Bosch has launched two new 18V cordless drywall tools – a new rotary cutout tool, and a screwgun.
Both of the new tools appeared on Lowe’s website in September (thank you Ken for the tip!), and are now finally available for purchase.
Following is a quick look at both tools.
Advertisement
Bosch 18V Drywall Cutout Tool
The new Bosch 18V rotary cutout tool, model GCU18V-30N, is designed for cutting into drywall and plaster.
Tools like this are typically used for installing electrical fixtures, such as recessed lights, switches, and receptacles, and other such applications. It’s commonly used for interior finishing tasks.
Bosch says that it can cut up to 330 linear feet of 1/2″ thick drywall with a 1/8″ bit when powered with a fully charged 4Ah battery.
Features include a dust hood for attaching to a vacuum or dust collector, dust-resistant power switch, LED worklight, and motor brake.
- Brushless motor
- 30,000 RPM
- Includes 1/8″, 5/32″, 1/4″ collets
- IP5X dust resistant-switch
- Electric brake
- Soft-start motor
- Adjustable footplate
- Dust hood for vacuum attachment
- LED light
- Belt clip
Price: $129 (tool-only)
Bosch 18V Drywall Screwgun
Bosch’s second new cordless drywall tool is a screwgun, model GTB18V-45N.
Advertisement
The new Bosch cordless screwgun features a brushless motor and is designed to drive drywall screws into sheet rock, gypsum board, and metal or wood studs.
An Xtend Drive feature is described as an intelligent lock-on mode that activates the motor only when the bit senses pressure, providing for increasing runtime and reduced noise.
It also has a reversible depth gauge, so that users don’t have to remove the cone in order to reverse out a screw.
- 4,500 RPM max
- Variable speed
- LED light
- Lock-on switch
- Ergonomic grip
- Belt clip
Price: $159 (tool-only)
Lowe’s Free Starter Kit Deal
It looks like Lowe’s has an exclusive introductory deal.
Buy either tool and you get a FREE Bosch 18V Profactor starter kit, which comes with a charger and 4Ah battery. Or, buy both and get a free starter kit with each of them.
The starter kit, valued at $149, is automatically added to your cart at checkout.
That seems like a fantastic deal – $129 out-the-door (plus tax) for what is essentially a brushless drywall cutout tool, and $159 for what is essentially a brushless drywall screwgun.
Julian Tracy
I just picked up the cutout tool deal. I mainly use Makita 18v and Dewalt 20v tools, and own and use the Dewalt 20v drywall gun and cutout tool.
Having just picked up the Bosch cordless 10” sliding miter saw to use with a Makita battery adapter, this new Bosch cutout tool will be a great upgrade to the Dewalt with the vacuum attach.
The Bosch cordless miter saw is a train wreck of poor design and operation, but at $349 with a free 8.0 battery and turbo charger (which I will sell off), it’s still a keeper. Have managed to adapt my Kapex wings to it as well.
Years ago had a Roto zip with a vacuum shield and it’s a huge advantage when cutting out ceiling can opening, outlets, etc.
Big Richard
Did you see DeWalt’s new brushless model is finally available – https://www.dewalt.com/product/dce555b/20v-max-xrr-brushless-drywall-cut-out-tool-tool-only
Still no word on the new drywall gun though
Big Richard
Update, drywall gun *should* be coming soon – https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-20-Volt-MAX-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Brushless-Screwgun-Tool-Only-DCF630B/319992299
Ken
I am glad to see these new tool introductions by Bosch (which is my main platform). I have never used a cutout tool because they make such a mess compared to a jab saw (which is still quite messy). The integrated dust collector port makes this tool a must-buy for me.
Note that Bosch has a decade-old collated screw autofeed attachment that apparently fits the new screw gun (model MA55). However, they are releasing an updated version soon. From the DE press release:
“Both the existing MA 55 Professional magazine attachment as well as its successor GMA 55 Professional, planned for 2023, are compatible with the GTB 18V-45 Professional.”
I was also surprised to see that these two new drywall tools were released to the USA market at about the same time as the EU markets. The US market usually gets Bosch stuff released much later (if ever), so hopefully this is a new trend going forward. With that said, the EU market also got an electric drywall sanding tool that is similar to the FLEX giraffe that was released at the same time as these cordless drywall tools, and to my knowledge this tool has not yet been released in the US.
