Bosch Litheon Pocket Driver

[Jamie Baalmann]

I was wondering if anyone had one of these and was willing to give a review on it. I have been eyeballing them especially since I have been installing so many cabinet doors and drawers lately. I thought it might be nice for fitting in tight spots. Just wondering if it was all they claimed it to be.

[Steve Clardy]

Yes Yes Yes. :D

I have two of them.
Been using them over my 14.4 boschs, even on cabinet installs.

That little light sure is nice when you have your head tucked into/under a counter top, attaching it to the cabinets from underneath.

Batteries last a loooong time between charges.

One is about 8 months old, the other is 3-4 months old.

[Lewis Perry]

I have one and love it--haven't used it long enough to know how long it will last but the size-power-feel is great. I have had Craftsman, DeWalt and PC but this is by far my favorite.

[Michael Schwartz]

I am planning on getting the 10.8 volt impact driver, but I have put that on hold for some tools fitting the Neanderthal Category, and completing my Ez Smart System (for now, if you know the EZ :D )

[Matt Meiser]

I have the pistol grip one which I bought to replace a deceased impact driver. It is a great little tool. Like Steve said, the battery life is great. They don't have the power of an impact, and I ended up buying a new impact because I liked using my impact for heavier stuff (like with 1/4" drive sockets) as well as driving screws. I've been using both simultaneously on my cabinet project--the Bosch for stuff like hinges and slides and the impact for assembling cases and the like. While it has a lot of power, it also is easy to use a light touch on small screws that the impact would destroy.

[Ted Baca]

I'll chime in with the same tone as the rest. I have one and love it, I also bought the angle head. I actuallused them the opther night to run a 7/8" spade bit through some 2x4 material in a tight spot and couldn't have done it with them. Excellent life on each charge and so awesome to have it your pocket when you need it. At 129.00 they are one of the greatest values in power tools that I have made. I too will be adding the impact whne the dealer gets them in stock.
You won't be any less than satisfied. All my others collect dust now.

[Larry Rasmussen]

I purchased one on a 10% deal at Lowes took it home opened it, brought it right back. I think the socket they use is not up to par with the rest of the unit, just a pretty sloppy fit. I decided I'd wait until someone else came out with one that caught my eye. This can't be much of a big deal judging by the responses here but thought I'd mention it.
Larry

[Brad Townsend]

I have one. To quote a now deceased, grade B movie actor, "You would have to pry it from my cold, dead hand."

[Jamie Buxton]

I've used one belonging to a friend. It is cute, but it doesn't seem to have much torque. I stalled it on screws, and had to finish with my larger drill. I looked it up, and it is spec'd as 80 in-lbs max. For comparison, the 12 volt DeWalt drill is spec'd at 230 in-lbs.

[Dino Drosas]

I got the Hatachi version at just $79. and feel it is one of the most useful tools that I have. Comes with two Li. batteries and they last a long time between charges. It even has an LED that lights up the tip in dark places. Had the older model Panasonic before this and got many years out of it.

[Barry Beech]

I have one and love it. It is my go to driver for screws. Plenty of power for screws, of course it won't work on lag bolts. Plus I really holds a charge.

[Mike Goetzke]

I have had the PS20 for about 9 months now and love it. It works great for pocket hole construction (tight spaces), mounting drawer/door hardware, and easy to carry around the house for misc. jobs.

I liked the PS20 so much that I bought the PS40 Impactor when it was $110 at Lowes. Same footprint but I couldn't believe the power. I also have a newer Makita LXT impact driver and prefer the Bosch for the type of work I do. I have had a couple of outdoor projects requiring SS screws and unless I'm very careful can easily strip the head (sq. hd.) with the Makita but not with the Bosch. Only negative for the Bosch Impactor is that it is very NOISY.

[Matt Meiser]

Following on what Jamie and Barry said, generally, I find it good for small screws or driving screws up to about a #8x2" into a predrilled hole. After that the impact rules. Driving deck screws without predrilling isn't its strong point.

[Steve Milito]

It will drive a pocket screw no problem. I even need to set the slip clutch or it can occassionally over drive a pocket srew. It can drill small pilot holes for hardware without slipping. It's great for drawer slides, hinges, face frames, etc. I have even used it to place a few 1 1 /4 screws to install countertop. It doesn't replace a corded drill, or a 18v cordless. It isn't the tool I'd grab to install decking.

