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12 volt lithium bosch impact driver

yojimbo2 | Posted in Tools for Home Building on December 8, 2008 06:14am

I got one recently to replace my bosch 12 volt blue core battery impact driver. Here are my observations:

Yeah it is very small, half the size of my old bosch impact driver.

There is no hook, so you cannot hang it on your belt.

It drives very slowly, something bosch mentions is a good thing. Uhh, I don’t think so. Takes an eternity to drive a 3″ drywall screw.

You are not trading up or even getting equal power with this impact driver. Compared to my blue core bosch 12 volt impact driver, the 12 volt lithium impact driver operates like it only has 9 volts.

This drill might be useful for light duty electrical work, that is about it.

Also, these things need to come with a bit that has a flathead on one side and a phillips head on the other. No bit storage on this thing either.

Can I send mine back to the drawing board?

I do everything, and my bosch blue core 12 volt impact driver, with a stanley flip bit, was as close to tool perfection that I have ever gotten. I was hoping that this new lighter drill would replace but I guess not.

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Replies

  1. try50772 | Dec 08, 2008 07:05am | #1

    IIRC it is really a 10.8 rebadged to keep up with the other companies marketing efforts. I like it,I have the 10.8 badged but my NIMH 12 Volt Makita runs it into the ground in the speed department. I have relegated it to my electrical bag where it will like a long happy life, but we aren't building any decks soon.

    1. JulianTracy | Dec 08, 2008 07:20am | #2

      I agree - it's really not that handy for much at all. It's as loud as my Makita 14.4, but it's not that efficient at driving screws.JT

      1. KenHill3 | Dec 08, 2008 10:04pm | #3

        Yup. Won't be screwing off a deck with it.

  2. arcflash | Dec 09, 2008 04:29am | #4

    My Mikita 7.2 pocket impact driver has replaced my screwdrivers in my tool pouch. I've been eyeing their 10.8 lithium combo kit. I do understand your dilema.  Its halfway between a decent drill/driver and a pretty good impact driver. Hang on too it, you will find a place for it and be glad you bought it.

    1. mackzully | Dec 09, 2008 06:02am | #5

      I agree, I just picked up a Makita LXT impact driver and it's a great tool, but it's so powerful that I'm over driving everything ;) With my Bosch, I can sink 90% of the screws I would with the Makita but far more controllably (and twice as slow ;). Maybe I just need to get used to the Makitas trigger, but it goes to 11 pretty quick. And the Bosch is great for overhead work, the addition weight of the Makita was immediately obviously after only 15 min of work. I do love the Makitas belt hook, but the Bosch fits fine in my pockets. I think they're completely different tools that just happen to use the same mechanism to drive a screw...Z

  3. rasconc | Dec 10, 2008 09:28pm | #6

    I have them both and did not have any expectation that the "12v" Litheon would be a replacement for the bigger 12v.  Actually mine is the 10.8 labeled one, I have the ps10, 20, 30, and the 50 multi-x (only one that says 12v).  I think the tradeoff for weight is fine.  I find the ps30 impact up to the things I expect it to accomplish.

    I have had 12v Makita (sold it to a customer), 12 & 14.4 DW, and cheapie ($29) 12v firestorm.  Unless doing a few larger lags, etc I reach for the regular 12v Bosch.  I agree that is pretty near tool perfection.  For what I paid the little firestorm performed pretty well for furniture assembly but it batteries are starting to not do very well for charge holdup.

    For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.

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