Fred
It is interesting that I can not find any mention of this tool on Bosch’s USA web site.
Jared
I’m curious – how much do people find themselves using cutout tools?
About five years ago I moved into the house where I live now. It needed extensive renovations, including drywall in several basement rooms and the basement ceiling. I was doing all the work myself with the help of some hired hands, so I bought some new tools to speed things along. One of them was the Dewalt cutout tool – along with the Dewalt multitool.
I found I never used the cutout tool. Instead I preferred the multitool for cutouts – basically every time.
I appreciate the cutout tool would be easier for cuts that aren’t straight – and I’m definitely not claiming to be a drywall pro (I’ve done drywall on <a dozen houses). It just made me wonder how often other people use a cutout tool if they also have a multitool available.
Julian Tracy
Using the multi tool to do can and junction box cutouts would require perfect accurate measuring ahead of time. With a pilot bit in a cutout tool, after making sure the wiring is tucked deep inside the box, you glue and partially screw the drywall then insert the cutout tool in the approx center of the junction box, find the edge and re-adjust the bit just outside the edge and zip it around the perimeter. Then the drywall can be fully pushed into place and fully screwed.
For cans, I use a plumb laser dot to mark an X on the floor to indicate the light center, then hang the drywall with a lift – and use the laser plumb again to transfer the X mark up to the drywall surface.
Insert the rotozip in the x. Find the edge of the can circle, reinsert just outside and zip around the perimeter
MM
I bought one when I moved into the property I lived in previously. The home was in poor condition and I knew I was facing a lot of drywall work so I went ahead and bought one. This was a corded model as back then there were no cordless cut-out tools and OMTs were not as well known as they are today. I think Fein had them back then but they were not a common tool at the big box store like they are now. I used it quite a bit on that home, I had to completely replace about a third of the drywall in the home and repair another third. Since then I think I’ve only used it twice in something like 15 years, both times were were with the “compass” attachment to cut out a large round hole for installing lights. For normal electrical box cutouts I grab my OMT.
LK
If you’re mostly cutting out square boxes you’ll be fine with an OMT.
When you need to cut out 60qty 6″ or 4″ recessed lights where there are mounting pans under the sheetrock is where drywall cutout tools shine. Get every light cut out in less than an hour.
Ken
Others have already commented on why a cutout tool is better than an OMT for multiple small cutouts (like electrical boxes), but nobody has mentioned larger cutouts like windows, medicine cabinet recesses, shower niches, ventilation fans openings, and even door openings. For these larger cutouts, an OMT would take quite a while and create a lot of mess. A cutout tool – with dust collection – is clearly a better choice. There are other options (like a simple razor blade for door openings), but sometimes a cutout tool is the best tool for those jobs too.
Additionally, although this post refers to the tool as a *drywall* cutout tool, it can be used for other sheetgoods like OSB and plywood. I think a cutout tool is superior for sheetgoods other than drywall. Again, there are other options for this application (like a reciprocating saw or router), but a cutout tool can often be the best option. I like the ability to collect dust even for rough construction, so that is another point for the cutout tool for me.
Stuart
For something like a recessed light or junction box, a rotary cutout tool will win on speed every time.
Imagine the average kitchen remodel. That’s how many lights, how many switches, how many outlet boxes?
Watching pros work, they find the approximate center, middle, or open area, work to the wall, and zip it out in a flash with minimal hunting or measuring.
Ken
Tangentially related to this post is a product that I use as a non-pro to help me find where I need to make my cutouts:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ou89xuB9yUQ
This product allows you to throw up the sheet of drywall, screw it in place, and then accurately find and cut out your boxes. It works great in my experience. I will shortly be using it for putting up 1/2″ Baltic birch plywood walls in my workshop. The plywood is expensive, and I want the cuts to be very accurate and aesthetically pleasing. I believe the rare earth magnets will be strong enough even behind that dense plywood.
