BOSCH 12v drill and driver

[Ray Newman]

Colleagues: My battery-operated drill and screw driver are getting old and tired.

Does anyone here have experience with the BOSCH 12V max Chameleon Drill/Driver with 5-in-1 Flexiclick System and batteries?

See: https://www.boschtools.com/us/en/boschtools-ocs/12v-max-right-angle-drills-gsr12v-300fcb22-202156-p/

And/or: BOSCH 12V max 3/8 Inch Right Angle Drill Kit?
See: https://www.boschtools.com/us/en/boschtools-ocs/12v-max-right-angle-drills-ps11-102-38743-p/

Thanks for any help.

[Paul F Franklin]

I have the flexiclick set and the matching impact driver and love it. They get used for 90% of my woodworking related tasks; I only pull out my 20 volt stuff for bigger, mostly construction type tasks. The right angle head is great for most tight spaces (although the little dewalt right angle adapter can get in tighter places. The offset head is also really handy for tight spaces. They are small and light but have plenty of power for most woodworking jobs. My only nit pick is that I wish the bosch collet allowed you to just push the bit in without having to pull the sleeve on the collet. My bigger dewalt drill and driver have that feature.

[John M Wilson]

Does anyone here have experience with the BOSCH 12V max Chameleon Drill/Driver with 5-in-1 Flexiclick System and batteries?

I have one, along with the hex drill/driver, conventional drill with chuck, impact driver, and hacksaw. I have had these for many years, and really like the form factor & performance. My original batteries were getting a little long in the tooth, so I have picked up a couple of new ones over the years, which have greater amp-hour ratings, and last much longer.

I like these tools a lot, and have no complaints. For what I use them for, the 12v battery (actually 10.something, but they round up :)) is plenty. For super-aggressive hole drilling, I have several corded models, but rarely use them.

BUT, if you are buying into a new battery system (once you have one or two tools that use the same batteries, you tend to stick with that battery style), you may look at some other brands, and see if any of their other tools fit your needs. Milwaukee in particular has a cordless version of nearly every tool known to mankind, and usually gets rave reviews.

For me, the Bosch tools do exactly what I need, and the sunk cost means I'm not changing brands any time soon...

[Dave Sabo]

I’ve had both of them for many years.

There’s a new flexclic version that is brushless (EC) and I’d suggest getting that one instead.

There’s really no reason to get the right angle drill if you buy the flexiclic - it has a right angle chuck included. With a 6.0 Ah battery - the 5 in 1 is hard to beat.

[Keegan Shields]

I haven't used the Bosch version, but I can speak to the Milwaukee tools which are great quality. In particular, you might like the M12 installer tool shown here:

https://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-2505-22-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Installation/dp/B07YKW2Z6K/ref=sr_1_2?crid=22O29WGNS2VF8&dchild=1&keywords=milwaukee+m12+installation+drill+driver&qid=1626977912&sprefix=milwaukee+m12+ins%2Caps%2C216&sr=8-2

I also have a bunch of M18 tools (FUEL drill, FUEL impact driver, chainsaw, sawzall, grinder, and cordless trim router (which has great dust collection). Everything I have used has been pretty good. The FUEL versions are excellent upgrades in most cases.

I tried the cordless ROS and it ate batteries like crazy so I sold it. There are also several M12 and M18 jigsaws available.

[Dave Sabo]

There are also several M12 and M18 jigsaws available.

Bosch has one too, and it is light years ahead of the milwaukee. The milwaukee installer tool is a nice bet of gear but the the forward / reversing switch is a deal breaker for many guys. The 12v lineup from bosch may not be a broad as milwaukee , but most of the tools that are common are superior. When you get to 18v bosch is a real turkey though.

[Keegan Shields]

Haha yes that button is awful.

[Cary Falk]

I have the standard 12 v drill and driver which I love. I also have the right angle one you linked to but only use it when needed. If you go with the Bosch 12V system you should really get this light. It is my favorite light.
https://www.boschtools.com/us/en/boschtools-ocs/cordless-lights-fl12-121246-p/

[Charlie Jones]

I haven’t tried the Flexclic but I have a 12 volt Max drill, impact driver and sawsall. I have used the drill and impact driver in the shop for seven years including putting down a deck. Great tools and lighter than the higher voltage stuff.

[Jim Becker]

The Flexiclick attachment system is very similar to the Festool setup for alternative tool holding and MAJOR handy to have. You will enjoy the flexibility it brings to your work. I cannot tell you just how often having those alternative options has saved time or even made something possible that would have been "not happening" with a straight old D/D arrangement. I also like having the lighter-weight tools for general shop work...again, I use Festool CSX, but smaller, lighter yet still powerful is a great way to get work done and not make your hand and arm tired from hanging onto a heaver, 18-20v tool when that level of power isn't needed. I honestly use the smaller setup for most home improvement work, too. That Bosch is worthy in that respect, too.

