Dewalt FLEXVOLT Advantage Combi Drills
DeWalt FLEXVOLT combi drills are for hard drilling, fixing and hammer work where a standard drill starts feeling out of breath on site.
If you're drilling masonry all morning, driving long fixings after lunch and still need one drill that does not bog down, this is the kit to look at. A dewalt flexvolt advantage combi drill gives you more out of the tool when paired with the right battery, so it suits sparks, chippies and general builders who are on proper site work all week. If you are already running the platform, check the wider DeWalt FLEXVOLT Advantage drills range and pick the dewalt flexvolt drill that matches your workload.
What Are DeWalt FLEXVOLT Combi Drills Used For?
- Drilling into brick, block and masonry for plugs, anchors and frame fixings is where a dewalt flexvolt hammer drill earns its keep, especially when you are moving room to room on first fix.
- Driving long woodscrews, coach screws and structural fixings into joists, stud and sheet material is quicker with the extra punch these drills deliver under load.
- Working through mixed jobs on refurbs suits a dewalt flexvolt combi drill because you can go from timber drilling to masonry hammer mode without swapping tools all day.
- Fitting kitchens, roofing timbers or exterior framework is easier when the drill keeps its torque up instead of slowing down halfway through a fixing.
- Using a DeWalt drill bit sets bundle makes sense when you need masonry bits, pilot bits and driver bits in one place rather than rattling round the van loose.
Choosing the Right DeWalt FLEXVOLT Combi Drill
Match the drill to the work you actually do, because buying for the biggest number on the box usually just leaves you carrying more weight than you need.
1. Body Only or Full Kit
If you are already on the system, a dewalt flexvolt drill body only is the sensible buy. If this is your first step into the platform, get the batteries and charger sorted properly from the start or you will never see what the tool can really do.
2. Masonry Workload
If you only drill the odd plug hole, do not overthink it. If you are hitting brick and block day in, day out for fixings and brackets, go for the dewalt flexvolt hammer drill setup that is built to keep pace without cooking itself.
3. Battery Pairing Matters
The whole point of Advantage tools is what happens when you pair them with the right pack. If you want the extra shove under load, use proper DeWalt FLEXVOLT batteries rather than expecting the same result from your smallest packs.
4. Daily Use vs Occasional Use
If the drill comes out for ten minutes at a time, any decent combi will cope. If it is one of your main site tools five days a week, spend for the FLEXVOLT Advantage model and save yourself the grief of a drill that feels flat by mid afternoon.
Who Uses These Combi Drills?
- Sparkies reach for them when drilling repeated holes in brick and block for clips, back boxes and fixings, then swapping straight to driver mode for boards and containment.
- Chippies use them for first fix timber, structural screws and general drilling where a lighter drill is fine for half an hour but not enough for a full day.
- Builders and maintenance teams keep a dewalt flexvolt drill on hand for snagging, fixing and drilling across different materials without carrying separate kit for every step.
- Roofers and external fitters like them for outside jobs where you need cordless power, solid hammer action and fewer excuses to keep walking back to the charger.
The Basics: Understanding DeWalt FLEXVOLT Advantage Combi Drills
These drills are still built around the jobs you already know, but the key difference is how they respond when you pair them with the right battery. Here is the simple version.
1. Combi Drill Function
A combi drill gives you three jobs in one tool. Standard drilling handles wood and metal, driver mode deals with screws and fixings, and hammer mode gets you into brick and block for plugs and anchors.
2. What Advantage Actually Means
FLEXVOLT Advantage tools are designed to draw more from the battery when matched with compatible packs. On site, that means better performance under load when you are drilling larger holes or driving longer fixings.
3. Why It Matters on Site
The difference is not just numbers on paper. It is the drill holding its speed better in dense timber, biting cleaner into masonry and feeling less like it is running out of breath halfway through the task.
Combi Drill Accessories That Save Time on Site
A good drill is only half the story. The right add-ons stop downtime and make the tool worth carrying.
1. Spare Batteries
Do not get caught on a ladder or halfway through second fix with a dead pack. Keeping a charged spare ready means the drill stays in your hand and the job keeps moving.
2. Bit Sets
A proper mixed bit set saves rummaging about for one masonry bit, one pilot bit and a worn driver bit that should have been binned last month. Keep the common sizes together and you lose less time.
3. Charger
If your charger cannot keep up, the drill spends more time sat down than working. A decent charger setup matters when this is one of your main tools through a full shift.
4. Side Handle
When you are drilling larger diameters or hitting awkward masonry, a side handle gives you better control and saves your wrist if the bit grabs.
