Bosch’s 18V IDH182 is a brushless cordless impact driver AND an impact wrench. It’s a hybrid 2-in-1 impact.
The new hybrid impact tool allows you to use 1/4″ hex screwdriver bits and 1/2″ impact sockets, without having to hunt for an adapter.
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We previously mentioned the hybrid impact in our Bosch 18V brushless drill driver roundup, but maybe you haven’t seen or heard of it before. In that case, you’re probably wondering one of two things:
Wow, what a great idea!
OR
Ick, what a gimmick!
Yes, the hybrid impact wrench/driver (or is it an impact driver/wrench?) looks a little unusual, but it is rather practical. You could use it with common screwdriver bits or hex accessories to drive or remove smaller fasteners, or sockets to drive or remove larger ones.
Bosch actually came out with a similar hybrid impact driver wrench in Europe a while back, and it seems to have been positively received, otherwise Bosch wouldn’t have designed a brushless version for the US and international markets.
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We received an IDH182-02L kit for testing, and while I haven’t used it a lot yet, thus far I like what I’m seeing. It really is nice to be able to switch between screwdriver bits, nutdriver bits, and sockets without having to switch tools or track down the right adapter.
Because of its extended nose, the Bosch hybrid impact is not quite as compact as the latest and greatest impact drivers. This leads me to want to call this an impact wrench/driver, rather than a driver/wrench. It seems to me that the cordless impact will be more appealing to users who tend to use impact wrenches, or impact drivers with square drive adapters, more often.
This might not be the best tool for someone who uses 1/4″ hex screwdriver bits 95% of the time and sockets 5% of the time. Users who tend to go back and forth between an impact wrench and driver, or those that use impact wrenches with screwdriver bits, will probably like the new hybrid a lot better.
IDH182 Specifications
- 1/4″ hex bit chuck (quick-change) and 1/2″ square drive chuck (hog ring)
- 6.2″ length
- Brushless motor
- 3 speed and torque settings
- High: 1650 in-lbs max torque, 0-2800 RPM, 0-3200 BPM
- Med: 900 in-lbs max torque, 0-2000 RPM, 0-2600 BPM
- Low: 400 in-lbs max torque, 0-1300 RPM, 0-1100 BPM
- 3.2 lbs
- IDH182-02 kit comes with (2) 2.0Ah lithium-ion batteries, 60-min charger, double-ended impact bit, belt clip, carrying bag
- IDH182-02L kit comes with an L-Boxx as well
Buy Now: via Amazon | Home Depot
Options
(Prices are via Amazon, on 2/27/14)
Bare Tools
Bare Tool (IDH182B $179)
Bare Tool + L-Boxx (IDH182BL $199)
Kits
2-Battery (2.0Ah) Kit (IDH182-02 $245)
2-Battery (2.0Ah) L-Boxx Kit (IDH182-02L $279)
2-Battery (4.0Ah) L-Boxx Kit (IDH182-01L $329)
Combo Kits
Drill/Driver + Impact 2-Battery L-Boxx Kit (CLPK233-181L $369)
Hammer Drill/Driver + Impact 2-Battery L-Boxx Kit (CLPK250-181L $389)
The kits all come with Bosch’s latest 2.0Ah or 4.0Ah Li-ion battery packs, which have built-in fuel gauges.
JD291
I’m sure they made it 1/2 drive for durability/strength but I would only be interested in a 3/8 square drive model
Stuart
There’s still always the option to use a 3/8″ square drive to 1/4″ hex bit adapter. I have a couple that I use with my 3/8″ ratchets.
There just doesn’t seem like there would be enough space inside a 3/8″ anvil to accommodate a 1/4″ hex bit recess.
Cameron
this looks incredibly practical but I hope its the real deal and can keep up with the pro’s because if it can it definitely will be a new era for impact drivers
Mark
If you have used the 25618 or something comparable then you will love this one. I was able to play with one for a few days and it is fantastic.
Cameron
so its not a gimmick fantastic…..when I see this kind of stuff I always wonder
Larson
Looks very appealing! Does the red ring release the 1/4″ or is it just magnetic? It looks like the bit would have to go pretty far inside to catch on something. As you mentioned it will be beneficial for those that switch back and forth, I just worry about durability with sockets.
Stuart
Yes, the red ring is part of the 1/4″ hex chuck. It must be pulled forward when inserting or removing bits.
Toolfreak
With only that much torque, it’s a much better impact driver than impact wrench, at least for the larger sizes of 1/2″ drive impact sockets. I’m not so sure this would be much use for say, removing lug nuts. It also seems like overkill to have such a large, heavy driver unit for 1/4″ hex bits. The drivers in the 12V Max lineup are more like it.
I am looking forward to a corded 120V version, though.
Stuart
This is a compact impact wrench, and so it’s not designed for the high torques required for lug nut removal.
If the torque was any higher, the tool would pose a safety issue when used with 1/4″ screwdriver bits.
gene gallaugher
High: 1650 in-lbs max torque, 0-2800 RPM, 0-3200 BPM + 137.5 #ft and should be Good for installing or loosening lug nuts if they’re not to rusty.
