DeWalt 3/8 in. VSR Mid-Handle Drill Kit with Keyless Chuck

Why I reached for this drill

Over the past few months I’ve kept the DeWalt mid-handle drill at the front of the corded drawer for jobsite punch lists and shop tasks: pilot holes in oak face frames, bracket installs in steel studs, a few small hole saws through plywood, and some aggressive scrubbing with a nylon drill brush. It’s the kind of general-purpose corded drill I like to have on hand—simple, strong, and predictable—without the bulk or complexity of a heavier 1/2-inch model.

Design, balance, and controls

The mid-handle layout shifts the motor mass more directly over your wrist, and at 4.1 lb it feels compact for an 8-amp tool. The soft overmold on the grip is comfortable and grippy, even with dusty gloves. The trigger has a long throw with a clean progression from crawl to full speed, and the forward/reverse switch is firm and easy to hit with your thumb.

That mid-handle configuration is great for balance and control when you’re drilling in front of you or out at chest height. The trade-off is the lack of a pronounced “barrel” ahead of the trigger to wrap your second hand around. There’s a narrow neck behind the chuck where you can guide the nose, but it’s not as generous as the front housing on a traditional inline design. For most drilling it’s fine; for high-resistance tasks or when you want to really lean on a bit, you’ll wish for either a side handle or more real estate ahead of the chuck. Keep your fingers clear of the rotating chuck if you like to guide the nose with your off-hand—there isn’t much margin.

The 8-foot cord reaches across a bench or up a ladder rung without dragging an extension cord along for every small task, and the strain relief has enough flex that the cable doesn’t fight you during angle changes. The kit case is basic but sturdy and actually fits the tool, a few small boxes of bits, and the cord coiled neatly—no wrestling match to close the lid.

Power and speed management

On paper, 0–2,500 RPM and an 8.0 A motor signal a drill set up for small and medium bits, sheet-metal work, and clean holes in wood. In practice, that’s exactly how it behaves. There’s enough torque on tap to stay composed through a 1-inch spade bit in pine if you keep the speed down and your feed pressure steady. The trigger offers enough low-speed control to keep larger bits from grabbing, though like most high-RPM corded drills there’s no electronic brake; you ease off and let the chuck coast down.

Where this drill feels best is with twist bits up to 3/8 inch and countersinks. In steel, running at low RPM with a touch of oil, it maintains pace without squeal or chatter and doesn’t bog unless you push beyond the 3/8-inch spec. In wood, it’s happy with small hole saws and cup brushes; if you start pushing big teeth and deep cuts, you’ll hit the limits of leverage before you hit the limits of the motor. This is partly because there’s no auxiliary handle—smart for compactness, but worth keeping in mind for wrist safety.

The chuck is a highlight

The 3/8-inch all‑metal ratcheting keyless chuck is excellent. It runs true, grips both hex-shank accessories and smooth round-shank bits, and doesn’t loosen up under vibration or repeated forward/reverse cycles. Bit changes are quick, and the ratcheting collar gives positive feedback as it locks down. It’s one of the main reasons this drill feels “pro” despite its modest size.

Runout at the tip of a 6-inch bit was negligible in my tests, and after multiple days of swapping bits and brushing off debris, the jaws still look pristine. If you’ve fought plastic-chuck slip before, this chuck is the antidote.

Real-world performance

• Wood: Through softwood studs and hardwood furniture parts, the drill stays linear and predictable. Spade bits to 1 inch are within spec and manageable. For hole saws, I keep it to around 1-1/8 inch in plywood and MDF—push beyond that and you’re in two-hand territory where the mid-handle layout feels less secure.

• Metal: With good bits and cutting fluid, it handles 1/8-inch steel plate for 1/4- to 3/8-inch holes without drama. The high top speed is a non-issue because the trigger is controllable enough to stay in the lower RPM range you want for steel.

• Accessories: For cleaning tasks with a drill brush or nylon wheel, the torque is plentiful and the body stays compact enough to maneuver in tight spaces like shower corners and under sink bases. For mixing thick compounds or driving big self-feeders, you’re better served by a low-RPM 1/2-inch drill with a side handle.

Comfort, noise, and heat

Vibration is low; you feel the bit more than the gearbox. Noise is typical for a corded drill at load—sharp but not shrill. After a run of continuous drilling in hardwood, the front housing warms but never gets worryingly hot. The grip shape keeps your wrist fairly neutral, which helps on longer sessions overhead. The only time fatigue showed up for me was during awkward, one‑handed overhead drilling with a heavy accessory; again, that comes back to the leverage compromises of the layout.

Durability and serviceability

You can feel the all ball‑bearing construction in the way the motor spools and the gearbox meshes—no grinding, no slop. There’s minimal axial play at the chuck, the trigger feels stout, and the reverse switch doesn’t wobble. The housing screws and seams are well aligned, and the cord jacket has held up to concrete dust and coil/uncoil cycles without nicking. It’s a straightforward, mechanical tool with little to go wrong if you treat it like a drill rather than a mixer.

DeWalt backs it with a 90‑day money‑back period, a year of free service, and a 3‑year limited warranty. That’s solid coverage for a corded drill in this class.

What it is—and isn’t

This is a compact, strong 3/8‑inch corded drill that prioritizes speed range and chuck quality over brute-force gearing. It excels at:

• General carpentry and cabinetry pilot holes
• Light electrical and plumbing drilling in wood and thin metals
• Bracket, shelf, and hardware installs
• Shop tasks where you want steady power without swapping batteries

It’s less ideal for:

• Large hole saws and self‑feed bits
• Mixing mortar, setting compound, or paint
• Screwdriving where a clutch would prevent overdriving fasteners
• Situations where you rely on a side handle for torque reaction

None of those are flaws; they’re boundaries. Stay within them and this drill feels confident and refined.

Value

Corded 3/8‑inch drills aren’t glamorous, but they remain indispensable. Compared to budget options, the step up here is the motor’s composure under load, the excellent chuck, and the mid‑handle balance that reduces wrist strain in everyday drilling. Compared to heavier 1/2‑inch models, you give up torque and auxiliary control, but you gain compactness and speed. For many users—remodelers, facilities techs, DIYers with a steady stream of projects—this strikes a smart middle ground.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt mid‑handle drill for anyone who wants a compact, durable, and controllable corded 3/8‑inch driver for general drilling in wood and metal. Its 8‑amp motor, true-running ratcheting chuck, and excellent trigger feel make routine work fast and frustration-free, and the included case and long cord add real convenience. If your day-to-day includes big hole saws, mixing, or high‑torque boring, step up to a low‑speed 1/2‑inch drill with a side handle. For everything else, this is a dependable, no‑nonsense workhorse that earns a spot in the kit.