Bosch’s new 18V drills, similar to the anti-kickback cordless drills that debuted in Europe, will soon be available in the USA. The new drill/driver (DDH181X) and hammer drill (HDH181X) are built with smart acceleration sensors that will help reduce the risk of harmful reactive torques in bind-up situations.
When an ordinary drill or hammer drill binds up or jams, the tool itself will begin to rotate, sometimes injuring the user’s wrists or arms. Impact damage, where the drill swings up and hits the user or a bystander in the face or body, has been known to happen as well.
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With the DDH181X or HDH181X drills, the built-in acceleration sensor can detect the quick rotational reaction forces that develop when a bit or accessory binds. It then sends a signal to the tool’s control circuitry to cut power to the motor. Without power, the drill is safely stopped.
This quick video demo does a great job of showing what the new anti-rotation sensing technology does:
Bosch says that the anti-kickback sensor technology makes the new drills easier to handle, and we also see it as one of the best safety features added to handheld cordless power tools in some time.
A new auxiliary handle (read more about why these drills need aux handles) features 23 positions and a tongue-and-groove locking structure for better control.
Features and Specs
- Torque: 708 in-lbs (DDH181X), 752 in-lbs (HDH181X)
- 2-speed transmission
- 25 clutch settings
- Length: 8-1/4″ (DDH181X), 8.9″ (HDH181X)
- Weight: 1.75 lbs (DDH181X), 5 lbs (HDH181X)
- No-load speed: 0-400/0-1700 RPM (DDH181X), 0-440/0-1850 RPM (HDH181X)
MSRP: Drill/driver – $279, Hammer drill – $299
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Both kits will be bundled with (2) 18V 4.0Ah Li-ion battery packs and a charger.
ETA: May 2014
Buy Now(DDH181X via Amzon)
Buy Now(HDH181X via Amazon)
Compare(DDH181 via Amazon)
Compare(HDH181 via Amazon)
First Thoughts
User-friendly safety features, in heavy duty drills that can deliver upwards of 700 in-lbs of torque, that you won’t even know are there until they save your wrists or other body parts from injury? Thumbs up Bosch!
A lot of pros have grown fond of impact drivers and wrenches as substitutes for heavy duty drills, partly because of how they inherently deliver non-reactionary torque. When an impact tool binds, it won’t spin itself or your wrist. But impacts, even with multiple electronic speed and torque settings, aren’t ideal for drilling situations or when you want greater torque control.
Even better, the suggested retail prices of the DDH181X and HDH181X kits are close to the current street prices of the non-anti-kickback 2-battery DDH181 and HDH181 kits, which is pretty good news. In other words, you might get the added safety without any increase in cost!
Michael Quinlan
I agree – this looks like a great safety feature. After feeling like I broke a bone in my hand (which I didn’t) when my drill slammed it into a stud, this is something I can really appreciate. I won’t be replacing my working drill just to get this feature, but it will certainly play a part in my next drill-buying decision.
Jerry
Sounds like a good safety feature. I know for me, a drill only seems to bind if I am in an awkward position. I can recall once I might have fallen if not for a safety belt. If the street price is roughly the same as the old model without this feature, it will be a no brainer to get a drill with this feature.
PS. I have learned to use the clutch on a cordless drill whenever possible, even when drilling. Unless you need ultimate torque, there is usually a high enough setting so it won’t slip in normal use, and if the bit binds, it is enough to take the ‘pain’ out of a bind up. As a bonus, I found I chip less bits at the point of breakthrough when drilling steel. This feature would be better, though, as it would work regardless of the clutch setting.
that plumber guy
This feature would be godsend on my Milwaukee hole hawg, even with a 3′ pipe in the handle it could still send you flying. Definitely a feature I would pay for plus the added bonus that Bosch is not charging a huge premium makes it a no brainer.
