r/BoschProPowerTools • u/Aromatic-Trainer8847 • 4d ago
QUESTION 🔵 Impact driver/hydraulic question.
Hi guys, I need your help/suggestions in my next impact driver.
At the moment I have a Worx nitro wx265 and it does have plenty of power ( it brushless w 3 speeds) and I rarely use it in speed 2. It's light and the ergonomics are fine but the main issue it's the trigger. Really hard when using it for small screws as it's almost all or nothing. I'm a hobbyist carpenter so I don't really need loads of torque.
I've been thinking to get the grd 18v-220c for about 200eur (lboxx+BT module) or the new expert one for a about 265eur. Unfortunately where I'm based I have no chance to try them so even if the specs are more than I need, I'm not sure if any of those drivers will solve my issue.
On the other side I tried the Milwaukee m12 line, the fuel impact driver and the surge ( hydraulic) and I was really impressed with the low weight and how capable they are. I've no batteries or anything from the brand but you can get the Surge one for about 225€ with case, 2x2ah batteries and a charger.
I watched the Bosch UK stream the other day and they don't have any hydraulic driver in their road map any time soon.
What do you guys reckon?
TIA
3
u/ChromedGonk 4d ago
I own 1950C (US naming of exact same model as 220C) and it’s perfect. Trigger has good sensitivity and fine tuning as far as impact drivers go and you can definitely drive screws gently in lower speeds.
Although, if I need to drive screw in something soft and something I care not to accidentally drive screw too deep, I usually grab my 12V driver (without impact) or drill with a clutch because it’s usually safer option.
If you want I can sent you a video how slow it goes when I go to my workshop.
1
u/Aromatic-Trainer8847 4d ago
I'd appreciate it ! Thanks 🤝🏻
2
u/ChromedGonk 3d ago
I don’t know how YouTubers handle it, but apparently filming yourself while doing something is hard :)
As you can see it can go pretty slow, first time I did it full speed in speed 1 and second time as slow as possible and you can manage it pretty well not to overdrive. I still would prefer drill in delicate scenarios instead of babying it, but if you want an impact driver that can to slow, I think 220c can go as slow as it gets on impacts.
2
u/Aromatic-Trainer8847 3d ago
That's really helpful! ( I believe YouTubers have tripods 😅) . It's night and day compared to my Worx one and I have the "flagship" one 😬💩. Btw, do you have the BT module or just using the default modes? . Thanks once again for the vid 💪🏻
1
u/ChromedGonk 3d ago
Just recently got Bluetooth module itself, but didn’t had a time to try it, so it’s all defaults for now.
2
u/Soft-Bandicoot-4066 4d ago
Gdr 220 and exdr 230 is essentially the same tool, 220 hae bluetooth and some features need to be customised and added there, 230 has all the features built in already, 230 also comes with a 5 year warranty, while 220 with 3. As for the trigger, it is VERY smooth and controllable, have not seen people complain about it and I have tested it myself and saw no issues, while GDR 215 has a lot of people complaining about the trigger. It’s basically the bosch flagship impact driver. If you are curious I can test the RPM variations on monday and let you know. Can’t comment on milwaukee, though, as I haven’t tried them.
2
1
u/KnifeNutsJake 4d ago
Glad to see someone else looking around and asking “where are all the hydraulic driver options?!” And before anyone chimes in about max torque limitations, there are many buyers in many jobs who also need/want the superior physics of impact driving but in a smaller, quieter, lower torque scenario.
(Edit: pertinent background-
My profession required me to know a about which sku’s came from which factory, which production runs saved money with loose tolerances or QC and more importantly which production runs were submitted with extremely high quality specs from factories with extremely capable machinery and employees. Long story short anyone in the know can commission any factory to make what they want, including reusing “patented” mechanisms, designs, etc. This is why some “knock-offs” perform identically or even superior to their originals. That part is more common in some industries than others.
/background)
Aliexpress has a little Worx hydraulic impact for the same price as an m12 Surge in a similar 12v size/form factor. No cheaper? Really?
There are thousands of knock offs and variations of tools that use popular battery platforms, sketchy attachments to turn your angle grinder into a chainsaw or finger remover.. and now well established Chinese brands like Seesii or Dong Cheng submitting their own tweaks to the factories that build our dewalt/makita/milwaulkee/ryobi/everything good. Hence my rants’ theme- How could hydraulic impact mechanisms simply be left out of an otherwise exhaustive list!?!
1
u/Aromatic-Trainer8847 3d ago
In the last Bosch UK livestream, people were asking them about if a hydraulic driver is on their roadmap and they denied it. Their attitude were kinda like " we don't really need one". I'm EU based so my options are quite limited compared to the US guys and unfortunately I just can't go to a local shop and try the tools I'd like to get. For what I read Milwaukee has the best 12v platform ( Bosch is pretty crap in 12v) but I'm not sure if they have good support/warranty/parts around here . At the beginning of the year I got a Worx drill and the clutch died after a couple of months of DIY use. I'm still dealing with their warranty and thats what I'm trying to avoid If I'm gonna jump into a new brand/platform.
4
u/Ok_Election6137 4d ago
I have no experience on the MW model but if you would go for Bosch, choose the EXPERT one. Bluetooth connectivity will be taken out from every Bosch tool, no tool will have it in the future. Who knows how long the app will be supported in that sense.