CORDLESS

Best Buy drills for the odd job and more advanced DIY projects, plus our experts top ten drilling tips

How we test

We test drills endurance by drilling and screwdriving in wood and metal for around 33 hours. This is the equivalent of about ten years of DIY use.

Hidden drill costs

Ryobis One+ tool range shares batteries and chargers, so the drills are often sold without them. The CDI 1803M is 93 for the drill only, while the other Ryobi prices are for packages.

Drilling tips video

test lab

DRILLS

DIY expert Roger Bisby from www. selfbuilder.net demonstrates his top ten tips for drilling in our new video. Go to www.which. co.uk/drillingtips to see Roger in action.

COMBINATION DRILL

Bosch Psb 18 Li-2 136
Which? test score 77% PROS This Bosch is easy to use, excellent when drilling through sandstone and wood and pretty good when put to work against metal. Its also excellent when driving screws into pine and steel. Its reasonable when hammer-drilling concrete and excellent when screwdriving. CONS Only comes with one battery two would be more helpful when DIYing. Which.co.uk target online price 97 Cheapest high street store B&Q Also available Argos, Axminster, Homebase, online and independents

Ryobi Cdi 1803M One+ 93

Which? test score 77% PROS Hammer-drilling through concrete is outstanding with this Ryobi, as is rotary drilling through sandstone and wood. Drilling metal is good and screwdriving is excellent through metal and wood. CONS At close to 3kg, the Ryobi is around 1kg heavier than average. Batteries and a charger are sold separately and cost around 130. Which.co.uk target online price 82 Cheapest high street store Screwfix Also available Amazon, B&Q, online and independents

HITACHI DV18DSL 300

Which? test score 76% PROS Outstanding battery life means that in our tests we were able to drill over 100 holes in sandstone on a full charge. Rotary drilling and screwdriving are impressive. Its also good at drilling holes in steel. At 1.85kg, its more than 1kg lighter than the Ryobi CDI 1803M One+. CONS This Hitachi doesnt come cheap and hammer-drilling is only reasonable. Which.co.uk target online price 240 Cheapest high street store Screwfix Also available B&Q, online and independents

DRILL DRIVER

TOP 10 DRILLING TIPS
Black & Decker is one of the biggest names in DIY, but our new cordless drills test has revealed that one of its combination drills cant handle concrete as well as many other models can, and its drill driver scored the lowest of all those we tested. In our tests, we tried to drill 50mm-deep holes in concrete with four different sizes of drill bit. The Black & Decker EPC188 hardly broke the surface three out of our four drill bits only managed to drill 3mm down, while the fourth stopped at 8mm. The Bosch PSR 14.4 Li and the PSR 10.8 Li drill drivers also failed to impress drilling speeds are too low. By contrast, the Best Buy Ryobi CDI 1803M One+ (93) was powerful enough to drill deep holes in concrete and was quicker than any other drill we tested. Hundreds of you contacted us asking us to test cordless power drills. In response, weve tested combination drills, and drill drivers from leading brands for this issue of Which?.

expert VIEW

Before drilling, check for pipes and cables.
Above, below and either side of a switch or socket are no-go areas. Check battery/charger costs if they arent included with your drill they can be more than you paid for the whole kit. On hard materials, stop the bit overheating by regularly withdrawing. When drilling downwards, pull the drill out regularly to clear dust and prevent jamming. Dont plunge tungsten tipped bits into water to cool them it cracks the weld. Most brickwork can be drilled with a rotary bit without hammer action. Choose the right drill bit for the job. Dont select hammer action for rotary bits. Avoid cheap drill bits they could cause your drill to work harder than it should. If the drill starts to smell hot, remove it from the hole and run it full speed to cool the motor.

