Bosch just announced a new compact and lightweight 18V rotary hammer (RHS181) that is said to be the most powerful compact SDS-Plus model on the market. Whether or not this is true and stays true for long is at the back of my mind – I just can’t get over the diminutive size of the tool!

The new rotary hammer was also designed with improved ergonomics and handling in mind. It features a variable speed trigger, 2 drilling modes: hammer-on and hammer-off, increased power, extended tool lifetime, amplified stall torque, and an LED work light.

Runtime is rated at 100+ 1/4″ x 1-1/2″ holes per battery charger. No-load speed is 0-1050 RPM and 0-4950 BPM. With battery the rotary hammer is 10.9″ long and weighs 4.6 lbs.

The kit (RHS181-01) includes a charger and single 18V fat-pack lithium ion HC battery with integrated fuel gauge, and is priced at $285. A bare-tool version will also be available.

And should a rotary hammer prove to be too much for your needs, don’t forget that Bosch’s PS130 12V hammer drill will soon be released as well.

More Info (via Bosch)

Like Milwaukee’s new M18 Fuel hammer drill, their new cordless drill (2603-22) will also feature a brushless motor. There’s more fancy new tech designed into this drill, most of which you can read about in our Milwaukee Fuel preview. Official details and specifications have just been made available, and from what we can tell thus far, the drill is remarkably powerful for its size.

Milwaukee Brushless Drill/Driver Specs

• 7.9″ length
• 4.4 lbs with compact battery, 4.9 lbs with XC pack
• 1/2″ metal single sleeve ratcheting chuck
• 2-speed gearbox: 0-550/0-1850 RPM
• torque: 650 in-lbs with compact battery, 725 in-lbs with XC battery

(Tool-Tech 101: Power tool brushless motors.)

The new drill will be available in two kits – with a multi-voltage charger and either 2 compact batteries (2603-22CT) or 2 extended capacity batteries (2603-22). Bare add-on tools will possibly be available as well.

It is interesting to see that using the extended capacity battery pack results in a 11.5% boost in maximum torque delivery. It seems to us that the lower max-torque that comes with using the compact batteries is attributed to a desire to extend the runtime of the smaller batteries.

The new Fuel drill/drivers are expected to be released soon, perhaps as early as next month.

Right now you can purchase the highly regarded Porter Cable 12V ClampSaw for $110 via Amazon. This kit includes 2 12V battery packs, a 30-minute charger, starter reciprocating saw blades, and a carrying case.

OR you can spend $5 more and buy the the above-pictured reciprocating saw and 3/8″ drill driver combo kit. $115 for the two tools, 2 batteries, a charger, and kit bag is a pretty good deal.

Buy Now(via Lowes)

We briefly reviewed Porter Cable’s 12V drill/driver, and were pretty pleased with it. It’s not the lightest, shortest, most feature-rich, or most powerful 12V drill on the market, but it’s solidly built and delivers great performance.

This combo doesn’t appear to be listed anywhere else, so we assume it was a special Lowes-specific holiday combo that they’re now trying to clear off the shelves.

If you’re more a fan of Dewalt’s 12V Max platform, you’ll be interested to know that the Pivot Saw is currently in production.

Dewalt just announced that they will releasing a new brushless impact driver this April. Although this is Dewalt’s first-ever cordless power tool built with a brushless motor, we’re sure there will be more to come.

(Tool-tech 101: brushless vs. brushed power tool motors.)

The new brushless impact driver is said to provide 57% longer runtime vs. their latest generation brushed impact drivers, and up to 150% more runtime vs. competitors’ latest impact drivers.

In addition to longer runtime, the new Dewalt brushless impact driver features a push-button 1/4″ hex chuck that accepts standard 1″ bits and can be operated with one hand. This eliminates the need for a separate one-handed self-locking bit holder.

In the photo above, do you see that yellow button right below the chuck? That’s the bit release!

3-Speed and Torque Settings

• 0-950 RPM/500 in-lbs – perfect for higher-torque applications such as driving self-tapping screws in metal
• 0-1900RPM/900 in-lbs – ideal for controlled fastening applications such as installing door hinges
• 0-2850 RPM/1500 in-lbs – best for low-torque and finish work, such as faceplate installation

Dewalt’s engineers have also managed to shave the new driver down to 5-1/4″ long, making it their shortest impact driver yet. The driver weighs 3.0 lbs when paired with a compact battery, and 3.6 lbs when paired with the extended capacity battery pack.

