Kawasaki 840110 Black 19.2-Volt Drill Kit
by Kawasaki
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List Price: Our Price: $59.99 You Save: $30.00 (33%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $49.59 (click here) Category: Tools See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Kawasaki 840110 Black 19.2-Volt Drill Kit
Customer Review: pretty darn good bang for the buck
Summary: 4 Stars
I purchased this set explicitly due to its price - being the cheapest 19-volt cordless drill I could find (at the time) online. This drill replaced a 12v Skil that suddenly stopped working.
Pros
I just got a chance to really put some hours on this last weekend - having built two 4x8 foot shelves to make a huge rolling cart for my workshop. I drove approx 200 some odd 3" screws before the first battery gave up. Then proceeded to drive another 100 or so on the second battery (with plenty of juice left) to finish my project. The drill seemed to produce similar output until the very end of battery life - basically dying quickly is what you want vs. having it drag along with poor performance. There are plenty of clutch settings and the high low selection really comes in handy. The chuck adjusts like any other standard tools free one - nothing fancy.
Cons
One small downside as someone else mentioned is the forward and reverse switch is backwards from every other drill I've used. Not a big deal just a minor inconvenience. The bits they supplied are a bit cheap seeming to be made of pot metal. I broke one within the first few hours of using it - probably why they give you two identical ones. The light that illuminates with the trigger is just about useless - shinning light almost 8" away from the work area. One of my biggest complaints is the charger. It would REALLY be useful if the charger could do its job then go into a standby / trickle mode. Heck any LED indication other than red = on would be nice. It just charges at a constant rate that can ruin forgotten batteries.
Overall despite its few shortcomings this drill has great performance, adequate features, at a fair price.
Customer Review: I have only one & a half complaints, wish i'd bought two.
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought my drill from Costco almost 2 years ago and it has been great - and I totally ignored the re-call. I've dropped it off the tailgate, used it in the rain, it just keeps right on chugging. I work scrap metal, and have used it to twist rebar wire, drill stainless steel sheet, buff out plastic and disassemble industrial machinery. All of this for 2 years running, can you really ask more for $40.00? I usually buy DeWalt, but the Kawasaki sometimes makes me forget, until I look down and see the green color.
I knew the re-call was a scam, I was'nt letting them stick me with an inferior version or confiscate it, heck, I need the drill more than the $40. Seems as though the outside shape has changed since 2 years have passed, maybe the drill I got was better quality since it was just hitting the market back then. Anyway, if they want it back they (the re-callers) will have to pry it from my cold, dead hands. I love the thing.
My only complaint (and this is the half complaint) is that the reverse switch that is above the trigger is difficult for a small right hander like me. Instead of forward being engaged on the right side of the drill it has to be done with your thumb on the left (if you are right handed). This is awkward anyway, but if you have small woman sized hands like me, you can easily drop the drill. Another thing is the keyless chuck could have a bit more bite, the bit will sieze up and spin free if you don't back off right before penetrating sheet metal. Use cutting oil like you should anyway. That's it though, no real complaints for the price and length of time it has lasted.
Customer Review: Good drill
Summary: 4 Stars
While it's true that there was a recall on the batteries, it looks like the folks that had trouble with the batteries only being good for 10 to 15 holes did the following: "Put the battery in the charger, and let it sit there." What happens is that a green LED comes on and one would think it's charging. That's not the case. One actually has to push a (flat to the surface) button to initiate charging. So you push the button and a RED light comes on and stays on until the battery is charged. At which point the green light comes on indicating a charged battery.
I must admit I didn't read the manual and thus was running the drill 'for two months' without actually charging it. I only thought I was charging it. That's two months of use on just the battery come-back! That was over two years ago and now that I'm actually charging it the drill has more than enough power and longevity to spare.
Really, the only bad thing I have to say about the drill is that the two spring clip retainers for the drill bits wear out after extended use. But I was always weary about keeping bits there anyway, although I did.
The reason I'm looking at this drill on Amazon is that I was thinking about getting another one, because it's just handy to not having to change the bit all the time from a drill bit to a driving bit.
I am, and have been, happy with the drill and it's an excellent value for the p;rice. If you don't need a corded, heavy duty drill then this Kawasaki will do the job for you.
Customer Review: Purchasing a Second after 4 years
Summary: 5 Stars
I received my first 840110 for Christmas from a club house store, several years ago. I once thought I had stripped a gear but the problem was I had the torque adjuster all the way down, boy I am glad I did not get rid of it then.
The NI-CAD batteries are finally getting old and last about an hour now, so I am ordering a new one. Why?
because $200 for a Lithium ion makes no since when I can get this for $50 bucks with two batteries and best of all I now have two drills, one for starting screws (small drill bit), and one with Phillips head for driving screws.
The Drill is a tough unit and well balanced, a little heavy when holding horizontal one handed (on a ladder). The batteries are the real issue with this unit, but for $50 bucks, its gets the job done. also the batteries are subC cells and can be replaced if you are handy with a soldering gun. I have the original 1 hr charger so it was cheaper for me to buy this package, then to get one replacement battery. Don't leave the batteries in the charger and you will be alright. recall was on 1-hr charger not this one, and I never had a problem with mine.
What I am waiting for is alltrade to offer a lithium 19.2 replacement battery in their uni-source battery line.
If you are not using it professionally then buy it, what do you have to loose for $50, one lithium battery is $100 bucks for any other unit.
Customer Review: Was nice until the switch burned out
Summary: 1 Stars
I picked one of these up in a local warehouse club last year, around $40, and used it fairly extensively for a couple of months to install wood floors. It was a compact and well balanced unit, and I liked the way it felt in the hand. Plenty of power for a basic drill/driver, and good battery life.
But after about three months, the switch burned out, and it would no longer work. I dissected it to see if I could fix it, but the switch was shot. I have been unable to find a parts supplier online or otherwise. Kawasaki's sites do not even acknowledge that they make such a product, so I suspect it is manufactured in China and imported under the K label. The reviewer below indicates it is made by AllTrade, but their website says send it back to them, and does not list the replacement parts for sale. Shipping and repair costs will likely be more than the unit originally cost.
It was a nice unit while it lasted, and I may be able to resurrect it with a homemade switch (sacrificing variable speed control).
But based on my experience, I would recommend you spend a little more to get one from a reputable tool manufacturer that stands behind its products.