Bosch 23612 Impactor 12-Volt Ni-Cad Cordless Impact Driver

I got this for my husband after he told me he would like to have one but that most models were too expensive and the batteries and chargers weren't included. A search on Amazon came up with this one. It was inexpensive AND had the batteries (2!) and charger included. He has used it several times and loves it!

I use this little guy almost every day. From building and installing cabinets, to hanging sheet rock, driving deck screws... you name it. It never quits. I went with the 12v to save weight (carrying around an 18v all day gets heavy after lunch time) and I was a little worried about the batteries keeping up, but the charger only takes one hour to fully charge. I have NEVER had any down time while waiting for a battery. I've used the makita and dewalt impact drivers as well and I'll take this one any day. They are also good drivers, but the Bosch just has a really comfortable feel (if that makes sense). The belt clip eliminates the need for a holster on your rig and works great for hanging on ladder rungs as well.

I am a custom home audio/video installer in Washington state. As part of my job I mount things like movie projectors and screens, plasma and LCD TVs, speakers, etc. to walls and ceilings. I have used many tools for driving lags/screws (many standard drill/drivers, Makita 14.4v impact, DeWalt ??v impact), and nothing comes close to the Bosch 12v impact driver. It hits harder than any of the 14+v impacts I have used. The one down side is you have to get used to how tough this little guy is, or you'll break screws (and even lags!) if you tighten them too much.

Battery life is great (recharge time is a little long). All metal gear housing and flexible chasis allow it to take a beating (I've dropped mine off of several six and eight foot ladders and it has never had a problem).

This is a great tool that I would recommend to anyone!

As an HVAC professional, I have to say that this is the best cordless tool I have ever owned. I spend a lot of my day driving sheet metal, sheetrock, and other screws and bolts. This impactor is light, strong, batteries have great lasting power, and it's compact. Used it for just under a year without issues or degradation in performance, and I can assure you that I and my coworkers have not babied it. This thing takes abuse, dropping, dirt, rain, whatever - it rules.

I compared the bosch impact drivers to the makita (my final 2 brand choices) and went the bosch because 1) I already had a number of bosch cordless tools so I was sold on their performance (I am a contractor not a hobbies) and 2) I have some 12v batteries for light duty drills to use as spares. and 3) I purchased the drill new on ebay for about 65% of the price on Amazon. I have had no problems with this tool after driving 2000+ screws including 4 inch lags. Battery run time may not be the same as the makita 12v or bosch/makita 14v tools but with the Bosch rapid charger and 4 batteries this is not a problem. If you are use this tool heavily and have only 2 batteries and the 1 hour charger you might get bogged down. If $ was not an issue I would have gone for the 14v but looking at the tool from a cost/power perspective I know I purchased the right tool.