For six months, I use this DEWALT kit. It is my main tool for everything. I used it for the garden fence, and I made a new computer table. I also did many small repairs in my house. This is my full, honest DEWALT DCK240C2 Review and honest story.
Last summer, my garden needed a new fence. My old drill was not so good. It was very weak. I needed a serious tool for the job. So, I searched online for the best budget drill for homeowners. I found many people talking about the DEWALT DCK240C2 combo kit. This tool is old, maybe 10 years old. But many people still buy it. I was curious.
I am not a professional, just an ordinary person. Mostly I like to do small DIY projects at home. The price for this kit was about $149. This was a good discount, so I bought it.
Quick Summary: DEWALT DCK240C2 Kit
- Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.7/5)
- Best For: DIY people, new homeowners, anyone who needs a good tool for home repair.
- What’s Great: Strong tools for a low price. DEWALT is a trusted brand. It has two batteries.
- What’s Not: The motor is old “brushed” style. The bag has no pockets. The batteries are small.
- Buy If: You want a power tool kit under $150 from a famous brand.
- Avoid If: You are a professional. Or if you need brushless tools for heavy work all day.
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My Honest Opinion
About Price and Stock
About the Pictures
- DCD771 in cordless drill combo kit features two speed transmission (0-450 / 0-1500 RPM)
- DCD771 high performance motor of cordless tools combo kit delivers 300 unit watts out (UWO) of power ability completing …
- DCD771 compact, lightweight design of the drill/ impact driver combo kit fits into tight areas
What’s Inside the DEWALT DCK240C2 Kit? My First Look
When the box came, I was very happy. The first thing I saw was the yellow and black contractor bag. It looks very strong. But when I opened it, I was a little sad. Inside, there is only one big space. There are no small pockets for drill bits, or batteries. All the tools hit each other. It is a messy bag. This is a small problem, but it is not good.
Inside this bag, you get:
- The DCD771 Drill/Driver: The main yellow drill.
- The DCF885 Impact Driver: This one is small but very strong.
- Two 1.3Ah 20V MAX Batteries: Two batteries is a very good thing.
- One DCB101 Charger: A simple charger. It works well.
- One Belt Hook: Only one hook for two tools. You have to choose which tool gets it. I put it on the impact driver.
DEWALT DCK240C2 Review: My 6-Month Test Results
I did not use these tools for just one day. I used them for six months for my real projects. This is the true story of this DIY tool kit.
Power for Real Jobs
For a normal home user, this kit has much power. The DCD771 drill can put long 3-inch screws in wood. It does not slow down. When I made my fence, it worked all day. The two speeds are very useful. I use slow speed for careful screw work. Fast speed for making holes. I also used it to make a new bookshelf. And used it to hang heavy cabinets in my kitchen. It had no problem.
The DCF885 impact driver is for very hard jobs. I used it for long bolts in thick wood. A normal drill cannot do this. This small tool did it very easy. It has much torque. Torque means turning power.
How It Handles Drops and Dust (and a small problem)
My tools are not always clean. They get dust on them. Sometimes they fall. I dropped my drill from my table two times. It has some scratches now. But it still works perfect. This shows the tools are strong. They are made for real work.
But there is one problem. You will only know this after you use it for a long time. The drill’s front part is called the chuck. It can get loose by itself. This is a real problem. I was on a ladder one day. I was fixing a fan. The drill bit fell out. This was very annoying. It was also a little dangerous. Now, I check it with my hand every few minutes. This is a real problem of this old design.
Comfort for Long Use
Both tools are easy to hold. The impact driver is small. It is not heavy. My arm did not get tired when I worked on the fan for a long time. The drill also has good balance. The rubber grip is good. It does not slip from my hand.
Real Pros & Cons After Using for 6 Months
To make it easy, I will put all the good and bad points I found during my DEWALT DCK240C2 Review in a simple table.
DCK240C2 vs. New DEWALT Kits: Is It Still Worth Buying?
An important part of this DEWALT DCK240C2 Review is to see how it compares to new models. This kit has an old “brushed” motor. The big topic now is DEWALT brushed vs brushless. For about $30 more money, you can buy a new “brushless” kit from DEWALT. So, is it smart to save $30 and buy this old model for $149?
