small cordless drill... Bosch 10.8 Litheon

[James Watriss]

So, there are three in the lineup, with various configurations and combinations available in sets.

The impact driver is remarkably not bad for a 10.8V tool.

There's a small, no frills, very compact, but slow drill/driver. It works, but slowly, so I wasn't too impressed. IT has a hex shank, which I dig, but decent hex drill bits, while available, are not the norm. I think this is better used as a screwdriver, personally.

Then there's the drill. 2 speeds, more weight, and an actual 3 jaw chuck. Not too shabby. It's not going to win any power contests in my shop, I'll tell you, but for general use, it works. I will say that it's entertaining in a 10-year old humor sort of way to stick one long hex shank bit into the chuck of this, and the other end into the impact driver, and pull the triggers on both, to make a most godawful racket.

I own a C12 and a T15+3. The T15 is awesome, and my C12 will eventually go on eBay, I think. But my day job is in a fiberglass shop, doing all manner of odds and ends, and one of the most convenient things about these drills is that I can just chuck them in my tool box with room to spare. They're as big as they need to be, and no bigger. No bottom of the handle battery bulge, etc. And while they're big enough to do most day to day stuff, they're not big enough to arouse anyone's envy or interest... and will therefore be, I think, even more useful. The most important feature of any tool, after all, is that you still have it.

More as it comes, Tool stop has a kit with the impact and the better of the two drills in a SYS-1, which looks very cool... I'm currently trying to get my hands on it. There's also a Bosch version of the multimaster in a systainer, and in a combo kit, that has my eye, but not my money... yet. I want to see how these 10.8 batteries hold up long-haul.

 

[erikfsn]

I've been using the Makita 10.8 drill/impact combo for around 6-8 months now. I also have a couple of their 18 volt lxt drills.
I find that I reach for the 10.8 volt more often than the 18 volt. I like the size and weight for ease of use. Most of the time they have what it takes to do the job. When they don't I up the voltage.

 

[mwhafner]

I have been a little disappointed in the Bosch 10.8v (now 12v) series of tools.  Below are my impressions of the tools I have used -

I-Driver - Great tool.  Just the right blend of size and flexibility to be extremely useful.

Hex-Driver - Very handy, but not as well executed as the Milwaukee (and probably the Makita) offerings.

2-Speed Drill - Another great tool.  Very compact and balanced for "tool-belt" work.  For the most part, I use it for pilot-holes and counter-sinks.  It won't replace a larger driver-drill, but is also very handy. 

"Multi-tool" - haven't tried it, and don't plan to.  I don't think it could replace my Mulit-Master.

Impact Driver - pretty much useless for construction and woodwork, bu would probably be great in certain scenarios.  It just turns too slow for most of my undertakings.  Compared to my 12v Makita impact, this thing is a wimp.

One thing that is a little hard to quantify is the size advantage that these compact tools provide.  I can stick the Milwaukee or Bosch hex-driver in my tool pouch, and never know it was there (very slight exaggeration). 

 

[EcoFurniture]

I have been using two of the bosch drivers every day for almost half a year now.
First what I like about them:
1. price is affordable
2. lightweight and small in size
3. build in LED light helps in dark corners
4. enough torque to build cabinets

What I don't like:
1. The RPM is to slow to use them as a drill
2. The batteries are already not holding their charge for long anymore!
3. You can't "stand" them up

Would I buy them again? Well I don't know. I have them now, therefore I have to use them... But I will certainly save up some cash for a festool drill.

 

[score0matic]

I have been using the Makita 10.8v for about 8 months

What I like:
1.  Price;  $128.00  for the pair.  This is the scale that I weigh all other cordless tools.  Is (fill in the blank) tool 2, 3, or maybe even 5 times better than this pair for what I do?   Haven't found anything that is yet.

2.  Size; both guns, batteries, charger, Festool hand sander, 9"Chanel locks, and Kreg vice clamp fit into a Sys 1

3.  Power; the impact has 800+ inch pounds of force and the drill will handle 1"spade bit  enough to do 97% of anything I may want it to.

4.  Ergonomics;  when I lay it down, it sets on rubber- no scratching finished surfaces.  It is lightweight, small, all the controls are easy to get to, the led light is automatic when the trigger is first pulled( before the chuck begins to turnl), over all it has a great "feel".

5. Durability;  I barely respect my Festools,  these get no love shown them at all, still they have preformed with out any problems,  that is all I can ask of any tool.

What I don't like:
1. 1/4" hex chucks;  Now I have to find drills, reamers, thread chasers... to fit the drill   (luckily many companies are making their tools in this format)

2.  Capacity; is limited to 1/4" hex.  Now my sds rotary hammer does double duty for larger drilling chores (purchased a sds chuck $35.00)

3.  Battery life;  Because there are two tools in the kit  and I often use both tools on a given task, I am always running out of batteries.

What would ideal:  This system with three batteries and a chuck on the drill for under $200.  This would be the perfect setup for most remodelers.  Getting them to understand that this is what they really want is a different issue .  

Additionally,  it would be great if all 10.8v tools could interface. I would really like to run a couple of Milwaukee's tools with my system   I know a pipe dream  :-\

Thanks Craig

 

[jonny round boy]

Additionally,  it would be great if all 10.8v tools could interface. I would really like to run a couple of Milwaukee's tools with my system   I know a pipe dream  :-\

I saw the Milwaukee 10.8V range at a dealer a few months ago, including the really cool fibre-optic camera inspection thingy (that's the technical name!). I'm not 100% sure, but I think the Milwaukee batteries are exactly the same format as the Bosch, and they are interchangeable.

From his comments below above (!), I think mwhafner has both Bosch and Milwaukee Li-Ion tools - maybe he could confirm this?

