Rare clear acrylic DeWALT DW995K 18-volt, cordless drill/driver (1996)
by Leon A. Frechette
In March 1996, it was my privilege to attend the DeWALT Grand Slam Editorial Preview in Baltimore, MD. It was three days of power tools: new products, presentations, tips and tricks, tours of their design center and test labs, and even testing some of those new tools. For a tool junkie like me, it was pure heaven!
At the Editorial Preview, DeWALT introduced their breakthrough 18-volt cordless power tool system—cordless convenience with corded performance. Their 1/2" drill/driver and 5 3/8" saw were on the market later that year, the very first 18-volt cordless tools to be sold.
To mark this breakthrough technology, DeWALT presented each of the attendees with an acrylic version of the DeWALT DW995K 18-Volt, 1/2" Heavy Duty Adjustable Clutch Cordless Drill/Driver.
Wow!
It's such a special tool, that I immediately built a shadow box to display and protect this unique piece of tool history.
Then I wrote an article describing how to build shadow boxes and used a picture of my framed DeWALT Acrylic Cordless Drill/Driver in the article. That article was published in a 1997 issue of Woodworker's Journal.
What you are seeing to the left is an acrylic version of the DeWALT DW995K 18-Volt, 1/2" Heavy Duty Adjustable Clutch Cordless Drill/Driver mounted in a professionally hand-crafted shadow box.
The key features of this unique tool include: dual range VSR 0-450/0-1, 400 RPM, 330 in./lb. of torque, anti-slip soft comfort grip, mid-handle design, adjustable clutch torque control, high-performance fan-cooled motor with replaceable brushes, weight: 5.6 lb., and includes 1-hour charger, 18-volt XR PACK extended run-time battery, and double-ended screwdriver bits.
To date this tool has never been used. Upon receipt, I immediately framed it in the shadow box.
This tool was produced in very limited quantities. DeWalt was not able to find the exact number. However, they are comfortable saying that approximately 1,000 of these drills were produced. My acrylic DeWALT 18-Volt Drill/Driver is one of very few remaining, quite possibly the only one in perfect mint condition.
This tool is in absolutely pristine condition as you can see the rare clear acrylic DeWalt DW995K cordless 18-volt, drill/driver (1996) displayed in the shadow box above. To prove its authenticity, the following items are included to enhance its value.
- The professionally hand-crafted shadow box in which the acrylic DeWALT 18-Volt Drill/Driver is framed as featured on pp. 56-59 of the May/June 1997 issue (Vol. 21, Issue 3) of Woodworker's Journal. The shadow box containing the DeWALT 18-Volt Drill/Driver is shown on page 56 (see below).
- A copy of Woodworker's Journal, the May/June 1997 issue (Vol. 21, Issue 3), featuring my article on how to build Shadow Boxes. This magazine is in pristine condition as you can see below.
- The invitation and all the information provided by DeWALT for their March 1996 Grand Slam Editorial Preview in Baltimore.
DeWALT definitely made tool history with their breakthrough 18-volt power tools, and this acrylic drill-driver is a celebration of that achievement.
In 2001 the DW995K was replaced by the new generation of XRP heavy-duty cordless drills with more torque, three speed settings, and a chuck with a tighter bit grip.
This is your opportunity to own a very special piece of power tool history and view the internal mechanical workings in motion once you squeeze the trigger—wow!
Now you can own this piece of tool history. Are you a tool junkie who would be interested in adding this great package to your tool collection? If so, send me an offer by email. I will let this collection go to any individual, company, or institution that will appreciate the history behind this DeWALT 18-Volt Drill/Driver and to the highest offer. Good luck!
This article was posted on 06/20/09. Copyright © 2009 LAF/C.R.S., Inc. All rights reserved.
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