Three LEDs surround the chuck to provide shadow-free work area illumination, and a 20-second duration provides added convenience. There will also be a metal belt hook and on-board bit storage.

Dewalt Brushless Impact Driver Kit Configurations

• DCF895C2 - includes two 1.5Ah batteries with fuel gauges, MSRP $279
• DCF895L2 - includes two 3.0Ah batteries with fuel gauges, MSRP $349
• DCF895B - bare tool, MSRP $169

The kits also include a fast charger, and presumably a hard-shell case. ETA is April 2012.

We know that a Milwaukee Fuel brushless impact driver is currently in development, and it will be interesting to see how the two tools compare. Sight-unseen, our vote would go for the Dewalt, given how incredibly fond we are of one-handed chucks.

Follow all of our Dewalt 20V Max cordless tool reviews, previews, and related coverage.

Compact Impact Wrench with Hog Ring Anvil

The new compact impact wrench has a 5.7″ length and is fairly lightweight at 3.4 lbs. It’s designed to offer increased speed and extended durability in a compact and comfortable profile. The 3/8″ impact wrench is rated at 1560 in-lbs of torque and can deliver 2700 impacts per minute.

It also features a frameless motor, magnesium gear case, all-metal transmission, and heavy-duty impact mechanism. Three LEDs are arranged around the front of the tool for shadow-less illumination, and a 20-second delay keeps the light on after trigger release.

The release is scheduled for April 2012, and MSRP is $269 for the kit, which includes two 20V Max 3.0Ah batteries with fuel gauges, a fast charger, and kit box. The bare-tool add-on (DCF883B) will be priced at $129.

Premium Impact Wrenches with Pin Detent and Hog Ring Anvils

These premium 1/2″ drive models deliver 300 ft-lbs of torque, meeting the challenge of a wide range of heavy-duty fastening applications. Both wrenches feature a variable speed trigger with electric brakes, 1650 RPM and 2600 IPM motor, LED work light, magnesium gear case, and all-metal transmission.

Users who prefer easier impact socket changes will usually benefit most from the hog ring anvil, and users looking for a more secure socket grip will benefit most from the detent pin anvil.

The kits will be available in June 2012 through industrial distributors, and will include two 20V Max lithium ion batteries with fuel gauge, a fast charger, and kit box, for $329. Bare tools, DCF889B and DCF889HB, will be available separately for $169.

I have been stubbornly holding on to my large and weighty corded Bosch hammer drill, and thought that Dewalt’s compact version would be wimpy in comparison. I wasn’t entirely wrong, but the DCD785 hammer drill proved to be far more capable and comfortable to use than I anticipated.

Features & Specs

The Dewalt DCD785 hammer drill is much like the DCD780 compact drill driver that I reviewed the other day. It features a 1/2″ ratcheting chuck, 0-600/0-2000 RPM gearbox, 350 UWO torque, 34,000 max impacts, 15 clutch settings, and it weighs 3.5 lbs. (Dewalt 20V drill/driver specs comparison.)

The only visual differences between the DCD785 hammer drill and DCD780 drill driver is a thin silver-colored metal band between the chuck and adjustable clutch, and an additional hammer-mode clutch setting.

Ergonomics & Comfort

I already described this in detail in the DCD780 drill review, but some things are worth repeating. Like with Dewalt’s other new 20V Max cordless tools, the grip on the hammer drill is downright comfortable. I am a huge fan of its shape and textured grip zones, and can wield the drill around all day with less fatigue.

Performance

It is important to remember that this is a compact hammer drill not a rotary hammer. Even so, I found that it can handle most of the tasks I typically rely on a corded blue beast for. I occasionally drill 3/16″, 1/4″ or 5/16″ holes into masonry blocks for drop-in anchors or Tapcons. The DCD785 can handle these sizes without breaking a sweat. It can manage 3/8″ as well, but I wouldn’t go much larger than that.