hammer harder

You wont need an electric screwdriver with a Best Buy cordless drill all of our Best Buys can handle this task. Combination drills have a hammer action for penetrating hard, dense surfaces and also offer rotary drilling and screwdriving. Drill drivers dont have the hammer action. If you only need a drill for hanging pictures or assembling furniture, a drill driver will be fine (Best Buys start at 93 without battery/charger). But if you think you might end up drilling outside, go for a combination drill the hammer action will help to puncture harder surfaces like concrete fence posts or paving slabs. Youll find a selection of the best and worst scoring drills weve tested in the table on p50.
RYOBI LCDI 18022 One+ 165
Which? test score 76% PROS Rotary drilling into sandstone and wood is excellent and drilling in metal is good. You get reasonable results when hammer drilling concrete. Its very easy to use and quickly drove home all of our test screws to the required depths, even with the largest screws. CONS The LCDI 18022 One+ is not as good at drilling through concrete in hammer mode as the CDI 1803M. Which.co.uk target online price 165 Cheapest high street store n/a Also available online and independents

www.which.co.uk

photographY by: piotr gregorczyk, john trenholm

AEG BSB18GLi 95

Which? test score 74% PROS Rotary drilling is excellent, particularly when drilling through sandstone and wood. Metal drilling is good and its reasonable when using the hammer function to drill concrete. Its excellent when driving screws home quickly and effectively into wood and it also does a great job with steel. CONS The battery life for the AEG BSB18GLI is a little on the low side for a Li-ion battery. Which.co.uk target online price 95 Cheapest high street store n/a Also available online and independents

MAKITA BDF 343rh 140

Which? test score 79% PROS This drill driver does a great job of rotary drilling in sandstone, is good in wood and reasonable in metal. Its also good in screwdriving mode on test, all of the screws were driven in to the required depths and it managed this quickly. CONS Battery life is on the low side in our tests we drilled 40 holes the Hitachi DV18DSL managed 111. Which.co.uk target online price 140 Cheapest high street store n/a Also available online and independents

May 2011 | 49

more For our full cordless drills review go to www.which.co.uk/drills. Here youll for find details of the 22 drills weve tested, including all 11 Best Buys. Alternatively, for help with you choosing the right one for you, call us on (Mon-Fri 8.30am-6pm, Sat 9am-1pm).

48 | May 2011

ROGER BISBY
DIY and drills expert www.selfbuilder.net

Battery life

The Hitachi DV18DSL can sink 111 holes on a full charge and 34 after a quick charge. The Black & Decker EPC 14 only manages 32 on a full-charge and just one after a quick charge.

Battery types

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are becoming more common and provide the best energy storage available for cordless drills versus Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) batteries.

Torque settings

The torque setting needed depends on the surface youre driving screws into. Get the setting right, and the drill will stop when the screw is flush with the surface.
RYOBI LCD 18022B One+ 150
Which? test score 79% PROS This Ryobi drill driver is a good all-rounder all drilling results were impressive and screwdriving is excellent. Its easy to use. CONS There are other Best Buy drills with larger battery capacities. Which.co.uk target online price 150 Cheapest high street store B&Q, Screwfix Also available online and independents

Specification

METABO BS14.4 LT 260
Which? test score 77% PROS Drilling in sandstone is a strength and this Metabo is also good when put to work against wood and metal. Its good in screwdriver mode as well. CONS Battery life could be better. Which.co.uk target online price 260 Cheapest high street store n/a Also available online and independents

METABO BS18 Li 200

Which? test score 77% PROS This Metabo drill driver is excellent when drilling sandstone and good with wood and metal. Screwdriving is also good. CONS The Hitachi DV18DSL drills more holes on a full charge. Which.co.uk target online price 200 Cheapest high street store n/a Also available online and independents

Which? Test Performance

one t ng i ndsll i sa dr nce ra u y end er tt ife ba l S core se ea se u f o mmer a i ng h l il dr ue q t ori ngs tt y se t er t pe ba ty
a rs ge G) (k t h ) ig (v We a ge ) lt ( vo i ce Pr

