Bosch has come out with a new dust extractor vacuum, GAS20-17AH, which they’re calling a powerhouse wet/dry vacuum for heavy-duty extraction.
It features a 17 gallon capacity, 300 CFM airflow, and can provide enough HEPA-grade suction power to connect it to two tools simultaneously. It also has a reverse airflow automatic filter clearing system.
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Bosch says that their new dust extractor vacuum can be used for heavy-duty applications, including concrete cutting and surface grinding, even with 7″ and 9″ grinders, and cut-off tools up to 12″.
The vac is bundled with a HEPA filter, (1) 3-layer filter bag, and 16 ft anti-static hose.
If you want to connect two tools to the vac, you’ll need a Y-connector, sold separately. It’s recommended that only smaller tools, such as 5″ or smaller grinders, are used in such a manner.
- 17 gallon capacity
- 96″ static water lift
- 300 CFM airflow
- Weighs 63 pounds
- Includes HEPA filter (VF430H)
- Comes with (1) 3-layer filter bag (VB170)
- 35mm x 16-foot hose
- 27 foot power cord with 20A AC plug
- Metal caster wheels
- Wheeled frame with dumping mechanism and fold-down push handle
- Water level sensor and drain hose
- Bundled with bend nozzle, power tool adapter nozzle, 2 extension tubes, floor nozzle
Price: $1499 USD, $1949 CAD
See Also(Other Bosch Dust Collectors, via Amazon)
First Thoughts
Well, this certainly looks to be an impressive addition to Bosch’s dust extractor vacuum product family.
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It comes with a HEPA filter, and 5 filter bags (according to Bosch’s specs page), a nice sized hose – and anti-static too, and long power cord. A Y-adapter isn’t included, but you do get a power tool adapter, and some basic cleanup wands and accessories.
The wheeled frame looks large, but the fold-down handle and “dumping” function sound convenient. There’s also a handle on the front.
For wet pickup tasks, the discharge drain hose could be useful.
The Bosch GAS20-17AH is priced considerably higher than their smaller dust collectors, but it also seems to be much more capable.
There doesn’t look to be any automatic activation mode, at least that I can see in the provided photos or in Bosch’s press release and official specs sheet. Such a mode would allow for automatic vacuum activation when a plugged-in corded tool is turned on. That might be because of how much power the vacuum draws.
Speaking of power, it has a “standard 20A plug.” That will make things difficult for anyone looking to work at residential jobsites. At present, I don’t have any 20A receptacles. Few people have 20A receptacles at their homes and garages. Some commercial settings might not have them either. That could be a problem if you show up, ready to do some work, and you realize that there’s no place to plug in your vac.
But if you’re on a site and there’s a generator, or some other feed with 20A receptacles, you’re in business.
No wireless activation? I retrofitted my Festool CT dust collector vac with their Bluetooth remote (thanks, Festool!), and it has been working beautifully with cordless power tools, and corded tools that pull too much current to plug into the vac’s auto mode port.
A $1500 vac that’s hailed as a powerhouse for heavy-duty applications should have a wireless remote, in my opinion. It has a 16 foot hose, which could mean long trips back and forth every time you want to turn the vac on and off. I suppose one could just leave the vac running for a while.
John S
This thing is an awesome monster, I really wish I could use it but the 20amp receptacle requirements kinda kills it for me. I almost wonder at that point why they just didn’t make it 220v since I would imagine in an industrial construction that would be easier to find than 20amp plug.
T
The 20 amp plug is a UL listing requirement. 15 and 20 amp plugs have the same current carrying capability, on the 20 amp a blade is turned sideways so it can’t be plugged into a 15 amp receptacle that could be on a 15 amp circuit. Not a big deal, either replace the plug on the vac, or buy a 5-15P to 5-20R adapter and make sure you aren’t plugging it into a 15 amp circuit and/or undersized extension cord. Jobsite spider boxes have 20 amp straight blade receptacles, or 20 amp twistlock with an adapter so on a jobsite no need to worry.
They could (should?) have made it with the L5-20 plug (this is the 125v 20a twistlock) and included an adapter to 5-15P that would make it more jobsite friendly.
John S
I don’t follow, Its not the plug it the amp draw this vacuum requires. This vacuum requires 17.5 amps to run so it makes sense it wouldn’t have a 15 amp plug.
T
Right. But in practice its going to need to get plugged into 15 amp receptacles that are on 20 amp circuits (this is normal and legal). Due to UL listing requirements prohibiting just putting a 15 amp plug on it, theres a 20.
xNOOPSx
Legal in the US maybe, certainly not legal in Canada. I can’t see how it would be legal to put a 15A device on a line capable of 16A. But that still wouldn’t be enough as 17.5A would actually require a 25A breaker to avoid nuisance tripping. This is because 20A breaker is only rated for 16A continuous load – that’s most certainly a North American standard. All standard North American breakers and fuses, from all manufacturers, are only rated for 80% continuous load. I can’t imagine that a 17.5A vac is going to last very long before overloading a 15A (12A continuous) breaker.
