What drill and or driver driver should I get?

[BobsYourUncle69]

No one here cares about Bosch but 18v Bosch is good stuff.

Bosch power tools have always been great , I recently got a Bosch 18V hammer drill. Although I'm mainly on the Makita 18v ecosystem when I need a drill or similar, Bosch is always the 1st that comes to mind as I've always had nothing but good experience with the quality and longevity of their drills , jigsaws and sanders So my tools are a lot of Makita and Bosch.

I do prefer Makita batteries , I like their BMS ( one of the best BMS systems I think and that's why their batteries last so long ) and the fact that none of their battery cells are made in China , it's either Japan , Singapore or Malaysia. So that why I have more battery powered Makita vs previously having more corded Bosch, batteries are expensive , I'd like ones that last.

90% of the power tools I left behind when I moved here are Bosch and some Makita, I would have bought extra luggage to bring them if the voltage matched.

As for why Bosch isn't that popular here , I guess people in different markets have different preferences or maybe some products are better supported in different regions, I'm just guessing. I don't actually know, maybe there is an actual reason.

 

[lardy1]

I believe Bosch is underrecognized partly due to their lackluster marketing, their limit of tools available as compared to the other top brands such as Makita, DeWalt and Milwaukee and the fact that they seem to cater more towards woodworkers than auto mechanics. I don't find the tools or batteries inferior to anyone elses, though.

 

[bornbadbob]

I have a few Bosch tools, a corded sander, a glide saw and had a table saw that I recently sold. Love the glide saw, the sander is probably old enough to be considered an antique now, still works great. I did have to replace the sanding pad recently. I think have had it well over 20 years. I was disappointed with the table saw, it had a pressed steel table, not cast like a good saw is. The fence was marginal, the saw just felt cheaply made.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

I have the Bosch 18v kit plus 3 extra drills still using the original Nicad batteries. What can I say it boils down to battery management. 6 batteries originally and now down to 4. I bought the 12v Milwaukee jacket so eventually drank the Koolaid. Bought the 12v kit and added the Dremel style tool.
If I had to do it again I’d buy Bosch.
Also have the orbital and 1/4 sheet sanders, Bull Dog hammer drill and a Bosch Plunge router. Likely forgot something but I do like the Bosch line.

 

[Sal Bandini]

All of my cordless are Bosch. Love the 12V tools. Can't beat them for size.

I buy all of them refurb from CPO now. You can't tell them apart from new. Plus they send them with new batteries.

 

[Sal Bandini]

I have a few Bosch tools, a corded sander, a glide saw and had a table saw that I recently sold. Love the glide saw, the sander is probably old enough to be considered an antique now, still works great. I did have to replace the sanding pad recently. I think have had it well over 20 years. I was disappointed with the table saw, it had a pressed steel table, not cast like a good saw is. The fence was marginal, the saw just felt cheaply made.

The table is cast aluminum, not pressed steel. It is designed as a worksite saw, so if you are looking for a cast iron table you would want to look at the Rigid. However, that weighs like 200 lbs, so likely not a good option for those requiring portability.

Not directed at you, but IMO the obsession with hyper accuracy on tools in general like table saws and miter saws for DIY use to be overblown. Wood is constantly moving based on humidity/temperature which is outside of the accuracy of the tools. If you need that accuracy for high end furniture then you are going to be looking at high end cabinet saws, jointers, etc.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Upcoming Projects:
General home stuff, Home basement finish coming up, brake jobs, tire rotation @150 ft#(don’t mind using breaker bar 2x/yr), I crank the jeep top up on tipsy bracket with Racor lift (haven’t tried Bosch for this but think it’d struggle?), enjoy woodworking projects, etc.

First, those Milwaukee tools are not the "top of the line". Top of the line are called "Fuel". They have a bit more power and should run a bit longer on the same size battery.

Second, forget trying to remove lug nuts with any 12V driver, especially a 1/4" hex shank one ! It you crack them loose with a breaker, then you can spin them off. After a couple of years of doing this, I bought an M18 Mid-Torque (2972-20). Expensive for just tire changing , but SO NICE ! Now that I dipped my toe into the M18 family, I bought a M18 1/2" Hammer/Drill/Driver (2904-20) because I did not have a drill with a hammer function

Third, I wanted a driver that had more power than the typical 1/4" hex shank driver. I bought an M12 3/8" (2454-20) and a 3/8" to 1/4" hex adapter. Great combination.