Dewalt Rep
Dewalt has had this feature on their “hole hawg” (Stud & Joist Drill) for many years. We call it E-Clutch. DWD460 is the model number. E-Clutch is also available in our larger SDS Max Hammers, the DWD220 1/2″ drill and even some grinders.
http://www.dewalt.com/tools/drills-12-specialty-drills-dwd460.aspx
John
Holehawg is the only way to go. Sorry tried dewalt s and makita, not as good as the holehawg
Eivind
We’ve had it in Europe since October’13 Its working great! Espescially with those big hole pipes.
mike
Interesting,if I didnt just buy the Porter cable 20V two battery set,id probably invest in one of these.
Dewalt Rep
“new anti-rotation sensing technology”
It’s not new, Dewalt has offered this for years in the DWD460, DWD220, and almost the entire SDS Max/Spline Hammers. Even some of the grinders have it in case the wheel gets pinched when your cutting through pipe.
http://www.dewalt.com/performandprotect
Stuart
Do any of Dewalt’s handheld cordless drills have anti-rotation sensing technology? What about other brands? No? Then it’s new. Perhaps not “new technology” in an absolute sense, but new implementation of modern technology.
Dewalt Rep
“Perhaps not “new technology” in an absolute sense, but new implementation of modern technology.”
Glad to see we’re in agreement.
Matthew Fant
All agreement or disagreement aside, I’m really happy to see leaps forward in tool innovation. Speaking of which, when are we going to see my dewalt 20/12v line expand?
Dewalt Rep
We’ve launched a brushless framing nailer, cordless band saw and grease gun so far this year in the 20v system. The 3 speed premium drills in December. You’ll see more new products this summer and later this year.
Javier
Help support the fight against tool abuse
Dewalt Rep
Que Sarah Mclachlan
Matthew Fant
Awesome!
Caleb
I have a metal plate in my right forearm and if I have a drill bind up I generally can’t use my hand normally for a week or so. I usually try to use my left instead but either forget or can’t. Glad to see this stuff getting to the cordless market!
Guy Lebuc
Hey DeWalt guy ! Get a real job instead of wandering the internet sticking up for dewalt and putting down other brands for being innovative because YOU HAS A CLUTCH IN SOME TOOLS WOWS !!!!!!!.
Stuart
I appreciate your stance, but this “Dewalt Rep” does not wander around the internet sticking up for Dewalt. He is a regular reader that sometimes cautiously chimes in with insight or information. In this case he wanted to point out that Dewalt also built similar tech into some of their tools (but not cordless drills).
If these were his first comments on ToolGuyd, my attitude and response would be completely different. But he does NOT regularly bash other brands. I think this is the first time he has ever brought up Dewalt tools during discussion of another brand’s products.
I don’t think his intent was to diminish the value of Bosch’s innovation and developments, but to simply argue that my description of this being new technology might not be perfectly accurate.
Bikerdad
Two Questions about these upcoming puppies:
Brushless motors or not?
L-Boxx or not?
Btw, after my adventures using a standard hammer drill that was almost completely useless, I’ve adopted the stance that if I need to go at something with a hammer drill, it’s gonna be an SDS. Mind you, the standard hammer drill was functioning perfectly. It just didn’t have the chops to deal with 50 year old concrete. (Note that we had similar problems hanging drywall. 50 year old DF or SYP laughs at drywall nails.)
So, if I feel a need for a full sized, full featured cordless drill, this one is certain to be a contender. Just not the hammer drill. Make it brushless, put it in an L-Boxx, and it’s moving toward the head of the class.
Stuart
New listings went up, and so I added new “buy now” links to the post. The prices are all over the place, so it wouldn’t be wise to order them until they’re actually in stock and the prices are truer.
1. Brushless or not?
No, it is my understanding that these are brushed-motor drills.
2. L-Boxx or not?
Yes, there will be at least 2 L-Boxx bare-tool and kit options for each model. Model numbers are DDH181XBL for the bare-tool drill, DDH181X-01L for the drill kit, and HDH181XBL and HDH181X-01L for the hammer drill bare-tool and kit options.
3. Hammer drill vs. rotary hammer.
Hammer drills really are best for a few holes in masonry here and there. For a lot of holes, larger holes, or working in tougher materials, then you’re right in how an SDS rotary hammer is going to be a much better experience.