I don't know why some reviewers have stated that this drill is not variable speed or is not reversible - it's both. There's a little switch at the bottom where you can change the direction. This drill has been a great help due to its compact size and power. Two of my truck's starter bolts broke off and I could not get them out by any means: vise grips, welding a nut, etc., so I had to drill them out. The drill worked like a charm - powerful and compact enough to do the job.