Bosch CLPK23-180 18-Volt 2-Tool Lithium-Ion Combo Kit

by Bosch

• 36618 18-volt Litheon drill driver has a tough design for increased maneuverability in tight spaces and less user fatigue
• Ratcheting, single-sleeve 1/2-inch chuck for one-handed bit changes and bigger applications
• State-of-the-art lithium-ion battery technology coupled with Bosch's proprietary ECP (Electronic Cell Protection) system
• 25618 18-volt Litheon impact driver features high-performance motor, all-metal gears, and compact design
• Built-in LED lights for working in dark or enclosed areas

Product Description

Amazon.com

Bosch’s CLPK23-180 18-volt lithium-ion drill and impact driver combo kit pairs the 25618 impact driver with the 36618 drill driver—two of the most compact and conveniently powerful tools in its 18-volt Litheon lineup—for a versatile set that allows users to tackle a wide range of tasks around the house, work shop, or job site. Both tools operate on lithium-ion battery technology coupled with Bosch’s proprietary Electronic Cell Protection system, ensuring peak performance even under extreme work conditions. These power tools are backed by a three-year warranty; the batteries are covered by a two-year replacement guarantee.

CLPK23-180 18-Volt Two-Tool Lithium-Ion Combo Kit At a Glance: 18-volt Litheon compact tough drill driver has tough design for increased maneuverability in tight spaces and less user fatigue 18-volt Litheon impact driver features high-performance motor, all-metal gears, and compact design Advanced lithium-ion battery technology paired with Bosch's proprietary Electronic Cell Protection (ECP) system Built-in LED lights for working in dark or enclosed areas

Tackle professional tasks or home projects with the combined power and precision of the 25618 impact driver and the 36618 drill driver (click each to enlarge).

About the 25618 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Impact Driver
The Bosch 25618 18-volt impact driver features a lightweight design for increased maneuverability in tight spaces and extended comfort. Boasting a high-performance motor and all-metal gears, this versatile tool is rugged enough for professional jobs and user-friendly enough for weekend workers. Bit changes are easy with the 1/4-inch hex drive, and a built-in LED provides extra light when needed.

The impact driver's robust motor and all-metal gears deliver 2,800 RPM or 3,200 BPM for fast results. For driving force, its hammer and anvil system produces 1,500 inch-pounds of dynamic torque. Thanks to a variable-speed trigger, it's easy to match the correct speed to the job. All this power comes in a lightweight package that fits into tight corners and won't overtax arm or hand muscles. At 5.7 inches long and 3.8 pounds, the 25618 is one of the most compact drivers on the market. To help out in dark corners or other low-light areas, the driver provides a built-in LED light for instant illumination.

This Bosch driver is capable of driving a three-inch all-purpose screw into a pressure-treated 4-by-4 in about one second, and can drive a 3-inch by 1/4-inch lag bolt into a pressure-treated 4-by-4 in less than four seconds.

About the 36618 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Compact Tough Drill Driver
The Bosch 36618 18-volt 1/2-inch compact tough Litheon drill driver is a durable, powerful, and compact tool for high-quality results. Up to one pound lighter than comparable 18-volt NiCad drill drivers, the 36618 won't weigh you down. It's ideal for a wide range of drilling and fastening jobs, from hanging curtains to building a deck to making automotive repairs to installing cabinetry.

The 36618 works at speeds up to 1,600 RPM and provides 500 inch-pounds of torque. Its sturdy Durashield housing and a steel-reinforced collar help you withstand real-world conditions, like temperature extremes, rain, dirt, debris, and drops. The 36618's Durashield housing is constructed with ABS/nylon composite, which allows it to flex on impact and withstand tough job-site conditions. 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 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. And to help out in dark corners or other low-light areas, the drill driver provides a built-in LED light for instant illumination.

About Bosch’s Litheon Lithium-Ion Batteries
These tools are powered by 18-volt batteries from Bosch's Litheon line of lithium-ion batteries: 1.3 Ah slim pack (BAT609), 1.5 Ah slim pack HC (BAT610G), 2.6 Ah fat pack (BAT618), and the 3.0 Ah fat pack HC (BAT619G). Slim pack batteries offer the lowest weight option while fat packs offer the longest run time, and they all boast Electronic Cell Protection. (Two BAT609 1.3 Ah batteries are included with this set.) This battery pack design protects both the battery and the tool by preventing the three main causes of battery failure--overheating, overloading, and deep discharging. The results are optimal battery life and performance, 35 percent more run time, and up to two times as many recharge cycles.

