Bosch DDS181-02 18-Volt Compact Tough Drill Driver with 2 1.5Ah Batteries
Posted on
January 26th, 2012
by Alan
Bosch DDS181-02 18-Volt Compact Tough Drill Driver with 2 1.5Ah Batteries
- Four-pole high-performance motor for maximum power in the most compact size
- New patented gear train and clutch enables most compact design in its class and lightest weight
- Flexible power system–both DD and HDD are compatible with every 18-volt lithium-ion Bosch battery
- Ergonomic grip zone–small diameter enables better gripping and greater comfort
- Modified orientation relative to handle increases comfort
Ready for heavy-duty drilling applications in materials ranging from wood to metal, the small yet powerful Bosch DDS181-02 Compact Tough 18-volt lithium-ion 1/2-inch drill/driver‘s 7-inch head length is the smallest in its class, yet it delivers top performance. It works with all Bosch 18-volt lithium-ion batteries, and this kit includes two Slim Pack 1.5 Ah HC (high-capacity) batteries. They provide up to 50 percent more runtime over standard lithium-ion batteries and include an electronic ba
List Price: $ 383.00
Price:
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Pocketable Petite Power Packs Punch! Lithium lightness not a luxury!,
Summary: Price, Power, Weight. Pick any two – the Bosch is the no-compromise cordless drill to get if price is not an issue. Lighter weight ideal for extended use, smaller size ideal for smaller hands. Battery packs that you can actually fit in a pocket or tool belt is a big advantage!
Whether you are repairing trim, hanging curtains, fixing the deck or assembling a book shelf, a cordless drill is perhaps THE most useful tool for the average homeowner. I started out ~15 years ago with a 12V Dewalt DW972. I eventually upgraded to a professional grade 12V Dewalt DW980XRP – I stayed with the 12V drill because the 14.4 higher voltage tools were just too heavy to work with for extended times on a ladder. When those batteries eventually started showing their age I bought some consumer grade Black and Decker 18V cordless drills – lighter because of all the plastic in them, but still sturdy enough to stand up to DIY use. In other words, weight can be a big deal.
I gave the DW972 to my sister but still had the other three kicking around (see picture You can see that the Bosch is the smallest of the three and also the lightest. Surprisingly, the B&S PS1800 was a close second in weight, despite the much larger battery. No doubt this is due to the extensive use of plastic in the body as well as the lack of a transmission – there is one medium speed and that’s it. The B&D Firestorm FS1800 was the heaviest, but it comes with a removable chuck for when you want to use it strictly with quick release hex bits.
Bosch DDS181 3.4 lbs
Dewalt DW980 4.95 lbs
B&D PS1800 3.85 lbs
B&D FS1800D 5.41 lbs With chuck)
B&D FS1800D TBD lbs Without chuck)
It would have been completely unfair to compare the 12V Dewalt with the higher powered 18V drills, so I drilled a number of 3/8″ holes in a 2×4 to compare power and speed. The B&D PS1800 was clearly outclassed here due to the single, slower speed. The DDS181 and FS1800 were very close in performance (both set to the higher speed) though I would say the Bosch edged out the Firestorm.
A few days after receiving this drill I checked out the drills at Home Depot. They carry Bosch tools, but no cordless drills. The sale price here on Amazon compares favorably to the almost two hundred price of the comparable Dewalt, even though it is on sale, but I would note that the retail price of all the lithium drills are around the same price point with the retail price of this Bosch about fifty more. One nice thing about the Dewalt is that after you release the trigger, the light stays on for an extra second or two. With the Bosch, as soon as you release the trigger, the light goes out.
Ok, so why would you want to pay so much more for the Bosch over the B&D Firestorm? When you’re up on a stepstool trying to mount blinds, that extra 1.5 lbs starts to get pretty heavy. Also, don’t forget that this has 1/2″ chuck (Althouth the Dewalt 18V are 1/2″, the B&D are 3/8). The smaller size (due to their four pole motor) also makes it easier to get into tight corners. Finally, NiCads and NiMh have self discharge which means if you don’t use it for a month you will have to charge them just before use. Lithium-Ion doesn’t have this problem, which means you’re likely to get better overall battery life compared to the Nicad batteries.
