In other parts of the world, images of a new Bosch 12V Max (10.8V) brushless impact driver and an impact wrench have surfaced on official Bosch websites. Shown here is a clip from Bosch’s Korean-language site, and there’s also a like-styled Indonesian one.
It looks like this could be the rumored 12V PS42 brushless impact driver that everyone has been waiting for.
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Bosch came out with their line of 12V and 18V brushless drills and drivers nearly a year ago, but other tools, such as their circular saw, jigsaw, and rotary tool, and a new vacuum haven’t been released in the USA yet.
Major releases such as these are bound to be hit the USA, at least in my opinion. A lot of readers have been pining for Bosch brushless 12V impact driver since the brushless drill and screwdriver were released, and for an impact wrench of some kind for a while now.
Still, keep in mind that it might be some time before we see these tools here in the States.
Segera, in Indonesian, and 출시 예정, in Korean, mean coming soon, at least according to Google Translate.
A deeper search showed additional images of both impacts on Bosch’s German user forum, by user higw65.
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Image Credits: higw65
The tools’ model numbers correspond to what we’ve seen on Bosch’s Asian sites – GDR 10,8 V-EC refers to the impact driver, GDS 10,8 V-EC refers to the 3/8″ impact wrench.
There are a couple of interesting things we can tell from these images. The images match the official teaser images on Bosch’s official sites, and so I am pretty confident that they’re the real deal. But they also look to be early production models, or perhaps unfinished prototypes.
First, it looks like each has electronic speed and torque controls with two settings, not unlike the Milwaukee M12 Fuel impact driver I reviewed.
Second, there’s a light bulb icon on the top of the tools, right in front of the electronic speed indicators, that looks like it controls the LEDs in the impacts’ ring lights. Makita’s new oil-impulse impact driver has a similar feature, but this is something that I haven’t seen on many cordless tools before.
Third, the speed ranges are said to be 0-1,200 and 0-2,600 RPM. Both tools have boilerplate serial numbers and blank manufacturing dates, e.g. MM/YYYY, and so they could be prototypes. The final speed ranges might change before product models hit the market.
Lastly, the impacts have other features we have come to expect, such as an LED ring light and built-in battery fuel gauge.
It’s unclear as to if and when these impacts will be headed to the USA, but I for one am very excited to see what they offer.
jake
Lemme rephrase that. “Makita’s new oil…”
Reflector
I just got the PS10, PS22 and PS32 due to that $50 off $200 promotion recently, but I want to question Bosch’s torque specs… They’re seemingly underrated when you watch the PS22 drive these 8x240mm screws:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMbldA7CDgU&t=10m55s
In contrast there’s another video of someone driving 8x240mm screws with a M12 Fuel Impact:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56xzWtDzMaY&t=1m14s
Can’t wait until Bosch puts out a PS42 so I can get myself a complete set of their 12V tools.
The topic with higw65’s post also has something about the release for the impacts should be around “Spring 2015” for the EU market, at least from what I read through with Google Translate.
And not only that, something weird is up, I found a “PS42” listing as well:
http://www.acetoolonline.com/product-p/bos-ps42-02.htm
So I assume they must have them in production and they’re just preparing for Christmas sales in the US.
ChrisK1970
Thank God!!!!! I thought the mullet was dead! That guy shooting the Milwaukee proves, like the Terminator….its “Baaack” 🙂
Seriously dead on about the rating for the Bosch too. That is a really impressive feat nor the screwdriver vs the M12.
Toolfreak
I still don’t get WHY Bosch would release such products in Indonesia and Korea and not even plan to release them in the USA.
Last I checked, the USA was Bosch’s biggest market outside of Europe.
Seems like a terrible business strategy to me, or maybe the USA is overloaded with existing stock, so they want to let those sell before introducing brushless products that will cannibalize those sales, and instead make people mad that they have to shell out again to go brushless after they just bought new tools but didn’t know the brushless ones were coming.
Stuart
It’s not “released” there. They are simply listed on certain countries’ promotional microsites. Dewalt is known to do the same. And, earlier in the year, I saw a few new tools in a foreign Milwaukee product flyer.
Different regions have different web teams.
As for the circular saw, jigsaw, and rotary tool, I haven’t a clue why they haven’t been released here yet. Maybe they’re waiting until the brushless versions are developed, as with their 18V hybrid impact driver wrench. That way there’s no “lesser” model. Milwaukee’s strategy is different – they developed a few innovative tools and then came out with slightly better featured premium Fuel brushless models.
I really anticipate that these new 12V impacts will be released in Europe and the USA at the same time. Although, the 12V market here in the USA isn’t very booming for certain brands. I remember talking to a Dewalt rep at a Woodworking Show, and he commented about a noticeable lack of interest in the 12V line. Whether this is indicative of a nationwide trend is uncertain.
Reflector
I imported the EU versions of the 12V jigsaw and rotary tool, if they make brushless versions that have the same power (and runtime) as the PS22 I probably would buy them again. I’m blown away by how the PS22 could trump my old 18V lithium drill (A Bosch 36618) and I’m waiting for my PS32 to arrive from that Amazon deal right now.
Michael
Can you buy direct from a European sight
adam
I’m hoping someone here can explain why an impact wrench would be wanted over an impact driver? My thinking is that I can use a 1/4 hex to socket adapter that would accomplish the same thing, aside from being less compact.
