Bosch 10.8V Li Scredriver/Drill/Impact drivers

[Triggaaar]

I only have one cordless drill, the (consumer) bosch psr 24v. It's still going strong, but is a beast, and I'd like to have at least 2 cordlesses (1 for drill bits, 1 for screw bits).

I have looked at the Bosch GSR10.8VLI Screwdriver/Drill (£81), which is only 800g, has great reviews, and will do most of what I'm after (if I use my old bosch for drilling). I'm also considering the GSR10.8VLI 2, which is a bit more powerful (max screw 7mm vs 6 etc), has 2 speeds, and is still light enough at 1.1kg. It's a more capable drill and available from Aminster with the free Impact Driver again (£150 the pair, with some free bits), but I might be getting side-tracked. Impact Drivers have good reviews, but I've never used one, so have no idea if it's worth having one (useful to drive 4" screws I assume, if the screwfix screws I buy are up to it). And the great thing about the GSR10.8VLI is that if you don't ask it to drill, it's a great, tiny screwdriver will always have a pozi bit at the ready.

So in summary
Get the GSR10.8VLI - use the 24v for drilling (except when the little driver is found wanting)
or
Get the slightly bigger, but still tiny LI 2. Use the 24v for drilling, the Impact for driving, and the LI 2 for both, depending on the situation?

I'd be happy with equal brands like Makita or AEG if there was a good deal about.
EDIT - like the Makita LCT204W 10.8V LI twin pack (Drill Driver & Impact Driver) that I see a couple of you have, for £139

Thanks

 

[Karl]

I've got the Bosch set, and think it's very good. The drill/driver is great for screwdriving, and with some hex drill bits, it drills your pilot holes as well.

The impact driver is very useful, but it won't go driving 4" screws into timber all day. For the odd one, yes. But I use a dedicated 18v Milwaukee impact driver for most impact situations.

If you do get the Bosch set, i'd definitely buy the torch which they sell as well - i've found mine indispensible.

The Makita set is similair, and got top marks in a recent test in British Woodworking magazine.

Finally, have you considered the Hitachi 10.8v range? The driver is very comfortable to hold - if I didn't have the Bosch set i'd probably go for the Hitachi.

 

[Mr Ed]

I have the Makita set and its brilliant. I know a few others on here also have it. I suspect the Bosch and Makita are very similar.

Karl is right that the impact drivers will not work all day on 4" screws, that said I used mine on a deck recently and was impressed how well it did driving 4" screws into joists - only a few charges needed.

I don't use my 18v Metabo that often now I have the Makitas, which must be an indicator that they do most of what I need.

Ed

 

[woodbloke]

I use the small 12v AEG as featured in the latest issue of BW (I think) - Rob

 

[Mr Ed]

Other thing I should have said is that I didn't realise how useful an impact driver would be until I had one.

Ed

 

[Triggaaar]

Thanks all

I've got the Bosch set, and think it's very good. The drill/driver is great for screwdriving, and with some hex drill bits, it drills your pilot holes as well.

Do you have the smaller driver with the 1/4" universal bit holder, because the GSR 10,8 V-LI-2 has a 10-mm auto-lock chuck?

If you do get the Bosch set, i'd definitely buy the torch which they sell as well - i've found mine indispensible.

Thanks, I'll look it up

The Makita set is similair, and got top marks in a recent test in British Woodworking magazine.

Ah yes, I remember reading that when searching through threads.

Finally, have you considered the Hitachi 10.8v range?

No, I haven't seen the Hitachi, but I like their tools, so I'll check it out, cheers.

 

[Triggaaar]

I use the small 12v AEG as featured in the latest issue of BW (I think)

Thanks, I think I read that in another thread, and read a comment that it was well built and fairly heavy (for it's size). Given how great the reviews are of the bosch (and the makitas etc being as good) I'd like to go for as small and little tools as I can, so I think I'll go with some 10.8s.

I didn't realise how useful an impact driver would be until I had one.

