DeWalt DW970 Instruction Manual

DEWALT Industrial Tool Co., 701 East Joppa Road, Baltimore, MD 21286 Printed in U.S.A. (NOV00-CD-1) Form No. 382468

DW970 Copyright © 2000

The following are trademarks for one or more DeWALT power tools: the yellow and black color scheme; the “D” shaped air intake grill; the array
of pyramids on the handgrip; the kit box configuration; and the array of lozenge-shaped humps on the surface of the tool.

INSTRUCTION MANUAL
GUIDE D'UTILISATION
MANUAL DE INSTRUCCIONES

DW970

1/4" VSR Cordless Dual Range Adjustable Clutch Driver
Perceuse-tournevis sans fil de 6 mm (1/4po) à deux gammes de vitesses et à embrayage réglable

avec régulateur de vetesse et inverseur de marche

INSTRUCTIVO DE OPERACIÓN, CENTROS DE SERVICIO Y PÓLIZA
DE GARANTÍA. ADVERTENCIA: LÉASE ESTE INSTRUCTIVO
ANTES DE USAR EL PRODUCTO.

Questions? See us in the World Wide Web at www.dewalt.com

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ABOUT THIS
OR ANY D

EWALT TOOL, CALL US TOLL FREE AT:

1-800-4-DEWALT (1-800-433-9258)

IMPORTANT SAFETY

INSTRUCTIONS (FOR ALL TOOLS)

WARNING: When using electric tools, basic safety precautions
should always be followed to reduce risk of fire, electric shock,
and personal injury, including the following:

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS

• KEEP WORK AREA CLEAN. Cluttered areas and benches
invite injuries.

• CONSIDER WORK AREA ENVIRONMENT. Don’t expose
power tools to rain. Don’t use power tools in damp or wet
locations. Keep work area well lit.

• GUARD AGAINST ELECTRIC SHOCK. Prevent body contact
with grounded surfaces; for example, pipes, radiators, ranges,
and refrigerator enclosures.

• KEEP CHILDREN AWAY. All visitors should be kept away from
work area. Do not let visitors contact tool or extension cord.

• STORE IDLE TOOLS. When not in use, tools should be stored
in dry, and high or locked-up place — out of reach of children.

• DON’T FORCE A TOOL. It will do the job better and safer at the
rate for which it was intended.

• USE RIGHT TOOL. Don’t force small tool or attachment to do
the job of a heavy duty tool. Don’t use tool for purpose not
intended; for example, don’t use circular saw for cutting tree
limbs or logs.

• DRESS PROPERLY. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry.
They can be caught in moving parts. Rubber gloves and non­skid footwear are recommended when working outdoors. Wear
protective hair covering to contain long hair. Air vents often
cover moving parts and should also be avoided.

• USE SAFETY GLASSES. Also use face or dust mask if
operation is dusty.

• DON’T ABUSE CORD. Never carry tool by cord or yank it to
disconnect from receptacle. Keep cord from heat, oil, and sharp
edges.

• SECURE WORK. Use clamps or a vise to hold work. It’s safer
than using your hand and it frees both hands to operate tool.

• DON’T OVERREACH. Keep proper footing and balance at all
times.

• MAINTAIN TOOLS WITH CARE. Keep tools sharp and clean
for better and safe performance. Follow instructions for
lubricating and changing accessories. Inspect tool cords
periodically and if damaged have repaired by authorized service
facility. Inspect extension cords periodically and replace if
damaged. Keep handles dry, clean, and free from oil and
grease.

• DISCONNECT OR LOCK OFF TOOLS when not in use, before
servicing, and when changing accessories, such as blades, bits,
cutters.

• AVOID UNINTENTIONAL STARTING. Don’t carry plugged-in
tool with finger on the switch. Be sure the switch is off when
plugging in.

• EXTENSION CORDS. Make sure your extension cord is in good
condition. When using an extension cord, be sure to use one
heavy enough to carry the current your product will draw. An
undersized cord will cause a drop in line voltage resulting in loss
of power and overheating. The following table shows the correct
size to use depending on cord length and nameplate ampere
rating. If in doubt, use the next heavier gage. The smaller the
gage number, the heavier the cord.

RECOMMENDED MINIMUM AWG SIZE FOR EXTENSION CORDS

Total Extension Cord Length (feet)
25 50 75 100 125 150 175
Wire Gauge
18 18 16 16 14 14 12

BIT

HOLDER

GEAR SHIFTER

BATTERY PACK

1

• STAY ALERT. Watch what you are doing. Use common sense.
Do not operate tool when you are tired.

