Small Drill Packs a Punch

Bosch got many things right with their new compact drill. First, it weighs just 3 lb. and is only 71⁄2 in. long, so it’s a great size for furniture making. Plus, with an 18-volt battery and a 1⁄2-in. chuck, it’s capable of heavy-duty work.

 

I was particularly fond of the trigger, which offered superb speed control that made it very easy to drive small screws. A 21-step torque clutch lets you dial in the drill to handle any job, from tough to easy. The drill is easy to hold in any position, and the LED light is properly located to shine on the bit and screw. You can turn on the light without triggering the motor. The drill comes with two 1.5 amp-hour lithium-ion batteries, which had impressive life, but batteries with longer lives between charges (2, 4, and 5 amp-hour) are available.