ood w i ng l il dr

w i scre ng iv dr l ta mei ng l il dr
Combination Drills 1 Bosch PSB 18 Li-Ryobi CDI 1803M One+ (drill only) 3 Hitachi DV18DSL 4 Ryobi LCDI 18022 One+ 5 AEG BSB18GLi 6 Black & Decker EPC188 Drill Drivers 7 Makita BDF 343RH 8 Ryobi LCD 18022B One+ 9 Metabo BS14.4 LT 10 Metabo BS18 Li 11 Bosch PSR 14.4 Li 12 Black & Decker EPCBosch PSR 10.8 Li 14 Black & Decker EPC55 14.14.14.10.8 14.4 1.4 1.1.6 1.2 1.1.1 Li-ion Li-ion Li-ion Li-ion Li-ion NiCd Li-ion NiCd n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a HHHHH HHHH HHHH HHHH HHH HHHH HHH HHH HHHHH HHHHH HHHHH HHHHH 48 HHHH HHHHH HHHH H HH H HH HHHH HHHH HHH HHHH HHH 1.1.1.9 1.2 Li-ion NiCd Li-ion Li-ion Li-ion NiCd HHH HHH HHH HHH H HHHHH HHHHH HHHH HHHHH HHHHH HHHHH HHHH HHHHH HHHH HH HHHH HHHHH HHHHH HHHH HHH HHH HHH HHHHH HHHH HHHHH HHH HHHHH HHHHH HHHHH HHHH HHHHH

HHHH HHHHH HHHHH HHHH HHHH HHHHH HHH HHH HHHH HHHH HHHH HHH
HHHH HHHHH HHHH HHHHH HHHHH
HHHHH HHHHH HHHH HHHHH HHHH HHHHH HHHH HHHHH HHHH H HH H HH HHH HHH HH HHH HHHH HHHHH HHHH HHH HH HH HH HHHHH HHHH HHHHH HHHHH HHH HHH

HHHHH HHHHH 49

test ratings for 22 power drills can be accessed on our members website at www.which.co.uk/drills

Using the table

Price see p25

Test performance

Hammer drilling We drill 50mm holes in
concrete with different sized drill bits. holes deep enough and drilled quickly, drill couldnt penetrate concrete. Sandstone, wood and metal drilling We drill 30mm holes in sandstone, 40mm holes in wood and 5mm holes in steel all with 6mm drill bits. Screwdriving We screw three
different sizes of screws into wood, and one size into steel. Endurance Drills on test simulate ten years of use by repeatedly drilling and screwdriving. Ease of use A DIY expert panel assess how easy it is to handle the drills and carry out work, as well as charge and change the batteries.
Ignores price and is based on: Drilling 30% Ease of use 30% Screwdriving 20% Battery life10% Endurance10%

50 | May 2011

Entsorgung

Elektrowerkzeuge, Akkus, Zubehr und Verpackungen sollen einer umweltgerechten Wiederverwertung zugefhrt werden. Werfen Sie Elektrowerkzeuge und Akkus/Batterien nicht in den Hausmll! Nur fr EU-Lnder: Gem der Europischen Richtlinie 2002/96/EG ber Elektro- und Elektronik-Altgerte und ihrer Umsetzung in nationales Recht mssen nicht mehr gebrauchsfhige Elektrowerkzeuge getrennt gesammelt und einer umweltgerechten Wiederverwertung zugefhrt werden. Nur fr EU-Lnder: Gem der Richtlinie 2006/66/EG mssen defekte oder verbrauchte Akkus/Batterien recycelt werden. Nicht mehr gebrauchsfhige Akkus/Batterien knnen direkt abgegeben werden bei: Deutschland Recyclingzentrum Elektrowerkzeuge Osteroder Landstrae Kalefeld Schweiz Batrec AG 3752 Wimmis BE

nderungen vorbehalten.

Transport
Versenden Sie Akkus nur, wenn das Gehuse unbeschdigt ist. Kleben Sie offene Kontakte ab und verpacken Sie den Akku so, dass er sich nicht in der Verpackung bewegt. Beim Versand von Li-Ionen-Akkus kann eine Kennzeichnungspflicht entstehen, bitte beachten Sie dazu die nationalen Vorschriften.
OBJ_BUCH-1196-001.book Page 10 Tuesday, April 27, 2010 12:57 PM

10 | English

General Power Tool Safety Warnings
WARNING Read all safety warnings and all instructions. Failure to follow the warnings and instructions may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury.
Save all warnings and instructions for future reference. The term power tool in the warnings refers to your mains-operated (corded) power tool or battery-operated (cordless) power tool.
When operating a power tool outdoors, use an extension cord suitable for outdoor use. Use of a cord suitable for outdoor use reduces the risk of electric shock. If operating a power tool in a damp location is unavoidable, use a residual current device (RCD) protected supply. Use of an RCD reduces the risk of electric shock.