What's in the Box
One Bosch CLPK23-180 18-volt two-tool lithium-ion combo kit, including one 25618-01 impact driver, one 36618-02 compact tough drill driver, two BAT609 1.3 Ah batteries, one BC660 fast charger (30 minutes with slimpack; 60 minutes with fat pack), drive bits, one belt clip for the impact driver, one soft carrying case, and manual.

Bosch's CLPK23-180 18-volt lithium-ion drill and impact driver combo kit combines the 25618 impact driver and the 36618 drill driver for the utmost in compact power (click each to enlarge).

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Compact Medium Duty Guns, So-So Battery Life June 5, 2010

By Gabriel Morgan

Amazon Verified Purchase

I would recommend these drills for anybody. Even if you're a heavy duty pro they are tough enough for most jobs. They are small and light weight for 18 volts and the impactor especially feels tough. They are certainly not as powerful or tough as the Bosch Brute Tough line but then they weigh half as much and cost a lot less, too. I can carry them both easily in my tool belt and have a bit in the drill and and another in the impact.
As for power the drill has effortlessly done everything I've tried so far. It doesn't have a lot of torque at lower speeds however. The only complaint I have about the drill is the little rubber bit holders are entirely useless-everything falls out right away.
The Impact driver works great. Somehow the way it works it is a lot harder to strip the screw heads and when I went back to a drill I was stripping them like crazy because I was used to how the impactor works. I really like the belt clip although it could be a little longer. When I was trying to put some 1/4" thick 3" lag bolts in it kept breaking them! (Not really a problem you just have to take it easy on them but it shows the impactor's power.) However the specs about the impact driver having three times the torque of the drill seem a little unreal. The drill seems to have as much or more torque than the impact. For example I was trying to put a screw through a deer antler which is really hard and it got stuck and the impactor couldn't move it any more but then I tried the drill and it did it.
The only complaint I have about the impact is the noise - it's really loud. I feel like I should wear hearing protection whenever I'm using or near it but all impacts I've used are like that.
Batteries are light weight and small (1.3ish amps) and proportionately short on battery life. When doing screwing on a metal roofing job the impactor lasts 1.5 to 2 hours. As is typical of lithium Ions they work great right until the end and then go dead all at once without warning. A charge meter on the batteries like the Milwaukees have would be really great but I bought the Bosch because I think they are a much better quality product. But since the batteries charge 80 percent in 15 minutes and full in 25-30 battery life is not a big problem. You can always get the big (about 2.4 amps) for 90 dollars or so. Some people have complained other brand's chargers have burned up their Lithium Ions but Bosch's charger has a really strong fan so I don't think that will be a problem.
I really like the LED lights on the guns but I would like to be able to turn them on and off separate from the drills. They are fairly bright within ten feet or so and could be used as work lights if you could turn the light on without having to hold the trigger down the whole time.

Overall I would highly recommend this product.

They are supposed to be remanufactured or whatever but mine seemed brand new and they came with full Bosch 3 year Protection Plan (Break it and get a new one free right away they say.)

I'll try to add to this later on and tell how the drill are doing after a few months.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great combo September 4, 2010

By Mark K.

Amazon Verified Purchase

A great combo kit at a good price. These two tools are light and powerful and the little led light is a great addition from my old Dewalt drill. The charges on batteries seem to last forever. Having never had an impactor before, I am now convinced its the best way to fasten screws.

On a shipping, note. Bosch does not package their stuff well. The drill had the battery already attached and was loose in the box. Also, the bits were loose and the impactor is in a box that looks like it is fastened with scotch tape.

I spent a long time researching/looking for a new drill. I am quite happy with this combo and how many accessories that bosch provides.

One more thing. I did not get the reconditioned version. Mine were new.

UPDATE:
After having used both the drill and impactor for some time, all I have to say is WOW. I used my old dewalt to screw some shelves and it stripped every screw. The Impactor worked great, drove the screws with very little effort and didn't strip any of them. The kit has worked great. It's light and the batteries seem to last forever.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent value for great tools. December 3, 2011

By Shane Hansen

Amazon Verified Purchase

I really can't say anything that hasn't been said here already. Both of these tools have plenty of power, the lights are extremely handy and the battery life is great. I bought the "fat pack" battery to go with these drills and it works excellent. The only complaint I have, and the reason for 4 stars instead of 5, is the extremely poor bit holder on the drill. Even my super cheap Black & Decker drills have metal holders that the bits firmly clip into. I've had these drills for a month but have only used them for a week total. I already lost the included bit from the drill because the little rubber fingers on the side don't work. If you look at the bit holder the wrong way, the bit falls out. Other than that, I recommend this set over any other brand and price.