As with the DCD780, there is a very minor wobble in the chuck – see the comments in the previous review for the discussion about this. However, this does not seem to affect the accuracy or performance of the drill. I actually missed noticing this during the tests since the slight wobble does not lead to any noticeable bit deflection or wobble. From what I can tell, this is nothing to worry about.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a compact cordless drill, the DCD780 is a great model. If you would like to be able to drill a couple of small holes in masonry and brick materials every now and then, the DCD785 is an even better choice. For frequent or larger-sized masonry drilling, a premium or full-size hammer drill with auxiliary handle would be best if you don’t mind the size and weight. And of course a rotary hammer is the next step beyond that.

The DCD785C2 hammer drill kit comes with two compact 1.5Ah batteries, a charger, and kit box. In the photos above, the drill is paired with a 3.0Ah extended capacity battery.

Buy Now(via Amazon)

Thank you to Dewalt for providing the sample for this review unconditionally. Review samples are typically returned, donated, or in some cases retained for further testing or comparison purposes.

Dewalt’s new 20V Max compact cordless drill (DCD780C2) is powerful enough to tackle most common drilling and driving tasks without being weighty and tiring to use. Dewalt designed this bad boy to be compact and lightweight, and it looks like they’ve done a great job.

Features & Specifications

Full specs are listed in our Dewalt 20V Max drill comparison, but here they are again in summary: 1/2″ ratcheting chuck, 0-600/0-2000 RPM, 350 UWO torque, 3.4 lb weight, includes 1.5Ah batteries.

There are only 16 clutch settings – 15+1 – and they seem to match well with the drill’s torque delivery. 20-24 settings would offer finer control, but there’s no real need for it here. We were actually surprised as to how smooth the clutch adjustment turns. The knob has rounded detents, which make it as easy to grip with a gloved hand as the bumpy knob on the 12V DCD710S2 drill we reviewed last year.

The ratcheting chuck locks beautifully with a satisfying click-click-click, and doesn’t loosen up at all, even when holding thinner drill bits. We were slightly concerned about how much we’d like the speed selection switch, but it toggles easily with a thumb or 1-2 fingers.

Rubber bumpers protect your work surface should you place the drill on its side, and a removable belt hook and bit holder can be fixed to the drill just above the battery. Also, the
LED work light stays on for about 20 seconds after you release the trigger. This isn’t an earth-shattering feature, but it’s a thoughtful tweak.

Ergonomics & Comfort

If you recall, we gushed about the ergonomics of Dewalt’s 12V Max tools. The pistol-grip on the 20V Max drill is ever so slightly scaled up and lengthened, but it more or less retains the same great grip profile. The pistol grip is pushed further back on the drill than we’re used to, but if anything this improved the grip’s comfort and balance even further.

The drill/driver is balanced just right when paired with a 1.5Ah compact battery. It does not quite approach the lightness of a 12V drill, but it’s as light as we could ask for.

Performance

This is a compact drill, not a heavy-duty powerhouse. As such, it runs into a little trouble drilling very large holes and driving large/long lag bolts. Overload-current protection does not seem to be as sensitive as with other brands’ compact offerings, allowing us to push it a little bit further.

One thing that we definitely appreciated was the higher 2000 RPM capabilities of the motor since we often work with smaller drill bits. This leads to better performance and drill bit longevity.

Conclusion

We can’t find anything to complain about – the DCD780C2 is just a phenomenal compact drill kit. If we had to sum it up, we’d say that the drill is powerful enough for most medium-duty tasks and comfortable enough to use all day.

The compact drill/driver is best suited for DIYers and Pros looking for a compact 18-20V that can deliver more power than 12V models. It is not optimized for those looking for a heavy-duty drill-through-anything and drive-any-bolt model.

Buy Now(via Amazon)

The DCD780C2 kit comes with the drill, 2x 1.5Ah batteries, a quick charger, and carrying case. You can also find the DCD780 drill bundled in a 2-tool combo kit with the new 20V Max impact driver.

Thank you to Dewalt for providing the sample for this review unconditionally. Review samples are typically returned, donated, or in some cases retained for further testing or comparison purposes.

One of the new cordless tools we’ve been most pumped-up about is Bosch’s 12V compact hammer drill driver. We’ve just learned that the hammer drill, announced in Europe late last year as the GSB 10.8-2-LI Combi-Hammer, will soon be released in the USA as the 12V Max PS130-2A.