 

[mwhafner]

From his comments below above (!), I think mwhafner has both Bosch and Milwaukee Li-Ion tools - maybe he could confirm this?

You cannot use the Bosch batteries on the Milwaukee, or vise-versa.  The configuration is a little different.

 

[Beverin]

To James Watriss: I bought the Bosch Multimaster version Installer kit for 179, it actually comes with a 12V battery and I do not want to miss it any more! it saved my life quite a few time in different situations (I run a solid surface fabrication and cabinet business). It is great to cut off baseboard if you want to install cabinets etc.

Same here for the Bosch angle drive 10.8v... what a tool for small cabinets! My batteries are two years old now and still have enough Power to last thru a normal installation... I believe BOSCH is second to only festool...

 

[Chrippler]

I have to say I'm sold with Bosch, I love 'em. The only problem i've had with them is battery life... Been through a fair few batteries, but now know a way to combat it! They seem to last 100x longer if you make sure you fully drain the battery each time you fully charge it. So once you've charged it you need to wait till it cuts out before charging it back to full again and you'll get much longer life out of your batteries! (You probably already know this...)

I got my latest Bosch stuff from Tool guru... www.toolguru.co.uk.

 

[justinmcf]

hi chrippler.

when you state that you fully drain the battery each time.
are you talking about ni-cd, ni-mh or li-ion batteries?

dont forget that this is not recommended for the newer li-ion technology as it will actually damage the battery.

only ni-cd batteries are to be completely drained before recharging.

justin.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I hate all the 10.8/12 V mini tools.

I bought the bosch and makita one's, used them for a month, got my c-12 and they have been collecting dust ever since.

IMO, they are worthless.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

I've been using the "mini" tools for the past three years.  Started with the Bosch 10.8 volt T handle driver and the right angle driver.  At first I loved them.  Great for doing smaller stuff, especially the hard to reach areas like inside small cabinetry, screwing in drywall behind a radiator.  Found a major problem with the Bosch 10.8 batteries on a union job I was on.  The guys were depending on me to get the cabinetry screwed in because the big stuff wouldn't fit.  The apartment building didn't have the heating system operational yet and it was about 40 degrees F.  My Bosch minis acted like they were dead or just about dead even though I had charged them fully the night before.  So while everyone's waiting for me, I'm on the phone with a Bosch engineer trying to get answers.  I was told the chemistry for their 10.8/12 volt minis isn't the same as their larger batteries and can't take temps below approx. 50.  Now I was pissed.  This was before I owned the C12 with accessories.  I had to warm the batts up in my pockets constantly until the heaters warmed up the kitchens enough.  Bought the Milwaukee 12 volt tools and NEVER had a problem.  They do go slower in cold weather, but they still work.  The Makitas are just as reliable, but those are the only brands I have experience with in the mini category.  I use the Milwaukee 12 volt stuff most of the time, because of the compact size.  Otherwise my C12 or my 18 volt tools.

 

[nickao]

I love my Makita mini's two for 99.00 and I can leave them for months and not charge them and they take a charge easily. I mean what do you want, they are not useless I never had a situation they didn't work. If the task is to tough I just pull out my Panasonic. I just don't get the 500.00 cordless drill thing. Believe me I drop big coin on  a lot of tools, probably more than most, but a drill/screwdriver? Not for me. The bits and screw tips are far more important than anything else.

 

[Frank-Jan]

hi chrippler.

when you state that you fully drain the battery each time.
are you talking about ni-cd, ni-mh or li-ion batteries?

dont forget that this is not recommended for the newer li-ion technology as it will actually damage the battery.

only ni-cd batteries are to be completely drained before recharging.

justin.

The bosch lithium ion batteries have protection built into the battery, so it will just shut down completely to avoid damage to the batteries, instead of gradually becoming weaker. But mostly manufacturers claim it shouldn't harm battery life if you charge the Li Ion batteries sooner.

@ WarnerConstCo.: You could get the flashlight for the bosch batteries, I personally like it a lot, it's fairly compact, rugged, has a belt-clip and is very bright. Since the tool is gathering dust, this way you can at least put the batteries to use.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

The flash light is in the case gathering dust as well.

 

[GhostFist]

I use a Bosch mini 12v daily. It drives slower than standard sized drills but is ultra portable and great to have in your pouch as opposed to looking for where you left your 18 last. If I have to do any ladder work it's the perfect size. I've never been a fan of belt hooks for drills as I find they snag on things.

For a smaller sized drill its got some decent power I recommend! The millwaukee is also nice, good to have a battery indicator, something not present on the Bosch. I find the Bosch batteries charge quick enough that it's not really an issue though.

 

[aloysius]

What about Metabo's version.  Their cordless tools are as good as most others on the market: perhaps not as high tech as some (panasonic et al), but they're usually very robust, and have premium quality accessories, chucks etc.
They also have the industry's best warranty: 3 years on both the tool AND batteries, even for pro use!  Now that's confidence!

 

[Pete Pedisich]

I find the quick-change hex bit holder on the Bosch does not hold most bits tightly. Most of mine, from McFeelys, HD, etc...have too much wobble when fully seated. A good bit more than my Panasonic 12v impact gun.
This means drill bits of any length wobble unacceptably. 2" screw-driver bits are not a problem, and since that is 90% of what I use it for, it has been the drill I reach for first. Maybe on the newer version with 2 speeds they have fixed this.
I have tried the Makita version and it seemed better in this regard.

 

[jmbfestool]

Bosch VS Makita 10.8V

Jmb

 

[EdL]

I think your results will be much different if you did that with the newer Bosch PS41 impact driver. I've got both the PS40 & PS41, there is no comparision between the 2. My PS40 doesn't get used much anymore.....

Ed