Bosch Professional18V System Cordless Combo Kit: Combi Drill GSB 18V-21 + Impact Driver GDR 18V-160 (incl. 2x 2.0Ah GBA 18V batteries, AL 1820 CV charger, L-BOXX 136)

As my cordless drill is my most commonly used power tool, and it's starting to show its age, I decided to upgrade from a 'home' drill (also a Bosch) to a 'professional' one, and get an impact driver as well, because I often use the drill as a screwdriver.The kit I bought comes with two batteries and a charger and a case to fit them all, which is convenient since a lot of the 'professional' tools just come as bare units without battery or charger, which is a real pain.The drill seems more powerful than my previous one, but that may be my imagination. In any case, it's definitely power enough for my needs. It looks more robustly built as well. I will update this review when I have had chance to use it on a proper project rather than just trying it out.The impact driver was a new one for me, as I've heard of them, but never owned one until now. This meant that I was puzzled when I started using it to dismantle some racking, as it was unlike my electric screwdrivers or drill-used-as-a-screwdriver. So, impact drivers work by periodically 'hitting' the bit rotationally to give it a quick burst of torque, then releasing it, so it sounds a bit like a hammer drill when it's having to work hard, but the noise comes from rotational beats, rather than axial ones.Once I worked out that the noise was normal, then in use, the impact driver worked well, loosening bolts and screws with little effort, even when they were really tight and difficult to remove by hand.The chuck on the impact driver was convenient meaning that I can just put screwdriver bits in with a simple pull on the chuck ring, and they are held securely until the ring is pulled to release the bit.

I bought these, as my old Green Bosch Drill has sadly lasted beyond its years. the battery in it rigged with LiPo's from a Radio Control Car so its time for a new one.I had a Decking Project to do so the combination of the batteries the charger, along with one drill/screwdriver and impact seemed the job for me.I had some 6 x 70mm Coach screws that I was going to use to build the decking frame with and the impact rattled them in with little or no hesitation, though I did buy the wrong coach screws at first which were 10 x 70mm and it didn't seem to have much problem with them either.The walls of my house are not brick but double-hard concrete. Using the Drill-Driver on hammer action seemed to have no issue with drilling the wall at all.Using the Impact to screw down the deck boards the 2Ah battery that came with the drill appeared to give up after about 200 screws, and perhaps about 40-50 coach screws, so I was quite happy with the battery life. I think a 5Ah battery will be a purchase if I have more projects to do, but the 2Ah supplied seemed to have enough grunt.The included PZ2 bit that came with it, didn't fair too well, with it stripping a number of deck screws and then mangling its own end to bits along with the screws. After this project its going to need replacement. Though, in fairness, it was also used to remove a ton of screws in the old deck as well, not a total disaster.The included L-BOXX system is a good idea, if you have signed up to the Bosch 18V system then you may as well keep everything tidy with the L-BOXX too.This is the first tool in the Bosch Pro 18v system that I have bought - you really have to target a system that uses the same battery, it makes the setup much more useful.Overall Solid tools what you expect from Bosch.

I had wanted an impact driver, the bare pack seemed good value and I had several Bosch batteries & chargers already for other tools. However I did not realise that this item has the new PBA 18V Bosch Battery not the older GBA 18V batteries and chargers I had. The online store accepted my return and refunded without delay. That was appreciated, given that it was my lack of produce knowledge that caused the incorrect order. Be aware of the new PBA battery!

I didn't realise that the Darwin effect has eventually after 25 years of DIY taken effect in my workshop. The only tools that seem to last and stay effective.I had the Hammer / Drill version of this model (which is still going strong 10years later) and wanted to have a separate tool dedicated for screws so I don't have to change bits all the time and also for working on the car. I steered away from the next version up (impact gun) as this is really for wheel nuts and heavy commercial work such as Scaffolding etc and I wanted this to be a versatile tool in the workshop.I bought the Bare version without the battery as I all ready have a spare with my other unit and the charging is so quick that I cant really justify needing more than two batteries.When I opened the box I wondered if I had made the wrong decision, however I am please to say definatly havnet as this has been well used over the last few weeks and I am growing to really like its more compact size and power.So far I have used it to swap the wheels round on our Van (so much quicker and easier) I know it wont do them up to Spec however 160nm will do initially then they need to be properly Torqued up with a calibrated wrench, so no real issue.Around the house and workshop the screws go in so much easier and having the other bosch battery drill for pilot holes etc makes life much more efficient.No regrets.. :-)

Arrived on time and is up for the task.