As mentioned in our preview of the EU-version, the PS130/Combi-Hammer drill driver is said to be the lightest and shortest in its class. This sounds impressive, but the message is softened once you remember that there’s only one classmate – the Milwaukee M12 hammer drill. Even so, we were quite impressed with the PS21 and PS31 drill/drivers that we reviewed some time ago, and have very high expectations for the PS130.

Bosch PS130-2A Hammer Drill Specifications

• 0-380/0-1300 RPM gearbox
• 265/124 in-lbs torque
• 0-19500 bpm
• 20+ clutch settings
• 3/8″ auto chuck
• LED work light
• 2.3 lbs weight
• battery fuel gauge
• max drilling: 3/4″ (19mm) in wood, ~3/8″ (10mm) in metal or masonry
• electronic battery cell protection

MSRP and a release date have not been announced yet.

More Info via Bosch
Thanks to Ash for the heads-up!

We received word that Craftsman is coming out with a new C3 cordless 3/8″ impact wrench. The impact is powered by Craftsman’s C3 19.2V battery platform, and its compact size allows it to fit into tighter spaces than a standard 1/2″ impact wrench.

The new Craftsman impact wrench features a 3/8″ square drive with anvil retention ring, variable speed 0-2500 no-load RPM gearbox, 130 ft-lbs torque rating and it can deliver 0-2500 IPM. There is also a new mid-handle design with over-molded grip for improved comfort, and an LED work light helps illuminate dim work areas.

The impact wrench will be available as a separate add-on tool (32742) or as a kit (32741) that comes with a Ni-Cd battery and charger. MSRP is $80 for the add-on, $130 for the kit. ETA is said to be Q2 2012.

Bosch GLM50 Laser Distance Measuring Tool

Bosch recently added the GLM50 to their laser distance measuring tool lineup. The new addition features accuracy up to 1/16″ 165-foot range, slim design, large 3-line backlit display, round buttons with silicone overlay, large soft grip areas, IP54 rating and 3-ft impact protection rating. It small size, reasonable accuracy and medium range make it suitable for interior length, area, volume and surface measurements. ETA is Feb 2012.

Bosch Daredevil Saw Blades

Bosch’s Daredevil framing blades feature thin-kerf extra-hard steel plate blades with triple-sharp micrograin carbide teeth and a friction-reducing finish. These blades are currently available in common 6-1/2″, 7-1/4″ and 8-1/4″ sizes, and there are plans to introduce 10-inch and 12-inch blades at around May 1st.

Bosch SDS-Max Rotary Hammer RH850VC

The new rotary hammer is said to be best in class in terms of amps, impact energy and drilling speed. It’s also said to offer the best vibration dampening in its class. The RH850VC features a 14A motor, 1100-2750 BPM impactor, 12.7 ft-lb impact rating and 18.7 lb weight. MSRP is $800 and ETA is August 2012.

BullDog Xtreme Max Rotary Hammer RH228VC

The RH228VC is said to be best in class in all meaningful measures. It features more power (2.4 ft-lbs) and less vibration (12 m/s^2) than most others in its class. It can drill holes up to 1-1/8″ in diameter, and has an 8A motor that delivers 0-5460 BPM. A longer piston and impact bolt allow the tool to strike harder and faster with fewer BPM, meaning quicker work with less wear on the motor.

Bulldog Xtreme Rotary Hammer Bits

Bulldog Xtreme bits feature a full-head carbide design for greater durability and cutting performance. New Bulldog SDS-plus bits are designed for next-generation hammers and feature optimized flutes that cut with lower friction and enhance dust removal.

Airsweep Wet/Dry Vacuum Updated with HEPA Filter Option

Bosch is upgrading its 13-gallon wet/dry vacuum cleaner with new filter and containment options. The new 3931A-PB Airsweep features a plastic bag that augments the tank-only receptacle system found in the original 3931A. The 10-gallon bags are tear resistant, hold twice the amount of concrete as paper bags and help to reduce clogging. New VAC019 HEPA filter cartridges allow the 3931A-PB Airsweep to exceed EPA lead remodeling, repair and painting regulations.

