This is the Bosch FlexiClick, the new 12V version. I previously wrote about the Bosch 18V FlexiClick modular drill/driver system 2 whole years ago.
It’s a 5-in-1 drill/driver that comes with modular tool head attachments.
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Before we talk about the tool in detail, know this – it IS coming to the USA. Expect to see it hit stores around May 2017, for about $199. It’ll also be sold in Canada, for $269 CAD.
The new Bosch 12V FlexiClick, model GSR12V-15, has a number of attractive features, even before we start talking about the benefits of modular drilling and driving tool heads.
To start it comes with a 1/2″ drill chuck. Most other 12V-class drills feature 3/8″ chucks, with Milwaukee’s M12 Fuel brushless drill being the only exception that comes to mind.
Bosch describes this as the shortest 12V cordless drill/driver in the market with 4 adapters. There aren’t too many multi-head drill/drivers, let alone 12V-class multi-head drills that are available in the USA.
That said, it looks a compact drill and driver that should compete with many brands’ one-piece offerings.
The right angle adapter can be combined with any of the other adapters. This makes the tool even more flexible.
The Bosch 12V FlexiClick drill driver comes with 4 attachment heads:
- Right angle adapter
- Drill chuck
- Offset driver adapter
- 1/4″ hex bit driver
You could also use it without any attachments to create the shortest drill/driver in its class.
Max torque is said to be 30 Nm in hard screwdriving applications, and 15 Nm in soft screwdriving applications. That translates to 265.52 in-lbs, max.
Specifications
- 266 in-lbs max torque (converted from international specs)
- 0-400, 0-1300 RPM (no load)
- 5.2″ length without attachments
- 7″ with attachments
- Weighs 800 grams without attachments (~1.76 lbs)
With No Attachments: The 12V FlexClick still has a magnetic bit holder without any attachments.
Bit Holder: With the locking bit holder, the Bosch FlexiClick is still said to be the shortest model in the market. Why use this bit holder? To ensure you don’t lose drill bits or screwdriver bits, which is possible when no attachments are used.
Drill Chuck: The 1/2″ chuck has an auto-lock function. In drilling mode, the Bosch 12V FlexiClick can handle drill bits of up to 19mm (~3/4″) when drilling into wood, and 10mm (~0.394″, or a little more than 3/8″) when drilling into steel.
Offset Adapter: Who hasn’t gotten into a bind, where a tool just couldn’t fit close enough to an obstruction or non-movable surface?
Right Angle Adapter: Need a right angle screwdriver? Maybe a right angle drill? A right angle and offset driver to fit into really right and awkward spaces? No problem. Bosch says this is the shortest angle adapter in its class, and can lock in at 16 different positions.
Price: $199 for the kit
ETA: Out NOW!
Buy Now(via Amazon)
First Thoughts
YES!
Milwaukee came out with a 4-in-1 M12 drill driver in Europe around 2014, and there’s something similar by AEG. Neither have ever been sale in the USA. Neither has the Bosch 18V FlexiClick drill/driver been available in the USA, but that’s changing now with the 12V model.
I’m fairly certain that the Milwaukee M12 4-in-1 drill also has combinable adapters, where you can attach the drill chuck onto the right angle adapter. Maybe you can attach the offset adapter as well?
Also, you might find this interesting. In the Bosch USA press release, as well as the international one, Bosch seems to have dropped “12V Max” branding, and simply describes the battery system as 10.8V and 12V. They do mention that the max voltage is 12V. Sounds good to me. Maybe it was an oversight.
It’s impossible to tell just from a photo, but the new Bosch FlexiClick does look to have very short adapters (a good thing), and their attachment mechanism looks easy to use. You connect the adapter and turn it clockwise until a control indicator and audible click confirm that everything is secure.
Compared to the Bosch 18V FlexiClick system, the 12V Flex-Click seems to have been redesigned from the ground up. The adapters aren’t just smaller to suit the 12V base handle, the locking mechanism does look all new, and definitely more compact.
The stackable right angle adapter has me thinking. Is it better to have a right angle adapter that you can attach the other attachments to, or would a single-piece right angle drill chuck have been better? A single right angle drill chuck would have been shorter, at least probably, but the functionality would have been reduced. No, I think that Bosch went the right way with their right angle adapter.
Part of me wonders if the locking bit holder was just included so that they could call this a 5-in-1 tool, instead of 4-in-1, but I can see the appeal of a locking bit holder vs. a magnetic one. I’ve had screwdriver bits pull out of magnetic bit holders before, but never out of my locking bit holders or impact drivers with locking chucks.
Good call, Bosch.
It’s a rare occasion for Bosch to release a new cordless power tool in the USA around the same time as internationally. Not that I’m complaining!
Price-wise, $199 might seem steep, until you consider all the functionality that the Bosch FlexiClick system offers. It’s unclear as to what the US kit will include.
There are 2 international options, a kit that comes with the tool, all 4 adapters, a quick charger, (2) 2.0Ah battery packs, and an L-Boxx, for €219 (~$231), and a kit that comes with the drill, a drill chuck adapter, a quick charger, and (2) 2.0Ah battery packs, for €175 (~$185).
