CAT DX12 DX12B 18V Cordless Hammer Drill

Product Overview

The CAT DX12 and DX12B are 18V cordless hammer drills designed for driving screws and drilling into wood, metal, plastic, and masonry. They feature a brushless motor, variable speed trigger, two-speed gear control, and a keyless chuck.

Diagram Description (Page 2): A line drawing illustrates the cordless hammer drill with the following numbered components: 1. Keyless Chuck, 2. Torque Adjustment Ring, 3. Two-Speed Gear Control, 4. Forward and Reverse Switch, 5. Variable Speed Trigger, 6. Belt Clip, 7. Battery Pack, 8. Battery Pack Release Button, 9. LED Light.

Operational Diagrams (Page 3): Figures illustrate key operations: Figure A shows battery charging. Figure B shows battery insertion and removal. Figure C shows the forward/reverse switch and variable speed trigger. Figure D illustrates the two-speed gear control. Figure E demonstrates chuck adjustment. Figure F shows torque adjustment.

Component List

The following components are part of the tool:

• 1. Keyless Chuck
• 2. Torque Adjustment Ring
• 3. Two-Speed Gear Control
• 4. Forward and Reverse Switch
• 5. Variable Speed Trigger
• 6. Belt Clip
• 7. Battery Pack*
• 8. Battery Pack Release Button*
• 9. LED Light

* Not all accessories illustrated or described are included in standard delivery.

Product Safety

WARNING: Some dust created by power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling, and other construction activities contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. Examples include lead from lead-based paints, crystalline silica from bricks and cement, and arsenic and chromium from chemically-treated lumber. To reduce exposure, work in a well-ventilated area and use approved safety equipment like dust masks.

WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including lead and Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information, visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

General Power Tool Safety Warnings

Read all safety warnings, instructions, illustrations, and specifications. Failure to follow instructions may result in electric shock, fire, or serious injury.

1. Work Area Safety

• Keep the work area clean and well-lit.
• Do not operate in explosive atmospheres (flammable liquids, gases, dust). Power tools create sparks.
• Keep children and bystanders away.

2. Electrical Safety

• Ensure power tool plugs match outlets. Do not modify plugs.
• Avoid body contact with earthed or grounded surfaces.
• Do not expose power tools to rain or wet conditions.
• Do not abuse the cord. Keep cords away from heat, oil, sharp edges, or moving parts.
• Use outdoor-suitable extension cords when operating outdoors.
• Use an RCD (Residual Current Device) protected supply in damp locations.

3. Personal Safety

• Stay alert and use common sense. Do not use when tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medication.
• Use personal protective equipment: always wear eye protection. Use dust masks, non-skid shoes, hard hats, or hearing protection as appropriate.
• Prevent unintentional starting: ensure the switch is in the OFF position before connecting to power or battery.
• Remove any adjusting key or wrench before turning the tool on.
• Do not overreach; maintain proper footing and balance.
• Dress properly: avoid loose clothing, jewelry, and long hair that can get caught in moving parts.
• Connect and use dust extraction facilities properly if provided.
• Do not let familiarity lead to complacency; careless actions can cause severe injury.

4. Power Tool Use and Care

• Do not force the tool; use the correct tool for the application.
• Ensure the switch operates correctly.
• Disconnect the power source/battery before making adjustments, changing accessories, or storing.
• Store idle tools out of reach of children and untrained users.
• Maintain tools and accessories: check for misalignment, binding, or broken parts. Have damaged tools repaired.
• Keep cutting tools sharp and clean.
• Use tools, accessories, and bits in accordance with instructions, considering working conditions.
• Keep handles and grasping surfaces dry, clean, and free from oil and grease.

5. Battery Tool Use and Care

• Recharge only with the specified charger.
• Use only designated battery packs.
• Keep battery packs away from metal objects when not in use to prevent short-circuiting.
• Avoid contact with battery liquid if ejected; flush with water and seek medical help if needed.
• Do not use damaged or modified battery packs.
• Do not expose battery packs or tools to fire or excessive temperatures (above 130°C / 265°F).
• Follow all charging instructions and charge within specified temperature ranges.

6. Service

• Have power tools serviced by qualified personnel using identical replacement parts.
• Never service damaged battery packs; only authorized providers should perform this.

Drill Safety Warnings

1. Safety Instructions for All Operations

• Wear ear protectors when impact drilling to prevent hearing loss.
• Hold the tool by insulated gripping surfaces when drilling near hidden wiring or its own cord to prevent electric shock.

