Bosch PSB 650 RE Compact Impact Drill

No matter how many battery drills you have, there will always be a need for a mains powered drill. You just need the grunt over time once in a while. Because battery powered drills have pretty much taken over most jobs, a decent mains drill can now be had for not much money which this Bosch drill is. The plastic is high quality that will stand up to the inevitable drops and impacts a working tool is subject too. The controls are easy and the drill has a soft start up to the pre-set maximum speed you choose. Although if I'm honest I only ever use high speed unless the tool I'm using can only be used at low speed such as some ceramic tile cutters. The chuck will take up to a 14mm bit which is pretty decent as the maximum normally is 13mm. Hammer action is very good and I've used this multiple times on engineering bricks. Not quick I have to say but the force required and time is extensive so it is a good test of the drill which is still perfect. Keyless chuck. Brilliant really. When they first came out I was not a fan, but now I would not have a drill with a standard chuck because of the convenience. Only issue is that grit can get embedded into the mechanism so a good clean out is needed now and again. There are a few things that add value if you like them. There is a depth gauge, movable handle and a plastic ABS storage box. I'm not bothered by the gauge or in fact the front handle which I remove, but the case is great for storage. Overall a top value tool at reasonable price.

The fact that this tool is still a best selling hammer drill on Amazon speaks for itself. However it has to be noted that green Bosch tools are not meant for professional use. Build quality is no match to the blue (and more expensive) versions. The Bosch PSB 650 RE, as the name suggests, has a 650 Watt motor which is not meant for large jobs requiring loads of power, yet this has its advantages: Lightweight, compact and low power consumption. The drill comes in a handy carry case, so once the job is finished it can be stowed away with ease. I really like the rotary speed dial found on the trigger and the very comfortable ergonomic grip. I would recommend this drill for odd jobs around the house. As for value I give it top marks, even though I have read a review mentioning the keyless chuck, which on occasions tends to loosen on prolonged hammer action. I have not experienced any problems so far. Having said that, the keyless chuck is a treat to use, especially for those jobs were the bit needs to be changed often. Bottom line: If you need a reliable yet cheap drill which will satisfy most needs around the house, than the Bosh PSB 650RE should be on your shortlist. Highly recommended.

Superb powerful mains drill for those who don't want to get halfway through a job, use up all the battery, then wait several hours for it to recharge. Hammer function makes light work of thermalite breeze block (used for mounting LED TV to an external facing wall - drill through plaster and into breezeblock behind) Good long lead and the chuck is really solid and well made. Quite loud but then I am comparing it to my previous (rechargeable) drill. The mains motor is obviously more powerful so one can expect it to be louder. Don't do what I did and look into the vents when you turn it on for the first time - I ended up with an eyeful of machine oil!

I bought this drill on the strength of it's reviews as a replacement for my dad's "trusty old" black and decker. Although relatively inexpensive, this drill has all the power you need for the majority of DIY jobs and is surprisingly quiet when not on hammer. The chuck works well and is far easier to use than the "trusty old" black and decker's chuck key. The drill is lightweight and can be easily used without the second handle for lighter jobs, but the handle is very useful when you need more control or pressure for harder jobs. All in all, strongly recommended.

You can't go wrong with a Bosch! The trigger is slow engaging with the motor, so gives you more control. However, the speed dial only activates to the desired speed once you reach the 'biting point'; 3/4 of the trigger button. I love the one button lock feature for drill bits. I have used the 680 model for drilling ceramic tiles which was fine, but realised that is not a current model, so I have ordered the 650 model instead- main difference is 30 watts of power, but torque and everything else if pretty much the same. The hammer action does make a difference, which I realised on the tiles, not a good idea, stick to normal drill motion! Of course, two handles is always better than one, plus the depth guide is good, although would be better if it was made from metal and not plastic. Apart from that, there isn't much you can't do with this drill at home. Hope this helps. M

ممتاز