• CHECK DAMAGED PARTS. Before further use of the tool, a
guard or other part that is damaged should be carefully checked
to determine that it will operate properly and perform its intended
function. Check for alignment of moving parts, binding of moving
parts, breakage of parts, mounting, and any other conditions
that may affect its operation. A guard or other part that is
damaged should be properly repaired or replaced by an
authorized service center unless otherwise indicated elsewhere
in this instruction manual. Have defective switches replaced by
authorized service center. Do not use tool if switch does not turn
it on and off.

• DO NOT OPERATE portable electric tools near flammable
liquids or in gaseous or explosive atmospheres. Motors in these
tools normally spark, and the sparks might ignite fumes.

• BE AWARE that this tool is always in an operating condition
because it does not have to be plugged into an electrical outlet.
Keep the switch control lever in the lock “OFF” position, as
shown in Figure 5c, when you are not using the tool.
CAUTION: When drilling or driving into walls, floors or

wherever “live” electrical wires may be
encountered, DO NOT TOUCH ANY
FRONT METAL PARTS OF THE TOOL!
Hold the tool only by the plastic handle to
prevent shock if you drill or drive into a
“live” wire.

WARNING: To control twisting action,
place both hands on drill (see Figure A).

Additional Safety Rules

• Hold tool by insulated gripping surfaces when performing
an operation where the tool may contact hidden wiring.

Contact with a “live” wire will also make exposed metal parts of
the tool “live” and shock the operator.

FIG. A

• When working on a ladder or on scaffolding be sure to lay
the tool down on its side when not in use. Some tools with

large battery packs will stand upright but may be easily knocked
over.

W A R N I N GG :

Some dust created by power sanding, sawing,
grinding, drilling, and other construction activities contains
chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Some examples of these chemicals are:

• lead from lead-based paints,

• crystalline silica from bricks and cement and other masonry
products, and

• arsenic and chromium from chemically-treated lumber (CCA).

Your risk from these exposures varies, depending on how often you
do this type of work. To reduce your exposure to these chemicals:
work in a well ventilated area, and work with approved safety
equipment, such as those dust masks that are specially designed to
filter out microscopic particles.

TORQUE ADJUST COLLAR

QUICK-RELEASE

CHUCK

FWD/REV.

CONTROL BUTTON

TRIGGER SWITCH

2

• Avoid prolonged contact with dust from power sanding,
sawing, grinding, drilling, and other construction activities.
Wear protective clothing and wash exposed areas with
soap and water. Allowing dust to get into your mouth, eyes, or

lay on the skin may promote absorption of harmful chemicals.

• The label on your tool may include the following symbols.

V....................volts

A....................amperes

Hz..................hertz

W ..................watts

min ................minutes

................alternating current

..............direct current

n

o..................no load speed

..................

Class II Construction

…/min............revolutions or reciprocation per minute

..................earthing terminal

..................safety alert symbol

Important Safety Instructions for
Battery Packs

The battery pack is not fully charged out of the carton! First read
the safety instructions below. Then follow charging notes and pro­cedures.

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS.

• Do not incinerate the battery pack even if it is severely
damaged or is completely worn out.The battery pack can explode

in a fire.

• A small leakage of liquid from the battery pack cells may occur
under extreme usage or temperature conditions. This does not
indicate a failure. However, if the outer seal is broken and this
leakage gets on your skin:

a. Wash quickly with soap and water.
b. Neutralize with a mild acid such as lemon juice or vinegar.
c. If battery liquid gets into your eyes, flush them with clean water
for a minimum of 10 minutes and seek immediate medical attention.
(Medical note: The liquid is 25-35% solution of potassium
hydroxide.)

• Do not carry extra battery packs in aprons, pockets, or tool
boxes along with other metal objects. Battery pack could be short
circuited causing damage to the battery pack and possibly causing
severe burns or fire.

• Charge the battery packs only in D

EWALT chargers.

• NOTE: The batteries in your battery pack are the nickel–cadmium
type. Cadmium is considered to be a toxic material by the
Environmental Protection Agency. Before disposing of damaged or
worn out Nickel–Cadmium battery packs, check with your state
Environmental Protection Agency to find out about special
restrictions on the disposal of these battery packs or return them to
a D

EWALT certified service center for recycling.

• DO NOT store or use the tool and battery pack in loca­tions where the temperature may reach or exceed
105°F (such as outside sheds or metal buildings in sum­mer).

CAUTION: Some tools with large battery packs will
stand upright on the battery pack but may be easily
knocked over. When not in use, place tool on its side on a stable
surface where it will not cause a tripping or falling hazard.

