Lithium drills are really making an impact on the cordless tool market, and with good reason. Lithium drills offer the power we all want, with the weight savings and run time that we need to make a cordless drill work for us.

18 Volt Drill Battery

All of the major tool maker have a lithium drill available now, so you have many to chose from. I never tell my contractors what color tool they like, I just give them the pros and cons of the brands I sell and let them chose their favorite. This article will give you some info on lithium drills that will hopefully help you make a good decision and understand some of the traits of lithium drills.

18 Volt Drill Battery

Lithium batteries are very different from the NiCad and NIMH batteries you have used in the past. They can pack a lot more energy in a smaller package and understanding what they can and can't do in a lithium drill may save you some frustration.

One of the cool features of a lithium drill is that the drill maintains it's power until the battery is drained then it just quits. With this in mind, if you get to the site and your battery is dead, if you charge it for 5-10 minutes, you will have full power (I said full power, not full run time. You need the full charge for both!). This is a great trait of the lithium drill and many trades and service techs will benefit from this feature.

A lithium drill is much lighter than a comparable drill of the same voltage. This allows you to use higher voltage tools with lighter weight. Remember, voltage equals power, mah equals the gas tank of the battery. So, if you are using a 12 volt now, a 18 volt or even a 36 volt lithium drill will offer you much more power and still have the same run time of you 12 volt with close to the same weight.

What is the down side of a lithium drill? The first thing that always comes to mind is cost. The good news is as more and more lithium drills hit the market, the cost is dropping. One other thing inherent to lithium drills is problems that can occur in cold weather. Lithium batteries don't like a large demand (load) in very cold weather. If you live a colder climate, you will need to warm up the batteries. It may be as simple as putting the battery in your pocket or just slowly running the drill with no load until the "juice" gets flowing. Knowing this going in will save you a lot of frustration with your new lithium drill.

Many people think that new battery technology is just planned obsolescence to get you to buy a new tool. Think that if you will, but the new lithium drills really are in a class in themselves compared to the NiCad and NIMH tools. Older DeWalt tools can actually use the new lithium batteries in them.

If you are in the market for a new cordless drill, consider a lithium drill. The pricing is going down, the performance is going up.

Buying a Lithium Drill

18 Volt Drill Battery

Driver with 2 Slim Batteries

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>> Click here to update Cheapest prices for Bosch 36618-02 18-Volt 1/2-Inch Compact-Tough Litheon Drill/Driver with 2 Slim Batteries <<

Bosch 36618-02 18-Volt 1/2-Inch Compact-Tough Litheon Drill/Driver with 2 Slim Batteries Feature

New compact, tough design for increased maneuverability and less user fatigue
Features 0-500/0-1,600 RPM and 500 inch-pounds of torque
20-position clutch settings for precise driving applications
State-of-the-art lithium-ion battery technology coupled with ECP system guarantees the optimal performance of tool and batteries
LED light is great for dark or enclosed areas

Bosch 36618-02 18-Volt 1/2-Inch Compact-Tough Litheon Drill/Driver with 2 Slim Batteries Overview

Built tough, the Bosch 36618-02 18-Volt 1/2-Inch Compact-Tough Litheon Drill/Driver with Two Slim Pack Batteries is a durable, powerful, and compact tool for high-quality results. Featuring Durashield housing to guard against wear and tear, the 36618-02 utilizes an 18-volt Litheon battery, which provides 35% more runtime and two times the recharge cycles of its competitors.

The 36618-02 Litheon Drill/Driver offers:

18-volt Litheon batteries for long-lasting performance.
Up to 1,600 RPM and 500 in./lbs. of torque.
20 clutch settings and a variable-speed trigger for versatility.
One-handed bit changes.

Pictured with a Fat Pack battery.
Even though this tool comes with 2 Slim Packs, you can purchase a Fat Pack separately and get more run time--2.6 Ah vs. 1.3 Ah with the Slim Pack. No other company provides this option.
View larger.

