The Hitachi DB10DL Micro Driver Drill
is a deceptive piece of hardware. When I first showed this little (6”x8” and under 2 lbs.) green and black beauty to both my best friend (a contractor) and my wife, their reaction was the same as mine: “Isn’t that cute.” And when I saw the 10.8 volt power supply, I figured that there wasn’t a lot use for a little tyke like this much past typical weekender projects. I mean, I’m used to my 18 volt yellow and black monster drill. But then I picked up the Hitachi DB10DL and drove a few screws with it. The power was impressive as the screws bore in with no appreciable drag. And it fit comfortably in my hand.
Click "Read More" for the rest of this article and a video of our own Jude Herr testing out the Hitachi DB10DL!
Let me back up for a moment here. In most circles, a drill is commonly
thought of as a tool for boring holes in wood; however, evolution has
broadened its scope to a point where the primary function nowadays
seems to be as a driver of screws—a screw gun. So, whereas most drills
have no problem boring holes in wood, as long as the bit is sharp, to
drive screws, and lots of them at one time, takes long-lasting and
concentrated power. And that’s no problem for the Hitachi DB10DL Micro
Driver Drill.
And power is the bottom line in a drill/driver. The DB10DL
comes with two 1.5Ah HXP lithium ion batteries. Now, without getting
into technical territory, this means that the Hitachi DB10DL Micro
Driver Drill delivers a steady stream of power throughout every charge,
unlike ordinary batteries that begin to fade right from the start. With
a 30-minute recharge time, Hitachi’s patented battery charger features
one-of-a-kind circuitry that prevents overheating and power loss, which
extends battery life and saves on costly replacements. And all Hitachi
HXP batteries are equipped with an advanced current-interrupt detection
system and a thermal protector for added safety.
Now let’s talk features. The Hitachi DB10DL Micro Driver Drill is
equipped with a ¼” quick-change hex chuck for ease of bit replacement
and a firm, nonslip bit grip. Instead of twisting the chuck open or
closed, all you have to do is pull the spring-loaded collar out and
insert or remove the bit. Couldn’t be simpler. Some drills have a
separate dial for varying the speed, but the DB10DL comes with variable
speed control built right into the trigger for instant response and
exacting control. A 21+1 position clutch allows for precision torque,
and the reverse/lock switch is conveniently located just behind the
trigger. And this is a drill with a headlight! An LED ring surrounds
the chuck, illuminating dimly lit work areas, and you can even activate
the light without the drill by partially depressing the trigger,
allowing you to see clearly for postioning before the driver is in
motion. The Hitachi DB10DL also has a low-battery indicator light,
letting you know when it’s time to recharge. And it may seem like a
frivolous feature, but the Hitachi DB10DL Micro Driver Drill is the
only driver in its class that can stand up by itself. Until you have a
drill that won’t, you don’t know how convenient that feature is.
The Hitachi DB10DL is well balanced and features ergonomic grip design
for maximum comfort, which translates into more control and less
fatigue.This all comes in a high-impact injection-molded carrying case,
which, frankly, could benefit from some interior bit storage, but then,
so could almost all drill cases. You also get a 7-piece magnetic drive
set. At only 1.8 lbs. and less than 6” in length, the DB10DL is
extremely portable and able fit into those tight places your other
drivers just won’t.
So if you’re looking for a drill/driver on the jobsite to take up the
slack when you don’t really need your monster drill; or if you just
need something around the house with more power than those wimpy
electric screwdrivers, then the Hitachi DB10DL Micro Driver Drill
is
the little giant for you. And it’s cute to boot.
Don't forget to watch Jude's video review of the DB10DL below:
The 
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