 

[BWWgarage]

First, those Milwaukee tools are not the "top of the line". Top of the line are called "Fuel". They have a bit more power and should run a bit longer on the same size battery.

Second, forget trying to remove lug nuts with any 12V driver, especially a 1/4" hex shank one ! It you crack them loose with a breaker, then you can spin them off. After a couple of years of doing this, I bought an M18 Mid-Torque (2972-20). Expensive for just tire changing , but SO NICE ! Now that I dipped my toe into the M18 family, I bought a M18 1/2" Hammer/Drill/Driver (2904-20) because I did not have a drill with a hammer function

Third, I wanted a driver that had more power than the typical 1/4" hex shank driver. I bought an M12 3/8" (2454-20) and a 3/8" to 1/4" hex adapter. Great combination.

I don’t think you read the orig post ...
- the set I showed and got is m12 fuel
- for lug nuts, I’m likely adding the m12 1/2 stubby, 550 ft# .... other are using for lug nuts.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I don’t think you read the orig post ...
- the set I showed and got is m12 fuel
- for lug nuts, I’m likely adding the m12 1/2 stubby, 550 ft# .... other are using for lug nuts.

I missed the "FUEL" on the bag !

Let us know how that stubby works on lug nuts !

 

[iflyatiger]

Bosch 12v tools

I posted this to the Amazon thread but considering all the Bosch talk in this one I thought to post it here. It’s still a live deal as of the time of this post.. It is a good deal and a good product! Keep in mind the multi tool uses StarLock blades…

Bosch GXL12V-270B22 - Amazon.com​

Bosch GXL12V-270B22 - Amazon.com
www.amazon.com

 

[jar944]

I have a few Bosch tools, a corded sander, a glide saw and had a table saw that I recently sold. Love the glide saw, the sander is probably old enough to be considered an antique now, still works great. I did have to replace the sanding pad recently. I think have had it well over 20 years. I was disappointed with the table saw, it had a pressed steel table, not cast like a good saw is. The fence was marginal, the saw just felt cheaply made.

I actually hate the glide. Way too much flex in the articulating arm compared to a conventional tube setup, and a huge weight penalty.

 

[bornbadbob]

I actually hate the glide. Way too much flex in the articulating arm compared to a conventional tube setup, and a huge weight penalty.

Too each their own I guess. I just a DIY guy so it’s not used much

 

[Steel_Rain]

Bosch 12v tools

How is the Bosch Flexiclick? Still worth in 2025? I already have the M12 installation driver, but I'd like something more compact. I already have the Dremmel cordless rotary tool, so I'm already "in" the ecosystem since these battery's are interchangeable.

I own zero Bosch tools.

 

[glenng]

How is the Bosch Flexiclick? Still worth in 2025? I already have the M12 installation driver, but I'd like something more compact. I already have the Dremmel cordless rotary tool, so I'm already "in" the ecosystem since these battery's are interchangeable.

I own zero Bosch tools.

Unless they changed in recent years, the Bosch 12v batteries are not interchangeable with Dremel 12v batteries.

I got most of my Bosch 12v tools 10-15 years ago and they did not work with the 12v batteries for my Dremel 8200 rotary tool. They are the same type of battery, but the plastic molding is slightly different so they don't fit in the tool properly. I thought they would fit, too, and was bummed out when it was slightly off. I think they can use the same chargers though.

That flexiclick deal with oscillating tool for $150 is a helluva deal though.

Edit: Here is what I'm talking about:

 

[finn]

How is the Bosch Flexiclick? Still worth in 2025? I already have the M12 installation driver, but I'd like something more compact. I already have the Dremmel cordless rotary tool, so I'm already "in" the ecosystem since these battery's are interchangeable.

I own zero Bosch tools.

Dremel is Bosch owned.

 

[finn]

Too each their own I guess. I just a DIY guy so it’s not used much

I’m with you. I like my Bosch Glide better than the Makita slider I scrapped or my Dewalt.

No contest.

 

[rust in the eye]

Of the two selected I'd choose that entry level Milwaukee.
Please consider Makita too.

 

[Steel_Rain]

Please consider Makita too.

THIS.

 

[jar944]

I’m with you. I like my Bosch Glide better than the Makita slider I scrapped or my Dewalt.