Most auto/light truck lug nuts torque to about 75-80#ft.
ThatGuy
Passenger car lug nuts are no problem at all. I guess truck lug nuts could pose problems.
Dwain
I wanted to love the non-brushless version i use to own, but it just didn’t have the power of other leading brands. It was not even close to removing my lug nuts. Give this the power of a leading compact impact wrench and I’ll be completely in love with it.
fred
Vive la difference!
Not as hobbled as some multi-use tool designs – but maybe not for everyone – this design looks like it provides an option for those who don’t want to buy 2 dedicated tools.
Jerry
Personally, I think it is a good idea, to have the dual drive, but the choice of 1/4 hex and 1/2 square drive seem to be at odds with each other. The hex is for running things like deck screws, and 1/2 square is for things like lug nuts, which have vastly different torque requirements.
Myself, I found a set of 1/4 inch hex nut drivers that go up to 9/16 in size (not easy to find, but they are out there) which is about as big a nut as an impact driver will properly tighten anyway. They aren’t any harder to deal with than individual sockets, and lock in the same as any sTandard driver bit would.
Now, if they packaged an impact driver with a 3/8 square drive adapter, with secure on tool storage of the adapter, i think ot would better suit the power output of an impact driver.
Stuart
1/2″ impact wrenches are useful for many things aside from breaking lug nuts free, such as driving concrete anchors, large lags, and other such fasteners.
Jerry
I guess with 1650 in-lb (over 135 ft-lb) of torque, it would have some usefulness with 1/2 drive sockets, at least for running bolts in. Doing shop work, though, it’s specs fall into the 3/8 impact range.
Stuart
I don’t think this was designed with the automotive shop environment in mind.
Hang Fire
Obviously it’s not a one tool lug nut solution, but I use my Bosch non-brush-free version every time I rotate tires on my cars. For one thing it won’t overtighten lug nuts, I can run them up with the Bosch and then finish with the torque wrench. Occasionally I run them too tight and if they don’t move at all I have to loosen a little and then back to the torque wrench. This is still less work than spinning a tire cross wrench or using a ratching socket wrench. Also because it is small, cordless/hoseless it is very useful for removing nuts and bolts that my air impact can’t get to. Also I find many uses where I can spin something on faster without worrying about overtorquing it.
Jerry
You’re probably right. I do farm maintanence/repair, and generally we deal in either machine/sheet metal screws (impact driver) or fairly large rusted bolts (1/2 impact wrench, even have a 3/4 for the tough stuff) and being able to get rid of the air hose dragging behind, makes for a more comfortable, more productive workday. I still use the air tools when needed, but my impact driver and cordless 1/2 impact wrench saves a lot of time. It seems you realize there is one more bolt to remove only AFTER you roll the hose up, or drag it around to the far side. Right now on my wish list is the Milwaukee 1/2 impact with 750 ft.lb of torque. However I can see this sort of thing being good for when it is time to put things together, as it will run the sheet metal screws tight, and could accep a socket for running in bigger bolts as well, in instances where you need to come back and torque them down.
cody Robertson
Stewart I was flipping through the Internet and found a picture on Google image of cool looking Bosch impact driver. Type in (Bosch GDR 10.8 volt cordless impact driver) if you look through the pictures you should find the Bosch 1080 Li professional impact driver. It is a 10.8volt tool that has a Bosch slide battery! And information states that it can also run off Bosch’s 14.4 volt battery. I have seen this tool on a few different sites available for purchase but I wonder if it’s real.
Stuart
Codie, I saw the 1080 impact you’re referring to, and noticed that the tool looks rather basic and comes with 10.8V 1.3Ah Li-ion battery packs. My guess is that these tools are based off of Bosch’s 14.4V Li-ion tools, and the 10.8V battery packs are scaled back as well with one less battery cell. This way Bosch could offer a capable but more economical tool to certain markets. This is just my best guess, but I can’t think of a better explanation.
joe
I have a dream, that one day all batteries will be universal. That all cordless drills will be hammer drills, impact drivers/wrenches, drill drivers, have the best egornamics, best power to weight ratio….and they all benefit the user…
lol….I said i have a dream.
In all honesty, I feel like festools are only profiting based on “hybrid” drills. There was a time when they played out the “brushless” motor stuff…but now that a lot of brand tools are coming out with thir brushless version…festool drills are only hanging on their drills to be hybrid….
I support hybrid myself.
For part that I want the hype of festools to go away….fr another is for workers to work less hard. It is a fact that the right tool makes the work easier. IMO.
Francis
Will my bat610g 1.5ah and my bat619g 3.0ah that come with my dds181 drill fit this tool?
Stuart
All of Bosch’s 18V Li-ion battery packs will fit all of their 18V Li-ion tools. I have not yet heard of any exceptions to this.
Francis
Thanks. I will get it without the batteries for christmas.
Sorry for my english (im a french canadian)
Bob
Will Bosch 14.4 v Batteries run 18v Bosch Impact Driver
Gwon Jang
How can check the power?