Brushed motor drills are far superior to brushless drills

Fried Chicken · 2025-09-13T10:32:11-0400

In the market for a drill right now to replace my aging Bosch DDS181A brushed motor drill - Bosch's last.

I got a GSR18V-800CN which shares a similar form factor but is smaller, lighter, and has nice features like an electric clutch and electronic anti-kickback. It also has a very bright light.

The second I pulled the trigger I knew it was no replacement for my brushed drill. The fine control was completely lacking. This control is way more important than just about any other quality of a drill. I have never drilled a hole where I thought to myself "damn this is taking so long and I need more power" - the timesink is always in setting up the bit, whether drilling or driving.

In my quest, being unable to decide, I also ordered a Fein ASCM 18V QSW AS (goddamn these Germans and their naming schemes), that's getting here on Monday. It promises better motor control from a brushless motor. We will see; it's twice the price and from online reviews I don't think it's Fein's flagship build quality.

If I don't like that one, I'm just going to wait until I can find a good example of my original DDS181A.

Steve Neul · 2025-09-13T10:56:24-0400

Just don't expect a tool made today to be anywhere near the quality of your aged tool. I have a Bosch jigsaw which is about 40 years old. It still works like new while Bosch is a brand I no longer buy.

woodnthings · 2025-09-13T11:20:35-0400

Fried Chicken said:
If I don't like that one, I'm just going to wait until I can find a good example of my original DDS181A.

Don't overlook used Craftsman brushed drills.
I have a 1/2" drill that's 25 years old at least. Runs like it was just born.
Emerson electric made them back then, I think.
I also recently picked up a couple of Stanley drills, like these:

the motor plate;

And this heavy duty one;

The motor plate says 245 RPMs:

They will run forever ......

Fried Chicken · 2025-09-13T11:32:00-0400

^ ^ I appreciate that ^ ^

But I'm looking for a cordless one; i'm not a fan of cordless tools, but for drills and drivers... they're nice. For better or worse, I'm also on the Bosch system (I can't believe this is a thing), so my options are hugely narrowed.

Fried Chicken · 2025-09-15T21:01:44-0400

Well I just got a the Fein ASCM QSW AS 18V Drill with high hopes. A made-in-Germany unit from the same Swabian region of Germany as Festool, Mercedes, Porsche, and Stihl.

I opened the box with high hopes, but the second I pulled the trigger I knew it had that same brushless motor disease. I really wanted to like this drill, and it feels very nice; a cut above the rest for sure. Fein's adoption of Bosch's "AmpShare" platform is a huge plus in my book; I hate battery "systems".

But the brushless motor.

That's all there really is to say. The brushless motor. The control feels artificial, because it is. When you need very low settings, it can't do anything except instantly kick on.

Idk what to say. I'm sticking with my old bosch. Anyone have experience with the Festool T18+3 and also a random brushed dril?

Brushed motor drills are far superior to brushless drills

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