Exclusive…Bosch PSB 1800 Cordless Combi Drill Review

Bosch have an excellent reputation for making drills and started in the 1950’s…

BUT…are their latest launches suitable for the 21st century?

That’s the aim of this in-depth and independent review. Today we’re looking at the Bosch PSB 1800 Li2 Combi Cordless Hammer Drill

Let’s quickly look at this highlights first:

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Why Bother with this Bosch…?

Whenever you need to drill a lot of holes or drive screws into different materials, a combi drill is almost indispensable.

With it you can easily drill metal or wood, and as you move onto harder materials like brickwork or masonry, with the flip of a switch you are ready to go.

There are dozens of combi drill manufacturers, but few of them are as well-known as Bosch, which was created back in the 1950’s and has a solid reputation due to the high-quality craftsmanship you receive in every product.

What’s in the Box?

Buying a power tool and then realising it doesn’t include what you need can be frustrating.

With the PSB 1800, Bosch have taken care of that worry because they’ve included pretty much everything you will need to start using the tool straight away…

• The drill/driver tool
• Fast charging unit
• Easy to follow instruction manual
• Plastic carrying case
• Two 18-volt Li-ion batteries
• One screwdriver bit

Lithium-ion Batteries

This combi-drill package includes not one, but two batteries.

Their lithium-ion technology means that they have virtually no self-discharge and can be stored for months without losing charge.

Other advantages of Lithium-ion batteries are that they are low maintenance, resist memory effect, and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures without any performance issues.

NiCad batteries can be heavy, which is a big problem when you are using them in a portable tool.

By using Lithium-ion batteries, Bosch have managed to reduce the weight of the drill, making it more comfortable to operate for extended periods of time.

Syneon Chip Technology

This tool has an intelligent electronic control system that Bosch uses in its top-of-the-line products.

This technology controls the performance ratio of the voltage and current that is sent to the motor depending on the power demand.

Having a Syneon Chip will allow this combi drill to operate without overheating and protects the battery against overload, increasing its life expectancy.

Check the Charge Easily

Batteries seem to love to stop working when we are in the middle of an important project. Keeping track of the charge can be now down by using the On/Off switch.

When you press it half-way, the battery charge-control indicator will light up.

It consists of three green LEDs that will turn on continuously if the charge is over 75%. If it is between 50% and 75%, two LEDs will light up. For 26% up to 50%, only one LED will light up, and for less than 25% one LED will flash slowly.

Lightweight But Powerful

The PSB 1800 weight is only 1.3 kilograms, but it has a maximum torque of 38 newton meters, so it is ready to drill and drive screws effortlessly into thick beams.

There are 20 torque settings you can choose from to adjust to your specific task. Fit light fixtures, hooks, cupboards or shelves on walls and ceilings of wood or brick with no problems.

For tougher jobs, use the hammer drill setting and expand the drilling capacity to even the hardest materials.

Excellent Design

Bosch has included a keyless chuck in this tool that enables you to mount a bit in just a few seconds. Changing from one bit to another to drill holes for different sizes couldn’t be easier.

If you need to work in dark or hard-to-see areas, the integrated LED will provide optimum lighting so you can clearly see what you are doing.

An ergonomic handle with a soft grip ensures precision and comfort while working, whether on soft wood or hard concrete.

Check out this review of the Bosch PSB 1800 Hammer Drill Li2 in action.

If you’re not sure about this Bosch drill, check out my other drill review of the Ryobi Brushless combi drill set or the Dewalt DCD796 hammer drill. That one’s a little more pricey though.