Bosch CLPK234-181 Combo Kit – Our In-Depth Review
Editor Rating: 4.3/5
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Bosch CLPK234-181 Combo Kit Review
Reviewed by: Timothy Henderson
Last modified:
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Bosch CLP234-181 Review Summary:
Sure, there are a lot of different combo kits available on the market, but none of them are lighter and more compact than this 2-piece Bosch tool set. It’s the ideal set for people who do a lot of drilling and impact driving because both devices are very light and easy to control. If your job requires a lot of drilling overhead or from a ladder, these tools will make all the difference for you.
The set contains the DDS181 Drill/driver and the IDS181 Impact driver. Both tools are a perfect blend of power, control, and versatility. You can use them for DIY home projects, but they are also powerful enough for some heavier applications on construction sites. Both devices are very reliable, and they always provide perfect results even if you’re new to power tools.
We are just going to state that the 1/2-inch driver in this kit is rated best in class, but we’re going to get into the details a little later on. Every purchase includes two 18V 2.0Ah batteries and a convenient carrying case. So, if this is something you think you could use, keep on reading and we’ll go through all of the amazing features you get by buying this Bosch tool set.
Specifications:
- Number of tools: 2
- Weight: 10 lbs
- Batteries: Two 2.0 Ah Li-ion batteries included
- Voltage: 18V
- Warranty: 1-year limited
Bosch CLPK234-181 Combo Kit – The Basics
The set may look like an ordinary 2-piece drill/driver and impact driver combo, but it’s anything but! You do get only those two devices, but both of them are very powerful and offer a wide area of application. They can finish up most medium jobs with ease, but you can also use them for some tougher applications without worrying about motor overload.
The compact drill/driver has a standard 4-pole motor that has all the power you could need for a drilling job. It can produce up to 600 in.lbs. of torque and up to 1,700 RPM the highest settings. It’s also got some useful features like the two-speed dial and 26 clutch settings for specific tasks. It’s the perfect tool for working in low-light areas because it’s got built-in LED lights, but we’ll get back to that in a minute.
The IDS181 impact driver is a well-constructed power tool. It’s got a powerful motor that produces up to 1,150 in.lbs. of torque and 2,600 RPM. The tool weighs 2.9 lbs, so it’s a bit heavier than some other similar models, but it’s also much more powerful. It outperformed many other impact drivers in our tests, so we’re more than pleased with its performance. Now, let’s check each device separately.
The Features
DDS181 Drill/driver
The DDS181 drill/driver is the basic version of this model. It weighs 3.5 pounds and comes with a heavy-duty keyless chuck that holds every bit firmly in place. That’s crucial for a drill that has so much power and speed. The drill has a regular 4-pole motor that produces up to 600 in.lbs. of torque. The two-speed transmission allows you to switch the working speed between 0-500 and 0-1,700 RPM and the extra 26 clutch settings will enable you to adjust the torque for each task further. The battery will stop as soon as you release the trigger, which will save some battery life and also prevent stripping of screws.
The maximum drilling capacity in wood is about 2 inches and 1/2-inch in metal. This tool comes with a couple of useful features as well. The first one is the built-in LED light located at the foot of the drill. It will illuminate your work area, making sure you get the desired results every time. It takes about an hour to refill the batteries and half that to deplete them under a heavy workload.
IDS181 Hex Impact Driver
The IDS181 Impact Driver is one of the best such tools by Bosch. It’s got a powerful motor that produces up to 1,150 inch-pounds of torque. The top speed of the drill is 2,600 RPM and 3,100 BPM, which is more than what you need to get the most DIY jobs done. One of the best things about this fantastic cordless tool is the weight and size.
It weighs only 2.9 pounds, so you can use it for a long time without feeling any fatigue, and the length of the head is 5.4 inches, so it can fit into some tighter spaces to get the job done. Unlike the drill/driver, this device has a built-in ring of LEDs located around the barrel. It will keep your work area illuminate at all times. Both devices feature the Electronic Cell Protection system designed to improve battery life and prevent motor overload.
Accessories and warranty
Like all other products made by Bosch, this kit also comes with a 1-year limited warranty. You also get two 2.0 Ah 18V batteries, a charger, and a convenient carry bag.
Pros:
Powerful tools
Carrying bag
2 batteries included
Lightweight and compact
Cons:
The handle tends to heat up
Things we liked about it
We are always eager to test Bosch products because they are reliable and durable. The same thing can be said about this 2-piece Bosch tool kit. It’s one of the best such kits on the market because both tools are compelling and easy to control. They also come with some useful features like built-in LED lights, a powerful motor, and motor protection system that makes sure these devices work for a long time to come.
Things we didn’t like
Both tools work great, and they get things done in no time, but we had a problem with the handle getting too hot to hold under a heavy workload. You’re probably not going to experience that if you use it on medium and light jobs around the house, but know that things could get a little too hot during those tougher and longer drilling jobs.
What Users Say About The Bosch CLPK234-181
About 80% of the users are happy with this toolset. They like how the devices feel in hand and the fact that they provide up to an hour of work time on a single charge. The battery charger is also praised as it takes less than an hour to recharge the batteries completely. Of course, everyone is talking about the fuel gauge.
Conclusion
So, by getting the Bosch CLPK234-181 Combo Kit, you will receive a couple of highly powerful and versatile devices that will help you get things done faster and easier. Apart from packing a punch, these tools also have useful features like the LED lights, the EMP motor protection, and multiple speed settings, all designed to help you with your drilling and driving jobs.
The bottom line is – you should definitely consider getting this combo kit if you want to get some new power tools and forget about replacing them in the following years. Bosch has got you covered.
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