Personal safety

Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating a power tool. Do not use a power tool while you are tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication. A moment of inattention while operating power tools may result in serious personal injury. Use personal protective equipment. Always wear eye protection. Protective equipment such as dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection used for appropriate conditions will reduce personal injuries. Prevent unintentional starting. Ensure the switch is in the off-position before connecting to power source and/or battery pack, picking up or carrying the tool. Carrying power tools with your finger on the switch or energising power tools that have the switch on invites accidents. Remove any adjusting key or wrench before turning the power tool on. A wrench or a key left attached to a rotating part of the power tool may result in personal injury. Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. This enables better control of the power tool in unexpected situations. Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewellery. Keep your hair, clothing and gloves away from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewellery or long hair can be caught in moving parts.

Work area safety

Keep work area clean and well lit. Cluttered or dark areas invite accidents. Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases or dust. Power tools create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes. Keep children and bystanders away while operating a power tool. Distractions can cause you to lose control.

Electrical safety

Power tool plugs must match the outlet. Never modify the plug in any way. Do not use any adapter plugs with earthed (grounded) power tools. Unmodified plugs and matching outlets will reduce risk of electric shock. Avoid body contact with earthed or grounded surfaces, such as pipes, radiators, ranges and refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electric shock if your body is earthed or grounded. Do not expose power tools to rain or wet conditions. Water entering a power tool will increase the risk of electric shock. Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord for carrying, pulling or unplugging the power tool. Keep cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges and moving parts. Damaged or entangled cords increase the risk of electric shock.
OBJ_BUCH-1196-001.book Page 11 Tuesday, April 27, 2010 12:57 PM
English | 11 If devices are provided for the connection of dust extraction and collection facilities, ensure these are connected and properly used. Use of dust collection can reduce dustrelated hazards.
Battery tool use and care
Recharge only with the charger specified by the manufacturer. A charger that is suitable for one type of battery pack may create a risk of fire when used with another battery pack. Use power tools only with specifically designated battery packs. Use of any other battery packs may create a risk of injury and fire. When battery pack is not in use, keep it away from other metal objects, like paper clips, coins, keys, nails, screws or other small metal objects, that can make a connection from one terminal to another. Shorting the battery terminals together may cause burns or a fire. Under abusive conditions, liquid may be ejected from the battery; avoid contact. If contact accidentally occurs, flush with water. If liquid contacts eyes, additionally seek medical help. Liquid ejected from the battery may cause irritation or burns.

Power tool use and care

Do not force the power tool. Use the correct power tool for your application. The correct power tool will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it was designed. Do not use the power tool if the switch does not turn it on and off. Any power tool that cannot be controlled with the switch is dangerous and must be repaired. Disconnect the plug from the power source and/or the battery pack from the power tool before making any adjustments, changing accessories, or storing power tools. Such preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting the power tool accidentally. Store idle power tools out of the reach of children and do not allow persons unfamiliar with the power tool or these instructions to operate the power tool. Power tools are dangerous in the hands of untrained users. Maintain power tools. Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage of parts and any other condition that may affect the power tools operation. If damaged, have the power tool repaired before use. Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained power tools. Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly maintained cutting tools with sharp cutting edges are less likely to bind and are easier to control. Use the power tool, accessories and tool bits etc. in accordance with these instructions, taking into account the working conditions and the work to be performed. Use of the power tool for operations different from those intended could result in a hazardous situation.

