If you're having trouble finding a cordless combo kit that packs enough punch at an affordable price, give this 24-volt arsenal from Bosch a try. With a maximum torque rating of 500 inch-pounds, the cordless drill is among the toughest available. That kind of torque necessitates the included removable side handle and is likely to make the user thankful for the cushion grip. While it offers only 16 clutch settings--a small number compared to the 18 to 24 settings on competing drills--this heavy-duty tool is really intended as more drill than driver, and in most applications we can imagine, 16 settings is plenty. The keyless chuck on this drill has a grip tough enough to match the motor's high torque and can hold the big bits you'll want to use with this drill. The blade-left, 24-volt circular saw offers as much power and cut capacity as you could ask for in a cordless saw. It can easily cut regular 1-1/2-inch-thick material at a full 50-degree bevel, and the bevel mechanism has a positive stop at 45 degrees. It features tool-free, rear-pivot depth-of-cut adjustments and tool-free bevel adjustments, plus the wrench for blade changes stores in a clip right on the base. The rear battery configuration on this saw allowed Bosch to give the tool good, even balance while maintaining a nice low profile.
Bosch's cordless reciprocating saw provides plenty of heavy-duty cutting power without the leash. Its 0 to 2,300 spm speed ranks it with many corded reciprocating saws in raw cutting speed. It features tool-free blade changing, shoe adjustments, and--in a feature unique to Bosch's reciprocating saws--you can switch the stroke length from 3/4 inch for precision plunge cuts to 1-1/4 inch for faster cuts. For a reciprocating saw, it's relatively easy on the arms, and for a cordless model, its power can't be beat.
The batteries on Bosch's 24-volt tools are 2 amp hr ni-cads made for Bosch by Panasonic. While we really like the padded grips Bosch uses on its cordless tools, the 24-volt battery does add a little extra heft to these tools, and no matter how nice the grip is, you will notice the extra weight if you work with these tools all day. This kit is ideal for contractors and other professionals looking for heavy-duty, high-powered cordless tools at a great price. The full kit includes the 1/2-inch drill, 6-1/2-inch circular saw, reciprocating saw, two 24-volt batteries, a one-hour charger, a drill bit, carbide circular saw blade, a rip fence, two reciprocating saw blades, and a case that holds it all. --Brian Trinen
