Got some serious drilling to do? Turn to Bosch's newest cordless drill
Written: Apr 17 '05 (Updated Apr 18 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Accurate speed control, High quality, and durable.
Cons: Pricey and hefty.
The Bottom Line: I would definitely recommend the Bosch Brute. It's a quality tool that has few disappointments.
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| cmiamt's Full Review: Bosch 18-Volt Brute Tough Drill/Driver 33618 |
I work for a major U.S. airline carrier, and I'm assigned at the hanger doing scheduled maintenance on our airplanes. In the ten years I've worked for my employer we have used Makita, DeWalt, and Milwaukee cordless drills. Since we are a 24-hour operation, our cordless drills are always in constant use. Just the other week the last of our Milwaukee drills went to cordless drill heaven, and the vendor we purchase our equipment from loaned us a batch of Bosch 18-volt Brute cordless drills.
Our Brute came with the side handle, and its own large plastic carrying case. The case has lots of room for two battery packs, charger, accessories, and even has a storage box for your driver bits (3 x 4 inches), which slides into its own recess in the case so it doesn't bounce around inside. From a glance the Bosch Brute screams, "I do only industrial work!"
Here are the technical features of the Bosch 18-Volt Brute Tough Drill/Driver 33618:
Uses Nickel-Cadmium batteries which last 2.4 hours. Life expectancy of one Ni-Cad pack is 500-1000 charging cycles.
Rapid 1-hour battery charger
Keyless Chuck with automatic lock
15 Clutch Settings
High and low gear shifting
Built-in Bit storage slot in handle
Tether Hook (Optional accessory)
Rubberized Grip
Forward/Reversing Lever & Locking trigger
Variable Speed trigger switch
Fully ventilated; has removable brush covers, makes brush replacement simple.
Bosch Brute drilling parameters:
Maximum chuck size: 0.5 inches
Screw size: #14 x 4 inches
Mild metal: 5/8 inches
Hard wood: 1-5/8 inches
Soft wood: 2 inches
Electrical parameters:
Voltage rating: 120~60hz
Battery pack model: BAT025 & BAT026
Field Test
In my line of work, our cordless drills are mostly subjected to being used for removing fasteners/screws. For example we have scheduled inspections for the cargo holds in our planes, which involve removing aluminum floor panels, side wall liners, and bulkhead panels. So we are removing hundred of screws. The first time out, I found the weight of the Brute to be annoying. I joked that I needed to get in shape or I am weak. But I soon got acclimated to the weight, and was handling the Brute like a pro. The Bosch Brute has slight upward angle built into it, this helps lessen fatigue, and takes the stress off your entire arm. As compared to other drills where you have to hold your arm straight and stiff.
The keyless chuck works smoothly tightening down around the screwdriver or drill bit. You know you have it tight when you get an audible click from the chuck, and it doesn't take much force to unlock the chuck either. The Forward and reversing switch is in easy reach of the thumb and index finger; center the switch, and this keeps the trigger from being depress. This comes in handy if you had your Brute in a tool bag, and some other tool pressed the trigger draining your battery. Switching from High to Low torque is an expression of fine precision when you use the Gear shifter, there is no "clunk", just a "click". However what sets the Bosch Brute apart from the rest, and to me clearly speaks quality. Is its Variable Speed Trigger. In the aviation world a power drill with a sensitive trigger, is called a "Teasing trigger." The Bosch Brute has a very sensitive teasing trigger. With this kind of accurate control, it allows you to drill without having to center punch the material you are drilling. You softly pull on the trigger to get the drill to bite, and slowly increase speed. The Brute does this even better than the Dotco or Sioux air drills I use for sheet metal work!
The Adjustable Clutch has 15 positions to select from. In aviation everything has to be torqued correctly. When it comes to installing fasteners, the final tightening has to be done by hand with a torque wrench. The Bosch Brute was a lifesaver on the wrist when it came to installing fasteners. I set it to the breaking torque, that made it possible where it took only two turns with the torque wrench to torque the screw correctly. After several days of use, I told our guy in tool crib that we should get the Bosch Brute.
Final Verdict
Although the Bosch Brute is extremely expensive. I have used Bosch products in other industrial jobs I have held in my life, and I can say from experience Bosch products are the best. The Brute is another fine addition to Bosch's line of power tools, and it will be great addition to anyone's toolbox.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
cmiamt
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Member: Victor
Location: Harmon, Guam
Reviews written: 20
Trusted by: 2 members
About Me:
Happiness is hearing the laughter of your children.
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