DANGER: Never attempt to open the battery pack for any
reason. If battery pack case is cracked or damaged, do not insert
into charger. Danger of electric shock or electrocution. Damaged
battery packs should be returned to service center for recycling.

NOTE: Battery storage and carrying caps are provided for use
whenever the battery is out of the tool or charger. Remove cap
before placing battery in charger or tool.

WARNING: Do not store or carry battery so that metal

3

15 MINUTE
CHARGER

1 HOUR CHARGER

1 HOUR

CHARGER

objects can contact exposed battery terminals. For example, do
not place battery in aprons, pockets, tool boxes, product kit boxes,
drawers, etc. with loose nails, screws, keys, etc. without battery cap.
Without cap in place, battery could short circuit causing fire or burns
or damage to battery.

The RBRC™ Seal

The RBRC™ (Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corpo
ration) Seal on the nickel-cadmium battery (or battery
pack) indicates that the costs to recycle the battery (or
battery pack) at the end of its useful life have already
been paid by D

EWALT. In some areas, it is illegal to

place spent nickel-cadmium batteries in the trash or
municipal solid waste stream and the RBRC program provides an
environmentally conscious alternative.

RBRC in cooperation with D

EWALT and other battery users, has

established programs in the United States to facilitate the
collection of spent nickel-cadmium batteries. Help protect our
environment and conserve natural resources by returning the
spent nickel-cadmium battery to an authorized D

EWALT service

center or to your local retailer for recycling. You may also contact
your local recycling center for information on where to drop off the
spent battery.

FIGURE 1

Important Safety Instructions for
Battery Chargers

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS - This manual contains important

safety instructions for D

EWALT battery chargers.

• Before using battery charger, read all instructions and cautionary

markings on battery charger, battery and product using battery.

CAUTION:To reduce the risk of injury, charge only D

EWALT

nickel cadmium rechargeable batteries. Other types of batteries
may burst causing personal injury and damage.
CAUTION: Under certain conditions, with the charger plugged in
to the power supply, the exposed charging contacts inside the
charger can be shorted by foreign material. Foreign materials of
a conductive nature such as, but not limited to, steel wool,
aluminum foil, or any buildup of metallic particles should be kept
away from charger cavities. Always unplug the charger from the
power supply when there is no battery pack in the cavity. Unplug
charger before attempting to clean.

DANGER: 120 volts present at charging terminals. Do not probe

with conductive objects. Danger of electric shock or
electrocution.

WARNING: Don’t allow any liquid to get inside charger. Electric

shock may result.

• The charger and battery pack are specifically designed to work

together. DO NOT attempt to charge the battery pack with any
chargers other than the ones in this manual.

• These chargers are not intended for any uses other than charg-

ing D

EWALT rechargeable batteries. Any other uses may result in

risk of fire, electric shock or electrocution.

• To reduce risk of damage to electric plug and cord, pull by plug

rather than cord when disconnecting charger.

• Make sure cord is located so that it will not be stepped on,

tripped over, or otherwise subjected to damage or stress.

• An extension cord should not be used unless absolutely neces-

sary. Use of improper extension cord could result in risk of fire, elec­tric shock, or electrocution.

4

RELEASE BUTTON

FIG. 2

FIG. 3

• An extension cord must have adequate wire size (AWG or
American Wire Gauge) for safety. The smaller the gauge number of
the wire, the greater the capacity of the cable, that is 16 gauge has
more capacity than 18 gauge. When using more than one extension
to make up the total length, be sure each individual extension con­tains at least the minimum wire size.

Recommended Minimum AWG Size for Extension Cords

Total Extension Cord Length (feet)
25 50 75 100 125 150 175
Wire Gauge
18 18 16 16 14 14 12

• The charger is ventilated through slots in the top and the bot-
tom of the housing. Do not place any object on top of charger or
place the charger on a soft surface that might block the ventilation
slots and result in excessive internal heat. Place the charger in a posi­tion away from any heat source.

• Do not operate charger with damaged cord or plug — have them
replaced immediately.

• Do not operate charger if it has received a sharp blow, been
dropped, or otherwise damaged in any way; take it to an authorized
service center.

• Do not disassemble charger; take it to an authorized service center
when service or repair is required. Incorrect reassembly may result in
a risk of electric shock, electrocution or fire.

• To reduce risk of electric shock, unplug charger from outlet
before attempting any cleaning. Removing the battery pack will not
reduce this risk.

• NEVER attempt to connect 2 chargers together.

• The charger is designed to operate on standard household elec-
trical power (120 Volts AC). Do not attempt to use it on any other
voltage! This does not apply to vehiculat charger.

