Intro
When your project moves beyond soft timber and plasterboard into brick, concrete, and stone, a standard rotary drill quickly reaches its limits. The bit spins uselessly against the hard surface, generating heat and frustration instead of progress. This is where a corded impact drill — also known as a hammer drill — becomes indispensable. Unlike a standard drill that simply rotates the bit, an impact drill adds a rapid hammering action that pulverises the material ahead of the bit, allowing it to drive through masonry with far less effort. Corded models have a key advantage over their battery-powered cousins: they deliver consistent, uninterrupted power without the runtime anxiety that comes with drilling dozens of deep holes into concrete. For serious renovation work — installing wall anchors, running conduit through brick walls, or mounting heavy fixtures into masonry — a reliable corded impact drill is not a luxury; it is a necessity.
Generalities
Choosing a corded impact drill comes down to four things: motor power, impact energy, build quality, and ergonomics. Motor power is measured in watts — the 700 to 850 watt range is the sweet spot for serious DIY and light trade use, giving enough punch for 16 mm holes in masonry without the tool becoming too heavy or expensive. A two-speed gearbox is essential: low speed for high-torque screwdriving and large-diameter drilling, high speed for smaller holes and faster progress. The impact mechanism itself should be robust, ideally with a metal gear housing rather than plastic, because the hammering action subjects the tool's internals to repeated shock loads. An overload clutch is also worth looking for — it protects both the motor and your wrist if the bit suddenly jams in reinforced concrete.
This review examines a mid-range corded impact drill from Bosch Professional, a brand with decades of experience in rotary hammer technology. We will assess its power output, the effectiveness of its impact mechanism, build quality including the metal gear housing, and how it handles real-world tasks from drilling into brick to driving large screws into hardwood. We will also look at the accessories included and whether this drill represents good value for the demanding DIY user or trade professional.
Description
The Bosch Professional GSB 18-2 RE is a corded impact drill built around an 800-watt motor that delivers up to 40 Newton-metres of torque — enough to drive the largest construction screws and bore 16 mm holes into masonry. The two-speed mechanical gearbox gives you a low range for controlled, high-torque work and a high range for faster drilling and screwdriving. The impact mechanism can be engaged or disengaged with a simple collar switch on the chuck, letting you move seamlessly between hammer drilling into concrete and smooth rotary drilling into wood or metal without changing tools. The drilling capacity is 16 mm in concrete and masonry, 13 mm in steel, and 20 mm in wood — figures that cover the vast majority of tasks on a building site or renovation project.
What immediately distinguishes this drill from budget alternatives is the heavy-duty metal gear housing. Where cheaper drills use plastic gear casings that can flex, crack, or wear under the constant hammering of impact drilling, the GSB 18-2 RE houses its gears in a robust metal casing that dissipates heat efficiently and withstands years of punishing use. The mechanical overload clutch is another professional-grade feature: if the drill bit jams — as often happens when hitting rebar inside concrete — the clutch disengages the drive instantly, protecting the motor from burnout and saving your wrist from a violent twist. The 13 mm keyed chuck provides a secure grip on large-diameter bits and the key stores in a clip on the power cable so it never goes missing on site. At 2.2 kg the drill has reassuring heft without being unwieldy, and the soft-grip auxiliary handle can be adjusted through 360 degrees for optimal control in any drilling position.
In use, the GSB 18-2 RE feels confident and planted. The variable-speed trigger gives you precise control from a gentle crawl for starting holes accurately to full speed for rapid progress. The two-speed selector clicks between ranges with authority, and there is no hunting or hesitation from the motor under load — the corded power supply means the drill delivers its full 800 watts consistently from the first hole to the fiftieth. The impact mechanism produces a satisfying, businesslike hammering sound that tells you it is working without being uncomfortably loud. Switching between hammer mode and rotary-only mode is a simple twist of the collar, and the forward/reverse switch is positioned for easy thumb operation. The 360-degree rotating side handle is essential when drilling horizontally into walls — you can brace it against your hip or thigh for extra stability when pushing through tough masonry.
The drill comes with a set of useful accessories that help you get started immediately. Included in the box are a selection of masonry drill bits, a depth stop rod for setting consistent hole depths when installing wall anchors, and the adjustable side handle. A carrying case keeps everything organised and protected during transport. The depth stop is a small but genuinely useful inclusion — when you are drilling a series of holes for Rawlplugs or frame fixings, setting the depth once and drilling consistently saves time and prevents the frustration of holes that are too shallow or too deep. The power cable is a generous length, giving you good reach around a room without constantly repositioning your extension lead.