Have your power tool serviced by a qualified repair person using only identical replacement parts. This will ensure that the safety of the power tool is maintained.
Safety Warnings for Drills and Screwdriver
Hold power tool by insulated gripping surfaces, when performing an operation where the cutting accessory or fastener may contact hidden wiring. Cutting accessory and fasteners contacting a live wire may make exposed metal parts of the power tool live and could give the operator an electric shock. Use appropriate detectors to determine if utility lines are hidden in the work area or call the local utility company for assistance. Contact with electric lines can lead to fire and electric shock. Damaging a gas line can lead to explosion. Penetrating a water line causes property damage or may cause an electric shock.
OBJ_BUCH-1196-001.book Page 12 Tuesday, April 27, 2010 12:57 PM
12 | English Switch off the power tool immediately when the tool insert jams. Be prepared for high reaction torque that can cause kickback. The tool insert jams when: the power tool is subject to overload or it becomes wedged in the workpiece. Hold the machine with a firm grip. High reaction torque can briefly occur while driving in and loosening screws. Secure the workpiece. A workpiece clamped with clamping devices or in a vice is held more secure than by hand. Keep your workplace clean. Blends of materials are particularly dangerous. Dust from light alloys can burn or explode. Do not open the battery. Danger of shortcircuiting. Protect the battery against heat, e. g., against continuous intense sunlight, fire, water, and moisture. Danger of explosion. In case of damage and improper use of the battery, vapours may be emitted. Provide for fresh air and seek medical help in case of complaints. The vapours can irritate the respiratory system. Use the battery only in conjunction with your Bosch power tool. This measure alone protects the battery against dangerous overload. Use only original Bosch batteries with the voltage listed on the nameplate of your power tool. When using other batteries, e. g. imitations, reconditioned batteries or other brands, there is danger of injury as well as property damage through exploding batteries.
Additional Safety and Working Instructions
Dusts from materials such as lead-containing coatings, some wood types, minerals and metal can be harmful to ones health and cause allergic reactions, lead to respiratory infections and/or cancer. Materials containing asbestos may only be worked by specialists. Provide for good ventilation of the working place. It is recommended to wear a P2 filterclass respirator. Observe the relevant regulations in your country for the materials to be worked. Before any work on the machine (e. g., maintenance, tool change, etc.) as well as during transport and storage, set the rotational direction switch to the centre position. Unintentional actuation of the On/Off switch can lead to injuries. The battery is supplied partially charged. To ensure full battery capacity, completely charge the battery in the battery charger before using for the first time. Read the operating instructions of the battery charger. Apply the power tool to the screw only when it is switched off. Rotating tool inserts can slip off. Adjust the gear switch only when the machine is at a complete stop. If the gear switch cannot be pushed to the stop, turn the drill chuck a little. The battery charge-control indicator indicates the charge condition of the battery for a few seconds when the On/Off switch is pressed half or fully through. It consists of a three-colour illuminating LED. LED Continuous lighting, green Continuous lighting, orange Continuous lighting, red Flashing light, red Capacity 66% 3366% 1133% 11%

OBJ_BUCH-1196-001.book Page 13 Tuesday, April 27, 2010 12:57 PM

English | 13

Symbols
The following symbols are important for reading and understanding the operating instructions. Please take note of the symbols and their meaning. The correct interpretation of the symbols will help you to use the machine in a better and safer manner. Symbol Meaning PSR 10,8 LI-2: Cordless Drill/Driver Grey-marked area: Handle (insulated gripping surface) Symbol Meaning Article number
Read all safety warnings and all instructions Movement direction
Before any work on the machine itself, remove the battery Reaction direction

Right/left rotation

Drilling

Low speed

High speed
Switching On U nRated voltage No-load speed (2. gear) Metal Drilling diameter, max. Chuck clamping range LwA K Sound power level Uncertainty LpA ah nM
Switching Off No-load speed (1. gear) Maximum torque according to ISO 5393 Wood Max. screw dia. Weight according to EPTA-Procedure 01/2003 Sound pressure level Vibrational emission value

Delivery Scope

Cordless Drill/Driver. Battery, application tools and other accessories shown or described are not part of the standard delivery scope. A complete overview of accessories can be found in our accessories program.