Chargers

Your battery can be charged in DEWALT 1 Hour Chargers, 15
Minute Chargers or Vehicular 12 volt charger. Be sure to read all

safety instructions before using your charger.
Consult chart on back cover for compatibility of chargers and

battery packs.

Charging Procedure

1 HOUR CHARGERS

1. Plug the charger into an appropriate power outlet.

2. Insert the battery pack into the charger, as shown in FIG.1,
making sure the pack is fully seated in the charger. The red
(charging) light will blink continuously indicating that the
charging process has started.

3. The battery pack will be fully charged in about 1 hour. The
completion of charge will be indicated by the red light remaining
ON continuously. The pack is fully charged and may be used at
this time or left in the charger.

TROUBLE INDICATORS: These chargers are designed to detect
certain problems that can arise with battery packs which would be
indicated by the red light flashing at a fast rate (and continuous
beeping for 15 Minute Chargers). If this occurs, re-insert battery
pack. If problem persists, try a different battery pack to determine if
the charger is OK. If the new pack charges correctly, then the

5

original pack is defective and should be returned to a service
center for recycling. If the new battery pack elicits the same trouble
indication as the original, have charger tested at an authorized
service center.

PROBLEM POWER LINE

If your charger has a Problem Power Line indicator: When the
charger ‘is used with some portable power sources such as genera­tors or sources that convert DC to AC, the charger may temporarily
suspend operation, flashing the red light with two fast blinks fol-

lowed by a pause. This indicates the power source is out of limits.
HOT PACK DELAY

If your charger has a Hot Pack Delay feature: When the charger
detects a battery that is hot, it automatically starts a Hot Pack Delay,
suspending charging until the battery has cooled. After the battery
has cooled, the charger automatically switches to the Pack
Charging mode. This feature ensures maximum battery life. The red
light flashes long, then short while in the Hot Pack Delay mode.

15 MINUTE CHARGERS

1. Plug the charger into an appropriate power outlet. The charger
will beep twice, the red light will blink and go off.

2. Insert the battery pack into the charger, as shown in FIG. 1,
making sure the pack is fully seated in the charger. The red
light will blink and the charger will beep once indicating the
charging process has started.

3. The battery pack will be fully charged in less than 15 minutes
under most conditions. This will be indicated by the red light
remaining ON and 3 beeps. The pack is fully charged and may
be used at this time or left in the charger.

WEAK BATTERY PACKS: The charger can also detect a weak
battery. Such batteries are still usable but should not be expected
to perform as much work. In such cases, about 10 seconds after
battery insertion, the charger will beep rapidly 8 times to indicate a
weak battery condition. The charger will then go on to charge the

battery to the highest capacity possible.

ALL CHARGERS
Leaving the battery pack in the charger: When the red light

remains ON, the charger has switched to its "equalize charge"
mode which lasts approximately 4 hours, after which the charger
will switch to "maintenance charge" mode. The battery pack can
be removed at any time during these charge cycles, but will only
be fully charged if the red light is continuously ON. The charger
and battery pack can be left connected with the red light glowing
indefinitely. The charger will keep the battery pack fresh and fully
charged. A battery pack will slowly lose its charge when kept out of
the charger. If the battery pack has not been kept on maintenance
charge, it may need to be recharged before use. A battery pack
may also slowly lose its charge if left in a charger that is not
plugged into an appropriate AC source.

Important Charging Notes

1. Longest life and best performance can be obtained if the battery
pack is charged when the air temperature is between 65°F and
75°F (18°- 24°C). DO NOT charge the battery pack in an air tem­perature below +40°F(+4.5°C), or above +105°F (+40.5°C). This

VARIABLE

SPEED

TRIGGER

SWITCH

FIG. 4

FORWARD/

REVERSE
CONTROL

BUTTON

FORWARD

REVERSE

(LOCKED WHEN CENTERED)

6

LOW SPEED/HIGH

TORQUE

0-450 rpm (position 1)

HIGH SPEED/LOW

TORQUE

0-1400 rpm (position 2)

DUAL RANGE

GEAR SHIFTER

FIG. 5

TORQUE

ADJUSTMENT

COLLAR

is important and will prevent serious damage to the battery pack.

2. The charger and battery pack may become warm to touch while
charging. This is a normal condition, and does not indicate a prob­lem.

3. If the battery pack does not charge properly — (1) Check current
at receptacle by plugging in a lamp or other appliance, (2) Check
to see if receptacle is connected to a light switch which turns
power off when you turn out the lights. (3) Move charger and bat­tery pack to a location where the surrounding air temperature is
approximately 65°F - 75°F (18°- 24°C). (4) If charging problems
persist, take or send the tool, battery pack and charger to your
local service center.

