Drill Master 66965 Installation manual

18V CORDLESS DRILL
Model 66965
SET UP AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Visit our website at: http://www.harborfreight.com
Read this material before using this product.
Failure to do so can result in serious injury.
SAVE THIS MANUAL.
Copyright©2009 by Harbor Freight Tools®. All rights reserved. No portion of this manual or any artwork
contained herein may be reproduced in any shape or form without the express written consent of Harbor
Freight Tools. Diagrams within this manual may not be drawn proportionally. Due to continuing improve-
ments, actual product may differ slightly from the product described herein. Tools required for assembly
and service may not be included.
For technical questions or replacement parts, please call 1-800-444-3353.
Manual Revised 10f

Page 2 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. SKU 66965
SAVE THIS MANUAL
Keep this manual for the safety warnings
and precautions, assembly, operating,
inspection, maintenance and cleaning
procedures. Write the product’s serial number
in the back of the manual near the assembly
diagram (or month and year of purchase if
product has no number). Keep this manual
and the receipt in a safe and dry place for
future reference.
Safety Alert Symbol and Signal
Words
In this manual, on the labeling, and
all other information provided with
this product:
This is the safety alert
symbol. It is used to alert
you to potential personal
injury hazards. Obey all
safety messages that follow
this symbol to avoid possible
injury or death.
DANGER indicates a
hazardous situation
which, if not avoided, will result
in death or serious injury.
WARNING indicates a
hazardous situation
which, if not avoided, could
result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION, used with
the safety alert
symbol, indicates a hazardous
situation which, if not avoided,
could result in minor or moderate
injury.
NOTICE is used to
address practices not
related to personal injury.
CAUTION, without the
safety alert symbol, is
used to address practices not
related to personal injury.
IMPORTANT SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS
INSTRUCTIONS PERTAINING
TO A RISK OF FIRE, ELECTRIC
SHOCK, OR INJURY TO
PERSONS
WARNING – When using tools, basic
precautions should always be followed,
including the following:
General Power Tool Safety Warnings
WARNING Read all safety warnings
and instructions. Failure to follow the
warnings and instructions may result
in electric shock, re and/or serious
injury.
Save all warnings and instructions
for future reference.
The term ″power tool″ in the warnings
refers to your battery-operated
(cordless) power tool.
Work area safety1. Keep work area clean and well lit.a. Cluttered or dark areas invite accidents.
Do not operate power tools inb. explosive atmospheres, such as in
the presence of ammable liquids,
gases or dust. Power tools create
sparks which may ignite the dust or
fumes.
Keep children and bystandersc. away while operating a power tool.
Distractions can cause you to lose
control.

Page 3For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.SKU 66965
Electrical safety2.
Do not expose power tools to rain or
wet conditions. Water entering a power
tool will increase the risk of electric
shock.
Personal safety3. Stay alert, watch what you area. doing and use common sense when
operating a power tool. Do not use
a power tool while you are tired or
under the inuence of drugs, alcohol
or medication. A moment of inattention
while operating power tools may result
in serious personal injury.
Use personal protective equipment.b. Always wear eye protection. Safety
equipment such as dust mask, non-
skid safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing
protection used for appropriate
conditions will reduce personal injuries.
Prevent unintentional starting.c. Ensure the switch is in the off-
position before connecting to battery
pack, picking up or carrying the tool.
Carrying power tools with your nger on
the switch or energizing power tools that
have the switch on invites accidents.
Remove any adjusting key or wrenchd. before turning the power tool on.
A wrench or a key left attached to a
rotating part of the power tool may result
in personal injury.
Do not overreach. Keep propere. footing and balance at all times. This
enables better control of the power tool
in unexpected situations.
Dress properly. Do not wear loose
f. clothing or jewelry. Keep your hair,
clothing and gloves away from
moving parts. Loose clothes, jewelry
or long hair can be caught in moving
parts.
Only use safety equipment that hasg. been approved by an appropriate
standards agency. Unapproved
safety equipment may not provide
adequate protection. Eye protection
must be ANSI-approved and breathing
protection must be NIOSH-approved for
the specic hazards in the work area.
Power tool use and care4. Do not force the power tool. Usea. the correct power tool for your
application. The correct power tool will
do the job better and safer at the rate
for which it was designed.
Do not use the power tool if theb. switch does not turn it on and off.
Any power tool that cannot be controlled
with the switch is dangerous and must
be repaired.
Disconnect the battery pack fromc. the power tool before making any
adjustments, changing accessories,
or storing power tools. Such
preventive safety measures reduce
the risk of starting the power tool
accidentally.
Store idle power tools out of thed. reach of children and do not allow
persons unfamiliar with the power
tool or these instructions to operate
the power tool. Power tools are
dangerous in the hands of untrained
users.
Maintain power tools. Check fore. misalignment or binding of moving
parts, breakage of parts and any
other condition that may affect the
power tool’s operation. If damaged,
have the power tool repaired before
use. Many accidents are caused by
poorly maintained power tools.
Use the power tool, accessoriesf. and tool bits etc. in accordance
with these instructions, taking into

