Bosch HDS181-02 18V Compact Tough Hammer Drill Driver

In the past, I have owned Craftsman, DeWalt, Makita, & Hitachi. This was my second Bosch. The first, I bought at Lowes on sale for $99. It was an 18 volt with Li Ion 1.3Ah batteries. I used it once and returned it. Liked the feel, it was just too wimpy. Then I saw this one on Amazon. I wanted a hammer drill anyway, so I ordered it. The seller said it was used, but it showed up in the case, with cardboard cover, wrapped in plastic, all the accessories, and the cord was tied. It must have been some kind of demo, because it sure hadn't ever been used. I do maintenance on a farm, so I need tough tools that can drive large screws, lags, & bolts. This one does it all with ease. I have had it less than a month, but I have already had many opportunites to run it through it's paces. I have "drop tested" it a couple of times from about 6-7 feet, and it took no damage. This drill is made of top quality materials, and should take whatever beating you throw at it. I've even had a chance to use the hammer feature already. It went through concrete like I was drilling into wood. This drill will not dissapoint you. It is comfortable to use, unbelievably light(especially for a hammer drill), the batteries last a long time, and it will drive the largest of screws. In fact, I was driving a lag screw on the high torque setting, and it bottomed out and almost twisted my wrist off. Which leads me to it's only disadvantage. With the power this thing has, it could definitely benefit from a side handle. It's a minor flaw that I can definitely live with. Other than that, I have never owned a more perfect cordless drill. When my old Hitachi Li Ion dies, I will definitely be replacing it with another Bosch.6 month update: I still love this drill. I haven't found anything it doesn't do well. The batteries last a long time between charges. It's very light. It has the power to drive anything. Also, I have found in using it that it is very comfortable in the hand, and easy to control in awkward positions. It's definitely a winner.

I have owned some older Makita and DeWalt cordless drills and use two different 18v DeWalt drills at work every day (metal fabrication/hot rod shop). This makes my employers drills look like junk. I really enjoy using this tool after using DeWalts all week long. It's so powerful and light and even the chuck works more easily and holds better than what I'm used to. Having the light on the bottom of the handle makes it actually shine on your work instead of casting shadows like motor-mounted lights. The batteries are easy to change out. The balance is excellent which really helps for using the drill in awkward positions. The only thing I wish it had was a built in hex bit holder, otherwise it's perfect for general use and at under $200 it's a great value.

What a package! Light weight. Full half inch chuck. Tremendous torque. It is the perfect drill if you only want one. The reason I give it only four stars is it has begun making a loud squealing noise when the chuck closes after being all the way retracted. I don't understand the noise, don't like it, and fear that it is causing damage.

Purchase this drill in December. It worked for two weeks now it start for about1/2 a minute and stop working.It is too expensive to send it back from St Kitts,Caribbean. what can Do ?

On my second unit and now it is doing same thing as the original replaced drill. The gears whine. Really scream. Its intermittent but when it screams, it screams. Now I have to take it in for repairs. Should be replaced AGAIN.Have some friends in construction. Compared this to a Milwaukee friend has. His similarly sized and featured Milwaukee quiet as a mouse.Can not recommend this drill.

I purchased this Hammer Drill / Driver at the same time as the more basic Bosch DDB180-02 18-Volt Lithium-Ion 3/8-Inch Cordless Drill/Driver, which I have also reviewed. I purchased them both NOT "free product for a review"!!This should be a five star review… BUTThe Drill is ASSEMBLED in Mexico - it does not say "Made" - so draw your own conclusions to the ambiguity!The Batteries (2 Amp/Hour) are MADE in MalaysiaThe Charger is made in China and is for use on 110V ONLYThe Drill weighs 3.7 Pounds (with battery attached)First impressions are good - **Looks** good, it is Bosch after all - however it's the name not the quality (compared to the older Bosch Drills that were made in Switzerland)It was also a fantastic deal - purchased from Amazon ($146 less $20 "Fathers Day Discount")The Good :-VERY light weight for a hammer drill - I doubt there is one lighter.Amazing power (torque) even down to barely 1 RPM at the lightest touch on the trigger in low speed.Near perfect balance in your hand - holding the drill loosely it falls gently forwards, you are less likely to drop it.The feel is very comfortable in the hand - the contour is a little different from the (slightly) smaller DDB180-02A very nice case, again NOT the L-Box gimmick - imagine a stack of tools all clipped together in L-Boxes, and you need the one at the bottom - time is money "on the job"!The batteries last a long time, they also have a charge indicator (a small push button on the battery) with 3 green LED'sThe light actually lights the area where you are workingWell that's a lot of positives, so what's the bad?Mainly it's the overall quality - again there is chuck "wobble" not too bad but it does impact accuracy.The light can be annoying - it needs to be switchable, you will have need of it very rarely - it is placed in the base, shinning upward, if you have your eyes in line of sight (looking down on the work drilling sideways) it is quite blinding - I don't like that!Also the light is only active when the drill is in motion - no good for getting on target BEFORE drilling/screwingThe gears sound "cheap" - probably plastic again to save weight = it won't last.I have doubts about long term heavy work with the hammer function - you actually benefit from a heavier drill in that mode.Overall I like it, and intend to keep it - HOWEVER this will be reserved for light weight home owner DIY work.This will make a good drill/driver for that purpose, and being light weight makes it ideal for those with weaker wrists…For those who depend on tools for their livelihood (work) - well you probably don't buy tools here or at the big box stores…… however if you are reading this then I would NOT recommend this Drill - I have not yet tried the new Bosch Brute Tough range, but imagine they will suit better.Again, To Bosch :- PLEASE bring back the quality of products of old - there are plenty of us willing to pay the price for good quality tools...

I have owned many cordless drills but this is the one that I will pick up first now every time. Small and powerful with a great grip. Hasn't ever let me down. As with most of these sites the sale price is what the regular price should be, but on sale for 200 I wouldn't think twice about this one.

Haven't used it much yet but everything looks in order, if it lasts as long as my other Bosch Drills than im sure to be pleased

Thx

Only have had drill a few weeks but has met every standard so far