Until I learn otherwise, I’m going to assume that USA kit will be the tool, all 4 adapters, a charger, (2) 2.0Ah batteries, and a tool bag.
Internationally, the adapters will all be available separately.
Who else is excited about the Bosch 12V FlexiClick?
Chrisk1970
Well I have three Festool drills and this is really awesome that this set is coming out here in the US. The offset chuck is fantastic and the right angle attachment on my tools are wonderful for cabinetry. This is great because the 12v Bosch lineup is getting larger and I love my 12v Bosch’ so seeing this available at a lower price point (the CXS is about 85 more expensive) and useable with existing lines makes this a no brainer for people already invested in the Bosch lineup.
Bill K
You’ve got my interest, for sure. This would be a replacement for my existing 12v Bosch which is showing some wear. Want to look at, and try the adapter connection, as that could be a deal breaker if not done well. Also wondering about the weight and if the drill is brushless.
Stuart
I don’t believe it’s brushless.
BigDan
that’s next year’s model!
JR
Looks great. Too bad I already have they 12v drill, but if it dies I will upgrade to the Flex-click.
BTW, the 12v was purchased on your recommendation and I have never regretted the purchase. It was so good, when I killed (my fault) the 1st one, I bought another right away.
Clint Lubbe
Looks like the Metabo Powermaxx Quick Pro/Mafell A10. I wonder if the attachments will be interchangeable between Bosch and Metabo?
Brian
Hopefully this will push Milwaukee to bring theirs to the US. I almost wish I was in the Bosch lineup right now.
Ron
i am i have every 12v Bosch including some that are not sold in the USA.
Nathan
curious about the torque limits vs the life of the tool. But I think I like the idea.
Incidentally I probably would never use this tool without one of the adapters on it – and the small locking bit holder adapter is necessary.
that way you have closeout on the end of the tool and you’re be protecting the locking mechanism and the end cap. At least that’s how I would use it. The offset driver I sort of wonder about – is that a 1:1 gear drive or does it also go slower for more torque. Which I think might be a nice feature.
Zach
Someday, maybe someday… Dewalt will come out with something like this.. in a 12v brushless kit with 2.0 or 4.0 batteries.. packaged in a TStak with a molded insert with storage inside for bits.
Hey, a guy can dream right?
Aaron
Zach, I used to feel the same as you, but I gave up that dream years ago. Sadly, DeWalt just doesn’t care about the 12v market. I asked a DeWalt rep at Lowe’s last year when new 12v additions would be coming out, and the apathy was so thick you could cut it with a circ.
John Blair
I’ve been a huge fan of the Bosch 12v tools mainly because of how compact they are and how I could get into smaller spaces. I also have the Milwaukee 12v tools as well as they have a bigger range of tools. I think of them as more powerful.
On a trip to London I bought the Milwaukee 4 in 1 and it has become my go to tool. The big benefit to the Bosch was the smaller size but the right angle adapter and offset adapter made up for the larger drill body. The other adapters fit on the right angle so you can still drill or use the offset (but frankly haven’t needed the right angle and offset at the same time).
Odds are good I won’t be able to resist the Bosch one either. Would have saved me having to actually check a bag on the airplane coming back.
sp
I am excited about that bosch cute little 12V tool since it’s anouncement in europe late in 2016.
Bosch is a great powertool maker.
But my excitment some how allways shadowed by dissapointment becouse Bosch refuse to abandon the line of brushed powewrtools long time after it’s rivals did so, when introducing new tools.
Adam
No company has stopped making brushed tools. They just aren’t considered high-end models. Now, they were slower than cold molasses at releasing brushless products, as I switched over to Milwaukee while twiddling my thumbs, but they slowly came out, and even slower in the US.
This tool almost seems worth buying even if you aren’t in the Bosch 12v platform, though would like to see an EC (brushless) model. Such tough tools, but way too slow for innovation/keeping up.
firefly
This look identical to one of the cheapo that I got at Costco several years ago. While the concept is sound, the cheap one that I got have horrible runout that I ended up giving it away as a toy.
I have had very good experience with Bosch so this definitely has renewed my interest in the multihead compact driver.
julian
I use the Bosch 12volt platform mainly for their most excellent little magnet/carabiner worklight – best worklight out there.
Sold off my driver’s though, never too impressed with them. But this little setup will allow me to get rid of my older Festool C12 which I rebuilt the batteries for and keep just for the range of chuck options as well as get rid of my makita CXS kit which is also a bit redundant as the new Brushless compact 18 volt Mak stuff is not that much bigger.
Will order as soon as it’s available….
Julian
Hang Fire
At first I thought “gimmick”, but the offset adapter sold me right away. The Right Angle also looks useful.
ACalz
All my 18v stuff is Bosch but my 12v stuff is Milwaukee. Looks nice but you can get a Milwaukee 12v impact and driver on sale sometimes for 99 dollars and add a right angle bare tool for 80 to 90 bucks. Yea I get it this is more compact but if the motor dies your out a tool until you warranty it. The other way you have three tools minus the offset one but never needed that in my life.