Page 4 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. SKU 66965
account the working conditions and
the work to be performed. Use of
the power tool for operations different
from those intended could result in a
hazardous situation.
Battery tool use and care
5. Recharge only with the chargera.
specied by the manufacturer. A
charger that is suitable for one type of
battery pack may create a risk of re
when used with another battery pack.
Use power tools only withb.
specically designated battery
packs. Use of any other battery packs
may create a risk of injury and re.
When battery pack is not in use, keepc. it away from other metal objects,
like paper clips, coins, keys, nails,
screws or other small metal objects,
that can make a connection from
one terminal to another. Shorting the
battery terminals together may cause
burns or a re.
Under abusive conditions, liquidd. may be ejected from the battery;
avoid contact. If contact accidentally
occurs, ush with water. If liquid
contacts eyes, additionally seek
medical help. Liquid ejected from the
battery may cause irritation or burns.
Service6.
Have your power tool serviced by a
qualied repair person using only
identical replacement parts. This will
ensure that the safety of the power tool
is maintained.
Specic Safety Warnings
Maintain labels and nameplates on1. the tool. These carry important safety
information. If unreadable or missing,
contact Harbor Freight Tools for a
replacement.
Wear ear protectors when using the Drill.2. Exposure to noise can cause hearing
loss.
Avoid unintentional starting. Prepare to3. begin work before turning on the tool.
Do not lay the tool down until it has come
4. to a complete stop. Moving parts can
grab the surface and pull the tool out of
your control.
When using a handheld power tool,
5.

hands to resist starting torque.
Do not handle the Drill with wet hands.6.
7. The battery charger gets hot
during use. The charger’s
heat can build up to unsafe

if it does not receive adequate
ventilation, due to an electrical fault, or if
it is used in a hot environment.

surface. Do not obstruct any vents on
the charger. Especially avoid placing
the charger on carpets and rugs; they
are not only ammable, but they also
obstruct vents under the charger.
Place the charger on a stable, solid,



objects, such as drapes or walls. Keep a

the area. Frequently monitor the charger
and battery while charging.
This product is not a toy. Keep it out of
8. reach of children.
People with pacemakers should9. consult their physician(s) before use.


Page 5For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.SKU 66965
to heart pacemaker could cause
pacemaker interference or pacemaker
failure. In addition, people with
pacemakers should:


on.

electrical shock.
WARNING: Some dust created by
10. power drilling, and other construction
activities, contains chemicals known [to
the State of California] to cause cancer,
birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Some examples of these chemicals are:


cement or other masonry products

treated lumber
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

microscopic particles. (California Health
& Safety Code § 25249.5, et seq.)
The warnings, precautions, and11. instructions discussed in this instruction
manual cannot cover all possible
conditions and situations that may occur.
It must be understood by the operator
that common sense and caution are
factors which cannot be built into this
product, but must be supplied by the
operator.
Vibration Safety
This tool vibrates during use. Repeated
or long-term exposure to vibration may
cause temporary or permanent physical
injury, particularly to the hands, arms
and shoulders. To reduce the risk of
vibration-related injury:
Anyone using vibrating tools regularly1.

