Bosch 33618 Brute Tough 18-Volt Ni-Cad Cordless Drill/Driver
by Bosch
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Product Details
Manufacturer: BoschModel: 33618
Product features:
- Unibody powertrain maintains alignment between clutch, gearbox, and motor for maximum durability
- Dura-shield housing protects tool from harsh job site conditions and impacts
- Two speed gearbox for high speed or high torque as needed
- Externally changeable brushes
- Ratcheting 1/2" single-sleeve chuck with carbide teeth for one handed operation
- Bosch CC2130 Clic-Change 27-Piece Drilling and Driving Set with Clic-Change Chuck
- Bosch CC2480 Clic-Change 12-Piece Screwdriver Bit Assortment
- Bosch CC2100 Clic-Change 5-Piece Screwdriver Bit Assortment with Clic-Change Chuck
- Bosch SB5013P Rapid Feed 13-Piece 1/4-Inch to 1-1/2-Inch Spade Drill Bit Assortment with Nylon Storage Pouch
- Bosch CC2430 Clic-Change 3-Piece No. 6, No. 8, and No. 10 Self-Centering Bit Assortment
Description of Bosch 33618 Brute Tough 18-Volt Ni-Cad Cordless Drill/Driver
Includes 18 Volt Cordless Brute Tough 1/2" Drill/Driver - 33618-RT, (2) 18 Volt Cordless 2.4 Ah Batteries - BAT026, 9.6-24 Volt 1-Hour Charger - BC004, Magnetic Bit Holder - 2 610 917 319, Side Handle - 2 602 025 126, Double-Ended Bit, Bit Case - 2 610 915 997, Carrying Case - 2 610 915 779Bosch's Brute Tough line of cordless drill/drivers are designed and built from the inside out to offer the most power and durability possible. At the heart of this drill is a Bosch-built unibody power train that contains the motor, gearbox, and clutch in one contiguous unit for durability and the best alignment possible. The two-speed gearbox has large all-metal gears for strength, and offers a whopping 500 inch-pounds of torque in high-torque mode and up to 1,300 rpm in high-speed mode. The 18-volt motor has built-in overload protection and externally replaceable brushes to help extend its life. The drill also has a steel-reinforced collar to protect it in the event that it's dropped on the chuck. While we don't recommend dropping your tools off one-story buildings, Bosch claims this one can stand the abuse and keep working. The final layer of protection for the drill is its flexible ABS/Nylon-blend Duracell housing that protects the insides without cracking or shattering on impact. The drill also features a a strong reliable grip and a 1/2-inch ratcheting chuck with carbide teeth for one-handed bit changes. This model comes with two batteries, a one-hour charger, a bit holder, a snap hook, and a carrying case. --Brian Trinen
Tools and Hardware Reviews of Bosch 33618 Brute Tough 18-Volt Ni-Cad Cordless Drill/Driver
Customer Review: Powerful, but a bit heavy and large...
Summary: 5 Stars
The first thing I did with my new 18v Bosch drill was to accidentally drop it 6' onto a concrete floor - didn't seem to affect it as it seems to be designed for the occasionally careless user.
Review:
1. The chuck is an engineering marvel. You can remove and insert a bit, and tighten it, in practically no time at all - with only one hand on the chuck. I.e., hold the tool with your left hand (or left foot!) and unscrew the chuck with your right hand (about a half turn is all it takes). Insert the new bit and tighten the chuck. (You can perform this operation with just one hand; just laying the drill on a flat surface or holding it between your legs.) Other drills have one-handed chucks, but the Bosch drive shaft has no play and no wobble, and works flawlessly. Many keyless drills have dual-ring chucks, the ones that require two hands to work. When the bit slips, those chuck designs are nearly impossible to get REALLY tight. Tight is no problem for this tool. I also own a DeWalt half-inch electric drill that requires you to hold a button down to tighten/loosen the chuck. That works OK, but on this Bosch drill, the drive shaft locks when the motor is off, so that button isn't necessary. It really is ingenious.
2. Massive torque. If you're used to a 14.4v, 15.6v or even other 18v models, keep your eye on screws you're driving. This beast keeps driving until the trigger is released. I've snapped screws due to the high torque this tool has, when the clutch setting was on maximum torque. A well-designed quick-attach handle is included - it's only necessary for high-torque applications. It can be set to any point within 360 degrees in a few seconds, and it stays put until you unscrew/release the handle.
3. Speed. Low speed is fine, and high speed (1300 rpm) is OK most of the time - but, occasionally, I'd like it to be a tad faster. Of course, Bosch gets more torque through lower RPMs. Besides, for the types of large hole cuts and other things owners would be doing with a tool this powerful, the 1300-rpm maximum does make sense. The trigger's control of speed is flawless and when you release the trigger, the drill stops quickly.
4. Battery run-time. These batteries last a long time before needing a recharge, and they recharge is under an hour. I've never run down a battery prior to the other battery finishing its charge cycle - so there's no down time on this score.
5. Balance, comfort, and other ergonomics are perfect, at least for me (I have big hands). Very comfortable handle - no sharp places. It's not uncommon for me to dislike tools because of ill-conceived handles, triggers that pinch your finger, sharp corners, too small, etc. This tool feels just right in my hand. It also comes with a quick-detach hook for attaching a strap or hook - nice touch.
6. Weight & size. Other than price, the only downside to this tool is, it is about 1/3 heavier and larger than 14.4v or 15.6v drills - e.g., it's too heavy for my wife to use comfortably. (Of course, it's much more powerful, holds half inch bits, battery run-time is better, and it has that ingenious chuck.) In any case, I usually keep two cordless drills handy on jobs: the Brute and a 15.6v Panasonic drill for more delicate/small-hole drilling, for cramped locations where the Brute won't fit, or when working overhead extensively. The other reason for having two tools, in spite of how incredibly easy it is to change bits on the Bosch, is, to avoid having to change bits/drills as often.
7. The gears are made of steel. That's important to me because my Porter Cable 14.4v drill stripped its weak nylon gears after a couple of years, long before the batteries wore out. P/C doesn't sell just that $3 gear of course - you had to buy an entire "gear box", as they call it. $60. Heck with that. No more P/C nylon-geared drills for me. (One Brute reviewer said his gears "stripped out, i. e. the motor was turning but not the chuck" - my guess is he had the speed selector set between high and low.)
8. Nice plastic case, with a mini-case for bits. Everything fits, and it even has decent metal clasps. Well done.
9. Has the best warranty I've seen for such tools (and the battery), but somehow I doubt if I'll ever need it.
In summary, if it's not too heavy for you to use comfortably, this is a terrific choice.
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