- Compared to DCK225D2 (Atomic Series): This kit has brushless tools. They are smaller and more strong. The batteries are also better.
- Compared to DCK227D2 (Lowe’s Exclusive): This kit is also brushless and has more power. It also has two belt clips, not just one.
The main difference is the motor. For my home use, a brushed motor is fine. But if I was a professional, I would pay extra for a brushless kit.
“I talked about this with my friend Muhammad Ali (22+ years experience, Ghazi Autos). He said this: ‘For home jobs, this old DEWALT kit is very good. It is enough. But for professional people who work all day, a brushless kit saves time and battery. It depends on how much you use it.’”
Other Good Options Under $150
DEWALT is not the only brand. There are other good choices too.
- Metabo HPT Brushless Combo Kit: For about $129, this kit gives you brushless tools and better batteries. Metabo HPT also gives a lifetime warranty on tools. This is very good.
- Ridgid and Kobalt: Ridgid tools have power like DEWALT, but cost less money. Their best thing is the **Lifetime Service Agreement**. It gives free batteries for life. Kobalt is another good brand if you want to save money.
When to Spend More Money?
If you are a typical person doing small jobs at home, this DEWALT DCK240C2 is enough. But if you are a professional, or if you do very heavy work, it is a good idea to spend more money. A better tool will give you more power and longer life.
Bonus Tips for New Users
Common Mistakes for Beginners
- Using the Wrong Tool: Some new people try to open a very tight bolt with the drill. The drill is for making holes and normal screws. For hard jobs, you must use the impact driver. Learning what tool to use is important for all hand tools and power tools.
- Not Using the Clutch: The drill has a number ring. This is the clutch. If you set it to a low number, the drill stops when the screw is tight. Many beginners keep it on the ‘drill’ sign. This can damage the wood.
- Forgetting the Second Battery: You start a big job. Your first battery dies. You see you did not charge the second battery. Always keep the second battery ready.
Battery Tips for Longer Life
- Don’t Make it Empty: Do not wait for the battery to be 100% empty. When power is getting low, charge it. This is better for battery life.
- Keep it Cool: Batteries don’t like heat. Do not leave them in a hot car. Store them in a cool, dry place.
- Take it off Charger: After the battery is full, take it off the charger. Do not leave it on the charger for many days.
The batteries in this kit are good, but you can make them last longer. If you are interested in tool batteries, you can also read my review on Milwaukee M18 batteries.
FAQ
Is this DEWALT DCK240C2 Review trusted and authentic?
This is my own review after hands on testing on of this tool. You can click on my profile link, you will find how I reviewed this tool. You will be redirected to my social account. There you will find this tools review easily.
Is DEWALT DCK240C2 good for a beginner?
Yes, this kit is very good for beginners. It is easy to use. It has enough power for most jobs at home. And it has two batteries so you can start work right away.
What is the difference between brushed and brushless?
This DCK240C2 kit has “brushed” motors. Brushless motors are new technology. They are more strong, they run cooler, and the battery lasts longer. For home use, brushed is okay. For professional work, buy brushless.
How long does the battery work?
The battery works for about 30 to 45 minutes if you work hard without stop. For small jobs, one charge can work for many days.
Can this drill make a hole in a concrete wall?
This drill is not a “hammer drill”. So it is not for concrete. It can make small holes in brick. But for a concrete wall, you need a real hammer drill.
Conclusion: My Final, Honest Advice
So, to conclude my DEWALT DCK240C2 Review, what is my final thought about this kit? Am I sad that I bought it?
No, not at all. For the money I paid, this kit was a very good helper. It is like an old, trusted car. It does not have new, fancy things. But it always starts. It does the job and helped me build my fence. It helped me fix my cabinets, also helped me to do many small jobs in my house.
Yes, there is new technology now. For a little more money, you can get a brushless kit from DEWALT, Ridgid, or Metabo. Those will be more strong. If you are a professional and use tools to make money, you should buy a brushless kit.
But if you are like me, a homeowner who needs a good, strong tool for weekend jobs, this kit is a great choice. Especially if you get it for a low price. It has small problems, like the messy bag and the drill chuck that needs checking. But its power and the trust of the DEWALT brand are real. It is a solid tool. It shows that sometimes, old and trusted things are still very good.