“12V Max” is the model name for this line of Bosch tools and drills, so keep that in mind. Not to think that 12 volts is the maximum power or something.
For about 25 years now, I have used battery-powered screwdrivers to do things. The drill is powerful enough to use. It was time to get new screwdrivers because: 1) My old screwdriver broke down, and the batteries were no longer available for it; and 2) My Black & Decker (four AA battery powered) cordless screwdrivers could do many jobs, but they aren’t powerful enough or versatile enough for bigger jobs (e.g., driving large screws into 2 X 4 or thick plywood).
With this goal in mind, I went to Amazon and YouTube to look for the best screwdriver for my needs and requirements, which is to say, for DIY home repairs, not for a job (e.g., carpenter, plumber, contractor, electrician, handyman). To do my research and shopping, I could have only looked at the names of the professional drivers and drills, which you already kno. But I didn’t want to pay $150 to $200 to drive screws or drill holes once a month, if that. As a bonus, I have small hands (glove size is always small for men). While the big drivers are impressive, my little fingers get tired of holding them, especially if they’re overhead or my arms are stretched out. There are times when size DOES play a role.
Why did I buy this Bosch “12V Max” screwdriver / drill (PS21-2A): It has a lot of power.
– YouTube and Amazon have good ratings and good reviews. This screwdriver was praised all over. Yes, there were a few complaints, but if the product star ratings on Amazon show an average of four stars or more, a few scattered complaints don’t affect my decision to buy. Often, people make complaints that are stupid, moronic, or just plain silly. E.g., “After five hours of use on a house remodel, the battery died..
– Lightweight: If you’re looking for a battery-powered screwdriver that is small and light but still powerful, this Bosch is for you. At 67, I’m in good shape. There is no way I’m being a liar. It hurts when I hold a power screwdriver extended or above my head. I can no longer use manual screwdrivers. When I found out that this screwdriver was very small and light, I no longer wanted to use even a medium-sized screwdriver any more. See my pictures of this screwdriver next to US dollar bills to see how big it is next to them.
The kit comes with two (02) lithium ion batteries. This was very nice to me because I like having two batteries. Plenty of power to do DIY projects all day. It’s important to know that some companies try to sell their consumer screwdrivers for a low price by selling them separate from the batteries. Buy the batteries on their own, or pay more for a set or kit that comes with a battery and charger.
Getting a screwdriver, a battery, and a charger for $60 to $90 was in my budget. Because it sucks to run out of battery power, I set aside another $30 to buy a new battery. So when I saw that the retail price for this screwdriver was $80, I was very excited. It came with two lithium ion batteries, an AC charger, a case, and a few bits. Free shipping from Amazon Prime made it so I was $40 under my budget.
Note: I never buy things just because they’re cheap. You can find $30-40 cheap screwdrivers that look like they came from TV on eBay and Amazon. They come with a battery. Bonus tip: El Cheapo screwdrivers are guaranteed to start fires and burn down your house when you charge your battery, so you can rest easy.
Bosch is a well-known brand, even though this driver was made in China (Asia). It’s still a good idea to make sure the Bosch brand is known for high quality and the quality of its products, so I think there are strict quality checks in Bosch.
Recourse: I liked that when I bought something from or through Amazon, I could get a full refund if I didn’t like it or changed my mind.
The 12V Max can do everything you need in a drill or screwdriver. Is able to drill or drive or remove the biggest screws in the hardest of things with this tool. If I had to describe this, I would say it was a “precision driver. Those things that make you stand out.
– Lightweight, small, and compact.
– The motor and the driver gearing are very smooth and very precise, so it is very easy to drive.
– Control of speed (via the trigger switch).
It’s important to have precise control over the power. Trigger (the more you press, the more power is delivered) and clutch (the more you push, the less power is delivered) (1-19, and drill setting). There are two ways to use this driver/drill: You can set it up for small jobs, or you could turn it all the way up for the big jobs.
– A note about the Clutch, please (settings 1 to 19, and drill mode). “1” is the lowest setting, “lowest power,” and “19” is the highest setting, “most powerful. To get the most power, turn the clutch to the drill bit icon. Bonus tip: What is a clutch. A screw or bolt thread can be damaged by the tool. You don’t want to strip the threads or damage the head (e.g., strip the slots). As an example, when the driver is set to “1,” it will only lightly screw or unscrew a bolt, and make a sound to show that it has stopped.
– Quality: The fit and finish of everything in this kit is very good. This is not your cheap plastic screwdriver that will break in a month.
In this kit, there are two batteries and an AC charger. There is also a canvas case that holds all of the tools and a manual that is easy to read. There is a nice LED light. I used the light to see inside the engine bay of a car when I was taking something out.
This screwdriver has hex-head bits. This makes it very simple to attach and remove bits. This makes it very easy to do. For example, if you want to use standard drill bits, you can buy adapters with hex heads. These adapters have drill chucks that can hold standard drill bits.