Inline Demo Hammer DH1020VC

A new inline demo hammer was also released, replacing the 11316EVS. It’s said to have the best power to weight ratio and vibration dampening in its class. It features a 15A motor, 900-1700 BPM impactor, 3.7/20.7 ft-lb impact rating and 24lb weight. MSRP is $900 and ETA is also August 2012.

Grinder Dust Collection Attachments USG-5, USG-7

These new polycarbonate universal grinder attachments fit all of Bosch’s 5-inch and 7-inch grinders, respectively, as well as many competitors’ grinders.

Wallscanner D-Tect 150 Floor and Wall Radar Scanner

The D-Tect 150 is an ultra-wide-band radar scanner designed to determine the material type, depth and relative width information of metal and non-metal objects such as wooden studs, plastic pipes and live AC wires.

GRL400H Self-Leveling Rotary Laser

The GRL400H is a self-leveling rotary laser designed for exterior applications. Accuracy is up to ±3/32-inch at 100-feet, and maximum range is 1300-feet. Battery life is 50-hours, and the fully-enclosed top housing is rated at IP56.

Included in the basic kit is a LR1 receiver with bracket, 2D batteries and a carrying case. Included in the GRL400HCK complete kit is a LR1 receive, aluminum tripod and 8-foot grade rod.

HDC Hammer Dust Collection

The new HDC dust collection system is designed to reduce the airborne dust created on the jobsite by chiseling, drilling and demolition applications. There will be 3 attachments – HDC-C1, a chiseling-only shroud; HDC-D1, for drilling and chiseling; and HDC-D2 for demo-use-only.

All attachments feature tool-free clamping, a quick adjustment mechanism, and vacuum dust port. The C1 and D1 fit Bosch’s SDS Max Spline hammers, and the D2 fits Bosch;s 1-1/8 hex breaker hammers. Included adapters ensures compatibility with a variety of other brands’ hammers. The C1 and D1 versions are priced at $99 and $129, and the C2 $169.

As you might recall, Milwaukee is coming out with a new M18 Fuel compact drill and hammer drill. The redesigned drill/drivers are built with brushless motors and look to be optimized for their RedLithium battery tech. Official specifications have finally been made available.

650 in-lbs of Torque

We’ve seen 650 in-lbs mentioned in Milwaukee’s official specification listings, but a marketing video (shown below) claims a 725 in-lbs rating, which would best even Bosch’s newest offerings. Perhaps that’s with the XC battery?

8.1″ Length and 4.5 lbs

This isn’t terribly impressive, but it does give Milwaukee a slight edge over the competition. In comparison, Bosch’s heavy duty hammer drill weighs in at 4.9 lbs, and Dewalt’s 20V Max premium version weighs 5.2 lbs.

Milwaukee Compact M18 Hammer Dill (2602-22) vs FUEL (2604-22CT)

Milwaukee’s current same-class non-Fuel M18 hammer drill can deliver 525 in-lbs of torque. It is also slightly longer at 8.5″ and a bit heavier at 4.9 lbs. Note that the 2602-22 is weighed with an XC extended-capacity battery, and the 2604-22CT a compact M18 battery.

Milwaukee M18 FUEL Hammer Drill Full Specs

• 650 in lbs torque
• 2-speed gearbox 0-550 / 0-1,850 RPM
• hammer mode 31,450 BPM
• 1/2″ metal single sleeve ratcheting chuck
• 8.1 in length
• 4.5 lbs weight (w/battery)
• on-board fuel gauge
• LED work light
• 2604-22CT kit includes 2 M18 compact RedLithium batteries
• also include 30-minute M18/M12 multi-voltage charger
• (unconfirmed) 22 clutch settings

Pricing has not yet been announced, but according to preorder details, the kit will be around $250. The new FUEL hammer drill will be released March 2012.

Thanks to Dana for the heads-up about the video!

If you’re really into wood-turning, then you’re probably going to want use a fully featured lathe, such as the new Nova Comet II Midi model. But if it’s something you just started looking into, then there are a couple of faux-lathe jigs that can give you a small taste of the action for relatively cheap.