2. Safety Instructions When Using Long Drill Bits

• Never operate at speeds higher than the drill bit's maximum speed rating.
• Always start drilling at low speed with the bit tip in contact with the workpiece.
• Apply pressure only in line with the bit; do not apply excessive pressure to prevent bending or loss of control.

Safety Warnings for Battery Pack

• Do not dismantle, open, or shred battery packs.
• Do not expose battery packs to heat or fire; avoid storage in direct sunlight.
• Do not short-circuit battery packs. Keep them away from metal objects when not in use.
• Do not remove battery packs from original packaging until needed.
• Do not subject battery packs to mechanical shock.
• In case of battery leakage, avoid contact with skin or eyes. Flush with water and seek medical advice if contact occurs.
• Observe polarity markings (+ and –) on the battery pack and equipment.
• Use only battery packs designed for the equipment.
• Keep battery packs out of the reach of children. Seek immediate medical attention if a cell or battery is swallowed.
• Always purchase battery packs recommended by the manufacturer.
• Keep battery packs clean and dry. Wipe terminals with a clean, dry cloth if dirty.
• Charge battery packs before use, following manufacturer's instructions.
• Do not leave battery packs on prolonged charge when not in use.
• After extended storage, multiple charge/discharge cycles may be needed for optimal performance.
• Recharge only with the specified Cat® charger.
• Retain original product literature for future reference.
• Use battery packs only for their intended application.
• Remove battery packs from equipment when not in use.
• Dispose of battery packs properly.
• Do not mix cells of different manufacture, capacity, size, or type within a device.

Symbols

• Warning (⚠️): To reduce the risk of injury, the user must read the instruction manual.
• Eye Protection (?️): Wear eye protection.
• Ear Protection (?): Wear ear protection.
• Dust Mask (?): Wear dust mask.
• Li-Ion Battery (?): Lithium-ion battery; the battery must be recycled.
• Do Not Burn (?❌): Do not throw into fire.

Improper disposal of batteries can contaminate water cycles and harm the ecosystem. Do not dispose of used batteries as unsorted municipal waste.

POSITEC Inc. partners with RBRC Corporation for battery recycling. Call 1-800-822-8837 for free service to properly dispose of batteries.

Technical Data

Accessories

It is recommended to purchase accessories from the same store where the tool was purchased. Consult accessory packaging for details. Store personnel can assist and offer advice.

Operating Instructions

NOTE: Read the instruction book carefully before using the tool.

Intended Use

The machine is designed for driving and loosening screws, as well as drilling in wood, metal, plastic, and masonry.

Before Putting into Operation

1. Charge your battery pack (See Fig. A).
2. Check the battery power condition: 5 LED lights indicate the battery status. Press the button next to the lights to check the charge status.

Assembly

1. To Remove or Install Battery Pack (See Fig. B): Press the battery pack release button to release and slide the battery pack out. After recharging, slide it back in with a simple push and slight pressure until it clicks.

Operation

1. Variable Speed Trigger (See Fig. C): Depress the trigger to start, release to stop. The trigger has a brake function that stops the chuck immediately upon release. It also controls speed and torque; greater pressure yields higher speed and torque.
2. Switch Lock: The trigger can be locked in the OFF position to prevent accidental starting. To lock, place the forward/reverse switch in the center position.
3. Forward and Reverse Switch (See Fig. C): Push and press the switch from the rear to the front for forward rotation (drilling/driving). Push and press from the front to the rear for reverse rotation (removing bits). WARNING: Never change rotation direction while the tool is rotating; wait until it stops.
4. Two-Speed Gear Control (See Fig. D): A slide switch on top selects between LO (1) and HI (2) speeds. LO speed offers more power and torque for larger drilling or screwdriving. HI speed offers higher speed with less power for smaller drilling. WARNING: Allow the chuck to stop completely before changing speed or direction to prevent gear damage. If frequent overload occurs in HI speed, switch to LO speed.
5. Chuck Adjustment (See Fig. E): Rotate the front section of the chuck to open the jaws. Insert the drill bit, ensuring it's centered, and rotate the front section in the opposite direction to secure it.
6. Torque Adjustment (See Fig. F): Rotate the torque adjustment ring to set the desired torque. Higher settings provide greater torque. Settings range from 1-4 (small screws) to T (masonry/concrete drilling).
7. Automatic Spindle Lock: Allows manual screwdriver use for final tightening or loosening. The chuck locks automatically when the tool is off.
8. Using the LED Light: Press the variable speed trigger to turn on the light; it turns off when the trigger is released. The LED also indicates battery capacity.
9. Belt Clip: Screw the belt clip onto the tool for attachment to a belt or pocket.
10. Drilling: For hard surfaces, use a center punch to mark the hole location. Hold the tool firmly and apply steady pressure. For drill function (metal, wood, plastic, masonry), set torque ring to drill position. For hammer drill function (masonry, concrete), set to hammer position. WARNING: Use HSS drill bits in good condition for metal drilling. Use a magnetic bit holder with short screwdriver bits. Apply liquid soap to screw threads for easier insertion.
11. Overload Protection: If overloaded, the motor stops. Relieve the load and allow the tool to cool for approximately 30 seconds at high no-load speed.
12. Temperature Dependent Overload Protection: The electronic control shuts off the tool if the load is too high or battery temperature exceeds 75°C (167°F) until optimal temperature is reached.
13. Protection Against Deep Discharging: The Li-ion battery has a system to prevent deep discharge. The machine turns off when the battery is empty.

