I'm going to say it.............Bossssssschhhhh Powertools!

[mac sparrow]

Shhhhhhh.......I know I know......

I'm keen to get practical feedback on Bosch powertools.  The range of tools on offer is pretty good to be honest and I already have many Bosch drill bits, spade(paddle) bits, augers, holesaws and laser.  I've been really happy with them, and the bonus is their items are easy to get hold of; I can go down to a local supplier and pick up most of the Bosch accessory/consumable range, which is important for me.

I'm after:
Cordless SDS
Cordless Drill & Impact Driver - 18v I think
Cordless screwdriver - 10.8v I think
240v SDS - maybe?

The trouble is their range is so vast, it's bamboozling.  I have spoken with Bosch UK and they have a test/demo room which is normally used for dealers but they said I can come along and test any of their tools before I buy, which is exactly what I was after.  I really can't see myself trolling through the spec sheets of all their 10-20 cordless drills, no thanks.

I work mostly with cabling and my main uses are:

• SDS a lot - soft brick and hard as well
• Impact driver with spade(paddle) bits for going through joists etc
• Holesaws & augers, 16-32mm mostly but sometimes 32-114mm holesaws
• Some wood work
• General driving and drilling in plasterboard, brick, wood etc

I love Festool stuff and have a number of Festie items, although for my work I'm less sure Festie is the way to go.  Like wise, I love Hilti, but don't really need the real heavy duty stuff.

I currently use mostly Makita 18v stuff at work, works very well.  Some things I'd like to change but overall quite happy. 

These tools would be for personal use mostly but I might bring them to work as well.

Thanks for your input.

 

[Kev]

Isn't there a BOG you can go to?

I've got rid of all but one Bosch tool ... a digital heat gun. it's ~ok.

You're right that the Bosch range is huge. I'd be more impressed if they just made good stuff and fewer options.

Personally I'd be looking to Metabo over Bosch for most tools if I was so inclined.

There's a few tools they seem to do well, but I can't think of anything in their cordless range I'd single them out for.

 

[England]

I find bosch best for hamer drills, recip saws, grinders. These are the only items other than nail guns in my kit that aren't Festool and they all live in festool systainers!

Just my opinion

 

[chrisrosenb]

Nothing wrong with Bosch. I have several.

 

[Kev]

I'm so depressed, two further posts and no comment on going to the BOG [sad]

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

I don't understand why you're posting this thread on the FOG.  Glad that you're happy with your Bosch tools.

That said, I wouln't use a Bosch Impact Driver to drill anything...too much wobble, run out. It would have to be either Festool or Hilti. The Hilti impact driver is in another league from your Bosch...and in the States, it costs just a little more.  For spades and drilling into concrete, masonry, or brick, I use a Hilti Hammer Drill. (Don't use hammer setting on spades.)
... We don't have the Festool hammer drill here yet, in the USA.

 

[ali]

If you can go to the Bosch Demo unit then it will be a good experience before you part with some serious cash. I think it is in Denham, near Uxbridge/Gerrards Cross by the M40 (just before/after Heathrow).

I have a fair bit of Bosch and Makita with my festool. Hilti are good but expensive. I've never tried any Festool drills, but they do look nice - maybe too nice for site work??

 

[BUTTER]

When I switched over from my trusty Bosch 14.4 NiCd drills to their new 12v, I was disappointed with durability, runout, and batteries.

However, they are trying to catch up with new brushless motor models, and I hope to see some improvements .  Their customer service in the US is also very good.

Do you see much Milwaukee over there? They have a great selection of SDS and cordless solutions.

I wish we had more Metabo over here.

 

[leakyroof]

I'm so depressed, two further posts and no comment on going to the BOG [sad]

  Here in the States it would be BORG, so may be they missed that... [wink]
Cheer Up KEV, the day is young still.... [big grin]

 

[Kev]

I'm so depressed, two further posts and no comment on going to the BOG [sad]

   Here in the States it would be BORG, so may be they missed that... [wink]
Cheer Up KEV, the day is young still.... [big grin]

Maybe for you - it just went midnight here [sad]

"the bog" here is the toilet btw.