I’ve seen a number of handheld-drill-powered lathe jigs, but this one by Woodstock is the first I’ve seen that can be used with a drill press. The Woodstock D4088 drill press lathe attachment comes with a few parts – mini screw and spur centers that attaches to the drill chuck, a base plate fixture with live center that’s bolted to the table, and 12″ adjustable tool rest.

The Woodstock lathe jig may be simple, but we’ve seen evidence that one can do a lot with even simpler equipment. For less than $35, this jig looks to be decent for beginners with ultra-low budgets and woodworkers who only need to do a little bit of wood turning.

Buy Now(via Amazon)

More Info (via Woodstock)

Every now and then I’m reminded of a great little adapter Dewalt makes, the DW0521 quick connect impact driver conversion chuck. This little gadget is a 1/4″ hex to 3/8″ keyless chuck adapter that allows you to use ordinary drill bits with a 12V or 18V cordless impact driver.

The impact driver conversion adapter features all-metal construction and the keyless chuck has a single-sleeve design for quicker hand-tightening.

Buy Now(via Amazon)

More Info via Dewalt

Street price for these adapters is $30-36 or so. There’s also a Hitachi model available at about the same price. Although they’re marketed as being designed for impact drivers, they should work well in cordless screwdrivers’ 1/4″ hex bit adapter as well.

Carry one of these with Dewalt’s impact clutch adapter, and you might need your cordless drill/driver even less.

We’ve seen magnetic drill bit holders of all kinds – ones that stick to machinery, some that attach to tools, and even ones that you wear on your wrist. Last week we received an email about the Drill Sergeant, a interesting new drill-mounted bit holder.

After first hearing about the Drill Sergeant, we had a quick chat with its designer, who says that the final product resulted from many revisions until it was just right. Their goal was to make a useful bit holder that doesn’t get in the way, and it looks like they succeeded.

Drill Sergeant Mounted to Cordless Drill Battery

There are three models of Drill Sergeant available, the original, which has 2 barrel magnets and a wide catch-all magnetic strip, a smaller micro version, and the Pro, which has 4 barrel magnets and a shorter catch-all space. The barrels feature strong rare earth magnets at their centers and can hold 1/4″ hex bits (or smaller drill bits) from both sides, meaning that the original can hold 4 bits and the Pro 8.

To install the Drill Sergeant, first attach the sticky-backed loop-sided Velcro to your drill or driver. Then just stick on the hook-sided Velcro, which is sewn to a nylon elastic top layer, presumably with the magnetic elements locked in between.

Drill Sergeant Mounted to Rotary Tool

We like the idea of the Velcro-attachment method, since it potentially allows for the same Drill Sergeant to be used with different drills and drivers. It’s also good to know that the holder is removable should it interfere in any way during a project.

To be perfectly honest, I’m not usually fond of these types of accessories. But, the Drill Sergeant definitely looks interesting and well designed, and I can think of a few recent times it would have come in handy.

The Drill Sergeant is made in the USA and can be purchased via Etsy or Amazon. The Original model is $14 and the Pro model $16.

Pro via Etsy
Original via Etsy
Original via Amazon

Kreg, well known for their pocket hole jigs, is coming out with a new shelf pin drilling jig, model KMA3200. The new jig joins a number of shelf pin jigs and templates that are already available, but stands out with a hybrid and inexpensive design.

As the name implies, this type of jig is useful for drilling the shelf pin holes when building an adjustable shelf cabinet or bookcase.

The jig comes with dual-position fence for a 1-inch or 2-inch edge offset, a locating pin for uniform spacing, 6 hardened steel drill guides separated by 32mm industry standard spacing and a 1/4″ drill bit with stop collar. The jig can also be used with 5mm drill bits, which are available separately.

Multiple Kreg drilling jigs can be added together for quicker work, and storage at the back of the jig helps keep everything together.

Buy Now(via Amazon)

In my opinion, shelf pin drilling jigs, such as these by Woodpeckers and Veritas, are usually a bit costly for anyone only looking to build a few cabinets, and templates are a bit low-tech for what they usually cost.

The Kreg jig looks to be reasonably priced at about $35, especially given its 6 drill bushings, which usually start at $4-$6 each via industrial suppliers. Of course there are plenty of DIY options that don’t require steel bushings, but that’s a discussion for another time.