Bosch Bench Drill PBD 40 (710 W) with 2-speed gearbox and quick-action clamp
Product description
If you’re setting up a small workshop bench for drilling, the Bosch Bench Drill PBD 40 is the sort of tool that focuses on getting the job done neatly rather than being packed with bells and whistles. On paper, it’s built around controlled drilling speeds and depths, plus a clamp designed to hold round material more securely.
At the same time, it’s not a magic wand for every workshop job. Bench drills live and die by how consistently they can guide your workpiece and how easy they are to set up in the moment. If that’s what you care about, read on.
The essentials
The Bosch PBD 40 is a bench drill with a 710 W motor, designed to help you drill accurately into steel and wood within its stated maximum diameters (13 mm in steel and 40 mm in wood). The key theme here is control: there’s a digital system intended to read drilling speeds and depths easily, which can make repeat setups less of a guessing game.
It also includes a quick clamp and a parallel guide in the scope of supply, both of which point to practical everyday use—fix the workpiece, line things up, drill, and move on.
What you’ll notice day to day
The digital system for reading drilling speeds and drilling depths is likely to be the most “hands-on” difference. Instead of relying purely on marks and memory, you can check what you’ve set.
Accuracy is supported in a couple of ways: the description highlights a quick clamp that holds even round materials for drilling accuracy, and there’s a parallel guide included. For instance, if you’re drilling a few holes in a wooden round bar for a project, having the work held more predictably helps you avoid the “it drifted” frustration.
There’s also a keyless precision chuck that automatically retightens the drill bit. That’s a small detail, but in real use it can make bit changes and re-securing feel more straightforward.
Key features that matter (and where they help)
A 2-speed gearbox is included, which typically means you can pick a slower setting for more controlled drilling and then shift up for faster work. The description frames it as “high power” in the first gear and “high speed” in the second.
The drilling stroke is listed as 90 mm. That suggests it’s aimed at common bench drilling depths rather than extreme deep-hole tasks.
One thing to keep in mind: the entry is clear about maximum drilling diameters, but it doesn’t spell out anything about included drill bits or specific accessory compatibility beyond what’s listed in the pack.
Tech specs
- Name: Bosch Bench Drill PBD 40
- Type: Bench drill
- Capacity: Maximum drilling diameter in steel 13 mm
- Capacity: Maximum drilling diameter in wood 40 mm
- Dimensions: Drilling stroke 90 mm
- Weight: Not provided
- Processor: Not provided
- Memory: Not provided
Who it suits best
It makes sense if you want a benchtop drill that’s designed for accuracy and easier repeat settings. If you’re doing workshop projects where you drill the same materials more than once—wooden components, metal brackets, or parts you need to line up—the digital readout for speeds and depths can be genuinely useful.
It may also suit if you value a clamp that’s specifically intended to hold round materials more confidently, because that’s a pain point for a lot of DIY drilling setups.
When it might not be the best match
It might not suit you if you need very deep drilling beyond the stated 90 mm stroke, or if your projects regularly go outside the listed maximum diameters (13 mm in steel / 40 mm in wood).
Also, if you’re expecting a fully featured kit beyond what’s mentioned (for example, a wider range of drilling accessories), the information provided doesn’t confirm extras beyond the parallel guide, quick-action clamp, and the carton packaging.
If you’re the sort of user who likes to fine-tune everything from a large accessory ecosystem, you may want to double-check what you’ll need to buy separately.
Is it worth it?
Worth buying if you’re setting up (or upgrading) a bench drilling routine and care about repeatable drilling settings, accuracy with clamped round materials, and a keyless chuck that helps maintain grip on the bit.
You may want to skip it if your work needs deeper drilling than the stated stroke, frequent drilling beyond the maximum diameters, or if you expected a more comprehensive accessory bundle than what’s listed.
Mini FAQ
Does the PBD 40 help with setting drilling depth and speed?
The product description mentions a digital system intended to read drilling speeds and depths easily, which should help when you’re setting up consistently.
What’s included in the box?
The scope of supply is listed as a parallel guide, a quick-action clamp, and it’s delivered in a cardboard box.
Is it suitable for drilling round materials?
The quick clamp is described as holding even round materials for drilling accuracy, so yes—at least on its intended use.
How many speed settings does it have?
It has a 2-speed gearbox, with the description pointing to high power in the first gear and high speed in the second.
What are the stated maximum drilling diameters?
Maximum drilling diameter is given as 13 mm in steel and 40 mm in wood.