Bosch 34614 14.4-Volt 1/2-Inch Compact Tough Drill/Driver

I bought this as a replacement for a Milwaukee cordless that could not be repaired due to parts being unavailable. Although both were about the same price, this drill is not the equal to the Milwaukee. It is heavier and not as comfortable. The batteries do not hold their charge as long and it doesn't have the power the Milwaukee. Obviously, a cordless tool is going to be used outdoors. I had it less than a month and rust started to appear on the chuck. The keyless chuck constantly loosens up which is a big aggravation. The case it came with is basically a throw away. I'd always had the impression that Bosch was a good brand, but this drill has really put me off and I doubt I'll look at any of their products in the future.

I now own 2 Bosch 34614 cordless drills. I have owned a number of other cordless drills and there is no comparison. The performance and battery power curve makes life good in my wood shop. If you are tired of the old gradual slowdown of your current unit I suggest you get a Bosch.

I have had a previous version of this drill for some time now, and it has never disappointed me. The older version that I have has a 3/8" chuck and NiCad batteries. It has a very powerful motor and the batteries hold a charge for a long time. I purchased this new model to use as a second drill at a weekend place. I haven't had this new model for very long, but the advanced battery technology should deliver even more power.

The drill handles easily and works well, and I've never felt a need for one of the more powerful 18-volt drills for jobs around the house. This 14.4-volt model should provide more than enough power for the average home user.

One of my favorite features of these Bosch cordless drills is the locking spindle, which will not spin when the motor is off. This allows the keyless chuck to be tightened or loosened without the spindle and motor turning freely. ALL drills with keyless chucks should have this feature, because the...Read more