Problem Solution

1. Why does the drill not turn on? The forward/reverse switch may be in the lock position. Move it to the required rotation position and press the trigger.
2. Why does the drill stop before the screw is fully tightened? Verify the torque adjustment ring setting. Position 1 is lowest torque, 22 is highest. Set to a higher position for more torque. The drill position is for drilling, and the hammer position is for hammer drilling.
3. Reasons for different battery pack working times: Charging issues or prolonged storage can reduce battery life. Heavy working conditions deplete the battery faster. Avoid charging below 0°C (32°F) or above 40°C (104°F).

Maintenance

Remove the battery pack before any adjustment, servicing, or maintenance. The tool requires no additional lubrication or user-serviceable parts. Clean with a dry cloth only; never use water or chemical cleaners. Store in a dry place. Keep motor ventilation slots clean. Sparks from ventilation slots are normal.

For Battery Tools:

Ambient temperature range for tool and battery use/storage: 0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F). Recommended charging temperature range: 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F).

Technical Data

Accessories

It is recommended to purchase accessories from the same store where the tool was purchased. Consult accessory packaging for details. Store personnel can assist and offer advice.

Safety Warnings for Battery Pack

• Do not dismantle, open, or shred battery packs.
• Do not expose battery packs to heat or fire; avoid storage in direct sunlight.
• Do not short-circuit battery packs. Keep them away from metal objects when not in use to prevent short-circuiting.
• Do not remove battery packs from original packaging until needed.
• Do not subject battery packs to mechanical shock.
• In case of battery leakage, avoid contact with skin or eyes. Flush with water and seek medical advice if contact occurs.
• Observe polarity markings (+ and –) on the battery pack and equipment.
• Use only battery packs designed for the equipment.
• Keep battery packs out of the reach of children. Seek immediate medical attention if a cell or battery is swallowed.
• Always purchase battery packs recommended by the manufacturer.
• Keep battery packs clean and dry. Wipe terminals with a clean, dry cloth if dirty.
• Charge battery packs before use, following manufacturer's instructions.
• Do not leave battery packs on prolonged charge when not in use.
• After extended storage, multiple charge/discharge cycles may be needed for optimal performance.
• Recharge only with the specified Cat® charger.
• Retain original product literature for future reference.
• Use battery packs only for their intended application.
• Remove battery packs from equipment when not in use.
• Dispose of battery packs properly.
• Do not mix cells of different manufacture, capacity, size, or type within a device.

Troubleshooting

1. Drill Not Turning On: Check if the forward/reverse switch is in the lock position. Move it to the desired rotation position and press the trigger.
2. Drill Stops Before Screw is Tightened: Verify the torque adjustment ring setting. Position 1 is lowest torque, 22 is highest. Adjust to a higher setting for more torque. The drill position is for drilling, and the hammer position is for hammer drilling.
3. Battery Pack Working Time Differences: Charging issues or prolonged storage can reduce battery performance. Heavy use depletes the battery faster. Avoid charging below 0°C (32°F) or above 40°C (104°F).

Maintenance

Remove the battery pack before any adjustment, servicing, or maintenance. The tool requires no additional lubrication or user-serviceable parts. Clean with a dry cloth only; never use water or chemical cleaners. Store in a dry place. Keep motor ventilation slots clean. Sparks from ventilation slots are normal.

For Battery Tools:

Ambient temperature range for tool and battery use/storage: 0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F). Recommended charging temperature range: 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F).