Jon
As a happy Craftsman Bolt-On user, I think this looks great!
Chris
I’m liking the offset feature.
Satch
Wow Stuart, I was just looking at this on the Bosch Europe site the other day. I actually stumbled upon it whilst browsing Amazon UK and immediately started looking for it to check things out. I am not sure but I think this may be different than the PS21/PS22EC models. At least it kind of looks like it. Anyone know?
I think the concept is very good. We’ve all batted this around on the forums but I for one am glad to see a nod toward versatility and multitasking in these 12v tool lines. I think the non-stop breathless rush toward ever increasing power torque ratings misses the point of this class of driver.
Indeed, ample torque is always in style but what about ergonomics? How about short length for great access to motor control cabinets, appliances, and even cabinet installers? The latter is PRECISELY what drives me toward the Bosch models. They have a real advantage in this category. And as to ervonomics, the Bosch handle grip fits my hand much better than the M12. Again, choices are nice and the inverse may be true for the next bloke.
As an aside, does anyone know if the newer grip on the brushless 12v Bosch models size up any differently than the older 21/31/41 models? They fit me great but I cannot find the brushless models anywhere locally(Menard’s doesn’t stock them yet) to compare. I really hope they haven’t NC hanged the profile.
Satch
Sorry, tablet keyboard got me again. That should read; I hope they haven’t changed the profile.
BikerDad
Satch,
Try a dedicated tool store. I haven’t seen the Bosch 12v EC stuff at ANY of the big box places, but they are carried by dedicated tool stores.
Richard G.
Damn Milwaukee! Why we still don’t have it here in US?! I really don’t want to mix in another battery platform but I was looking at this set for a while and now wondering if Milwaukee finally will have it here any time soon.
fred
When I first saw the offset adapter being offered by Festool it really excited me as a tool for drilling/driving close to obstructions. But then a batch of right angle 1/4 inch hex drivers started appearing – I think first with the Ridgid R82233 and then ones from Makita and Milwaukee – so my enthusiasm waned.
The set might still be nice for folks already into the Bosch 12V lineup – who don’t want to buy separate tools.
Alick
I have to remind myself not to get irritated by the marketing bull behind these drills. The lithium batteries used in these tools all have a nominal voltage of 3.6v across most of their states of charge but fresh off the charger the voltage is usually over 4.0v.
You can’t have half a battery so this is a three cell tool. 10.8v
To call it (or the milwaukee equivalent) 12v isn’t lying but they are still just 3 cell drills.
That apart, I have the non interchangeable head version of this and the corresponding milwaukee. The milwaukee is larger and stronger but a little fat in the grip for my hand. When it dies, I won’t replace it. The bosch is noticeably more compact and comfortable. It’s the bosch that I keep to hand and pick up most often for the myriad small jobs and driving woodscrews.
I think that the feel of the tool in your hand is important. It’s one of the things that makes a tool a favorite. The most comfortable drills I ever picked up are the Panasonic brushless drill and impact driver (they take both 14.4 and 18v batteries). I’m a metabo fan but those two tools on their own might be enough to persuade me to take on an extra battery family.
peelman
If Milwaukee brings an M12 version of this, I will jump in with both feet.
BigDan
if they come out with other attachments (impact wrench mostly) then i’ll buy into this for sure.
Nathan
this is way too small to support impact wrench duty. specifically with respect to the holding mechanism for the attachements. Thin sheet metal on a plastic frame. if not the vibration of use alone – then the torque reaction against 100 ft/lbs would be too much for it – also I don’t know it’s balanced or big enough for that sort of reaction.
Impact driver duty – sub 50 ft/lbs maybe.
now this sort of system applied to an 18v level sort of tool I might also be interested in.
MikeT
Stuart,
Thanks for the article this is great! I found the press release and emailed the product manager. He replied back and confirmed it will be sold as a full kit. Also, he mentioned it won’t be available until 3rd quarter this year :(.
Stuart
You’re welcome!
I have new info from Bosch about changes to the US release, but am still clarifying things for the followup. Yes, the ETA has been pushed back from May 2017 to “Summer.”
Michael
If I didn’t already have 2 drills and 2 drivers in this platform, then I will be on it.
BikerDad
Love the idea of the offset driver, and to a less extent, the right angle , but if it ain’t brushless, I’ll pass for now.
Jim Felt
What ever happens to the Summer intro?
Asking for a friend.
Stuart
Coming soon.
https://toolguyd.com/bosch-12v-max-flexiclick-drilldriver-coming-soon-preorder-bonus/
ss
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRpC6cIDVPt/
The gearbox is completely interchangeable with GSR 12v brushless.
Boschfan
I received this drill and noticed the direction switch seems very loose in the drill and almost too easy to change direction with no positive feeling of resistance when pressed like with previous Bosch 12 drills or impact drills I’ve owned.
The chuck is also NOT 1/2 but 3/8.
Stuart
Milwaukee’s M12 Fuel drills are the only tools in the 12V-class I’ve ever seen with 1/2″ chucks.