Done it - new combi.

Feb 23, 2016 17 Replies

Just popped in to SF and bought this little toy

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Decided that I CBA with new batteries, on-line ordering etc. (and a nice day to be out). Haven't tried it in anger yet, but it feels good. About 5mm shorter than the Mak. 12V and 40mm shorter than the Mak. 18V combi.



Now have a Mak. combi looking for a deserving owner, for the cost of getting it there.


Wonder just how much better it is than the Lidl one plus extra battery at

60 quid? The drill spec looks pretty well identical. But no side handle provision. And has it a 3 year money back warranty?

Basically, I'm not convinced Bosch are in the same league as Makita.

But only a 1.5Ah battery I believe?

And both sides. ;-)

We might be able to let you know how the Lidl one performs as daughter bought herself one (well, she actually bought the set). ;-)

From the little play I had with all of them the other day I'd say they feel ok. The drill (mechanics) feel pretty substantial and quite torquey (when you stop the chuck against the clutch with your hand).

The circular saw has a cast base and a laser alignment that looks like it would be fine for more rough_and_ready cutting. The jigsaw has quite a good range of speed, a toolless / quick change mech for the blade and like the circular saw, an adjustable guide. The jigsaw also has a plastic cover for the plate to prevent scratching.

As was mentioned on the previous thread on the subject. Even if she mainly uses the drill, she's now got 3 batteries *and* 3 chargers so if she has access to mains she stands a good chance of being able to use the drill all day. ;-)

Cheers, T i m

I've seen Mak & Bosch angle grinders torn down, the Mak is way better.

NT

I've had the drill and jigsaw for a few months now. They've had the sort of light use I'd normally give such things. Happy enough with both. Particularly like the easy blade change on the jigsaw, as it's something I do frequently. My mains Bosch one with a different easy change mechanism broke it. But it is quite old.

Just got the circular saw the other day, so not yet used it.

The 'basic' Bosch stuff is quite average IME, and on a par with the Lidl/Aldi offerings. I've used one of the Bosch 10V pro drills, and that feels much nicer.

The Lidl drill LED is infuriating if using driver bits etc - the focus is nowhere near the target. The Bosch looks to be better in that regard. But in most other areas the spec looks suspiciously similar.

I've been using the jigsaw for the last few days and it's just fine. I've done some test cuts with the circular saw, and again, fine, without the sense of dread my cheap mains one gives. Almost a false sense of security . . .

Early summer for me :-)

Ok.

That is also daughters predicted uses for them.

Cool. ;-)

It looked 'good' and I'm glad it works equally as well.

My Bosch has the Allen screw / bridge type mech.

Ok. I have some woodwork to do so might ask to borrow 'her' tools for a change. ;-)

Cheers, T i m

The position of the LED means the chuck masks the light with a short bit. It's ok for drilling. Not really sure how you could improve things, unless you could design a shorter chuck and torque clutch. If you can find the longer screwdriver bits or use an extension, it's ok.

I think the only way is with the LED lower in the handle or some such, so it shine up and therefore paints a beam of light over a bigger area?

Cheers, T i m

It can't really go any lower as it's already close to the switch, and would be masked by your fingers. On top of the drill, it would have to stick up a long way.

On the OP's drill, it looks to be above the battery. Would need a decent spread to work well (the photos don't exactly flatter), but a much more sensible location.

Yes, I've a 10.8V Bosch Pro DD and it seems better than the Mak 12V DD somehow.

I was thinking I'd seen it on some drills (or screwdrivers) down on the battery mount so should be in front of your fingers? Like this, assuming the clear lens at the bottom is the light (it may *also* be the battery release catch):

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Like this:?

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Cheers, T i m

It does have a more than adequate spread. If you look at the light pattern you can see it's the chuck which gets in the way.

A removable chuck with a hex drive that takes screwdriver bits directly would sort it. Or just use a bit holder extension to move the business end further away from the chuck.

I must admit to never finding it a problem. I want decent light in the room I'm working in, rather than a drill light.

If only you'd lashed out another £1,100, you could have got a Bosch with 3 batteries ;-)

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And I thought you were talking about installing a new boiler!

If you could mount a circular (array of) LED(s) actually in the chuck, it would work. You'd have to power it from some sort of slip ring, but given the current is trivial, that could be made to work.

... but I agree decent light in the room (or at worst, a head-torch which pretty much *has* to illuminate the area I'm looking at).

The 10.8V Bosch, bought nearly a year ago, is the first one that has a light

- I've always managed without before. The biggest job that it's been on was next door's fence. Somehow the light wasn't much help there.

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