Drew Styles gets to grips with the GSB 18v-55 cordless combi from Bosch – an entry level compact tool powered by a brushless motor.
A combi drill driver is a must for almost every professional, so unsurprisingly there are a lot of options on the market. Bosch recently asked us to take a look at its GSB 18v-55 combi, and we passed it along to Drew Styles for his thoughts. But first, a few basic facts and figures…
Weighing in at around 1.3kg when a 1.5/2Ah battery is attached, the design of the tool keeps it just under 190mm. However, the compact tool doesn’t lack power – a brushless motor delivers 1,800rpm and torque up to 55Nm. The fact the motor is brushless should also extend the tool’s service life and minimise maintenance.
Perhaps the standout feature is the 13mm all-metal chuck to ensure torque transfer. The chuck also features auto-lock for tool-free bit changes. The tool has a two-speed metal gearbox and a variable speed trigger for full control. There is also a reverse feature.
Other notable features include a handy work light, which is tucked away at the base of the handle to illuminate the task at hand; a soft grip handle; and a belt hook for hanging the tool when it is not in use.
In the ‘kit’ form, it comes with three 18V Lithium-ion batteries, a charger and an L-Case.
Drew says…
“Straight off the bat, I’d say this is a higher mid-range drill. It doesn’t feel like it has the same power as some of my other drills, it delivers speeds up to 1800rpm and torque of 55Nm, which isn’t a huge difference, but it certainly still gets the job done.
“It‘s well balanced and fits nicely in the hand, with the angle of the work light nicely illuminating the work area. The full metal chuck is always a great thing to see on a drill and holds bits nicely – unlike some other drills.
“I thought I’d test this one out a bit more ‘real world’, so I threw it in the back of the van and let it roll about; left the batteries in the cold and it just kept on trucking.
“It is something I’d recommend to compete with other brands and start off a full tool kit with because of the rugged, well built and reliability qualities of the range. So if you’re thinking about starting off a collection, or changing brands, give Bosch a thought.”
Watch the Bosch GSB 18v-55 explainer below…