Julian Tracy
I used those for a while, but had enough problems, ended up throwing them away. Maybe I had a prior version, but certainly were not rare earth magnets, just standard looking as I recall.
fred
I vaguely recalled these. Looking at an old inventory I see that we bought 3 Blindmark items in 2008 – an AMCK set for ceilings, a BMWK for walls and a CMCK. I see no evidence that we ever bought more – which suggests that there was no great enthusiasm generated after we tried out the first ones.
One good thing – is that 4 years ago the price we paid was $24.99 – so the price hasn’t gone up drastically over the intervening 14 years.
Harrison
Drywall pros use them for everything obviously.
For a DIYer, I think it’s a good tool to pass on. Unless you’re drywalling an entire house- or have to cut out a thousand pot lights- you won’t really see the time savings.
For someone who just has to redo a few rooms, an OMT makes a lot more sense. Less dust, no learning curve, less chance of mistakes.
Dave
I can cut out a box in 5 seconds with rotozip, I use a multi tool for remodel boxes, but that can take a minute or more so it doesn’t make a lot of sense. That said the rotozip has a much bigger learning curve.
Dan
With the cut out tool, you measure socket from right or left and from the ceiling. You then tack the board on and cut around the socket. Once cut screw board up. They are great bits of kit and save a lot of time, even used properly.
Julian Tracy
I use my multi-tool 5-7 times a day on a large basement remodel, but to think of using it for junction box cutouts in 80-100 sheets of drywall, no thanks.
Once you get the hang of it, the roto tool shines for large new drywall installs. For a couple outlets in a bathroom remodel, sure – I’ll measure and use the multi tool.
Especially now that you can get nice cutting blades from Amazon at about $.50 each, no longer do you baby your blades like I used to using the Fein blades 25 years ago at $17-28 each!
MKY
Stuart –
Buy either tool and you get a FREE Bosch 18V Profactor starter kit, with comes
Stuart
Argh! Thank you! – *fixed*
Matthew
Appears the cut out tool is $139 now.
Stuart
I still see $129. Lowe’s prices sometimes change depending on zip code or the selected ship-from/shop-at store.
Josh R
Man, if I expected to be doing drywall in the next year I’d buy that cutout tool immediately. I’ve got a rotozip but the dust collection alone seems worth it.
KokoTheTalkingApe
The dust hood/base on the cutout tool is clear, but its so convoluted that you can’t see through it. I wonder why they made it that way. I don’t do drywall, but isn’t it important to be able to see the bit as it’s spinning?
Jim Felt
I’ve wondered that too. And don’t they all just cloud up after a cutout or two?
Vacuum attachment or no?
Paramount
Not for this purpose…in fact you wouldn’t want to look at it. We use guide point bits and trace around the box by riding the edge. I try not to look anywhere in the vicinity of the bit if at all possible.
Rotozips, or similar, don’t really work that well freehand trying to follow a mark. It can be done, but there are better tools out there for that scenario.
MM
These tools are used a lot like a router equipped with a piloted bit, you can ride the bit along the edge of an electrical box, for example, without being able to see the box through the drywall. Visibility is not all that important.
It is difficult to follow a marked line with one of these tools, it really needs to be used with something to act as a guide.
KokoTheTalkingApe
Thanks folks!
Plain+grainy
Acme has a 48 hr flash sale on Packout. Up to 25% off. Example; Packout 2 &3 drawer combo is $313, the 25% discount is $78.25. Under $100 Packout are 15-20 % off.
Stuart
Thanks! I saw – post is up now.
Reference link – Acme Tools Deal Page
Joe
Bosch is late to the show. The drywall cutout tool is pretty lame when compared to the Makita drywall saw.
As a personal observation, of all the tool companies I have purchased multiple tools from (Festool, German Metabo, Makita, Milwaukee, etc), I have been unimpressed more often with Bosch tools. That is just a personal experience. I’m sure others would strongly oppose that.
Luis
Bosch’s lineup is nowhere as expansive as Makita and I’d agree they’re late to the party. But this is hardly a lame tool. Have you tried it?
You mention Makita but the Brushless Makita is over 50% more expensive and tool-only on top of that, yet it doesn’t accept 5/32 bits and it’s heavier than the Bosch.
I only see 2000 more RPMs, twin LEDs and AWS (which is optional) as advantages. Are those worth $90 extra for you?