 

[Slartibartfass]

I still have my German Bosch Hammer Drill, run it via a power converter (3000 Watt) if need be. Great machine. Cuts into concrete very easy, although with all the wood construction in the US not much need to do this very often........ Different in Europe where you need a tool like this just to hang up a picture..... Malte

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Just a datapoint... I sold all my Bosch except the jigsaw.  Same problems as above, bad runout, poor battery life, the chuck on the drill slipped after a couple of minutes.  In contrast, I still have, and use, my Makitas.

In the states, its hard to come by Bosch parts.  Had to call a regional office, usually to find that the part is no longer stocked, and if lucky pay an outrageous price and wait a week for it to come via "express delivery."

If you go with Bosch, watch for sales.  You can often fiind deep discounts.

 

[mac sparrow]

I have a fair bit of Bosch and Makita with my festool. Hilti are good but expensive. I've never tried any Festool drills, but they do look nice - maybe too nice for site work??

That's my thinking re: Festool.  Sometimes it's difficult trying to strike the right balance when it comes to tools and where/when to use them.

Thanks for your input.

 

[mac sparrow]

Do you see much Milwaukee over there? They have a great selection of SDS and cordless solutions.

I wish we had more Metabo over here.

Milwaukee seems to be relatively easy to get hold of over here, not sure we have the entire range available to us, but I know of a number of places that sell Milwaukee.

I'm also considering Metabo, certainly looks good.

 

[SittingElf]

Just one word regarding this whole thread:

SACRILEGE!!!  [bite tongue]

You must go to confession as soon as possible and beg for absolution! [wink]

Cheers,

Frank

 

[rst]

I have used everything from industrial Black and Decker in the 70's, used Makita 9v systems and 14v, had a Freud 14.4, Porter Cable, and now have corded, 12 and 18v Milwaukee.  Milwaukee's range of tools is outstanding and mostly utilized by construction pros in the 5-6 states i work in regularly.  We use the Hilti's for big holes and demo.  I just got Milwaukee's M18 LED floodlight and it is awesome..1100 lumens and has 8 sides so it can be used at almost any angle on it's side.

 

[Timtool]

I was all into Bosch, but gradually sold them all to switch to Festool. Can't say they make or made bad tools, but Festool is a notch higher in general.
They seem to finally be building their own system, but it's still decades behind Festool. The last cordless tools i bought were all stamped made in China, while the price tag remained made in Germany. So i didn't want to take part in that.
They do make good jig saws and routers though, still made in USA and Switzerland i think.

 

[Larso]

Bosch still make some good gear but you need to sort through some dross to get to it.I have a 20 year old barrel grip jigsaw that is the most seen Bosch tool on Australian work sites and yes it still works great.The gold Festool jigsaw blades are better than anything bosch have to offer.
The gold festool blade in my Makita 18v Lxt works very well for everyday site use if if you dont rush the cut it also does pretty fine work in the shop.

The bosch spade bits are the best around i have found but can pull in to quick and jam with an under powered drill.

If you already have some Makita cordless gear,get the SDS drill etc from them and stick to one battery platform.The LXT range is wide,affordable and pretty efficient for general construction.There is also the new x2 range which gives 36v of power and one of the first releases is an SDS hammer drill.

I have the 36v x2 circular saw and although heavy it is pretty close to a corded model in performance

The only two corded tools i carry in the toolbox everyday are my festool track saw (one of two)and the festool 65 planer.The makita cordless one also a has a spot as well.

I generally only carry cordless now which also saves on safety tagging required for site work,only the charger needs tagging.

If festool had the options available i would swap over without a problem but so far that isnt possible.

 

[duburban]

Can you explain tagging?

 

[CoStruct]

We use exclusively Bosch on site for jobs that don't require as much precision.  Compared with Dewalt, Makita and Milwaukee, Bosch has held up the best for me.  Not saying it is the best just the most durable to take a beating in my experience.  That's just one person's experience though.