be examined by a doctor and then have
regular medical check-ups to ensure
medical problems are not being caused
or worsened from use. Pregnant
women or people who have impaired
blood circulation to the hand, past hand
injuries, nervous system disorders,
diabetes, or Raynaud’s Disease
should not use this tool. If you feel any
symptoms related to vibration (such as
tingling, numbness, and white or blue

possible.
Do not smoke during use. Nicotine2. reduces the blood supply to the hands

vibration-related injury.
Wear suitable gloves to reduce the3. vibration effects on the user.
Use tools with the lowest vibration when4. there is a choice.
Include vibration-free periods each day5. of work.
Grip tool as lightly as possible (while6. using both hands and keeping safe

To reduce vibration, maintain the tool7. as explained in this manual. If any
abnormal vibration occurs, stop use
immediately.
SAVE THESE
INSTRUCTIONS.

Page 6 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. SKU 66965
GROUNDING
Improperly connecting
the grounding wire can
result in electric shock.
Check with a qualied electrician
if you are in doubt as to whether
the outlet is properly grounded.
Do not modify the power cord
plug provided with the Charger.
Do not use the Charger if the
power cord or plug is damaged.
If damaged, have it repaired by a
service facility before use. If the
plug will not t the outlet, have
a proper outlet installed by a
qualied electrician.
Double Insulated Chargers:
Chargers with Two Prong Plugs
Outlets for 2-Prong Plug
Chargers marked “Double Insulated”1. do not require grounding. They have
a special double insulation system

complies with the applicable standards

Canadian Standard Association, and the
National Electrical Code.
(See Outlets for 2-Prong Plug.)
Double insulated chargers may be used2. in either of the 120 volt outlets shown in
the preceding illustration. (See Outlets
for 2-Prong Plug.)
Extension Cords
Note: Extension cords must not be used with
this item’s charger.
Symbology
Double Insulated
Canadian Standards Association

V~ Volts Alternating Current
AAmperes
n0xxxx/min. 
(RPM)

Page 7For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.SKU 66965
FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
Specications
Chuck Capacity/
Type 3/8” / Keyless
Speed 0-550 RPM
Torque Settings 6
Battery Type NiCd / 18V
Adapter Input 
Charger Input 21 VDC / 500 mA
Charge Time 5 - 7 hours
UNPACKING
When unpacking, make sure the item is
intact and undamaged. If parts are missing
or broken, call Harbor Freight Tools at 1-800-
444-3353.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PUTTING
INTO USE
Read the ENTIRE IMPORTANT
SAFETY INFORMATION
section at the beginning of this
manual including all text under
subheadings therein before set up
or use of this product.
TO PREVENT
SERIOUS INJURY
FROM ACCIDENTAL
OPERATION: Turn Tool off and
remove Battery Pack before
assembling or making any
adjustments to the tool.
Note: For additional information regarding the
parts listed in the following pages, refer
to the Assembly Diagram near the end of
this manual.
Functions
Chuck
Jaws
Direction
Selector (13)
Torque Adjusting
Ring
Chuck Adjusting
Knob
Battery
Pack (11)
Trigger Switch (18)
Tighten Chuck
Clutch Cap
Figure 1
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Read the ENTIRE IMPORTANT
SAFETY INFORMATION
section at the beginning of this
manual including all text under
subheadings therein before set up
or use of this product.
Inspect tool before use, looking
for damaged, loose, and missing
parts. If any problems are found,
do not use tool until repaired.
Tool Set Up
TO PREVENT
SERIOUS INJURY
FROM ACCIDENTAL
OPERATION: Turn tool off and
remove Battery Pack before
performing any inspection,
maintenance, or cleaning
procedures.