4. The battery pack should be recharged when it fails to produce suf­ficient power on jobs which were easily done previously. DO NOT
CONTINUE to use under these conditions. Follow the charging
procedure. You may also charge a partially used pack whenever
you desire with no adverse affect on the battery pack.

6. Do not immerse charger in water or any other liquid.

WARNING: Don't allow any liquid to get inside charger. Electric
shock may result. To facilitate the cooling of the battery pack after
use, avoid placing the charger or battery pack in a warm
environment such as in a metal shed, or an uninsulated trailer.
CAUTION: Never attempt to open the battery pack for any
reason. If the plastic housing of the battery pack breaks or
cracks, return to a service center for recycling.

Operation
Forward/Reverse Control Button

A forward/reverse control button determines the direction of the
tool and also serves as a “lock off” button. To select forward
rotation, release the trigger switch and depress the
forward/reverse control button on the right side of the tool, as
shown in Figure 4.

To select reverse, depress the forward/reverse control button on
the left side of the tool as shown in Figure 4. The center position of
the control button locks the tool in the “OFF” position as shown in
Figure 4.

When changing the position of the forward/reverse control button,
be sure the trigger is released.

NOTE: The first time the tool is run after changing the direction of
rotation, you may hear a click on start up. This is normal and does
not indicate a problem. See Fig. 4.

Torque Adjustment Collar

Your driver/drill has an adjustable torque screwdriver mechanism
for driving and removing a wide array of fastener shapes and
sizes.

Circling the collar are numbers ranging from 0 to 5, and a drill bit
symbol. These numbers (and half numbers designated by dots on
the collar) are used to designate a torque range set within the tool.

The higher the number on the collar, the higher the torque and the

7

larger the fastener which can be driven. To select any of the
numbers, rotate until the desired number aligns with the selector,
shown in Figure 5.

Dual Range Gearing

The dual range feature of your driver allows you to shift gears for
greater versatility.

To select the low speed, high torque setting, turn the tool off and
permit the unit to stop. Slide the gear shifter forward (towards the
chuck - position 1), as shown in Figure 5.

To select the high speed, low torque setting, turn the tool off and
permit the unit to stop. Slide the gear shifter back (away from
chuck - position 2).

NOTE: Do not change gears when the tool is running.

Troubleshooting Tip!

If you are having trouble changing gears, make sure that the dual
range gear shifter is either completely pushed forward or
completely pushed back.

Quick Release Chuck

NOTE: The chuck accepts 1/4" (6mm) hex accessories only.
To install an accessory, pull the chuck collar toward the front of the

tool, insert the accessory, and release the collar. The accessory
will lock in place.

To remove an accessory, pull the chuck collar toward the front of
the tool. Remove the accessory and release the chuck.

Operation as a Drill

Turn the collar to the drill bit symbol. Install the desired drill bit in the
chuck. Select the desired speed/torque range using the dual range
gear shifter to match the speed and torque to the planned opera­tion.

Follow these instructions for best results when drilling.

Drilling

1. Use sharp drill bits only. For WOOD, use twist drill bits, spade
bits, power auger bits, or hole saws. For METAL, use high
speed steel twist drill bits or hole saws. For MASONRY, such
as brick, cement, cinder block, etc., use carbide-tipped bits.

2. Be sure the material to be drilled is anchored or clamped firmly.
If drilling thin material, use a “back-up” block to prevent damage
to the material.

3. Always apply pressure in a straight line with the bit. Use
enough pressure to keep the drill bit biting, but do not push
hard enough to stall the motor or deflect the bit.

4. Hold tool firmly to control the twisting action of the drill.

5. IF DRILL STALLS, it is usually because it is being overloaded.
RELEASE TRIGGER IMMEDIATELY, remove drill bit from
work, and determine cause of stalling. DO NOT CLICK

TRIGGER OFF AND ON IN AN ATTEMPT TO START A
STALLED DRILL – THIS CAN DAMAGE THE DRILL.

6. To minimize stalling on breaking through the material, reduce
pressure on drill and ease the bit through the last fractional part
of the hole.

7. Keep the motor running when pulling the bit back out of a drilled
hole. This will help prevent jamming.

8. With variable speed drills it is possible to start a hole without
center punching. Use a slow speed to start the hole and
accelerate by squeezing the trigger harder when the hole is
deep enough to drill without the bit skipping out. Operate at full
on after starting the bit.

Drilling in Wood

Holes in wood can be made with the same twist drills used for
metal. These bits may overheat unless pulled out frequently to
clear chips from the flutes. For larger holes, use low speed wood
bits. Work that is likely to splinter should be backed up with a block
of wood.