Customer Reviews

Bosch 1005VSRK 5.5 Amp 3/8-Inch Drill

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I recently purchased the Bosch 1005VSRK drill. I have a Bosch jig saw and am very happy with it. I figured the drill would be the same quality as the jig saw. Wrong! When I tested my new drill I found that about 50% of the time it would start smoothly and slowly as a variable speed drill should. I found that the other 50% of the time the drill would hesitate then suddenly start up with quite a bit of torque and the speed would be fast. There seemed to be no way of knowing which way the drill would start which is a pain if you're trying to start a hole in a very precise place. I was very unhappy with it, and returned it right away. I then did what I should have done in the first place. I bought a Milwaukee 3/8" Magnum variable speed drill. I am extremely pleased with it.

In regard to the Bosch drill I've learned that this unit is made in Malaysia, and it doesn't seem to be up to Bosch standards. When it comes to this tool you better pass this dog up.

I bought this as I was very impressed with their jig saw, which I have had for 3 years. This drill is a very weak product and I would not recommmend it for anything other then extremely light use. I am contractor and this tool was getting lots of use for fast, light drilling jobs. For the heavy jobs we use our 1/2" milwaukee. After three months the internal reduction gear stripped while drilling a 3/4" hole (this drill is specified to handle up to a 1" wood hole). I considered it bad luck and replaced the gear for $... 3 months later the cord shorted out where it enters the drill. Again changed same and then 2 months later the chuck broke. I was very disappointed with this drill.

I like the other reviewer have had the 1587s for years, and they are still running. The company I work for installs commercial metal roofing and siding and we use BOSCH or DeWalt exclusively. The guys had their doubts about the plastic chasis ( the 1587 has a metal housing in front of the pistol grip ) but so far the 1005 has held up. The switch does not feel quite as good as the 1587, and due to a molded tab on the reversing switch, it is harder to reverse with only one hand. However, the 1587 feels less balanced and not quite as comfortable after a days work. The motor is actually 5.5 amps, not 5.0 as advertised. The DeWalts have not been as durable as they used to be, so we are trying some different manufacturers. Milwaukee makes a good motor, but they are not comfortable, the Makitas have had bearing problems, and the Hitachis are not inexpenive and are not as comfortable. So far the BOSCH, like always are holding their own.

I have only owned this drill for a few months so I can make no recommendations regarding long-term durability. I can however say that it is very easy to use and quiet. The Jacobs keyless chuck tightens and loosens with no problems what so ever and holds the bit tightly in place. The reversing switch in near the trigger and can be operated with the trigger finger and thumb. The molded plastic case is convenient and well designed. It holds the drill securely and has plenty of room for the cord and a small case of twist bits or screwdriving bits. The 5.5 amp motor yields plenty of power for most standard light to medium duty drilling jobs. I would consider a larger drill for any big heavy duty type jobs. This is a quality Bosch tool but it is not made in the USA like their industry standard jigsaws (I own the 1587) nor is quite up to that extreme level of quality and performance. It is still a great drill. Price wise it is right in there with comparable products from DeWalt and Makita and a little less expensive than Milwaukee and Porter Cable. I can't make any performance comparisons to the other brands because I simply have not used the other ones. I do own tools from those makers with the exception of Milwaukee. I do not consider myself to be a brand loyalist. For me the deciding factor was the way the Bosch felt in my hand it has a nice shape and a good balanced feel.

I picked up one of these drills thinking that the "Bosch" name meant that I was going to get a drill comparable to the other fine Bosch tools I have. This Malaysian tool was so disappointing that I have already returned it. I am a carpentry contractor that will use a tool like this only in a pinch, so it was never intended for heavy use. But after using it to drill a few pilot holes (20 or so) and driving in the screws, the trigger assembly was hot, and I was concerned that the drill would burn up. I now have the comparable DeWalt, and am happy.

I bought this drill after my old Makita was stolen. I thought it would be made in either the U.S. or Germany--Malaysia is not in Germany. This tool is a piece of JUNK. It is loud, but does not have any power. I have since bought a Milwakee, and the Bosch sits on the shelf gathering dust. Don't waste your money.

I bought one of these and am totally pleased with it. It is fast, powerful, and I like the keyless chuck. The forward/reverse switch is very ergonomic and the carry/storage case, despite the flex hinges on mine, is designed to be very durable. This deserves a five star rating for usability and value.

I have a cordless Makita which is good, too. I needed an AC drill for higher RPM and endurance, etc. I would have liked to have a Milwaukee Holeshooter, but that is more than double the price.

I am using this as a home owner/hobby/craftsman guy and it works well. It is much better designed than other 3/8 drills in this price range.

If money is no object, get the Milwaukee, but this is good value.

I have used this model that my friend has owned for years and have found it to be reliable, powerful to the point that it puts other drills to shame, and have yet to find a project it couldn't tackle. I finally decided to buy one for myself, and am glad I did. The only complaint I have is that sometimes it is too powerful to control when you need to go slow. I highly recommend it.

How can you beat it for the money? I have probably 8 different battery operated drills, a couple heaver duty Porter Cables and even an old Rockwell that's over 25 years old. They all have their place. My older Bosch - much like this one and probably 15 years old is still running and the last one just like this got stolen. I bought it to keep in my work van to use in conjunction with or in place of my battery driven drills for those times when you need more speed, consistancy, power or for when the last battery dies.
It's nice and light, comfortable to use and it does a good job. It certainly isn't for use with a 4" hole saw, but if you took your time it'd probably do that too. Great for occasional use and the factory rebuilt tools seem as good as the new ones. If you need a heavier drill, then spend more money. I wouldn't expect this to hold up to day in an day out heavy abuse, not for the price, but then again, my other one has lasted.