Indeed, this is probably the hardest thing to decide. I've read on here about someone using one to gently put plasterboard screws in - I don't know if that just means it can be done, but not as easily with the 10.8 non impact drivers. I suppose when putting up plasterboard I could always use the GSR V-LI-2, but I just like the idea of having a tiny drill and a tiny driver, so I don't have to carry much or change from drill to driver. When say drilling little pilot holes into mirror frames with one, I don't know if the impact driver would be good for putting the tiny screws in, or if I'd be better with the 2 non impact drill/drivers.

 

[Karl]

Thanks all

I've got the Bosch set, and think it's very good. The drill/driver is great for screwdriving, and with some hex drill bits, it drills your pilot holes as well.

Do you have the smaller driver with the 1/4" universal bit holder, because the GSR 10,8 V-LI-2 has a 10-mm auto-lock chuck?

If you do get the Bosch set, i'd definitely buy the torch which they sell as well - i've found mine indispensible.

Thanks, I'll look it up

The Makita set is similair, and got top marks in a recent test in British Woodworking magazine.

Ah yes, I remember reading that when searching through threads.

Finally, have you considered the Hitachi 10.8v range?

No, I haven't seen the Hitachi, but I like their tools, so I'll check it out, cheers.

No, I don't have the drill with the chuck - just the driver with the hex bit holder. If you get the version with the hex bit holder, don't be tempte by cheaper models on e-bay without checking which version you are buying. The Mk1 model only had a magnetic receiver - so when drilling a pilot hole, on pulling the drill out of the workpiece, the drill bit came out of the receiver 90% of the time and remained in the workpiece. Very frustrating (so much so that I sent mine back). The Mk 2 has a proper locking receiver to stop this problem.

Bigger B&Q branches stock the Hitachi range, so you can get your hands on one first before buying. The drill driver (with hex bit holder) feels nicely balanced in the hand, and it can also be stood up, having a rectangular battery - the Bosch and Makita set have to be laid on their side. Not a big issue, but I prefer standing the driver up for some reason - don't know why.

Cheers

Karl

 

[FatFreddysCat]

The GSR10.8V-LI(mk2) is an excellent little tool, but make sure if you go for one that it is a mk2. The earlier ones don't have a motor brake which means they run on after the trigger is released. That's not too clever if you're installing mirrors.

I'm not sure I'd bother with the impact driver. It's really a bit wimpy and as others hae said it won't drive the really big screws which is the real purpose of an impact driver.

I've read on here about someone using one (an impact driver) to gently put plasterboard screws in - I don't know if that just means it can be done, but not as easily with the 10.8 non impact drivers.

Wrong tool, IMHO. Plasterboard screws are short, spindly little things which don't need much power to screw them in. Using an impact driver is risking cracking the sheet and in any case you're just supposed to sink a screw slightly below the surface of the board, not make a hard fastening. For plasterboad get some of these

 

[Triggaaar]

Thanks again for the help guys, much appreciated.

The Mk1 model only had a magnetic receiver....
The Mk 2 has a proper locking receiver to stop this problem.

This is a bit of a naming issue from Bosch IMO. I'd read about the mk2 vs mk1 on the screwfix reviews ("it now has a locking bit holder which is a god send when using hex drive drill bits. The batteries are now 1.3ah (used to be 1ah) and its 20% quicker 500rpm against 400.")

The mk2 is now called: Cordless Screwdriver GSR 10,8 V-LI (here)
and the Cordless Drill/Driver GSR 10,8 V-LI-2 is a similar but different driver, with a conventional keyless chuck (here)

Bigger B&Q branches stock the Hitachi range, so you can get your hands on one first before buying.

Thanks - looked for the hitachi range at screwfix, dm-tools, axminster and others, then eventually found then at amazon. If the bosch and makita versions do the job I think I'd prefer their smaller size, although the Hitachi looks like it has a better balance.

The GSR10.8V-LI(mk2) is an excellent little tool, but make sure if you go for one that it is a mk2. The earlier ones don't have a motor brake which means they run on after the trigger s released.

Thanks, I won't be getting that early version. Not planning to make this an ebay purchase either.

