Cordless SDS drill guide – buyer’s advice
A cordless SDS drill is an investment – there’s no doubt about it. Read more
This month’s Top 5 cordless SDS drills
Looking for a cordless SDS drill? Check out the most popular drills on our site Read more
Bosch GBH 18 V-LI 18 Volt Lithium-Ion Rotary SDS Hammer Drill
Pick up a Bosch 18 V-LI and instantly you’ll be impressed at how light it is. As with their innovative 36 Volt model, the GBH 36 V-LI, Bosch have excelled at producing a really compact cordless SDS drill. 18V drills are all about being lightweight, allowing you to move quickly between jobs and Bosch have met this need perfectly. And with the new generation of Lithium-Ion batteries you can work for longer without interruption.
Drilling power
With high quality components and an impact energy of 1.7 Joules, Bosch have given the GBH 18 V-LI more than enough power to tackle tough demanding joinery and building work. It’s a two mode drill so there’s no rotary stop for chiselling ¬– but to be honest this compact machine is clearly designed for rapid drilling, which it does brilliantly.
• Impact energy: 0 – 1,7 J
• Impact rate at rated speed: 0 – 4.550 bpm
• Max drilling diameter in concrete 4 – 18 mm; steel 13 mm; wood 20 mm
• Optimum range of applications in concrete with hammer drill bits: 4 – 10 mm.
Anti-vibration
| Hammer drilling in concrete | |
| Vibration emission value ah | 16,0 m/s² |
| Uncertainty K | 1,5 m/s² |
Drill weight
Weight including battery: 2,6 kg
Battery type and performance
This is where you get most value for money. Bosch have really gone to town with their Lithium-Ion batteries. You get up to 400% longer lifetime and unbeatable battery runtime; Bosch Electronic Cell Protection (ECP) protects the battery against overloading, overheating and total discharge and Bosch Electronic Motor Protection (EMP) guards the motor against overloading and prolongs lifetime
• In addition, Bosch offer you a choice of 18-volt batteries with 3.0, 2.6, 1.3 Ah so you can choose a power source that fits the type of work you’re likely to use the drill for
• Bosch Hyper Charge: these Li-ion battery are charged to 75% after just half of the charge time
• There’s also no memory effect so if you don’t have time to fully recharge the battery you can use it without worrying about any damage.
Chuck type
SDS-plus for quick switching between SDS drill bits
Number of drilling modes
2 modes. The GBH 18 V-LI is not designed for chiseling work, it’s more about hopping between drilling jobs putting plenty of holes into tricky places at maximum speed.
Other features worth mentioning
• 3 year manufacturer warranty – but you must register online
• Integrated LED light for illuminating the work area, even in dark places
• The batteries have a handy charge level indicator which constantly shows how much energy is left in the battery.
Includes:
Please check with each retailer but a typical Bosch GBH 18 V–LI package includes:
• 2 x 3.0 Ah lithium-ion batteries
• Quick Charger AL 3640 CV
• Auxiliary handle
• Depth stop 210 mm
• L-Boxx.
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36V cordless SDS drill – buyer’s guide
If you love your powertools, it doesn’t get better than a 36V cordless SDS drill. Read more
Hitachi DH36DAL 36V cordless SDS drill
It’s no surprise to us that the Hitachi DH36DAL 36V SDS drill is one of the best around. Read more
Bosch GBH 36 V-LI Cordless SDS Plus Hammer
There’s no doubt that this is one of the best cordless SDS drills out there. Using innovative Bosch Lithium Ion technology the GBH 36 V-LI is faster than a comparable corded drill with up to 40% higher drilling progress than 24V Cordless SDS models, yet still a handy and versatile size and weight. Being a cordless SDS drill, the GBH V-LI is ideal for working outdoors. It adapts to chiseling mode easily and delivers 3.0 joules for both drilling and chiseling.
Note: the GBH 36 V-LI is essentially the same drill as the GBH 36 VF-LI but does not include a quick change chuck for drilling wood and metal
Drilling power
The Bosch GBH 36 V-LI provides a staggering 3.0 Joules of impact energy, matching any 36V SDS drill on the market. This means it can drill 195 holes (6 × 40mm) into concrete on one battery charge. It has a pneumatic hammer mechanism which, Bosch claims, makes it is as fast as any 2kg corded drill
• 36V cordless SDS drill
• 600W rated power input
• Maximum drilling capacity: (diameter) Concrete – 26mm, Steel – 13mm, Wood – 30mm
• No load speed 0 – 1,500 rpm
• Blows per minute: 0-4,850bpm
Anti-vibration
Vibration emission value ah – 20,0 m/s² Uncertainty K 1,5 m/s²
Drill weight and length
We’ve recently reviewed the lightweight GBH 36V-LI Compact Professional which weighs a mere 2.9kg. The GBH 36 V-LI is a heavier drill at 4.3kg. This is about average for 36V corded SDS drills which means that it’s light enough to work with for sustained periods. The length of the drill is 367 mm again fairly similar to the 36V Makita and DeWalt. However if weight is a primary consideration e.g. if you do lots of overhead drilling the Compact 36V Bosch might be the one for you.
Battery type and performance
The GBH 36 V-LI drill uses the latest Bosch Li-Ion Compact batteries. This includes their patented Unique Electronic Cell Protection (ECP) which protects the battery against overloading, overheating and complete discharge. In their marketing, Bosch claim that their Li-Ion batteries will provide 400% increased lifetime and unbeatable battery running time. Bosch Hyper Charge ensures the batteries are charged to 75% after just half of the charge time. There’s also no memory effect: the battery can be charged regardless of the charging state at any time, without damaging the cells
Safety clutch The clutch on this cordless SDS drill forces the chuck to slip if the torque goes beyond a stipulated point, causing the drill to cease rotating.
Chuck type
SDS Plus
Number of drilling modes 3 modes: rotation only, hammering with rotation, or hammering only (with chiseling function)
Other features worth mentioning
Remember all Bosch SDS drills come with a 3 year warranty if you register them within 4 weeks at www.boschpowertools.co.uk.
• Fuel gauge – for charge control
• Large rubberised grip area – for improved handling
Includes: (Note this varies according to each retailer – see websites for details)
• Quick Charger AL 3640 CV
• 2 x 2.6 Ah Li-Ion batteries
• Auxiliary handle
• Depth stop 210mm
• Carrying case Similar Bosch SDS Drills TBC
Similar 36V cordless SDS drills from other brands: TBC
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