Bosch 12V Impact Driver $114 (PS40-2A, normally priced @ $180)

Stuey · Oct 25, 2008

I was just alerted to a price drop on Bosch's PS40-2A 12V impact driver - it's now $114 via Amazon, not bad considering that the average price via Froogle is $180.

Product LINK

This PS40-2A version is pretty much the same as the original PS40 and PS40-2 impact driver, just labeled differently at 12V instead of 10.8V to put it in the same class as competitors' "12V" compact tools, in the eyes of consumers. There might be a few, if any, subtle differences, none that I can find by the spec sheet, but in any case not enough to move to this version if you already have a PS40 or PS40-2.

Bosch product page

simonb · Oct 26, 2008

this is a great price
i heard these are loud, very loud- i couldn't find a db sound spec
originally i anted to purchase this to replace my air ratchet or interior work; but the noise concerns me- i heard it was louder than an impact wrench

Lyaec350 · Oct 26, 2008

They click quite a bit. For interior work I would recommend the PS20-2 or whatever the current version is, with the clutch, the impactor is ok, but I am always a bit worried I'll strip screws.

nissan_crawler · Oct 26, 2008

simonb said:
this is a great price
i heard these are loud, very loud- i couldn't find a db sound spec
originally i anted to purchase this to replace my air ratchet or interior work; but the noise concerns me- i heard it was louder than an impact wrench

They aren't quiet, but louder than an impact? No way in hell.

chrisexv6 · Oct 26, 2008

Loud, but not objectionably so. Definitely much quieter than my 18V impact driver.

The fact it fits in the palm of your hand makes you happy enough you dont hear any noise

Drove 3" DeckMate screws without predrilling......slower than my 18V, but very good for something so small and light.

Mugenlude · Oct 26, 2008

Where can one order the chucks for this???

jay50 · Oct 26, 2008

The only drawback I see with buying the 2A model; since it is 12v, you would not have interchangeability with the 10.8v battery and charger of the Bosch driver...if you owned that also.

nissan_crawler · Oct 26, 2008

jay50 said:
The only drawback I see with buying the 2A model; since it is 12v, you would not have interchangeability with the 10.8v battery and charger of the Bosch driver...if you owned that also.

WRONG! It is the EXACT same. There is no difference between the batteries or chargers, other than the sticker.

chrisexv6 · Oct 26, 2008

They are interchangeable.

The 12V batteries are actually just relabelled 10.8V batts. Bosch did this because other brands (Ridgid, Milwaukee, etc) are calling their tools 12V.

10.8V is actually the correct measurement of a 3 cell LiIon pack. Its 12V MAX voltage, but drops to 10.8 pretty quickly and holds 10.8 the longest.

So to keep up Bosch relabelled (and clearanced) their 10.8V tools as 12V. The 10.8V batteries fit and will work exactly the same. In one case they made a small change in one of the drivers (the PS20 got a slightly different motor and a different quick change chuck) but the changes had nothing to do with the "upgrade" to 12V.

-Chris

jay50 · Oct 26, 2008

nissan_crawler said:
WRONG! It is the EXACT same. There is no difference between the batteries or chargers, other than the sticker.

I have both the Bosch impactor (PS40-2) and the Bosch driver (PS-20) in front of me. They both use LI 10.8 batteries.

I just checked the amazon link to the PS40-2A and it is listed as 12V.

This makes me believe that the PS40-2 and PS40-2A are not interchangeable as far as batteries and charger...

Edited: I read the post above and see now that Bosch is playing games with the rating based on surface charge of the battery after removing from charger...WTF?

chrisexv6 · Oct 26, 2008

They definitely are interchangeable. Even ask Bosch, they'll tell you

Another reason why Bosch was running a promo where you buy one PS tool and get a PS20 for free........they were trying to clear out the 10.8V versions. Apparently they overdid it, and now anyone getting a free PS20 is actually getting the new 12V version. Since its a bare tool only, its obvious Bosch expects people to use the 12V with the 10.8V batteries.

Stuey · Oct 26, 2008

I remember reading somewhere that Bosch reps claimed they didn't want to play this game, but since all of their competitors were, they had no choice. This makes sense - when everyone else is labeling their tools as 12V, most consumers will ignore 10.8V tools and go for the "better" 12V. For $100, would you rather have a 10.8V tool, or a 12V tool? Sadly, that's the mentality of today's comsumer.

It's good to see that the description says 12V max, 10.8 nominal voltage.

And yes, Bosch's 10.8V and 12V tools and batteries are interchangeable.

nissan_crawler · Oct 26, 2008

"Dear Jared,

Thank you for writing. 12V Max is the new category reference for our Ultra Compact tools (10.8v tools). When the battery is fully charged, the battery is at its maximum voltage (12V). After some period of time, the battery loses some of its voltage and exhibits a steady state or nominal voltage (10.8v), until close to the end of its capacity. The tools and batteries are the same. The only difference is the new PS20 has a magnetic chuck so you will not have to use a power groove bit like the previous versions.

The reason we changed to advertising it as the 12V is to address confusion in the marketplace. We believe it is our role to better educate the consumer and prevent competition from muddying the water by overstating the power and performance of these categories of tool or implying that their maximum voltage is their nominal voltage. That is why we have clearly added "MAX" to the logo.

If you have further questions please write back.

Michelle
Bosch Customer Service
For additional information, please visit our web site at www.Boschtools.com "

boiler7904 · Oct 26, 2008

jay50 said:
I have both the Bosch impactor (PS40-2) and the Bosch driver (PS-20) in front of me. They both use LI 10.8 batteries.

I just checked the amazon link to the PS40-2A and it is listed as 12V.

This makes me believe that the PS40-2 and PS40-2A are not interchangeable as far as batteries and charger...

Edited: I read the post above and see now that Bosch is playing games with the rating based on surface charge of the battery after removing from charger...WTF?

They aren't playing games. Technically, it reaches a 12V maximum charge. Once the battery us under load, the charge drops and stabilizes at 10.8V. If you pick up one of the 12V tools at a store, Bosch's packaging explains the 12V vs 10.8V charge and why it is called max. If I remember right, they even included graphs on the box.

Bosch 12V Impact Driver $114 (PS40-2A, normally priced @ $180)

Stuey

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simonb

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Lyaec350

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nissan_crawler

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chrisexv6

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Mugenlude

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jay50

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