Bosch 36618-02 Drill/Driver Review

Cordless drills are important to any home improvement task.

In this review, we will look at the Bosch 36618-02 18V cordless drill. Use it to help you decide if this is the right power tool for you.

The Bosch 36618-02 is a powerful and lightweight cordless drill that comes with a set of two batteries. It has a durashield housing, which help make it resistant against wear and tear.

This drill also features 18v batteries that promises to provide up to 35% more runtime compared to other brands.

Some of this home improvement tool's top features include: 

Easy to Use With Smart Features - The Bosch 36618-02 cordless drill driver comes with a variable speed trigger that helps you select the best speed for the job at hand. Another smart feature is its ergonomic design that provides optimum user comfort and control.

LED lighting also provides work surface illumination. This helps make it easier to work in dark or enclosed spaces.

18V Litheon Batteries - One of the best features of this drill is its Bosch 18V batteries. They provide virtually no downtime because they are fully charged in 30 minutes, the batteries will also be at 85% capacity even with just 15 minutes of charging.

The 36618-02’s batteries uses Lithium Ion batteries. It also features Bosch’s ECP technology that help provide maximum cell life, no memory effect, and no self-discharge. The batteries are also up to 1 pound lighter than some of the compact drill batteries in the market.

The lightweight design of the slim pack Bosch batteries also make it ideal for a wide range of jobs. They can also be used with the 18v FatPack. The SlimPack has its weight benefits and the FatPack is going to provide longer runtimes.

Durability - This is another great thing about this Bosch cordless drill drive. It is really durable because it comes with a Durashield Housing, which is constructed using an ABS/Nylon composite.

That mix makes the drill not only durable, but flexible and virtually impenetrable as well. It will not crack easily, even with 10-foot drops.

It also features a unibody construction. There are 3 steel straps that keep the gears, motor, and clutch together. It is what will help keep the drill functioning even after a drop.

Adding to the drill’s durability is its steel-reinforced collar. This protects the nose of the drill and also protects the chuck from breaking off in the even of a fall.

Speed, Torque and a Balanced Design - The Bosch Litheon Drill works at speeds of up to 1,600 RPMs and provides up to 500 in/lbs of torque. This makes the drill ideal for just about any construction job

This cordless compact drill also comes with a single sleeve 1/2 inch chuck that helps facilitate one handed chuck changes. The handle has also been redesigned to help provide comfort and give finger support.

ProVantage - The Bosch 36618-02 Cordless drill driver comes with Bosch’s three year ProVantage Guarantee. With this plan, users are given free battery protection for the first two years and tool and battery replacement for the first year.

A tool repair package is provided for the last two years of the Provantage Guarantee contract.

What Others Are Saying

The 36618-02 drill from Bosch has received a lot of positive feedback from users. In Amazon alone, 80% of those who reviewed it gave it a 5 out of 5 rating. Here are some of the things Amazon users had to say.

“This drill is really amazing.”

“This is definitely the best Cordless drill I have ever owned!”

“This compact cordless drill has received a lot of great user reviews from those who have bough in Amazon. Nearly 80% of users have given it a 5 Star rating. Here are some of the things they had to say.”

“Powerful. Keyless chuck is of high quality.”

“Great drill! I am Contractor and currently own the 36v Bosch litheon drill (Dewalt XRP before that), but I got tired of using it for smaller projects like hanging doors and installing cabinets due to it's bulky size and weight. I now find myself using this drill for everything.”

“Used it to build 4 picnic tables from Rockler plans in a college class. Four work crews, 3 days, hundred of screws in green treated lumber, one charge.”

“I've been a fan of Bosch cordless drills for over 20 years now. And this is the best yet. I've had one at home for the past 6 months or so, and insisted to my boss that I needed one at work too.”

“Perfect ergonomics.”

“Best drill I've ever owned. Amazon got it to me on time and I've already put it to much use.”

“I like the batteries: compared to other battery-powered hand drills, they don't overpower the drill: they are thin, light, yet hold a good long charge."

Disadvantages

One disadvantage pointed out by people who have used this drill has to do with the LED light. Many users thought that they had no need for the future, but once they started using it, they found it to be very handy.

Their only complaint is that the light should turn on before the drill starts so you can position it right.

But, it still works fine and most users do not mind the light not turning on at the start. Plus, it has been designed as power saving technique, without it, the drill can be left on for longer periods of time.

Another issue pointed out by one user is that the drill had issues working with 3 inch screws. This, however is just a result of not using the right speed.

Keep in mind that the drill has a variable speed trigger so you need to choose the right speed for the right job.

How Much Is It?

This 36618-02 drill sells for nearly $400 in some retailers, but it is sold around 50% less than in Amazon. This drill is also available direct from the Bosch website, but the discount is still much better with Amazon.

Product Specs

Shipping Weight: 10.8 pounds

Voltage: 18

Battery Cell Type: Lithium Ion

Power Source: Battery Powered

What’s in the Box?

- Drill/Driver

- 2 Litheon Batter Slimpack

- 30 minute charger

- Double Ended Bit

- Carrying Case

Where Can I Get More Information?

You can get more information on the Bosch 36618-02 drill from the Amazon. You could also visit the Bosch official website for more details.