[Ralph Okonieski]

My shop has a number of the Bosch 12v battery tools; I am very happy with them. The only issue with the Flexiclick is the head comes off too easily if I am not very careful changing drill or driver bits. I wish the lock was more positive. Otherwise, it is a very handy tool.

[Dave Sabo]

My shop has a number of the Bosch 12v battery tools; I am very happy with them. The only issue with the Flexiclick is the head comes off too easily if I am not very careful changing drill or driver bits. I wish the lock was more positive. Otherwise, it is a very handy tool.


Yes , this can happen with the jacobs drill chuck if you cycle the trigger while holding the chuck.

Which is something most of us do , but I suspect is totally absurd to a German tool engineer/designer.

[Andrew More]

I've got a Bosch 12v Drill and Driver combo. I've been pretty happy with them. I've had some minor annoyances from the drill chuck not getting tight enough.

I've also got the Flexiclick, expecting that it would be more useful than it has been. Every time I think I've got a use for it, I find it doesn't quit fit into the space. Instead I usually find myself using a DeWalt right angle attachment. It's smaller, fits into smaller areas, and has a magnetic bit/screw holder.

I'll second the Bosch 12v light being great. It's a perfect size, runs forever, very bright, and has a very nice magnetic base.

I'm also surprised nobody has said anything about the 12v trim router. It's a unique design which avoids a lot of the top heavy design problems of more conventional trim routers.

[Ray Newman]

Gents: thanks for the information. Now to find a tool emporium that has one that I can handle. Again, thanks.

[Jim Becker]

Gents: thanks for the information. Now to find a tool emporium that has one that I can handle. Again, thanks.

Try to find a place that caters to contractors. The Bosch and Milwaukee 12v s are popular for installation work because of their small size and light weight.

[Cary Falk]

Gents: thanks for the information. Now to find a tool emporium that has one that I can handle. Again, thanks.

Lowes should have it. They carry Bosch. That is where I bought mine.

[Mr. Jeff Smith]

I haven’t tried the Flexclic but I have a 12 volt Max drill, impact driver and sawsall. I have used the drill and impact driver in the shop for seven years including putting down a deck. Great tools and lighter than the higher voltage stuff.


Ditto. I really enjoy and have found the 12V Max line to be a great value, batteries last long time too. I also have the drop lights, which have been great as well. I recommend.

[Derek Arita]

Just my $.02 like everyone else. I was a bike mechanic for about 8 years and used the hell out of 12v drivers and drills, both Bosch and Milwaukee. I found the Milwaukee Fuel models to be faster, more solid and stronger than the Bosch. I have both Bosch and Milwaukee 12v drills at home. I use the Bosch for the lite duty stuff, but the Milwaukee drill and driver for the heavier stuff.

[Fatih EROL]

Try to find a place that caters to contractors. (https://handtools-reviews.com/ryobi-drill-set-and-accessories-reviews-2021/) The Bosch and Milwaukee 12v s are popular for installation work because of their small size and light weight.

Can you be paid a brand other than Bosch vs Milwaukee?

[Derek Meyer]

I have the Dewalt 12V impact driver and drill in my portable kit, for their small size and light weight. I've been very happy with their performance, and the batteries seem to last quite a while despite being small. I like that they charge on the same charge base as the 20V and 60V batteries, and my laser level uses the same 12V battery.

I wouldn't use them to drive 3" or larger screws into 2x material, such as when framing, but for sheet goods and smaller tasks they are great.

[Jim Dwight]

I am apparently late to the party but I will add another vote in favor of the linked Bosch 12V flexi click drill. I have that exact set and it is my favorite but I also agree with the comments that it is kind of light duty. But I do not agree Milwaukee 12V is sturdier. I have a M12 drill and their 1/4 impact driver (and lots of other Milwaukee cordless tools). The M12 drill broke in the low range one of the first times I used it. To be fair, I was driving a spade bit, maybe an inch in diameter, but I've done that a lot with my old Ryobi 18V drills and they never broke. But the Milwaukee did. I have not tried this with my Bosch - I don't see it as that kind of tool - but I don't see the Milwaukee M12 drill as very robust.

I wouldn't want to use the Bosch 12V as my only cordless drill but I wouldn't want to be without it either. I could get by just fine with my Ryobi 18V drills and the Bosch 12V. But I would miss the M12 impact driver. The ability to change the torque (4 settings) is great. My Ryobi is a crude tool by comparison as are the 18V DeWalts I use volunteering at church.

Because I reserve it for lighter duty, more demanding tasks I haven't charged the batteries a lot but both still work fine. I have the 12V Bosch jigsaw on my wish list.