Over in this video, by Winfried Heber, there’s some demonstration footage of a new tool I have never seen before – a Bosch 12V Max (or 10.8V everywhere else) brushless cut-off tool. It might even be an angle grinder.
Or would it be an offset grinder? Just plain “grinder?” It looks to have a pistol grip, but that’s just because the motor is inline with the cutting wheel.
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Update: Here’s more info – Bosch 12V Max Cordless Brushless Angle Grinder Preview
This also brings up a good question – is there demand for a compact 12V-class cut-off tool or angle grinder? You couldn’t possibly use standard-sized wheels with it, which is something I’m never happy about.
Why is it inline? Or, why doesn’t this look like a small angle grinder? Well, consider right angle drills and impact drivers. Each and every one has reduced torque compared to pistol-grip drills and impact drivers. I have always believed that this is due to the angle transfer gearing and that a drop in torque is unavoidable.
So, I’m thinking that, in order for this tool to deliver the level of torque and cutting performance one would want in a compact cut-off tool or grinder, the motor and gearing must be inline with the cutting wheel. Right? If I’m wrong and you have another possible explanation, please let me know in comments!
The new cutter/grinder appears to have European model number GWS 10.8 V-EC, or at least that’s what I saw in the awesome Mastercity forum (post no. 26040 at the bottom). Credit to Vadim63 for the video find, and SerShe for the model number.
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Watch the video, and share your thoughts. Personally, I think the tool looks to cut and grind a little awkwardly, but that’s mostly because of how it doesn’t look like a regular cut-off wheel or angle grinder.
No other details about the saw/cutter/grinder, or whatever it is, but I’ll keep eyes and ears open. If you learn more about it before I do, please let me know!
Here’s a new Bosch video, which shows that the GWS 10.8-76 V-EC Professional is intended to be more of a cut-off tool than a grinder.
https://youtu.be/5zkkyvPQyxg
fred
Neat find.
There are lots of small angle grinders being used in intermittent duty for cutting tile, light tuckpointing etc. Maybe a light 12V class tool will find its niche.
Jerry
Small cutoff tools are pretty common in automotive sheet metal applications, as are die grinders. I have a combination cutoff tool/die grinder that is air powered, and is configured just like the picture. Mine has a collet for holding burrs, and a shank that inserts into the collet to mount the cutoff wheel. Looking at the pictures, this tool does not seem to have a collet and adapter, but just a mount for a cutoff or possibly grinding wheel. Mine uses 3 inch cutoff wheels, which seem to be a very common size, meaning they are cheap and easy to find. If Bosch is smart, and they seem to be, they will use a common size like the 3 inch, and not require a unique disk.
Stuart
Oh, good point! Cutoff wheels in 3-inch and other sizes are very common at industrial suppliers. For some reason I was thinking of saw blades.
Nathan
My first thought was – look a modified cordless dremel saw. Because that’s what I first thought of.
has lots of potential for that intermediate sized work where you need something smaller and the pieces or openings are smaller and you don’t want to try cutting/filing by hand.
Is there anything else on the market in this size range?
Pablo
“Why isn’t it inline” is likely as you suppose, the loss of efficiency transferring through a bevel gear would mean a larger motor, more weight, etc.
Bosch has been pushing everything smaller and smaller w/ their brushless (their PS22 is tiny compared to anything else on the market). I’m glad a manufacturer is finally working to differentiate their 12v class from their 18v class (instead of upsizing and trying to cram as much power into their 12v class).
pete
Seems like most of that “cutting” could have been done easier with a reciprocating saw.
Michael
Looks a little small for everyday use
Drew M
Take my money! My tool kit ‘to go’ needs this!
Jay k.
Woo hoo!!! Im with you…
Jay k.
Woo hoo!!! Im with you… this is what i was waiting for…
richard
I used to have a roto-zip tool with right angle head for the intermediate cutting tasks that were too big for the dremel and too small or too tight in access for a standard grinder. this tool reminds me a little of that
glenn
Interesting, this looks like it could be a good thing and hopefully it will spur the other manufacturers on.
As I am heavily into the M12 line, I would love to see and would buy at the drop of a hat, an M12 angle grinder.
Of course the nay sayers will carry on about not enough power, no one would buy it etc, I don’t believe this is true at all. Case in point, the M12 circular saw. I recently purchased one of these and besides the fact that is far better made, it is easily the equal power wise of my recently sold previous generation Ryobi 18v circular saw.
Now f they can do that, I see no reason why they cant produce an angle grinder that is also the equal of the Ryobi 18v grinder which was more than adequate for my usage for years prior to replacing it with an M18 5 inch grinder.
Not every one needs to use a grinder for ours on end, and I believe a compact brushless 4 inch grinder would be a useful addition for a lot of us, I know it would be for me.
KL
I have the 2″ Sunex pneumatic angle grinder and have come to love it for grinding, say, tacks in tight quarters. Example: tacks on the INSIDE of angle iron frames cannot be reached by 4.5″ grinders. I’d love to see an M12 version!
Toolfreak
I’d friggin’ love a 2.5-3 inch Bosch 12V angle grinder. The 12V reciprocating saw is fantastic, but there are plenty of cutting jobs where a cutting wheel would be easier and faster, but a full-size corded or 18V cordless isn’t feasable, or is just too big or too heavy.
The in-line motor is fine. However, there is NO reason the handle HAS to be located so close to the grinder wheel like that – it’s NOT a drill or driver!
It would be a lot better (and safer) if the grip were oriented so you could hold it like a pistol grip, but with some sort of gun-like trigger finger guard – at least for grinding.
For cutting, the click-on side switch might be best, but that handle is still too dang close to the wheel. The guard is a nice tough for extra safety, but I think the tool ergonomics could be a little bit better than that. Surely they could add some features to the plastic ring behind the guard so that there is more finger/hand protection, and maybe even a way to add on a grab handle?
It might also be good to have two types of cutters, with one being essentially a more powerful dremel tool and the other more like the one shown.
fred
This Bosch design looks like the Astro Pneumatic 209 In-Line Cut-Off Tool
http://www.tooltopia.com/astro-pneumatic-209.aspx?
This design is kind of atypical of most pneumatic cut-off tools that I’m familiar with – where you grip tool around the air motor – and the cut-off wheel spins is directly attached to the air motor shaft. This tool sort of looks like a letter “T” – where the motor is vertical and the cutoff wheel the horizontal. This works for a pneumatic tool – since the air-motor body can have a relatively small diameter for easy gripping – the typical spring-loaded paddle style actuating valve is easy to depress – and the body of the tool does not get too hot to hold. Bosch may have chosen to be similar to the AP209 – because of ergonomics – as directly gripping a 12V motor/housing would require a big hand that was impervious to heat buildup.
Jeff
I have searched high and low for a non-air rt angle die grinder. I already have the Bosch 12v/10.8v batteries and charger and they sell the bare tool. I wanted to use it for 2″ rolocs. I watched a lot of videos on this tool. The guard does not come off. The spindle is 5mm female thread in the center of a 10mm (at the end) shaft. I don’t know if there is any way to adapt it. The adapter would have to extend beyond the guard which can be rotated 360° to get it out of the way. I wonder if it even has enough power.