It looks like Bosch also offers this without the high capacity slim batteries (DDS180-02 comes with 1.3 AH batteries) and without the four pole motor (36618-02 You can save some dough by opting for a few less bells and whistles, but if you are looking to spoil yourself, this is the way to go!
Likes:
+ Battery packs fit in pocket
+ LED light
+ “Fuel Gauge” on batteries
+ Belt hook
+ ½” Chuck!!!
Dislikes
– Gear selector is stiff (May loosen up with use)
– Pricey
– No bit holder – very convenient to have a spare bit always on hand
Practical tip – Epoxy a few rare earth magnets to the drill and you have an automatic screw holder!
Disclaimer: I received this item through Amazon Vine. If you have comments or questions or found this review helpful, please let me know!
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|Best drill in its class!,
Customer Video Review Length:: 5:27 Mins
I’ve been searching for the perfect drill to suit my budget and basic needs for almost an entire year now. The Bosch DDS181-02 drill fits the bill! I am not a professional, so my review is from a DIY around the house handyman.
First impressions out of the box. This box is HUGE! It doesn’t include many extras and the box itself has inefficient use of space. However, that is of minor concern considering this will be used for small jobs around the house and in the garage. The drill itself is impressive.
By far the most refined drill I’ve held in the price range. The balance is perfect, the size is compact, and everything is where it should be. The led light is bright and my hands don’t get in the way. The forward/reverse selector is appropriately placed and is easy to switch. The batteries slide in and out very smoothly and include a neat feature to quickly check battery level (has 3 increments). The chuck spins well and clamps without issue. The included belt hook can be placed on either side.
Now on to the areas of improvement. There is no drill bit holder on the drill itself or any sort of level. Cheaper drills often include these features and it would have been a big bonus in my opinion. This particular model comes with 2 1.5 Ah lithium ion batteries that charge in 30 minutes. This is right in the middle of its competitors. Other drills in the same category and price range charge from as fast as 15 minutes to 40+ minutes.
Bosch has multiple variations of this drill with very little differences. I believe this is the best out of the bunch, since the similarly priced Bosch DDS180-02 comes with standard 1.3 Ah batteries that don’t include the charge indicator on the battery. I bought the Hitachi DS18DSAL which is very similar to this drill, but ended up returning it to keep the Bosch. Key differences – Bosch was lighter and more powerful
Bosch DDS181-02
3.4 lbs, 0-1700 rpm, 600lbs torque, 1.5 Ah battery
Hitachi DS18DSAL
3.5 lbs, 0-1500 rpm, 460lbs torque, 1.5 Ah battery
comes with stand alone light and longer warranty 10 year tool 2 year battery
Pros:
+Powerful
+Includes 2 high capacity (1.5 Ah) Lithium ion batteries
+Battery gauge
+Ergonomics
+Balanced weight
+Rubber grip and rubber bumpers all around
+Compact size
Cons:
-Large storage case with inefficient use of space
-Longer charge time than competition
-No bit holder on drill
-No level
Highly recommended!
Update 11/21/2011: Had another weekend session using the drill to mount items on the wall and for assembling some furniture. While these tasks were not very demanding, the battery is still ticking. Not a bar dropped from use. Another great feature I forgot to point out was how much better the chuck is on the Bosch drill. The description mentions it but it does not do it justice. The “Auto-chuck” is advertised as a one handed chuck when changing bits and works really well. I’m sure other high quality drills have a similar feature, but this is new for me. I just slip a bit into the chuck and start twisting. Once the chuck clamps down just enough, there is an audible change and it starts tightening until it’s locked! Drop a comment if you want a video of this and I’ll see what I can do!
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