Bosch 12v Drill/Driver Kit

Staniam

Staniam

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Nov 3, 2014
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Hey guys, I'm wondering if any of you have any first hand experience with the Bosch 12v drill. I found what seems to be a ridiculously good Bosch deal at the Blue Box (the other guys!) which includes their 12v drill/driver ps31, 2 2ah batteries, charger, 12v radio and an L-Boxx.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_588059-353-PS31-2ALPB_0__?productId=50170137&Ntt=bosh+12v+drill&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dbosh%2B12v%2Bdrill&facetInfo=

Does anyone have any first had experience with the Bosch 12v line, most specifically the 3/8" drill/driver and radio?

Since I sold my CXS to put towards the 1010 I figured I would be just fine using my T18 for all tasks but then I randomly came across this deal and it made me think about grabbing this.
 
I have 3 of these kits. Paid $99.00 each at Lowes. Drills are good for smaller holes. Batteries run forever and the radio gets great reception. Buy the impact, it has a very hard hit, also buy the right angle drill with the articulating head, it goes anywhere. Highly recommended.
 
Thanks. I've been in the market for a radio for months now and just haven't found anything overwhelmingly great. Not saying this radio is a game changer but it's 50% off here which is nice.

Anyone else have experience with these?
 
I have lots of the Bosch 12v max tools, actually 10.8v like all "12v" Lithium tools. I paid $99 for several of those drills in the L-Boxx kit as it was hard to turn down with 2 batteries being worth half that. Bosch now has a 4ah battery for their 12v tools.

It is a SAD replacement for a CXS but OK for the price.

They have a great LED flashlight, the FL11 and the new FL12 Syslight type light is amazingly good for the price but not a Syslight, of course. We have around 35 FL11 in use, bought at a Bosch event for $12 each.

The compact driver and Impact are great for the price.

Mostly great for their time, which was several years ago. Milwaukee 12v is now way better at "regular" prices.

I liked the L-Boxx cases as well as the original Tanos/Festool Systainers but they are mostly now used for rarely used stuff now that the current Systainers work so well.

I know nothing about that, or any other, jobsite radio.

 
GregBradley said:
I have lots of the Bosch 12v max tools, actually 10.8v like all "12v" Lithium tools. I paid $99 for several of those drills in the L-Boxx kit as it was hard to turn down with 2 batteries being worth half that. Bosch now has a 4ah battery for their 12v tools.

It is a SAD replacement for a CXS but OK for the price.

They have a great LED flashlight, the FL11 and the new FL12 Syslight type light is amazingly good for the price but not a Syslight, of course. We have around 35 FL11 in use, bought at a Bosch event for $12 each.

The compact driver and Impact are great for the price.

Mostly great for their time, which was several years ago. Milwaukee 12v is now way better at "regular" prices.

I liked the L-Boxx cases as well as the original Tanos/Festool Systainers but they are mostly now used for rarely used stuff now that the current Systainers work so well.

I know nothing about that, or any other, jobsite radio.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that great info. I assumed it wouldn't come close to the CXS (I miss that thing but it wasn't a necessity anymore) as I can't imagine any 12v drill amounting to its versatility. At this point though, $300 for the CXS kit isn't really feasible since I hadn't used it much since I picked up the T18. Most people experience that situation backwards but for some reason not for me.

Basically I wasn't really thinking about a compact drill/driver which is why I didn't have a problem parting with the CXS but this kit caught my eye as a good deal.

How's the Bosch 12v drill compared to the CXS in terms of compact-ness?
 
I've been happy with the bosch 12V line.  Those FL12 lights are VERY nice for what they are.  I also like the flex head driver. 

The 12V impact is the most used tool in the shop.  I love the thing and rarely have the need for more power (on site I use the 18V line) but in the shop it shines.  There are brushless version out and should make there way here.  I assume that the reason for some of the price drops we are seeing on the older models.

The drill is OK, works much better with the 4ah batteries.

Radio is OK, but not like the bigger bosch power box (which is one of the best jobsite radios IMO) even though it lacks bluetooth.
 
