Full Review ⭐ DeWalt DCD740N-XJ 18V XR Lithium-Ion Body Only Cordless 2-Speed Angle Drill, Yellow/Black, 4.57 cm12.52 cm2.99 cm & DCS355N-XJ 18V Li-Ion Cordless Brushless Oscillating Multi-Tool

DeWalt is one of the most well-known and trusted brands when it comes to power tools. Founded in 1924, the American company has built a reputation for manufacturing high-quality, durable and innovative cordless power tools for professionals and DIYers.

DeWalt's 20V and 18V XR lithium-ion battery platform offers long runtimes and plenty of power for drilling, sawing, cutting and many other applications. The batteries use intelligent systems to monitor usage and ensure optimal performance. When paired with DeWalt's extensive range of brushless motors, the tools provide efficient and high-torque operation without overheating.

This review will take a close look at two of DeWalt's flagship 18V cordless tools - the DCD740N-XJ drill/driver and the DCS355N-XJ oscillating multi-tool. Both utilize advanced technology to deliver versatility, convenience and productivity on the job site or around the home. We'll examine the key features of each tool, along with their respective pros and cons.

Drill Overview

The DeWalt DCD740N-XJ is a handy 18V XR Lithium-Ion cordless compact drill. This lightweight drill features a high performance motor to deliver 340 unit watts out (UWO) of power for fast application speeds. It has a 2-speed transmission to allow users to shift to slower speeds for precision work or higher speed for fast drilling.

The DCD740N-XJ comes with a high capacity 1.5Ah battery that provides long runtime. It has an ergonomic comfort grip handle for control and reduced fatigue during extended use. The drill offers 15 clutch settings to help prevent overtightening and cam-out. It also has an LED light to illuminate dark work areas.

Overall, the DCD740N-XJ is a versatile cordless drill well-suited for driving, drilling and fastening applications around the house, jobsite or workshop. Its compact size makes it easy to use in tight spaces while still delivering DeWalt's trademark power.

In addition to the DCD740N-XJ drill, DeWalt also offers the DCS355M1-GB Oscillating Multi-Tool. This versatile tool can sand, cut, grind, polish, scrape and more. It comes with a powerful brushless motor and 1 x 4Ah battery for extended runtime. The tool has a variable speed dial to match oscillations per minute to the application. An LED light helps illuminate the work area.

The DCS355M1-GB kit includes over 35 accessories to tackle different jobs. This includes sanding pads, scraper blades, plunge cut blades and more. The quick change mechanism allows fast and tool-free accessory changes. The ergonomic grip provides outstanding control and minimized fatigue during prolonged use. An anti-vibration system further enhances comfort.

With an 18V lithium-ion battery, brushless motor and host of accessories, the DeWalt DCS355M1-GB oscillating multi-tool is ideal for home improvement, remodeling, automotive work and more. Its compact size allows accessing tight spaces other tools can't reach. And the variable speed control lets you match oscillations to the material and application.

Together, the DCD740N-XJ compact drill and DCS355M1-GB oscillating multi-tool form a versatile cordless toolkit for DIYers. The drill handles drilling and driving tasks. While the oscillating multi-tool sands, cuts, grinds and more. Both tools deliver DeWalt's legendary power in compact, ergonomic designs. And they take advantage of 18V XR and brushless motor technology for efficiency and long runtime.

Drill Pros

The DeWalt DCD740N-XJ drill offers several advantages that make it a great choice for DIYers and professionals.

• Powerful Motor: This drill packs a high-performance motor that delivers 300 unit watts out (UWO) of power. That's plenty of torque for drilling through tough materials like wood, metal, and masonry. You'll have no problem powering through jobs with this drill.

• Long Battery Life: Thanks to the 18V XR Lithium Ion battery, you'll get long runtime before needing to recharge. The XR technology delivers up to 33% more capacity over standard batteries. With less downtime spent charging, you can get more done.

• Comfortable Grip: The drill features an ergonomic handle with rubber overmold grip. This enhances comfort and control during prolonged use. Your hand won't easily fatigue, allowing you to keep working.