Choose the Right DeWalt FLEXVOLT Combi Drill for the Job
Use this quick guide to sort the right setup before you buy.
| Your Job | Category or Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| General first fix and daily mixed site work | Standard DeWalt FLEXVOLT combi drill kit | Hammer mode, solid torque, battery and charger included so you are ready to work straight away |
| Replacing an older tool on an existing battery platform | DeWalt FLEXVOLT drill body only | Best if you already own compatible packs and want to keep costs down without doubling up on chargers |
| Repeated masonry drilling for fixings and anchors | DeWalt FLEXVOLT hammer drill | Stronger hammer action, better control under load and less bogging down in brick and block |
| Long structural screws and heavier timber work | DeWalt FLEXVOLT Advantage combi drill | Improved output with the right battery, better for dense timber and larger fixings |
| Broader steel drilling and specialist fabrication work | DeWalt FLEXVOLT Advantage magnetic drills | Purpose built for accurate metal drilling where a standard combi drill is the wrong tool |
Common Buying and Usage Mistakes
- Buying on voltage alone and ignoring the actual workload usually means ending up with a drill that is too heavy for light fitting jobs or not capable enough for repeated masonry drilling. Match it to the work, not just the badge.
- Choosing body only when you do not already own the right batteries is a false saving. You will spend more later and never get the proper performance out of the tool until the battery setup is sorted.
- Using worn or cheap bits makes even a good dewalt flexvolt combi drill feel rough and underpowered. Fresh, correct bits cut cleaner, run cooler and put less strain on the motor and your wrists.
- Using hammer mode for everything is lazy and hard on the tool. Switch to the right mode for timber, metal or masonry so you get cleaner results and less wear.
- Ignoring battery size on a heavy drilling day leads to more stops, more frustration and slower progress. If this is your main site drill, run packs that can actually support the workload.
FLEXVOLT Advantage Combi Drill vs XR Combi Drill vs SDS Drill
FLEXVOLT Advantage Combi Drill
This is the right middle ground for trades wanting one drill for repeated fixing, drilling and lighter masonry work without stepping up to a dedicated SDS. It suits mixed site days where power matters but versatility matters just as much.
Standard XR Combi Drill
A standard XR combi drill is still a solid everyday tool for general fitting and lighter drilling. It makes more sense if your masonry work is occasional and you do not need the extra shove under load.
SDS Drill
If most of your day is drilling concrete, chasing fixings into hard masonry or doing bigger diameter holes, stop asking a combi drill to do an SDS job. An SDS will be quicker, cleaner and easier on both you and the tool.
Maintenance and Care
Brush Off Dust and Debris
After masonry work, clear the vents, chuck and body down properly. Fine dust left sitting in the tool is what shortens its working life.
Check the Chuck Regularly
If bits start slipping or wobbling, do not ignore it. Keep the chuck clean and replace worn bits early before they damage the grip or give you rough holes.
Store Batteries Sensibly
Do not leave packs rolling round the van or sat flat for ages. Charge them properly, keep the contacts clean and store them somewhere dry between jobs.
Use the Right Bit for the Material
Forcing the wrong bit through timber, metal or masonry just overheats the drill and chews through accessories. Correct bits mean less stress on the motor and better results.
Know When to Repair and When to Retire
A tired battery or worn chuck is worth sorting. A drill with ongoing gearbox issues, heavy play or constant overheating usually costs more in lost time than it is worth.
Why Shop for DeWalt FLEXVOLT Combi Drills at ITS?
Whether you need a full kit for daily site work or a dewalt flexvolt drill body only to slot into your current setup, we stock the proper range in one place. You will also find the wider DeWalt FLEXVOLT drills and drivers selection here, all held in our own warehouse and ready for next day delivery.
DeWalt FLEXVOLT Combi Drill FAQs
What makes FlexVolt Advantage combi drills different from standard XR drills?
The main difference is how the tool manages power when paired with the right battery. A FLEXVOLT Advantage combi drill is designed to pull more performance under load, so on real jobs it hangs on better when drilling bigger holes or driving longer fixings than a standard XR drill usually will.
Is the FlexVolt combi drill more powerful than the 18V XR version?
Yes, in the right setup it generally is. The gain shows up most when the tool is working hard, like masonry drilling or long structural screws, not just when spinning a small pilot hole in soft timber.
Can FlexVolt Advantage tools run on an 18V battery?
Yes, they can run on 18V compatible packs, which is useful if you already own the platform. Just be aware the tool shows its real advantage when matched with the battery setup it was built to get the most from.
Is a DeWalt FLEXVOLT combi drill enough for concrete every day?
For brick, block and general masonry fixing work, yes, it is more than capable. For repeated concrete drilling, larger diameters or heavy anchor work all day, you are better off stepping up to an SDS and saving the combi for the jobs it is meant to do.
Should I buy body only or a full kit?
If you already own the right batteries and charger, body only is the sensible move. If not, buy the full kit, because guessing your way through battery compatibility is a good way to waste money and still not get full performance.
Are these drills too heavy for overhead or all day use?
They are not the lightest option, and that is the trade off for the extra output. For all day overhead work, weight matters, so think honestly about your workload rather than assuming bigger always means better.