A CXS with a chuck is about the same size as the original Bosch PS30. The PS31 is smaller than a CXS with the chuck on. Of course, I mostly use Centrotec stuff in my CXS so it gets smaller. Anyway a picture is worth a thousand words but this site seems unable to let me post a picture of them side by side.

I'll post a picture if I can figure out how. Otherwise send me a PM with your email and I'll email you one directly.
 
I've done some searches on the FL12 and it does look like a nice little light. I could never bring myself to purchase the SysLite, just couldn't justify $175 for it even with all the rave reviews and first hand testing. I even purchased it fully then returned it not being able to stomach the price.

The FL12 seems to be a nice 2nd option to the Syslite for sure.

As far as the drill, how is it for small jobs like furniture building or assembly?
 
I find the drill perfect for shop duties, home stuff.  Not to discount it, it's an OK drill but you are not going to want to drill a bunch of 3/4" holes with it.

For pre drilling for drawer slides and that kind of thing, it's perfect. 
 
Well in my garage or around the house is exactly where it'll be. If i do end up making the purchase the drill will compliment my T18 in the shop building custom furniture and possibly accompany me on the occasional job. My main drill will continue to be the T18 with its attachments.

I appreciate the info, I've always been a Milwaukee guy but having used their M12 drills and impacts prior to Festool, I remember their size. While compact, the Bosch tools seem to be more compact which is what I'm used to with the CXS.
 
I have the 12v drill, the impactor, 2 x drivers (one is the early version and the other is the newer brushless), the right angle drill and several of the flashlights.  It's a great system.  I also have the 18v kit and stacks of Lboxes.  It's good stuff.  Honestly, I've never seen the Festool drills to be worth the money.  When you start talking sanders, tracksaws, and Dominoes...okay, I get the premium pricing for Festools and I'll pay for them.  But the drills?  I don't get it.
 
I've had the little bosch kit for about 7 years now, came with 1.3 amp batteries. The first drill I got with the kit wasn't very good it lacked power, they don't make that one anymore, the 2nd drill was a lot better. The right angle drill is handy, impact is fine.
The LED flash light is just the best flash light I've ever owned, very bright and lasts a long time on one battery, has been dropped from heights & run over and never failed me.

Not a great fan of the L box, I find you have to fiddle with them to get them to stack and you need two hands, then you can't open one unless it's on the top.
 
I definitely believe the Festool drills are worth the money having used them exclusively after years of other brands. I looked at the drivers and they seem nice but bulky at the same time.

Bosch has as 12v brushless impact driver and drill/driver here in the US right now but that's all the brushless so far.
 
Staniam said:
Bosch has as 12v brushless impact driver and drill/driver here in the US right now but that's all the brushless so far.
Click to expand...
That's really all I'm interested in. Do you know the model? I checked their site but neither of the two 12v impact drivers listed said anything about brushless.
 
What I am waiting for is for them to introduce the flexi heads on their 12V brushless line.  That would be sweet.

Also check out the little 12V VAC120BN vac.  It's fabulous as well.  Between it and the FL12 it's worth it to get into the bosch 12V system.
 
thedude306 said:
What I am waiting for is for them to introduce the flexi heads on their 12V brushless line.  That would be sweet.

Also check out the little 12V VAC120BN vac.  It's fabulous as well.  Between it and the FL12 it's worth it to get into the bosch 12V system.
Click to expand...

Yeah the Flex heads would be pretty sweet though not sure if it would steer me away from the Centrotec system since I'm already invested into it.
 
Another vote for the Bosch 12V line, I've had one of the pocket drivers since about the time they became available, I've used it more than about any other tool in my shop. I bought a C12 Li-on but only because I needed the eccentric chuck, it's not anywhere near as handy otherwise.
 
Staniam said:
Bosch has as 12v brushless impact driver and drill/driver here in the US right now but that's all the brushless so far.
Click to expand...

There's no brushless impact driver available in 10.8/12v, on either side of the pond.
 
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