36v drill vs 18/20v drill

For bolting routes would it be fine to have a 18/20v drill or should I go with the big 36v drill.  I am looking at the cordless Bosch drills on cpo that are reconditioned. I can get the 18v for 100 bucks cheaper but if the 36v is going to be much better I'll grab that one.  I am kind of thinking of weight savings with the 18v drill and just the size. If anyone knows if the 18v will do just fine let me know.

Thanks,

Jared!

I've got the reconditioned 18v and am very happy with it. I can get around 20 holes per 4ah battery in our local limestone. It drills quick, and I haven't felt like I needed more power. Granted I'm not bolting hard quartzite or granite. I haven't regretted going with the smaller drill, especially when I'm working away from the vehicle and have to pack it in.

Depends on how far you're humping gear in, the type of rock and size/number of bolts you are trying to get in in a day. Most likely an 18v is fine, but if you're hiking miles to put 20x 1/2 bolts into granite, you're definitely gonna want a 36v.

There are also a million threads on this subject so I recommend doing a search as all the info you want is there. :)

Totally  depends on if you are  lead  bolting or rap bolting.  Suspicious that the  18v could be an obsolete  model? Pretty much  everyone is 20v or  more these days..

Whatever you decide, make sure you go put some routes up in Red Rocks, then post about it on MP. 

Nick Goldsmith wrote: Suspicious that the 18v could be an obsolete model? Pretty much everyone is 20v or more these days..

18V and 20V tools have the same nominal voltage. Some manufacturers changed began calling their 18V tools "20V" when they made the switch from NiMH to Li-ion batteries.

seems to be a monstrous difference in the tools that I use at work. I would go with whatever is the latest tech. Brushless, lots of amp hours etc. 

I sold my  36volt bosch in favor of an 18v makita. The 36v is now only needed for lots of holes in hard stone. 

I have a newer 18V GBH18-26 which performs significantly better that the old 36V 11536-C in all respects (at equivalent weight). The 11536-C is the compact model everyone has been using for years, it's been discontinued for some time and is impossible to find. I suspect its 36V replacement (RH328VC) performs a lot better but the body alone weighs almost 10 lbs and I don't think it's realistic to haul anywhere, even if you're rap bolting 2 minutes from the car. The GBH18-26 with a 6.3 Ah battery weight 8 lbs and that's more than enough to not want to make you drill on lead...
For reference I put in 20 1/2 x 3-3/4 holes in softish volcanic rock with it and the battery indicator was down to 2/5.

There are a number of light-duty 18V models which weigh less and don't hit as hard. They're great options for soft rock or drilling on lead. If you're working on really hard rock though they're not going to cut it. 

the amp hrs is the key.  8lbs is 2lb heavier than my old 36v but also has more amp hrs.  I would check out Dwalt and see if they have anything lighter than 8lbs if you are into lead bolting.... 

just found this. 6.4lbs. I swear by all the dewalt brushless tools that I use @ work.
 ​https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCH273B-Brushless-Rotary-Hammer/dp/B00YDZI9BA/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1K4VKQ6EOLYHQ&keywords=dewalt+cordless+rotary+hammer+drill&qid=1553646536&s=gateway&sprefix=dewalt+cordless+rotary+hammer%2Caps%2C172&sr=8-4​​​

That dewalt is amazing. I had been using a 36 volt Bosch getting about 9 to 12 bolts per charge, in squamish granite but man, with 2 batteries and bolts,  bolt tools, and anchor chain _- about 30 lbs minimum. Borrowed a friends dewalt - 16 holes on a 5 amp battery (2 batteries with the drill if bought as set.)  At about 2/3 the weight. It is also flex volt so you can get the 60 amp hour battery if you are drilling a massive amount of holes in quartzite or diamond or kimberlite. It also has a number mid to smaller battery size options.
I raved about it so much I got one for xmas

I can get 10-12 holes in granite with my 36v per small battery. 16-20 for the big dog. Shit's heavy though.

The DeWalt sounds dope.

the 60v  batteries fit on all your tools but they are super heavy and the tool runs the same as it would with a 20v, I have both kinds of batteries as I have a 60v circular saw. I no longer carry a corded skill saw at work which should tell you how well it works. .  the normal 20v batteries are the ticket for a 20v tool  and they come in 5 amp,  6amp and I think 9amp?? as well as the smaller lighter options. 

I ordered the Bosch 36v from cpo already but after y'all talking about this dewalt monster I might have to send it back and order the dewalt off of Amazon.  I'd be spending 76 extra dollars on it which isn't going to kill me as long as it is worth it in the end.  Thanks for the info everyone. I appreciate it!

The real secret is the M12 Fuel cordless hammer from Milwaukee. Volts are a lot like trucks... the bigger the truck.... 

What about this dewalt?  It has a different number than the one already posted here but it comes as a kit.
DEWALT DCH273P2 20V Max Brushless SDS Rotary Hammer with 5 Ah Batteries

It’s the same drill, just comes with batteries, some form of case, and charger. 

Can you post a link to the Milwaukee drill that y'all are talking about?

I'd sell my 36V Bosch if you're interested in picking one up...

​https://www.boschtools.com/us/en/boschtools-ocs/36v-cordless-hammer-drill-drivers-hdh361-01-124887-p/

Looks like the exact same battery