Best drill

I’m looking to get a new drill. I want something light that I can use on lead. I searched around on here and saw a sweet 18v Panasonic one that looked perfect but I can’t find it online. I’m not trying to rewire stuff with a hanging battery pack, just want a nice compact 18-20v drill. 

Try the Makita XRH06B. Nice lightweight drill hasn't let me down in granite. Very happy with this and found a new one on Ebay from a dealer at a good price. There are after-market batteries too. Does not come as a kit however. You will need to buy the charger separate. Still a good deal. I lead with it on my back and I rigged it so I can easily sling it around for use then secure it back on my back one handed.

Also, there are threads on this topic with tons of info. Search for those.

Hard to beat the 18v Bosch with a few of the  slimpack batteries, they are super light.

Little Man wrote: The Bosch RHH181 is an absolute beast for 18v. Also, the battery sits in front of the handle rather than below it, and the handle is below the main body if that makes since. If you compare it to other brands you'll see what I'm saying. This places the majority of the weight above and in front of the handle which makes it much easier to drill above your head from a stance with less force required from you. This can be very beneficial in balanced stances. I almost exclusively climb with mine clipped to the harness. So, the weight is tolerable. If the climbing gets too hard or steep to be able to do the moves with it on you, you're likely going to be aiding anyway.

With all that said, Milwaukee makes a 12v hammer drill that is pretty damn good and a few lbs lighter than the Bosch. It's not as powerful, not as fast, nor will it drill as many holes with a single charge, but it makes up for that with it's weight. Id highly consider one if you factor in the longer approaches, saving space in your pack, and having a lighter drill on you while climbing. I'd go with one if you're mainly doing trad routes and only need a handful of bolts on a pitch. If you're doing ground up sport routes where you know you'll be drilling a lot, the Bosch is the way to go.

Thanks dude! I have a 12v one now and it’s crapping out on me and I want something more powerful but still light so that Bosch one looks like the way to go. 

I've got the 12V Milwaukee with the 4 amp-hour battery, I'd estimate I can get 8 or so 3/8x2.5 holes in hard quartzite so long as I keep using a sharp bit.  Soon as the bit gets dulled up (3 holes in this rock) it doesnt have the grunt to keep drilling (in quartzite, softer rocks will probably be easier) and will slow down. It's light and available, with spare batteries of all different sizes at Home Depot if you need.

no votes for the Dewalt or Milwaulkee 20V/5amp-hr tools?

Larry S wrote: I've got the 12V Milwaukee with the 4 amp-hour battery, I'd estimate I can get 8 or so 3/8x2.5 holes in hard quartzite so long as I keep using a sharp bit.  Soon as the bit gets dulled up (3 holes in this rock) it doesnt have the grunt to keep drilling (in quartzite, softer rocks will probably be easier) and will slow down. It's light and available, with spare batteries of all different sizes at Home Depot if you need.

I have the same drill and the same problem with dull bits. I recently bought the m18 (I got it instead of the Bosch for the battery's compatbility with other tools) and can say that it does way better with dull bits. Doesn't seem to matter how dull they get, it just keep on drillin'.

Bosch Xtreme bits will last longer.

I use the Milwaukee M12 Fuel for granite, sandstone and limestone. Works just fine and is super light. 

There are various M18 models.  Mainly the big ones ( Fuel models) are standouts, but not for leading.
https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Power-Tools/Drilling/Rotary-Hammers

You've asked for drills in the 18-20v range useable for lead drilling so agree the Bosch is a good tool for that requirement. The slim pack batteries fit other tools which maybe of interest (cordless angle grinder) depending on what you do.

I enjoyed the lighter drill and battery packs, plus already had the Bosch 18v grinder. However, be aware that the hammer unit on it is not very durable in my experience placing around 1,000 anchors per annum in hard rock (granite and volcanics). The Bosch servicing was appalling (I had to chuck the drill because nowhere could I get the hammer replaced) so I switched back to Hilti and their 22v drill which is very durable and their servicing is no problem anywhere.

