How to Use a DeWalt 20V Max Drill

On this page (9 sections)

1. What should you know before your first drill session?
2. How do you charge and fit the 20V Max battery?
3. How do you set the clutch so screws stop stripping?
4. Which speed should you choose for drilling and driving?
5. How do you drill a clean hole in wood, metal or plastic?
6. How do you drive screws without splitting the wood?
7. How do you change a bit quickly and keep the chuck tight?
8. What should you do after the job?
9. Which drill and accessories fit your next job?

To use a DeWalt 20V Max drill, charge the battery, lock a bit into the 1/2 inch ratcheting chuck, and set the clutch and speed for what you're doing. Lower clutch numbers drive screws, drill mode spins freely for holes, and a slow first squeeze gives you control.

The DCD771C2 kit puts most of the setup in your hands through three controls: the chuck, the torque collar and the two-speed switch. Learning those three is how to use a DeWalt 20V Max drill without stripping screws or burning bits.

What should you know before your first drill session?

Check the battery, the chuck and the switches before you squeeze the trigger. A two-minute walk-around prevents most beginner mistakes and keeps the tool safe.

Set the battery in the base until it clicks. Grip the chuck and twist it open, drop in the bit with the smooth shank end inward, and tighten by hand until it bites.

On the DCD771C2 the chuck is a single sleeve that ratchets tight, so you don't need a chuck key.

The drill weighs about 3.6 lb, so it fits overhead work and tight spots without tiring your arm fast. Its 300 unit watts out of power and 1,500 rpm top speed handle light framing, cabinet work and everyday repairs.

Keep your grip behind the trigger, and keep your other hand clear of the spinning bit. Our guide to how to use a cordless drill safely covers grip, eye protection and safe drilling positions in more depth.

How do you charge and fit the 20V Max battery?

Slide the pack onto the charger, wait for the light to show a full charge, and click the pack into the drill's base. The kit ships with two batteries and a charger, so a spare is always ready.

Line up the battery's rails with the tool's slots and push until it clicks. Pull the release tab to remove it.

Don't force a pack in the wrong way; the tabs only line up one way.

Charge batteries indoors, away from damp floors and direct heat. If a pack feels warm after heavy use, let it cool first.

When the drill slows sharply and loses power, that's your cue to swap in the second pack and charge the first.

Store spare packs away from metal objects such as screws or keys. A loose metal item can bridge the contacts and damage the pack.

Keep the drill's contacts clean and dry.

How do you set the clutch so screws stop stripping?

Turn the torque collar to a low number and raise it step by step until the screw seats. The clutch slips when the screw reaches the set torque, which is what saves the screw head and the material.

Start around the low end for softwood and drywall. Run a test screw into scrap of the same material and adjust upward until the head sits flush without spinning.

Harder materials and longer screws need a higher setting.

The collar also has a drill symbol for full torque with no clutch. That's the setting for boring holes, not for driving screws.

Use it only when the job needs steady power with no slip.

Match your bit to the screw head: Phillips, square, Torx or hex. A tip that rocks in the head is the wrong size and will cam out.

Our guide to what the numbers on a drill mean explains clutch numbers and speed ratings in plain terms.

Which speed should you choose for drilling and driving?

Use speed 1 for screws and large bits, and speed 2 for small drill bits. The DCD771C2 has a two-speed transmission rated at 0-450 rpm and 1,500 rpm.

Speed 1 gives more turning force at lower rpm, so it drives long screws and turns hole saws and big bits without stalling. Speed 2 spins faster and suits small twist bits in wood and metal, where a quick cut leaves a cleaner hole.

Let the drill do the work rather than leaning on it. Push hard and the motor slows, the bit heats and the hole wanders.

Ease off near the end of a through-hole so the bit doesn't break out and splinter the far side.

The same switch and trigger logic works on rival brands, so the comparison in Milwaukee M18 vs DeWalt 20V drills is useful if you're choosing between the two lines.

How do you drill a clean hole in wood, metal or plastic?

Mark the spot with a punch or a pencil, start the bit slowly, and keep the drill square to the surface. A steady start stops the bit walking across the face.

For wood, use a brad-point or twist bit and clear chips as you go. Back the workpiece with scrap wood to stop tear-out.

For metal, add a center punch mark, a drop of cutting oil, and light steady pressure; the DCD771C2 lists a 13 mm metal capacity. For plastic, slow the speed and lift the bit often so the plastic doesn't melt and grab.

The 1/2 inch chuck takes bits up to 0.5 inches in the shank. Larger bits and hole saws need a lower speed and a firm two-handed grip.