Intended Use

The machine is intended for driving in and loosening screws as well as for drilling in wood, metal, ceramic and plastic.
OBJ_BUCH-1196-001.book Page 14 Tuesday, April 27, 2010 12:57 PM

14 | English

Technical Data
The technical data of the machine are listed in the Table on page 96. Please observe the article number on the type plate of your machine. The trade names of the individual machines may vary.
Noise/Vibration Information
The measured values of the machine are listed in the table on page 96. Noise and vibrational values (vector sum of three directions) determined according to EN 60745. The vibration emission level given in this information sheet has been measured in accordance with a standardised test given in EN 60745 and may be used to compare one tool with another. It may be used for a preliminary assessment of exposure. The declared vibration emission level represents the main applications of the tool. However if the tool is used for different applications, with different accessories or poorly maintained, the vibration emission may differ. This may significantly increase the exposure level over the total working period. An estimation of the level of exposure to vibration should also take into account the times when the tool is switched off or when it is running but not actually doing the job. This may significantly reduce the exposure level over the total working period. Identify additional safety measures to protect the operator from the effects of vibration such as: maintain the tool and the accessories, keep the hands warm, organisation of work patterns.

Declaration of Conformity
We declare under our sole responsibility that the product described under Technical Data is in conformity with the following standards or standardization documents: EN 60745 according to the provisions of the directives 2004/108/EC, 2006/42/EC. Technical file at: Robert Bosch GmbH, PT/ESC, D-70745 Leinfelden-Echterdingen Dr. Egbert Schneider Senior Vice President Engineering Dr. Eckerhard Strtgen Head of Product Certification

Mounting and Operation

Action Removing the Battery Inserting the Battery Mounting application tools Reversing the Rotational Direction Setting the Torque Selecting the drilling position Gear Selection, Mechanical Switching On and Off Selecting accessories Figure Page 100
OBJ_BUCH-1196-001.book Page 15 Tuesday, April 27, 2010 12:57 PM

English | 15

Maintenance and Cleaning
For safe and proper working, always keep the machine and ventilation slots clean.
Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands Robert Bosch Australia Pty. Ltd. Power Tools Locked Bag 66 Clayton South VIC 3169 Customer Contact Center Inside Australia: Phone: +61 (01300) Fax: +61 (01300) Inside New Zealand: Phone: +64 (0800) Fax: +64 (0800) Outside AU and NZ: Phone: +61 (03) www.bosch.com.au Republic of South Africa Customer service Hotline: +27 (011) Gauteng BSC Service Centre 35 Roper Street, New Centre Johannesburg Tel.: +27 (011) Fax: +27 (011) E-Mail: bsctools@icon.co.za KZN BSC Service Centre Unit E, Almar Centre 143 Crompton Street Pinetown Tel.: +27 (031) Fax: +27 (031) E-Mail: bsc.dur@za.bosch.com Western Cape BSC Service Centre Democracy Way, Prosperity Park Milnerton Tel.: +27 (021) Fax: +27 (021) E-Mail: bsc@zsd.co.za Bosch Headquarters Midrand, Gauteng Tel.: +27 (011) Fax: +27 (011) E-Mail: rbsa-hq.pts@za.bosch.com
After-sales Service and Customer Assistance
Our after-sales service responds to your questions concerning maintenance and repair of your product as well as spare parts. Exploded views and information on spare parts can also be found under: www.bosch-pt.com Our customer service representatives can answer your questions concerning possible applications and adjustment of products and accessories. In all correspondence and spare parts order, please always include the 10-digit article number given on the type plate of the machine. Great Britain Robert Bosch Ltd. (B.S.C.) P.O. Box 98 Broadwater Park North Orbital Road Denham Uxbridge UB 9 5HJ Tel. Service: +44 (0844) Fax: +44 (0844) E-Mail: boschservicecentre@bosch.com Ireland Origo Ltd. Unit 23 Magna Drive Magna Business Park City West Dublin 24 Tel. Service: +353 (01) Fax: +353 (01) 68 88