18-Volt Litheon Batteries for Maximum Runtime and Manageability
The 36618-02 utilizes state-of-art lithium-ion battery technology and Bosch's proprietary ECP (Electronic Cell Protection) system to provide maximum cycle life, minimum self-discharge, and no memory-effect. Best of all, Litheon batteries will fully charge in 30 minutes and will be at 85% capacity in just 15 minutes.

Handle grip with finger support provides maximum control. View larger.

Up to one pound lighter than comparable 18-volt NiCad drills/drivers, the 36618-02 won't weigh you down. It's ideal for a wide range of drilling and fastening jobs, from hanging curtains to building a deck; from making automotive repairs to installing cabinetry.

Unique, Flexible Power System
Like all tools in Bosch's 18-Volt line, this drill/driver can be used with either a 1.3-Ah BAT609 Slim Pack battery (two included) or a 2.6-Ah BAT318 Fat Pack. If you're looking for a lighter-weight option, the Slim Pack is the perfect choice. If longer runtime is what you need, the Fat Pack will do the job. Bosch is the only power tool manufacturer that provides this option.

Fast Speeds, High Torque, and Durable Construction for Reliable Results
The 36618-02 works at speeds up to 1,600 RPM and provides 500 in./lbs. of torque. Durashield housing, unibody construction, and a steel-reinforced collar help you withstand real-world conditions, like temperature extremes, rain, dirt, debris, and drops.

The 36618-02's Durashield Housing is constructed with ABS/Nylon composite, which makes the housing flexible and impenetrable. Unlike competitive tools, which use a conventional plastic housing, Durashield will not crack and can easily withstand 10-foot drops.

This tool also features unique unibody construction with three steel straps that keep the motor, gears, and clutch together. This ensures that the gears never separate from the motor, and it keeps the drill functioning even after drops.

Additionally, the 36618-02 boasts an exclusive steel-reinforced collar that protects the nose of the drill. It provides extra reinforcement in the event of drops on the chuck and prevents the chuck from bending or breaking off.

Easy Bit Changes and Balanced Design for Utmost Control
The 36618-02 comes complete with a single-sleeve 1/2-inch chuck for one-handed bit changes, as well as increased drill-bit capacity for versatility. And for maximum control, comfort, and balance, the tool boasts a newly designed handle-grip with finger support.

Smart Features for Easy Use
20 clutch settings and a variable-speed trigger help you match the best speed to the job, so you can achieve precise results. At the same time, the 36618-02's ergonomic design provides optimum comfort and control. And for even greater convenience, LEDs provide illumination when you are working in dark or enclosed areas.

ProVantage Guarantee
The 36618-02 comes with the ProVantage three-year protection plan, which guarantees two years of battery protection and one year of tool protection. Under this plan, you can receive two years of free battery replacements, tool replacement for one year, and a free tool repair package for the second and third years.

What's in the Box
Drill/driver; two Litheon Slim Packs; 30-minute charger; double-ended bit; and carrying case.


18V Lithium Ion Family of Tools
For more information, click on the images below

17618-01 1/2-Inch Brute Tough Hammer Drill/Driver	37618-01 1/2-Inch Brute Tough Drill/Driver	36618-02 1/2-Inch Compact Tough Drill/Driver	CCS180(K)(B) 6.5-Inch Circular Saw Blade Kit	CRS180(K)(B) Reciprocating Saw Kit

25618-01 Impact Driver w/Two Fat Batteries	25618-02 Impact Driver w/Two Slim Batteries	24618-01 1/2-Inch Impact Wrench w/Two Fat Batteries	IWH181-01 3/8-Inch Impact Wrench w/Two Fat Batteries	CFL180 Cordless Flashlight

CLPK23-180 1/2-Inch Drill/Driver and Impactor Driver Two-Tool Combo Kit	CLPK22-180 Hammer Drill/Driver and Impactor Driver Two-Tool Combo Kit	CLPK20-180 Hammer Drill/Driver and Reciprocating Saw Two-Tool Combo Kit	CLPK21-180 Hammer Drill/Driver and Circular Saw Two-Tool Combo Kit	CLPK40-180 Reciprocating Saw, Circular Saw, Hammer Drill/Driver, and Flashlight Four-Tool Combo Kit