Page 8 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. SKU 66965
TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY:
Do not adjust or tamper with any
control or components in a way
not specically explained within
manual. Improper adjustment
can result in tool failure or other
serious hazards.
Charging
Battery Pack (11)
Battery Charger (20)
Adapter (21)
Figure 2
Cord
1. Place the Battery Pack (11) on a dry

temperature is from 50–104° F.
Note: If recharging a newly spent Battery
Pack, allow it to cool completely before
charging.
Make sure the Battery Pack is
undamaged; do not charge a cracked
or leaking battery pack.
Disconnect the Cord from the Battery2. Charger (20). Attach the Adapter plug to

Insert the Battery Pack into the Charging3. Socket of the Battery Charger, observing
the polarity.
Attach the Adapter (21) Cord to the4. Battery Charger.
The charging indicator light on the5. Battery Charger will illuminate to show
that charging is taking place.
Note: The Battery Charger will not
automatically turn off when the Battery
is fully charged, and the charging
indicator light will remain on until the
Battery Charger is disconnected from the
electrical outlet. Recharging the Battery
Pack for more than 7 hours can cause
damage to the battery cells.
The initial charge time is 7 hours. For a6. fully discharged battery, allow the Battery
Pack to Charge for at least 5 hours. Do
not charge the Battery Pack longer
than 7 hours.
Unplug the Charger and disconnect it7.

While charging, the Battery Pack and8. Charger, and Adapter may become warm
to the touch. This is normal, and does
not indicate a problem.
Allow the Battery Pack to cool completely9. before using it.
Store the Charger and Battery Pack10. indoors, out of reach of children.
WARNING! 
Charger or Battery to power this Drill.
General Operating Instructions
TO PREVENT
SERIOUS INJURY
FROM ACCIDENTAL
OPERATION: Always make sure
the Trigger Switch of the
Cordless drill is in its “OFF”
position, the Battery Pack is
removed from the Drill, and the
Direction Selector (13) is
centered in its mid-position
(which locks the Trigger) prior to
making any adjustments to the
tool.

Page 9For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.SKU 66965
DO NOT install the Battery Pack (11)
until AFTER you complete the following
steps to set up the Drill for use.
Refer to Figure 1 for the location of the
 parts of the Drill for the following steps.
The Drill is designed to accept up to 3/8”1. standard drill bits. Do not use larger drill
bits in this Drill as damage to the gears
and/or motor may result. Always use a

drilling job.
Center the Direction Selector (13) to2. “lock” the trigger mechanism as a safety
measure, so the drill does not turn on
accidentally.
While holding the ring behind the collar3. of the chuck with one hand, rotate the
collar of the Chuck (5) counterclockwise,
if needed, and place the desired drill bit
or screw driver bit into the drill between
the Chuck Jaws.
Hand tighten the Chuck Adjusting Knob4. clockwise until the bit is held securely
in place, centered between the Chuck
Jaws.
Clutch Cap
Set to 3
Torque Setting
Indicator
Figure 3
5. Set the desired torque setting by rotating
the Clutch Cap.
To drill holes, turn the torque Clutcha. Cap so that the drill icon is lined up
with the torque setting indicator.
The numbered settings from 1 tob. 5 are for driving screws, bolts and
nuts.
It is recommended that a very low


driving a screw, and adjust the
setting as the proper force required is
determined.
The torque setting required depends on the item being driven. In the case of

type of material.
If a pilot hole has been drilled into the material, a lower torque setting will be
required.
In addition to single or double-endedc. screwdriver bits, adapters with
hexagonal shafts with matching socket
heads can also be used.
Fix the torque setting low enough to allow a safety margin.
Operating the Drill
Insert the fully charged Battery Pack (11)1. into the base of the Drill, making sure
that it clicks into place securely. Be sure
the Battery Pack (11) is securely seated
into the Drill Handle so it does not fall off
during use.
Slide the Direction Selector (13) (which2. should initially be centered in the “lock”
position) to the right for drilling/fastening,
or to the left for reversing the operation.
If using the Drill to insert or remove3. screws, position the driver tip in the item
to insert or remove.
If drilling a hole, hold the Drill above the4. area to drill.
Depress the Trigger Switch (18) to start
5. the drill.

Page 10 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. SKU 66965
When inserting or removing a screw or6.

the screw driver bit in the head of the
screw or bolt and cause the screw or
bolt to thread into or unthread from the
material.
When drilling a hole, let the Drill do the
7. work, using only enough pressure to
follow the drill as it cuts the hole in the
material.

8. the Trigger Switch (18), and center the
Direction Selector (13) to lock the trigger
mechanism as a safety measure.
Remove the Battery Pack (11).9.
Clean then store the Drill indoors and out10. of children’s reach.