expect longer battery life from 1.5Ah batteries of 280C2 kit
- The most important difference is the DCD780 drill/driver combo you get with the DCK280C2 – it is more powerful and faster, but at the same time lighter than DCD771 from the other kit.
Dewalt DCK280C2 Review From Users
See what accessories you will get with the Dewalt DCK280C2!
After doing research, I found customers prefer DEWALT model DCK280C2 because of its lightweight and slim size. Together with the improved rubber clutch, you can hold or carry it around with ease while working on your projects.
Earlier, the tools came with a hard case, but now you can use the sturdy bag with a contoured handle. This makes it easy to carry drills and accessories. Or, carry the drivers using belt hooks without the tools dragging you.
There is a high torque impact driver that can give you the comfort of using less force to drive in a screw. You won’t get exhausted after working because of spending more energy to drive in a screw. As you continue working, you need minimal effort to shift from high to low power or to fit a chuck into the drill.
What if you need to use the tool in a tight space? The ergonomic size is convenient and allows you to work with ease. Furthermore, the drill lights up the working area. It has one LED while the impact driver has 3 LED lights.
I would buy the DCK280C2 toolkit due to ease of control, power, and lightweight. The wobble is minimal, and I can change the bits using one hand. The battery gives a good run time before you need to recharge. Recharging the battery takes a short time.
***
After a friend of mine suggested me this DCK280C2 Combo Set from Dewalt, the first thing I did was checking out the reviews. Surely most of them were positive and that had raised my interest.
One user mentioned that the reason why they chose this combo set was because of its size and weight. They found the tools thin and light enough to maneuver them easily.
Another user also loved the addition the drill came with. They found the belt hook and bit holder very convenient and useful to work with.
A user also gave it thumbs up for its performance. They managed to complete lots of their pending works easily with these tools.
Several users found it difficult to charge the battery. After recharging, the battery power remained low. This makes it difficult to use the drivers if the battery is low on energy. But, you can get an extra set of batteries to use as you recharge another to solve this issue.
Pros And Cons
Pros
The DCD780 drill lets the users choose from the two speed options (0-600 rpm and 0-2000 rpm) to suit whatever speed the tasks require. According to several independent tests, the 20v max cordless drill with the two transmission speeds is said to be 30% faster compared to the other drills in the market. Besides, its 320 watts high-efficiency motor brings superior performance in light and moderate drilling jobs.
On the other hand, the DCF885 impact driver has a bit gripping strength that reduces slippage, and in effect promotes longer tool life. It can load ¼ hex chuck that can hold up to 1 inch of bit tips for easy fastening in cramped spaces. Also, it has three LED lights for visibility in dim and dark environments.
The Dewalt 20V Combo set is very comfortable to use and small enough to use in small and tight spaces. It also has a longer run time. So this is a recommended tool if you ought to do extensive repair or construction jobs.
Cons
This combo toolkit may seem pricey compared to the other power toolkits available now in the market. However, if you are looking for long-term use of these tools and you want a quality one, the price tag may not be as important.
Also, for those people with a smaller frame and weaker arms, they may find the Dewalt model #DCK280C2 a bit on the heavy side, but nonetheless, it can still be used by everyone.
Verdict
If you are a little tight on the budget, you may then want to look for other power tool kits. But if you can shed a little more, it is best recommended to purchase the DCK 280C2 toolset.
The tools are of high quality and are very comfortable to use. It fits snugly in one’s hand and very easy to operate. If you are looking for combo kits that you are planning to use for a long time, this one can be worth the purchase.
Package Contents
- DCD780 1/2-inch drill/driver with 15 clutch settings
- DCF885 1/4-inch impact driver
- Two 1.5 Ah 20 volt max lithium-ion batteries
- One 30-minute Energy Star-rated charger
- One bit tip holder
- Two belt hooks
- One hard plastic storage
- Carrying case
- 3 year limited warranty
Compatible Accessories
People often buy these accessories together with the toolkit.
- DCB201 1.5 Ah 20V Max Lithium-Ion Compact Battery
- DCB200 3.0 Ah 20V Li-Ion Premium Battery
- DW2169 Impact-Driver-Ready Accessory Set, 38-Piece
- DW2180 35-Piece Impact Ready Drilling/Fastening Set
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the drill kit has a hammer drill?
No, there is no hammer drill in this tool kit.
Does this drill work in concrete walls?
With a masonry bit, it may do thru concrete but there is no guarantee it will handle anything more than 1/2 inch. The hammer drill is better suited for this type of task.
Can I use a larger battery (e.g. 4.0 Ah) with these tools?
Yes, all 20 Volt line batteries are interchangeable.
Conclusion
This is one of the most popular additions to the brand’s product line so some retailers can be out of stock.
If you want to get this combo kit cheaper, you can look for a Certified Refurbished version model DCK280C2R on Amazon.
If you are considering buying this toolset, check the current price here!
***
Both the Impact driver and Compact drill play a significant role in different DIY jobs. That’s why it is essential that you get the solid tools in your hand.
And after going through the details and feedbacks of users, I can say that this set has the ability to be your best mate. It has all the necessary tools that are there to impress you with their features and functions.
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