For most of us, our cordless drill is the one tool for everything. Need to dig out some drywall? Get the drill.
Want to put up a picture? Grab the drill. Assemble a bookshelf?
Yep, drill time again. It’s nice that they can do so many different tasks, but that also makes your evaluation of tools a bit blind. You think “it’s got a battery and it spins, so I’m good.” But that just isn’t true.
18V tools is not all alike. Things get interesting when you step outside of the big name brands that tend to dominate high end. Enter Bostitch.
They have long been the go-to brand for construction guys and gals who need something reliable rather than flashy on the jobsite. They’ve been providing pros with pneumatic stapler and nailer for years. Now they’re bringing that no nonsense approach to their cordless products.
So, here’s the deal with the Bostitch 18V Lithium drill: It isn’t attempting to win any awards for the sleekest design or the best ergonomics. It simply want to do one thing very well and offer it at a reasonable price. For those of us who aren’t wedded into an entire tool ecosystem of one major brand, that’s a pretty compelling offering.
Bostitch 18V Lithium Drill Review Overview
Who Is This Drill For?
If you’re rocking a bunch of DeWalt or Makita batteries, you probably won’t care about this review. But if you’re just getting started or would like to keep something around as a back-up for certain applications, then give this drill a second look. When you pick up this drill and hold it in your hands, ask yourself what really matters.
Weight and Ergonomics
Weight First off, how does it weigh? Many cheap drills has a heavy front end, which can cause hand cramps after a while if you use them a lot or work overhead. This model from Bostitch do pretty well with it.
The center of gravity is kept reasonable thanks to the low battery placement. The handle shape accommodate most people’s hands without having to grasp it awkwardly. Doesn’t feel like a million bucks or anything, but it doesn’t need to in order to be tolerable for a Saturday morning project.
Comfort isn’t always a luxurius in power tools. It can make a difference in accuracy. When you’re struggling with your tool, your work reflect it.
Power Output and Control
The second key performance spec is power output. For typical drilling applications, the 18V lithium-ion platform deliver enough voltage. I’m not going to be using this to core drill concrete, and that’s just as well.
Where it shines is fastening screws to wood, boring anchor holes, etc., typical home construction use. And the torque settings are more than sufficient for those tasks. And the variable speed trigger deliver good control, letting you ease into your pace and then increase as necessary.
Good control here help prevent cracked material and stripped screw. Marketing material over-hypes battery life. In the real world?
Battery Life and Charging
It’s another story. For everyday home projects, the batteries that come with the Bostitch drill hold up just fine. If you’re hanging a few shelves or assembling a small piece of furnitures, you’ll likely get more than one charge cycle out of them.
But don’t plan any marathons if you want to use this thing for some serious framing work. Standard battery technology won’t be blowing your socks off; but you also won’t have to shell out a bunch of cash for it. The charging time is reasonable, around one hour for a full charge, which isn’t bad.
Expanding Tool Ecosystem
So there’s really a good balance here: less endurance = lower price = easier access. The best part about going with Bostitch, however, is that they have an expanding ecosystem. Yes, it’s smaller than the big dogs but their line of 18V tool is increasing.
So if you want something like an impact driver, a circular saw, even a work light, then you can get those too and they will all be on the same battery platform. That means you don’t have to spend money on a whole suite of tools that you’ll never use. And you can buy what you need over time to build out your own tool kit.
It makes more financial sense for the casual DIY-er. It also allow you to go at your own pace, buying more power as you require it for different applications. It’s also really solid.
Durability and Build Quality
Bostitch make tools for the job site. Tools get kicked, dropped, and dinged with dirt all day long. The plastic housing on this drill is tough.
It doesn’t feel like something you need to baby. I’ve had some pretty awkward moments with it but it hasn’t shown any signs of wear or tear. Tools should be used.
Not put on a shelf. Five dollar tool that lasts two weeks isn’t a bargain. This one feels like it’ll hold up for years of regular use.
Final Verdict
All things considered, if you’re a practical sort of guy who just wants something that works well at an affordable price when needed, the Bostitch 18V Lithium drill is worth checking out. It’s not cutting edge technology; doesn’t make claims otherwise. Just delivers solid results affordably and that’s enough for casual users.
Need a drill that does its job and doesn’t cost a fortune? The promise was simple and powerful and here it is again at the end of the day. What you see is what you get and for this type of application that’s a good thing.