• Lightweight: Weighing only 3.4 lbs, this is a fairly lightweight drill that won't wear out your arm. The compact 12.5" length helps with maneuverability in tight spots. You can work longer without getting as tired.

In addition to its power, battery life, comfortable grip, and lightweight design, the DeWalt DCD740N-XJ drill also offers versatility for a wide range of applications. The 2-speed transmission allows you to shift gears for optimized performance when doing lighter or heavier duty tasks. With a 1/2" ratcheting chuck, you can quickly swap between drill bits and driver bits without any tools required.

This drill can handle just about anything you throw at it. It has an all-metal transmission and gearing system for durability. The drill is designed for jobsite toughness with metal chuck, collar, and belt hooks. For accuracy, it has an LED light to illuminate your work area. When you need to drill overhead or in tight corners, the compact size helps.

If you're looking for a similar oscillating multi-tool, check out the DeWalt DCS355M2-GB 18V Li-ion Cordless Brushless Oscillating Multi-Tool with 35-Accessories. This versatile tool can sand, grind, cut, and polish thanks to its quick change accessory system and powerful brushless motor. It comes with an array of useful attachments like sanding pads, scraper blades, plunge cut blades, and more. The variable speed dial gives you optimal control over the oscillation rate for different materials. At only 3.2 lbs, it's lightweight and ergonomic for comfortable handling. The 18V battery provides ample runtime to get jobs done. For tackling home improvement tasks or professional contracting work, the DeWalt DCS355M2-GB multi-tool is worth considering.

Drill Cons

The DeWalt DCD740N-XJ drill has a few drawbacks to consider:

• Price - This drill retails for around £150, which puts it at the higher end for 18V cordless drills without batteries. While it is a professional grade tool, the price may be prohibitive for some home DIYers on a budget.

• Lack of hammer drill function - This model does not have a dedicated hammer drill function for masonry drilling. While the drill will work in concrete and brick, it lacks the hammer action that makes drilling much easier in those materials.

• No battery included - Batteries must be purchased separately, adding to the overall cost. The drill is sold "body only" without any battery. Factor in another £100+ for a compatible 18V XR battery and charger.

Multi-Tool Overview

The DCS355N-XJ 18V Li-Ion Cordless Brushless Oscillating Multi-Tool is a versatile tool designed for cutting, sanding, grinding, scraping, and more. This model features a powerful brushless motor that provides superior runtime and performance compared to brushed motors.

Key features of the DCS355N-XJ include:

• Compatible with the 18V DeWalt XR Li-ion battery system
• Variable speed control from 0-22,000 oscillations per minute
• Quick change accessory system for fast and easy blade changes
• LED light to illuminate the work area
• Rubber overmold grip for comfort and control

The brushless motor gives this oscillating multi-tool excellent power while running cooler and more efficiently than brushed motors. This results in longer runtime per battery charge. The variable speed dial allows the user to match the oscillation rate to the material and application. Fast tool-free blade changes maximize versatility across many materials and uses.

Multi-Tool Pros

The DCS355N-XJ multi-tool offers several benefits that make it a great choice for DIY and professional use.

• Brushless Motor: This multi-tool features a powerful brushless motor that provides more torque, longer runtime, and better durability than brushed motors. The lack of brushes to wear down means essentially no maintenance is required.

• Versatile Attachments: DeWalt includes over 10 attachments like sanding pads, scraper blades, and cutting blades to tackle many materials and applications. Quickly swapping attachments makes this a highly versatile problem-solving tool.

• Fast Oscillations: With a no load speed of 20,000 oscillations per minute, this multi-tool can power through jobs quickly and smoothly. Variable speed control allows matching the right speed to the material and attachment. Fast oscillations give great control for detailed work like flush cutting and sanding.

Multi-Tool Cons

The DeWalt DCS355N-XJ 18V Li-Ion Cordless Brushless Oscillating Multi-Tool has some drawbacks to consider.

