Use speed 1 when you need more torque. Use speed 2 when the job can use more speed. On the DEWALT DCD771, speed 1 is 0-450 RPM and speed 2 is 0-1,500 RPM.
Use speed 1 when the drill is working hard
The slower range is often the better starting point for larger bits, larger screws and jobs where the drill keeps bogging down. The tradeoff is speed.
Use speed 2 for lighter, faster drilling
Smaller holes and lighter loads often go faster in the high-speed range. That does not mean speed 2 is automatically right whenever you are drilling. The bit, material and load still matter.
Do not shift while the drill is still spinning
Let the motor stop before changing the mechanical range. For the DCD771, the manufacturer specifically says to wait for the tool to stop before changing direction, and the safe habit is to make gear changes with the tool stopped as well.
Gear is not clutch
This is the most common point of confusion.
- 1 and 2 on top: mechanical speed range.
- 1 through 15 around the chuck: screwdriving clutch settings on the DCD771.
- Drill symbol: drilling mode.
If your drill is making a clicking sound, changing from speed 2 to speed 1 may not fix it. The clutch may be the thing that is intentionally slipping.
Read the clutch guide if the clicking is the real problem.
A simple decision rule
| Job feels like | Try | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Large screw or hard fastening | Speed 1 | More mechanical torque |
| Larger bit that is bogging down | Speed 1 | Slower, stronger range |
| Small clean hole in ordinary material | Speed 2 | Higher RPM can make the cut quicker |
| Tool sounds strained | Stop and reassess | Gear may be wrong or the bit/job may be the problem |
What speed does not fix
A lower gear cannot make a dull bit sharp. It cannot make the wrong drill bit suitable for the material. It cannot fix a nearly dead battery. Treat the gear switch as one part of the diagnosis, not a magic extra-power button.
Why homeowners often like a two-tool setup
If you regularly drill pilot holes and then drive screws, keeping a drill bit in the drill and a driver bit in an impact driver is faster and less annoying. That is a convenience upgrade, not a requirement for occasional work.
Sources used for this answer
Back to class: Cordless Drill Class.