I know their 18v wrench has the ability to use both (hex & socket), but may be too much for a 12v, then again this will be brushless.
Stuart
Impact drivers are probably going to be better sellers, but impact wrenches allow for more convenient socket use. You get a hog ring or other type of square drive socket retention mechanism, instead of a simple ball detent. Sometimes a little less wobble as well. If you mainly work with sockets, then it’ll be more convenient to use an impact wrench. You could always equip an impact wrench with a 1/4″hex bit adapter when you want to use it with screwdriver bits.
It basically comes down to common user applications and preferences.
Mike
Each accessory (extension, adapter, universal joint, etc.) placed inline reduces the amount of torque delivered to the fastener. A 475 ft.-lb. impact wrench can spare a few pounds of torque and get the job done. A small impact driver not so much, so eliminating the adapter loss can make the driver sufficient for more tasks.
BikerDad
Impact wrenches have higher torque ratings, are heavier, bigger, and more expensive. They can also very quickly overdrive fasteners. Impact wrenches are best for mechanical work.
I think one of the very interesting things about these new tools is the “extended” battery packs in the German pics. Strange that it has gone unmentioned….
Stuart
I haven’t really posted much about it, but Bosch’s extended capacity 12V Max 4.0Ah battery pack has been available in the USA for quite some time now. It’s been listed on Amazon for over a year, and available for sale for most of that time.
cody
Ridgid has had their 12volt 4.0ah battery out for about a year now to.
Pete
Still no belt clip…. I sold my bosch simply because there was no belt clip. After having a makita for 5+ years and using a belt clip ALL the time there is no way I can ever use a drill without a belt clip.
The bosch drill and driver were fantastic performers that I really enjoyed using but… Where do I put it when I’m working on my feet around a house or peice of equipment? I worry more about where to put the darn thing than my work.
Untill then the only 12v for me is the milwaukee.
Reflector
Belt clip is optional just like the bit holder and clip on the PS22 and PS32 I bet. You just take the little plastic cover off in the rear which exposes a screw thread for you to mount it into.
Blythe M
Just skip the belt clip and put it in a spare hammer loop on your tool belt( has to be a metal loop) Fits perfect with a 2.0 battery and never gets knocked off or catches on things like a belt clipped tool tends to
Chris
I recently bought the M12 Fuel impact driver, it beats the heck out of my PS40. It just makes no sense to me why Bosch takes so long to release products to the US. First their 18V brushless stuff took forever, now the 10.8/12V stuff looks like it will take forever + a little more.
I have a load of Bosch 12V stuff just from random deals on the internet but the lack of a brushless impact driver (I dont NEED brushless, but I DO need to upgrade my PS40) led me to Milwaukee. Im still within my return period so its possible to go back to Blue if their is any inkling of the newer products coming anytime soon.
tool lvr
One thing always overlooked by the public, is the numerous product safety agencies that we have in North America. Check the UL, ETL, ANSI and other markings on your tools. These agencies major role are to keep our citizens safe from tool accidents and make sure manufacturers use the right materials to keep us safe. Because of our extensive laws on product safety, manufacturers who wish to bring products to the U.S. have to pay more money to make this happen. The majority of countries in the world do not have anywhere near product safety laws that are found in the U.S. and Canada. These are additional expenses U.S. companies have to incur to bring tools here. Not saying the tools sold outside of the U.S. are not safe, but they usually do not meet the strict guidelines and rules set by our North American product safety agencies.
Juu
European standards aren’t any less stringent (look at all the markings on the tools pictured above..). The thing is, you have to have your product approved somewhere first. For a German company its much easier to do it on their home market than in the USA. Most other countries in the world tend to follow European standards unless they have domestic production that they wish to “protect”.
Cars are a great example of this, as you can make a car that is legal in every country in the world except in the USA, but US approved cars are only legal in the USA and Canada.
Jeff
Just got done with a live chat with a Bosch customer service rep. Looks like this won’t be making it to the US.
Visitor: I have the PS41-2A right now I am interested in getting the 12 v max impact wrench that has the 3/8″ drive square head to accept sockets instead of the 1/4″ hex like the PS41-2A has.
Susan: I will be right with you.
Susan: I’m sorry for the delay. I’ll be right with you.
Susan: I have checked all information, this tool isn’t coming to the US.
Visitor: That is unfortunate as Milwaukee has it available in the M12 lineup as well as a 12volt ratchet
Susan: Only 12V jigsaw coming this year.
Visitor: and there is no intention as of right now to bring any of the other 12 volt tools to the US?
Susan: Correct.
Visitor: I really think you guys are missing the boat here. No one is competing with Milwaukee in the versatility of their 12 volt line. I would highly suggest bringing at a minimum the impact wrench in to the united states.
Susan: I will forward your suggestion on.
Stuart
I wouldn’t expect for Bosch customer service to be privy to their future new product release schedule. That’s not to say that this isn’t accurate, but there’s really no way of knowing.
Travis C
I have been looking into possible importing the 3/8″ impact, checking periodically at Bosch inventory in different countries. It seems that both of these impacts have only just recently been released in Germany but are not yet released in Bosch UK.
It seems to be taking an awefully long time to release these updates. Bosch is falling behind in the market.