No contest.

Interesting, I find the dewalt superior in every way.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Unless they changed in recent years, the Bosch 12v batteries are not interchangeable with Dremel 12v batteries.

I got most of my Bosch 12v tools 10-15 years ago and they did not work with the 12v batteries for my Dremel 8200 rotary tool. They are the same type of battery, but the plastic molding is slightly different so they don't fit in the tool properly. I thought they would fit, too, and was bummed out when it was slightly off. I think they can use the same chargers though.

That flexiclick deal with oscillating tool for $150 is a helluva deal though.

Edit: Here is what I'm talking about:

Are you saying the video bat. mod doesn't work?

 

[glenng]

Are you saying the video bat. mod doesn't work?

I didn't watch the full video, I just posted to show the difference in plastic molding between the 2 batteries. If Catus Maximus was able to do a mod, I'd assume it should work. I never tried to mod any of my batteries, though.

 

[subroc]

So many choices that are good these days. Hard to recommend.

But, right now there are a few 2 piece brushed m12 Milwaukee kits with a couple batteries and a charger on sale at Home Depot for right around $100.

Certainly worth a look.

 

[jabberwoki]

Metabo, the real Germain stuff.

 

[bornbadbob]

Interesting, I find the dewalt superior in every way.

I am just a home gamer and the saw is seldom used but has performed above expectations every time

 

[nadogail]

I am a Makita fan, i have good opinions of Milwaukee, Dewalt and Bosch. I recently read great reviews of the Harbor Freight premium quality blue tools.
i have been disappointed with a long past Royobi purchase.

When you are buying cordless tools, you are buying into a battery platform, consider it like marrying into a family; choose intelligently.

 

[AEAdam]

Read all the responses. This just feels like Ford vs Chevy. We’re at a point where I feel the difference between certain tools has significantly shrunk. Almost tough to make a bad choice. And these things are CHEAP. If you buy one and hate it, you can thrown it away and start over, but I don’t see that happening.

For me, the tools I’m struggling with are the battery lawn equipment. The tools are pricey and batteries are very pricey. I feel a bit trapped by my Husqvarna battery tools. And the battery performance is good for some tools, really bad for others and my batteries haven’t lasted long.

Drills drivers, saws, all seem to be good. I have at least 3 different platforms and all good useful tools that outperform my expectations, especially the saws

 

[jar944]

For me, the tools I’m struggling with are the battery lawn equipment. The tools are pricey and batteries are very pricey. I feel a bit trapped by my Husqvarna battery tools. And the battery performance is good for some tools, really bad for others and my batteries haven’t lasted long.

I've been very impressed with the new large 8+ah tabless batteries when powering ope.

 

[sparky 1971]

With the exception of the Makita 7.2 volt stick driver, I am 100% Milwaukee. Not because I think it's the greatest thing ever made, but because it's what the supply houses carry.

I did buy a Bosch 12 volt drill and driver kit for my wife thinking that my Milwaukee drivers and drill in the shop would stop disappearing, but I was wrong. Both Bosch tools are MIA as well as a few Milwaukee tools. I didn't like how thick the Bosch handles are, but that may just be because I am so used to Milwaukee's handles.

 

[KnurledNut]

This just feels like Ford vs Chevy.

Good analogy...
Ford = Milwaukee
Chevy = Dewalt
Ram = Ridgid
Toyota = Makita
Nissan = Ryobi
Honda = Bosch
Tesla = Snap-on
Hyundai = Hercules

 

[BobsYourUncle69]

What was wrong with the repalcement they sent you ? Did they send you a lower end model ? Did it not function as well as the previous one ?

If they sent you a lower end model , I'd have argued that one as they're supposed to replace with the same or equivalent if that model is no longer being made.

Inferior POS I never wanted. It wasn't even the same model.

I got that part.
Besides stating that you wernt happy with where it was made, you haven't really said why it's a " POS" or of it was a downgraded model they sent you instead of an equivalent.

 

[Steel_Rain]

Unless they changed in recent years, the Bosch 12v batteries are not interchangeable with Dremel 12v batteries.

For what it’s worth, this doesn’t hold true any longer. I have a year old Dremel tool and I got the 12v Flexiclick a few days ago. They interchange just fine:

 

[glenng]

@Steel_Rain

That's great news! Thanks for the update.