Stop and let the bit cool if it smokes or squeals. Heat dulls the edge and shortens bit life.

Pull the bit out now and then to clear chips from the flutes.

Which bit set covers most home drilling?

The DEWALT 21-piece set gives you sizes from 1/16 inch to 1/2 inch in one case, which covers pilot holes, hardware and light framing. The titanium nitride coating and pilot point help the bit start on contact and cut cleaner holes.

The no-spin shanks grip in the chuck instead of slipping. A tapered web adds strength so bits break less often.

Keep the case closed and wipe bits dry after use.

Skip the set if you only ever drill one size; a single spare bit may be cheaper. It also won't cut masonry, so pair it with a hammer drill for brick.

How do you drive screws without splitting the wood?

Drill a pilot hole first, set a low clutch number, and stop when the head sits flush. Pilot holes matter most near board ends and in hardwoods.

Choose a bit slightly narrower than the screw's shank. Hold the drill straight and let the clutch click when the screw bottoms out.

If the clutch never clicks and the screw keeps turning, raise the number one step.

A magnetic holder keeps the tip aligned and stops the screw wobbling in. For long runs of screws, keep the drill body close to the work so your wrist stays straight.

Don't overdrive into softwood or drywall; the head sinks and the hole crumbles. Ease the trigger near the end so you feel the screw seat.

Which screwdriver bits suit this drill?

The DEWALT 40-piece FlexTorq set gives you screwdriver tips in the common head shapes plus a magnetic holder and nut drivers. The FlexTorq zone flexes up to 15 degrees in hard joint applications and the CNC-machined tips fit screw heads closely to reduce cam-out.

The set includes 1 inch and 2-1/4 inch bits, a 3-1/2 inch bit, two nut drivers and a socket adaptor. The magnetic sleeve holds screws so you can start them one-handed.

Skip it if you only drive one head type and already have a few loose bits. These bits are impact rated for use in high-torque cordless impact drivers.

How do you change a bit quickly and keep the chuck tight?

Open the chuck, swap the bit, and hand-tighten until the ratchet clicks. The single sleeve on the DCD771C2 makes this a one-hand job once you've done it a few times.

Grip the rear collar to stop the spindle turning, then twist the front sleeve. Pull the old bit out and seat the new one fully in the jaws.

Snug it by hand; don't add pliers or a wrench.

Check the bit by spinning the chuck slowly before you drill. A bit seated crooked will wobble and cut an oversized hole.

Our step-by-step guide to how to change a drill bit shows the grip and the check in more detail.

What should you do after the job?

Release the trigger, wait for the bit to stop, and set the drill down on its side. Then remove the bit, brush off dust and wipe the chuck.

Empty the chuck of debris so the jaws close evenly next time. Wipe the body with a dry cloth; don't hose it down or dunk it.

Store the drill and batteries in the kit bag, indoors and away from damp.

Check the chuck for looseness and the battery contacts for grit every few jobs. A tight chuck and clean contacts keep the tool running true.

Which drill and accessories fit your next job?

For most home jobs, the DeWalt DCD771C2 kit covers screws, pilot holes and light drilling in wood, metal and plastic with its 300 UWO motor and two speeds. It weighs about 3.6 lb and its 1/2 inch ratcheting chuck holds bits firmly.

Buy the bit set if you need a range of hole sizes. Add the screwdriver set if you drive mixed screw heads.

For brick or concrete, choose a hammer drill instead; this model is a drill driver only.

Once you've set the clutch and speed, the rest is practice. Start on scrap, keep the drill square and let the tool do the turning.

That's how to use a DeWalt 20V Max drill well enough for most projects around the house.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to charge a DeWalt 20V Max battery before first use?

Yes, charge the battery fully before the first job. The kit includes two batteries and a charger, so you can keep one on the tool while the other tops up.

Charge indoors and let a warm pack cool before putting it on the charger.

What do the numbers 1 and 2 on the speed switch mean?

On the DeWalt DCD771C2 the two speeds are 0-450 rpm and 1,500 rpm. Speed 1 gives more turning force for driving screws and turning big bits.

Speed 2 spins faster for small drill bits in wood and metal.

How do I stop stripping screw heads?

Set the clutch collar to a low number and increase it until the screw seats. Use the matching bit size and tip type, and let the clutch slip rather than pressing harder.

A magnetic bit holder keeps the tip straight in the screw.

Can I use this drill on masonry?

No. The DeWalt DCD771C2 is a drill driver for wood, metal and plastic, and it has no hammer mode.

For brick or concrete you need a hammer drill or a rotary hammer with a masonry bit.