I'm not sure I'd bother with the impact driver. It's really a bit wimpy and as others hae said it won't drive the really big screws which is the real purpose of an impact driver.

This is the thing - I'm concerned you might be right, which is a shame, as it's the drill/driver & impact driver that seem to be coming in the better valuse packages. And while users are very please with the 10.8v impact driver (it's probably surprisingly powerful for it's size), it's not really one thing or the other (balanced driver for delicate work, all the way to the most demanding, or tough impact drvier for the hardest jobs).

Wrong tool, IMHO. Plasterboard screws are short, spindly little things which don't need much power to screw them in. Using an impact driver is risking cracking the sheet and in any case you're just supposed to sink a screw slightly below the surface of the board, not make a hard fastening.

Indeed. I think I'd mostly like the 2 small drill drivers, one with the hex bit holder, and the other with the 10mm chuck - one with a drill bit in, the other a pozi. But unless the right deal comes up I'd still probably go for the drill & impact kit at £140 or less, as I think the 10.8 Hex isn't quite versatile enough for me on it's own (and the chuck version is £135 ish anyway).

PS that makita kit does look nice [/url]

 

[petermillard]

Just to throw in my two-penneth, I've had the Bosch 10.8v stuff for most of this year, having switched from a 12v multi-chuck do everything drill-driver, and am a very happy camper.

I bought the Bosch over the Makita as there were more tools in the range - the cordless multitool and angled driver are very handy to have in the 'go everywhere' stack - but I'm not sure there's that much difference between them, really. And not to be too contentious with only my second post here, but I find impact drivers very useful for occasionally tacking up plasterboard as you can back off the trigger as the screw head starts to sink into the surface and just let the impact 'pulses' drive the screw in slowly to the depth you prefer; nothing to stop you using drywall bits with it as well, of course.:wink: Oh, and personally I find the Bosch impact driver plenty delicate enough for light cabinet work - hinges, catches, latches etc...

One other thing; the 10.8V LI-2 drill/driver (with the conventional keyless chuck) is considerably bigger physically than the 10.8VLI (hex bitholder version) - might make a difference if you're in a tight spot and haven't sprung yet for the angled driver...

As always, try and get your hands on one before you buy. Hope this helps.

Cheers, Pete

 

[ndbrown]

I have the GSR (mk2) with hex bit holder, the GWI angle drill, torch, GSR10.8v LI-2 Drill/driver with chuck and GSR10.8v impact driver. I also have the Makita Li-ion 18v Drill and impact combination for larger jobs.
I bought the 10.8v range for my part time handyman business as I felt that the 18v Makita kit was excellent but overkill for most jobs around the house.
I now find I use the GSR10.8v Li-2 drill 90% of the time as well as the GDR impact driver. They are a really nice size and great around the workshop as well I almost never use the original mk2 GSR screwdriver. I find the drill diver with a trend snappy holder in the chuck is more convenient. The screwdriver just does not have enough revs for drilling anyway. As has been said already, the torch is really good as well. I would recommend the GSR & GDR in a systainer as it's compact and can hold a few other things as well as a spare battery. I cannot speak highly enough of these although I am sure the Makita 10.8v kit is good as well. Remember, also a 3 year warranty with the bosch. Hope this helps
Nigel

 

[Triggaaar]

I find impact drivers very useful for occasionally tacking up plasterboard as you can back off the trigger as the screw head starts to sink into the surface and just let the impact 'pulses' drive the screw in slowly to the depth you prefer

I guess I won't know 'til I try. It's nice to feel how well you've caught the joist, particularly when going through plasterboard + a couple of inches of insulation, but I assume that's easy enough with the impact. Not that it matters, when putting up plasterboard I won't need the LI-2 set up with a drill bit anyway.

Oh, and personally I find the Bosch impact driver plenty delicate enough for light cabinet work - hinges, catches, latches etc...

Interesting, thanks.

One other thing; the 10.8V LI-2 drill/driver (with the conventional keyless chuck) is considerably bigger physically than the 10.8VLI (hex bitholder version) - might make a difference if you're in a tight spot and haven't sprung yet for the angled driver...

