DeWalt 20V Max FlexVolt Advantage Hammer Drill Review DCD999

DeWalt FlexVolt Advantage Hammer Drill delivers more power and crushes PTR test track

The DeWalt 20V Max Rotary Hammer with FlexVolt Advantage doesn't look too different from the DCD997 hammers we've been using for the past few years, but what you can't see promises to make a world of difference.

advantage

• Super fast on the PTR test track
• Tackle demanding accessories at breakneck speed with DeWalt FlexVolt batteries
• 3 speeds
• Tool connection chip ready
• LED light control on foot

shortcoming

• You have to use a heavy battery for best performance

Be sure to check out our article on the best DeWalt drill bits

We'll run this walkthrough through the PTR test track — 3 times, actually. But first, let's take a quick look at what the walkthrough does.

The overall design doesn't differ much from DeWalt's high-end offerings. You can see it in standard hammer drills, tool attachment versions, power detection models and now the FlexVolt Advantage option.

You can switch between the three gear modes on the top of the drill, and LED light controls now appear on the feet.

The bare DeWalt FlexVolt Advantage hammer weighs 3.6 pounds—just a few ounces more than the Tool Connect model we've been using. Your battery of choice will take over from there.

• Bare Tool: 3.6 lbs
• 2.0Ah battery and tool: 4.4 lbs
• 5.0Ah battery and tool: 4.9 lbs
• 6.0Ah FlexVolt battery and tool: 5.9 lbs

But it's what's inside the case that makes this drill so compelling. FlexVolt Advantage technology is an electronic system that senses which battery you are using. When you slide the FlexVolt battery in, the electronics tell the motor to boost performance in major ways.

There are many? DeWalt told us that when using the FlexVolt battery, expect a 40%+ increase in capacity.

DeWalt FlexVolt Hammer Drill Tests Raceway Performance

We started with a 2.0Ah battery, switched to a 5.0Ah battery pack, and finally, ran the track with a 6.0Ah FlexVolt battery. If you're not familiar with the PTR test track, here's what the 2×4 studs look like:

PTR test track

• Drywaller's Gambit: 20 drywall screws
• Low Pressure Pull: 10 x 1/2 drill bit holes
• EMT Bend: 10 x 3/4" Spade Drill Holes
• Pex Pull-Through: 10 x 3/4" auger drill holes
• Deadbolt & Lockset: 1" Hole Saw and 2 1/8" Hole Saw

Five digits of changes and tweaks must be made to the gear you're using, adding an actual component (and the potential for human error) to the test.

result

Even with our initial tests out of the box, we don't think the DeWalt FlexVolt Advantage hammer drill with the FlexVolt battery is much faster. What we need to know is how fast and where those runs sit on our PTR time trial leaderboard.

Running the DCD999 on a 2.0Ah battery took a total time of 3:36. The beat time was 2:34 (DeWalt's DCD997), so it was about a minute shorter, enough for 6th overall.

The 5.0Ah battery significantly improves performance. It broke the 3:00 minute mark and came in at 2:57, just ahead of Makita's XPH07 for fourth.

Now it's the FlexVolt battery. It swept the PTR test track in an astonishing time of 2:19, with a 15-second lead!

That's impressive, but not 40% faster. In fact, it's 36% faster than using a 2.0Ah battery, so close.

How about being more objective?

Here's the thing – the test track is fun, but it's not scientific because there's so much room for human error. So let's focus on the hardest part of the course – the two hole saws.

The 2.0Ah battery takes 11.37 seconds to complete a 1 inch hole. The FlexVolt battery provided enough power for the drill to complete the job in 4.35 seconds—62 percent faster.

It will work better if you use a larger hole saw. With the 2.0Ah battery pack, we needed 38.62 seconds to get through. But it only takes 6.17 seconds with the FlexVolt battery. 84% faster! 2-⅛” hole saw shot

We need to remember that DeWalt's statement is about adding power, not speed, so our percentages are relative. But I think we can all agree that the performance gains we get are huge.

These tests also showed us that the tougher the job, the more you get from FlexVolt Advantage technology. Keep this in mind when deciding which rig to buy.

DeWalt FlexVolt Advantage Hammer Drill Prices

Let's talk about price. You can buy the DCD999 as a bare-bones tool for $179, or as a kit with a 6.0Ah FlexVolt battery for $279. There are also several combination kits available.

We recommend checking out the DCK2100D1T1 kit for $399.

• DCD999 FlexVolt Advantage Hammer Drill with Side Handle
• DCF887 Impact Driver
• 6.0Ah FlexVolt battery
• 2.0Ah compact battery
• charger
• Toolkit

the bottom line

The DeWalt FlexVolt Advantage hammer drill is competitive with the 5.0Ah battery and stands out from the competition with the FlexVolt battery pack. It's an interesting dynamic between weight and performance, but I think it works in DeWalt's favor. Stick with the 5.0Ah battery pack for most of your drilling and driving, then drop the FlexVolt battery in the more demanding drills.

Specification

• Model: DEWALT DCD999
• Maximum speed: 2000 RPM
• Blow rate: 38,250 BPM
• Power supply: 1219 UWO
• Length: 8.4 inches
• Weight: 3.6 lbs naked
• Warranty: 3 years

Learn more on DeWalt's website.