Weighing 2.2 kg and made in France, the GSB 18-2 RE carries Bosch Professional's signature blue livery and the build quality that the brand is known for. It holds a 4.1 out of 5 stars rating from 70 customer reviews on Amazon and ranks #86 in the Impact Drivers category. At €107.12, it sits in the mid-range price bracket for corded impact drills — more expensive than entry-level DIY models but significantly cheaper than premium rotary hammers with SDS chucks. The drill is covered by the standard 2-year legal warranty applicable across Europe, and Bosch's extensive service centre network means spare parts and repairs are readily available long after purchase. For anyone who needs to drill regularly into brick, block, and concrete without the runtime limitations of a cordless tool, this is a drill built to last.
Pros and cons
Pros
- The 800-watt motor and 40 Nm of torque deliver serious punching power — it drives through brick, concrete, and masonry with authority and never bogs down under load.
- Heavy-duty metal gear housing sets it apart from plastic-cased budget drills — it handles years of hammer-drilling shock loads without flexing, cracking, or wearing out.
- The mechanical overload clutch is a genuine safety and longevity feature — if the bit jams in reinforced concrete, the clutch disengages instantly to protect the motor and your wrist.
- Selectable impact mode means you can switch between hammer drilling for masonry and smooth rotary drilling for wood and metal with a simple twist of the collar — no need for a second tool.
- The 360-degree rotating side handle gives you full control in any drilling position — brace it against your body when drilling horizontally into walls for extra stability.
- Includes useful accessories right out of the box: masonry drill bits, a depth stop rod, a side handle, and a carry case — everything needed to start drilling on day one.
- Corded power means unlimited runtime — no battery to run flat halfway through a job, and consistent full-power output from the first hole to the last.
Cons
- At 2.2 kg it is noticeably heavier than a cordless drill-driver — extended overhead drilling or one-handed use will tire your arm faster than with a compact battery tool.
- The 13 mm keyed chuck requires a separate key to tighten and loosen bits — slower than the keyless chucks found on most modern drills, and the key can be misplaced if not stored in its clip.
- Being corded limits mobility — you are always tethered to a power outlet and will frequently need an extension lead on larger job sites or outdoor projects.
- With only 70 customer reviews, the rating sample is small compared to more popular models — long-term reliability feedback from a broad user base is still limited.
- The 4.1 out of 5 star average is decent but not outstanding — a few users report that the impact mechanism can feel less aggressive than expected on very hard concrete.
Use cases
This corded impact drill is ideal for serious DIY renovators and trade professionals who need consistent, unlimited power for drilling into masonry, concrete, and brick — especially those who work primarily indoors near power outlets.
Mounting Heavy Fixtures into Brick and Concrete
Installing wall-mounted televisions, heavy shelving, boilers, or kitchen wall cabinets means drilling multiple deep holes into brick or concrete walls. The GSB 18-2 RE's impact mechanism makes light work of hard masonry, and the depth stop ensures every hole is exactly the right depth for your wall plugs. The side handle gives you the leverage needed to push through tough materials without straining.
Routing Electrical Conduit Through Walls
Electricians chasing walls for conduit or drilling cable pass-throughs between rooms need a drill that can work continuously without overheating or losing power. The 800-watt corded motor runs all day at full output, and the overload clutch protects against the sudden jams that happen when hitting unexpected aggregate or rebar inside concrete.
Drilling Steel and Metal Fabrication
With a 13 mm drilling capacity in steel and the two-speed gearbox for controlled low-speed metal drilling, this drill handles structural steel, angle iron, and thick sheet metal with a step bit or twist drill. The keyed chuck provides the grip strength needed to prevent large bits from spinning under the high torque of metal drilling.
Driving Large Construction Screws
Building decking, timber frames, or garden structures often means driving 8 × 200 mm coach screws or heavy-duty construction screws into solid timber. The GSB 18-2 RE's 40 Nm of torque in low gear, combined with the side handle for two-handed control, powers through these demanding screwdriving tasks that would stall a smaller drill.
Installing Concrete Anchors and Chemical Fixings
Securing structural elements like steel columns, staircases, or heavy machinery to a concrete floor requires drilling deep, clean holes for expansion anchors or chemical resin fixings. The consistent power delivery and hammer mode of this drill make repetitive deep-hole drilling in concrete floors efficient and accurate, while the depth stop guarantees every anchor sits at the correct embedment.