Bosch 36618-2 is a tough, compact and reliable partner.
Bosch 36618-2 - Price level: $150 – $160.
This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. (Further Details at Amazon.com)
Great drill! That’s the spontaneous wording from a contractor currently owning the 36v Bosch litheon drill! I couldn’t have said better myself! Bosch 36618-2 is a great drill it’s no question about that but let’s dig deeper into the facts:
Let’s start with the official description of Bosch cordless drill from Amazon.com:
Amazon.com Product Description
Built tough, the Bosch 36618-02 18-Volt 1/2-Inch Compact-Tough Litheon Drill/Driver with Two Slim Pack Batteries is a durable, powerful, and compact tool for high-quality results. Featuring Durashield housing to guard against wear and tear, the 36618-02 utilizes an 18-volt Litheon battery, which provides 35% more runtime and two times the recharge cycles of its competitors.
With that in mind – some points:
- New compact, tough design for increased maneuverability and less user fatigue
- Features 0-500/0-1,600 RPM and 500 inch-pounds of torque
- 20-position clutch settings for precise driving applications
- State-of-the-art lithium-ion battery technology coupled with ECP system guarantees the optimal performance of tool and batteries
- LED light is great for dark or enclosed areas
So let’s DIGG!
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New compact, tough design for increased maneuverability and less user fatigue
Well, new isn’t always better, we all know that, but with the Bosch trademark behind the process, there is nothing to question! This new member of the Bosch cordless drill family is a compact but tough component! Ergonomic design of the handle grip is important for maximum comfort and control.
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Features 0-500/0-1,600 RPM and 500 inch-pounds of torque
Fast speed, high torque and good ergonomic design are a given winner compared to most cordless drills out there. The construction is made for durable and reliable results. The Bosh 36618-02s Durashield Housing, Unibody construction, and steel-reinforced collar help you withstand real-world conditions, like temperature extremes, rain, dirt, debris and drops. The housing is built with an ABS/Nylon composite, which makes the housing, flexible and impenetrable. This is a tool that will be yours for a substantial time forward.
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20-position clutch settings for precise driving applications with Bosch 36618-2
It’s of course better to have more options also when it comes to choosing speed. Older drill was often two-speed tools, high or low speed. Here, you will always have the possibility to harmonize the speed to the actual situation. You’ll have twenty different positions to choose within, and this will you to find the right rpm for the job.
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State-of-the-art lithium-ion battery technology coupled with ECP system guarantees the optimal performance of tool and batteries
Lithium-ion batteries mean that the total concept, the tool inclusive battery, can be reduced in weight. That’s very important for hand tools. Not all working areas are situated in a comfortable position or height as we all know. That’s a fact you’ll appreciate working high up on the walls and up under the ceiling! We sometimes have to fix problems 
over-head! The ECP-system has been developed to provide maximum cycle life. The system is also a guarantee for optimal charge and longer runtime, and we all know the value of that!
There are two 1.3-Ah BAT609 Slim Pack battery included or a 2.6-Ah BAT318 Fat Pack. This pack is of course the choice if you are looking for the absolute lighter-weight option, if you, however, like the longer runtime you would go for the Fat Pack. Bosh is the only manufacturer who provides this option.
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LED lights is great for dark or enclosed areas
I don’t know how about you, but once tried you can’t work without it! I know I’ve been there, done it and will never get back to those dark times again!
Some considerations!
Chuck size- Cordless drills typically feature one of two different-sized chucks, 3/8-inch or half-inch. These measurements refer to the largest drill bit shank the chuck can accept. The do-it-yourselfer will rarely require the half-inch shank drill bits, so a drill with a 3/8-inch chuck will generally suffice.
Cordless drills with 3/8-inch chucks are usually less expensive than drills featuring half-inch chucks. And, although they can’t accept shanks larger than 3/8-inch, they can still fit bits that are capable of drilling holes larger than that size.
Battery voltage - Most do-it-yourselfers can get along quite well with 12-volt to 14.4-volt cordless drills if their only requirements are typical home repairs and minor construction tasks. As expected, the higher the voltage, the greater the torque, or power, as well as weight. Of course, having a strong battery doesn’t mean much if you are constantly running out of juice.
To help you get the most out of your battery, consider its amp-hours (Ah) rating. This will indicate how long the battery will last. For some, a lower voltage battery with a higher amp-hour rating is a better choice than a higher voltage battery with a lower amp-hour rating.
Battery types and chargers - The type of battery that comes with your cordless drill often determines how heavy or light the drill will ultimately be. While many conventional cordless drills come with nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries, newer, greener alternatives are available. Lithium-ion (Li-Ion) and nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries are available, and these types offer increased power and run time while weighing less than NiCd batteries.
Li-Ion and NiMH batteries are also better for the environment, as they do not contain the toxic material cadmium, which over time can find its way into groundwater if the NiCd battery is thrown in the trash and not recycled properly. Battery type is usually a determining factor in the price of the cordless drill, and drills that feature new-tech batteries typically cost more than their NiCd counterparts.
The battery charger that comes with your cordless drill is another thing to consider. There are typically two types of battery chargers–rapid chargers and slow chargers. Again, depending on your needs, the battery charger can make or break your purchasing decision. Rapid chargers can usually produce a fully charged battery in 15 minutes or under, while slow chargers can often take a few hours to replenish the voltage.
Smart chargers are also available. This type of charger has an indicator that tells the user how far along the recharging process is and automatically turns itself off to prevent overcharging the battery, which can damage it.
Torque - Torque is the measurement of twisting force the drill applies when in use, or in layman’s terms, it’s how powerful the drill is. Typically, the higher the voltage, the higher the torque, but you will notice that torque does vary between different models featuring the same voltage. Torque is often affected by the physical makeup of the drill’s motor, so objective tests are usually a better representation of how powerful a drill can be.
What’s in the Box
Drill/driver; two Litheon Slim Packs; 30-minute charger; double-ended bit; and carrying case.
The Bosch cordless drill is a very god choice if you are looking for a flexible system for your daily work.