Blog links that might help:

https://francishaden.wordpress.com/2016/02/13/drills-for-bolting/

https://francishaden.wordpress.com/2019/09/20/d-for-drilling-hello-hilti-bye-bye-bosch/

Keith Wood wrote: Try the Makita XRH06B.

End of thread IMO, if looking specifically at lead bolting

It is decidedly not a Hilti TE-5A with NiCad batteries, I can tell you that. 

I have had good experience with the hilti 18 volt drill with the 3.2 amp hour batteries.  Was getting about 15 four inch holes Per battery in rockies limestone. The drill was a bit bulkier for sure, but i rarely needed to bring an extra battery.  And if i did... lookout limestone.  Papa is in town and things are gettin buck. 

Francis Haden wrote: You've asked for drills in the 18-20v range useable for lead drilling so agree the Bosch is a good tool for that requirement. The slim pack batteries fit other tools which maybe of interest (cordless angle grinder) depending on what you do.

I enjoyed the lighter drill and battery packs, plus already had the Bosch 18v grinder. However, be aware that the hammer unit on it is not very durable in my experience placing around 1,000 anchors per annum in hard rock (granite and volcanics). The Bosch servicing was appalling (I had to chuck the drill because nowhere could I get the hammer replaced) so I switched back to Hilti and their 22v drill which is very durable and their servicing is no problem anywhere.

Whew......might need a second job to be able to afford the Hilti......

thanks for the feedback though.  So many models out there.....tough to compare them all.  I have a Hilti TE 10A from the late 80's.......still works fine.  Battery long since crapped out and i switched to a remote lead acid battery.  

skinny legs wrote:

End of thread IMO, if looking specifically at lead bolting

Why do you think the Makita is better than the Milwaukee 12v?  It appears to be heavier, has less blows per minute with less blow force.  

tom donnelly wrote: Bosch Xtreme bits will last longer.

Strongly agree here. Local crag has stone that makes every other rock seem like styrofoam. I’ve got nearly double the holes with the xtreme bits vs two carbide.

On the Bosch 18v, there are two models. The 1” has the battery under the handle. That’s what I have and it’s just heavy enough with 6ah battery packs that I think I would fifi it to the last bolt rather than lead with it on the harness. You may not be as soft as me though.

I tested my Bosch GBH18 on an obscure granite boulder no one will ever see. 41 3/8" full depth holes in bullet granite. The thing didn't slow down  It just shut off after 41. Brushless motor is a game changer. And yes it's a bit heavy to carry on lead, but as Nick says, hang it from your last bolt or piece and pull it up as needed on a 7mm zip line.

I've always thought that using a fifi is a little sketch. If that thing ever came off the bolt it would ruin your day. Make up something like this instead. Bomber. The hook itself is bent from a welding rod.

Of course that's an old drill in a Yates cover (can't get those anymore. Bummer.)

Kristian Solem wrote: I tested my Bosch GBH18 on an obscure granite boulder no one will ever see. 41 3/8" full depth holes in bullet granite. The thing didn't slow down  It just shut off after 41. Brushless motor is a game changer. And yes it's a bit heavy to carry on lead, but as Nick says, hang it from your last bolt or piece and pull it up as needed on a 7mm zip line.

I've always thought that using a fifi is a little sketch. If that thing ever came off the bolt it would ruin your day. Make up something like this instead. Bomber. The hook itself is bent from a welding rod.

Of course that's an old drill in a Yates cover (can't get those anymore. Bummer.)

How many amp hours was your battery? That’s awesome 

Sweet, thanks for all the tips guys!

Adam Beach wrote:

How many amp hours was your battery? That’s awesome 

6.3.

They make an 8, but my buddy in construction, who turned me on to this drill in the first place, says the 8 lasts no longer than the 6.3, takes longer to charge, and costs twice as much. Plus they have an over heating issue.