Yes it is. I won't ever be able to justify having the angled driver (I'm not a tradesman), although I'm not in a tight spot too often, and can just use a stuby screwdriver.

I have the GSR (mk2) with hex bit holder, the GWI angle drill, torch, GSR10.8v LI-2 Drill/driver with chuck and GSR10.8v impact driver. I also have the Makita Li-ion 18v Drill and impact combination for larger jobs.

Ooo get you

I now find I use the GSR10.8v Li-2 drill 90% of the time as well as the GDR impact driver. They are a really nice size and great around the workshop as well I almost never use the original mk2 GSR screwdriver.

That's about as good advice as I can hope for, thanks.

I would recommend the GSR & GDR in a systainer as it's compact and can hold a few other things as well as a spare battery.

Well you would woudn't you, since that's not the one on offer That's £170 at dm-tools, £150 at axminster without the case, but the makita is £139 with a case (prob no torch option at the moment).

Remember, also a 3 year warranty with the bosch.

Yep, register it online, thanks.

 

[petermillard]

Sorry, forgot to mention one other thing. It's not quite what it was designed for, but you can use the impact driver for drilling e.g. pilot holes (hex-shaft drill bits, obviously); I've done this a few times when I've had something sprung on me ("while you're there with a drill, can you just...") or if I've been too idle to walk down from the fifth floor attic to get the drill that I've foolishly left in the basement... In the same vein, I've also drilled 8mm holes into brick with the Bosch LI-2 - they're tougher than you might think!

An alternative to the impact driver might be to buy the Bosch LI-2 drill driver as a complete package (2 batts and charger) and pick up an LI as a bare unit or second hand off eBay; there's usually a few about as people upgrade - do a search for "Bosch 10.8v" and see??

Hope this helps, cheers, Pete.

 

[Triggaaar]

Thanks for the advice chaps, I've gone for a bosch kit, and bought more than I planned.

I was tempted by the makita kit - it looks great, comes in a nice case, came top of the magazine review (not that I've read it) and it was cheapest (£139, angliantoolcentre)
What pushed me to the bosch was the extra tools available, larger supply of cheap replacement batteries etc, and a reviewer who sent his makita back and got the bosch (maybe he got unlucky with the makita).

I've ended up with the 2 speed drill/driver (and chuck), impact driver, angle drill driver, torch, 3 batteries and case for £250 delivered, which I'm pretty happy with.

Cheers

 

[Harley]

I recently purchased a new Bosch GWI cordless driver, and have to say it seems incredibly well made.

However, one thing I noticed is that after inserting a bit into the spring-loaded holder and 'locking' it into position, there's a good eighth-of-an-inch loose play, i.e. the bits move freely in and out of the holder, and cannot be rigidly 'locked' into the end of the driver.

Maybe this is normal, but it doesn't seem quite right somehow. Has anyone else noticed this?

 

[petermillard]

Welcome. All my bit-holders of this type are the same as yours - a few mm of 'in-out' play on the bit. Not a problem for me, and it certainly doesn't affect the performance of the drill/driver/impactor etc...

Can't remember if the Centrotec chuck displayed this behaviour as well - don't have a Festool drill any more so can't check, but to be honest I really don't see it as an issue at all.

HTH, Pete.

 

[Harley]

Thanks Pete. You're right, it doesn't affect the performance at all and in that respect I'm very pleased with my purchase.

I couldn't find one locally to look at so jumped in and bought it online based on Bosch's reputation. Seems like good value too, especially considering the lithium power.

I just wanted to check that I hadn't got one with a dud 'chuck', and not having been able to get my hands on one locally to compare, the Workshop forums seemed like a really good place to ask. Never been here before - it's a great forum.

Many thanks again for the input.

Harley

 

[skinee]

i h

 

[Triggaaar]

My Bosch drill driver is dying, needs replacing. Might have just been an unlucky one, as otherwise they're nice tools.

i also own the milwaukee compact 12v drill which is comparable in size,i rate the milwaukee even higher than these bosch models

Yeah the Milwaukee looks very nice but it's a lot more expensive.