• No variable speed trigger: The multi-tool only operates at one speed, unlike some models that allow you to control the speed with the trigger. This limits the level of control you have.

• Blade changing can be tricky: The blade changing system on the multi-tool isn't the most intuitive. It can take some getting used to when switching out accessories. The process isn't as seamless as other oscillating multi-tools.

• Limited accessories included: The multi-tool only comes with a limited number of accessories. To get the most versatility, you'll likely need to purchase additional blades and attachments.

• No LED light: Some oscillating multi-tools have an LED light to illuminate the work area. This model doesn't have that feature.

• Large size: The multi-tool is fairly large and heavy compared to some other cordless models. This can limit maneuverability in tight spaces.

Battery & Charger

The DeWalt DCD740N-XJ drill and DCS355N-XJ multi-tool are part of the 18V XR line, meaning they use the same 18V lithium-ion battery pack. This makes them very convenient if you already have other DeWalt 18V tools or batteries.

The included battery is a high capacity 2.0Ah pack that provides long runtime. DeWalt rates it to drill up to 400 holes per charge in wood with a 10mm bit. Real world testing shows the battery lasts even longer than expected, especially if not using the hammer function continuously.

Charging is via the included rapid charger that can fully recharge a battery in about 60 minutes. This is very quick compared to some budget drills that can take 3-5 hours to charge. The charger plugs into a standard wall outlet and has an LED to indicate charging status.

The 18V XR battery platform provides excellent power while remaining lightweight and compact. Runtime is sufficient for most home DIY tasks and the rapid charger means you'll be back to work in under an hour. Those doing all day professional work may want to invest in a spare battery.

Accessories

The DCD740N-XJ drill and DCS355N-XJ multi-tool come as bare tools without batteries or a charger. However, they are part of DeWalt's 18V XR system and are compatible with all 18V XR batteries and chargers.

Some recommended accessories include:

• Extra blades for the multi-tool - DeWalt offers a variety of specialty blades for cutting wood, metal, drywall etc. This expands the functionality of the multi-tool.

• Bit set - A comprehensive bit set will allow you to tackle a wide variety of drilling and driving applications with the DCD740N-XJ drill. Look for sets that include common bit types like Phillips, slotted, hex, Torx etc.

• Contractor bag - A good bag lets you transport and organize all your tools together. The DeWalt DGCL33 contractor's bag has pockets sized specifically for the DCD740N-XJ and DCS355N-XJ.

• Fast charger - A fast charger like the DeWalt DCB115 will recharge batteries in under 60 minutes. This minimizes downtime between jobs.

• Extra batteries - Keep extra battery packs like the DeWalt DCB205 fully charged so you can swap them out when one runs down.

• Tool connect case - The DeWalt Connect case has NFC technology to inventory your tools when connected to the Tool Connect app. This helps prevent lost or misplaced tools.

Having the right accessories makes these tools more convenient and optimizes them for professional use. Investing in extras like blades, batteries, and cases pays off in productivity.

Conclusion

Overall, the DeWalt DCD740N-XJ 18V XR Lithium-Ion drill and DCS355N-XJ 18V Li-Ion oscillating multi-tool kit provides professional-grade power and versatility for DIYers and professionals alike.

The DCD740N drill packs plenty of torque and speed options in a compact, lightweight body. It's great for drilling and driving applications. Downsides are mediocre battery life and lack of hammer function.

The DCS355N oscillating multi-tool is very powerful and features a quick-change blade system. It excels at flush cutting, sanding, and scraping in tight spaces. Drawbacks are vibration and noise.

For home DIYers looking for their first professional-grade power tools, this kit is an excellent choice. The versatile oscillating multi-tool paired with the compact drill covers a wide range of applications. Those needing maximum runtime or hammer drilling ability may want to consider other models.

Overall, DeWalt's reputation for performance and durability makes this kit a smart buy for those seeking professional-grade cordless power on a budget. The tools should provide years of use for the occasional DIYer or tradesman.