[Tim Reagan]

When were the impactor $110 at Lowes? I was in there last night and they were $199:confused:
Thanks

[Bartee Lamar]

Steve, Do you have the PS20 or PS40 ?

I looked at these a Lowes and now see the difference. I like the idea of a clutch drill instead of an impact driver.

For $129 it PS20 seems pretty good....

[Peter Pedisich]

The BORG near me has this marked $129, could it be a mistake?
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41QpA%2BEYnXL._AA280_.jpg (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B000PI4896/ref=dp_image_z_0/002-1460297-4287266?ie=UTF8&n=228013&s=hi)

[Bartee Lamar]

Peter,

I just looked at Lowes at lunch. The PS20 is 129 the PS40 is 199.

They look very similar.

I think the picture you have is a PS40, but it is hard to tell.

[Peter Pedisich]

Bartee,

yes, it is the PS40 impact driver for $129, if it's a mistake maybe I should go pick one up before they change the price!

Pete

["Michael Hinkel"]

Another vote for it, I am not a professional so I don't know how long the battery would last on a job but I use mine for everything.

[Tim Reagan]

Peter,

Is it 129 at the orange borg, it was 199 at my blue one.

tim

[Peter Pedisich]

Tim, $129.99 at the orange BORG on L.I., NY.

[Tim Reagan]

I'll check mine today(so. cal.) and post.
thanks.

[Matt Lentzner]

There's a promotion on Amazon called "SPEND500" that will get you a free PS20 if you spend over $500 on other Bosch tools. Only worth it if you were already planning on purchasing something, but if you were...

Matt

[Brad Townsend]

The BORG near me has this marked $129, could it be a mistake?
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41QpA%2BEYnXL._AA280_.jpg (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B000PI4896/ref=dp_image_z_0/002-1460297-4287266?ie=UTF8&n=228013&s=hi)
If you can get this for $129, go for it. It is normally $200. My local Lowes had it for $129 a few weeks ago. I bought one and made a pdf of the receipt to email to anyone who wanted it for price matching. Had a pretty good feeding frenzy going.

[Tim Reagan]

Both my HD were 199. If it were less than 30 days, maybe you could pm me the receipt?
Thanks, Tim

[Peter Pedisich]

Tim,

I'm gonna try the HD first thing on my way to work...will report back.

Pete

[Tim Reagan]

Has anyone purchased the ps40 for $129 in last 1-2 weeks? I can't find it anywhere by me for less than $199.

[Peter Pedisich]

Tim,

Hi, finally had a chance to check back at the HD here and I was wrong, the tag on the shelf said Bosch 10.8 Litheon driver $129 and had a bunch of impactor boxes above it. I took one off and scanned it and it came up $199. So I told the guy in the tool corral and he said they just put the wrong boxes there.
So I feel a little stupid for getting hopes up (mine included) for nothing.

Pete

ps- so while I was there I picked up the regular 10.8 driver. It looks awesome, played with it briefly

[Bartee Lamar]

So you purchased the PS20 correct ?

Let us know how it screws

I do a lot of pocket holes and always use my Rigid 18v 3/8. It certainly works but is not lite.

[Ed Labadie]

So you purchased the PS20 correct ?

Let us know how it screws

I do a lot of pocket holes and always use my Rigid 18v 3/8. It certainly works but is not lite.

It's gotten to the point the PS20 is all I use for pocket screws, works great! The clutch is really good, so stripped screws aren't a problem.
My last project required the pocket screws to go into solid cherry, not a problem! Plenty of power.

Ed

[Brad Townsend]

Tim,

Hi, finally had a chance to check back at the HD here and I was wrong, the tag on the shelf said Bosch 10.8 Litheon driver $129 and had a bunch of impactor boxes above it. I took one off and scanned it and it came up $199. So I told the guy in the tool corral and he said they just put the wrong boxes there.
So I feel a little stupid for getting hopes up (mine included) for nothing.

Pete

ps- so while I was there I picked up the regular 10.8 driver. It looks awesome, played with it briefly
A mistake perhaps, but not really stupid, as many of us really did buy the impactor for $129. Sometimes the way stuff is displayed, you hardly know what you're buying.