In some new homes, we’re seeing a move to 20A (#12) circuits in Laundry, garage, kitchen, and bathroom areas. Commercial here sees everything getting a minimum of #12 even if it’s on a 15A breaker.
Craig
Ya, I think this guy is out to lunch. And unsafe to boot
John
I’ve never seen a extension cord with a combo 15/20a receptacle on the female end. It seems like a pretty big issue unless you’re vacuuming right next to an outlet.
T
Its an adapter. Google 5-15p to 5-20r and you will find them. Me – id just change the plug on the vac and call it a day.
Craig
I feel like this is baiting to give such short advice. People should not be changing the plug on a VERY EXPENSIVE tool. Get a grip.
Julian Tracy
You’ve left out the single most important spec in talking about dust collectors or shop vacs: the decibel level! How loud is it? Who cares about anything else if it’s rude loud. Half the time I’m using this would be general clean up work and the lower noise levels of the Fein vacs and the Festool vacs is appreciated.
Travis
73 dB sound level
– @TOOLSbyDesign
Jim Felt
No kidding. Ear protection for just general “cleanup”?
And 73 dB is pretty darn loud!
Travis
Ear protection should always be used anyway. And if you are using any power tools in conjunction with this vac, as it is intended to be used for, then you will want ear protection.
And 73 decibels is not loud. The Festool dust extractors have a 72 decibel rating when at max suction, 137 cfm.
@TOOLSbyDesign
JeffC_VT
I think with these specs, this is targeted for the new(ish) OSHA silica dust rules. My guess is there are few if any pro users doing concrete grinding with battery powered grinders yet so I don’t see wireless activation or the lack thereof as a negative on this vac. The biggest question I have is do I need to replace the filter every time I use it with something wet? So far, the Pullman vacs are the only ones I’ve found in this category that the filter doesn’t automatically require replacement after it gets wet. That means we can use them for a few days instead of change everyday. Those savings add up very very quickly.
fred
It seems like some less dusty (than grinders anyway) cordless tools are achieving OSHA compliance with onboard collection. I spotted a Makita rotohammer that does this:
https://www.amazon.com/Makita-XRH10PTW-Brushless-Cordless-Extractor/dp/B07GZJ4JYZ
Stuart
There are pros and cons to both.
What would you rather use for 5 holes? 10 holes? 50? I think that on-tool dust collection will get tiring a lot faster. I don’t believe you can use them with the newer hollow drill bits either.
fred
Amen – but hauling a corded dust collector up onto staging versus using something like this Makita might be a chore too.
Like the old saying “horses for courses”.
The yeti
M18 has a whole series of tools . Auto dust collection. Used for concrete drilling.
Jared Richael
A short vac?? Where are these new high powered power tools to go with these high capacity core batteries with the bigger cells? Depressing!! I’m having a hard time waiting and waiting and waiting.
Reno
I cant under how a shop vac can cost $1500 to $2000 wheels don’t look like metal ?
Stuart
Looks like rear are plastic, front are casters.
Jim P.
Its primary use is dust extraction, not a shop vac. They are made to meet OSHA requirements in regards to silica dust. We have 2 Dewalt HEPA RRP extractors and they work great for dust. They do not work well for larger debris.
RKA
So the dry weight is 63 lbs, add 17 gallons of concrete dust…yikes! It’s a beast all right! But 300 CFM’s with a 17amp draw is impressive! Now build a baby brother that’s smaller, can live with a 15amp circuit and still gets north of 200 CFM’s and you have my attention!
Craig
Maybe if it becomes 220 volt, but 1800 watts can only do so much my friend
Nathan
related side note – did you see the dewalt flexvolt dust extractor. It’s apparently a new thing. DCV585. Sounds like an interesting idea for when you have a cordless SDS into concrete or ? or grinding stone etc.
I suspect there will be others.
Stuart
Yes – I’m just waiting on an official image or two.
Addison
So more than double the CFM of the Festool through the same (less than 1/8 larger here) size hose yet exactly the static lift. HMMMMMMMMMMMM…
I have witnessed some bending of the truth in the tool Mfg as well as tourchering of any reasonable facsimile of the truth by vacuum marketers (amp ratings, HP) but this one merits at least a few questions.
andy
There are larger dust extractors that use a 2″ hose. Ermator S36, for example. And static lift should be the same regardless of hose size.
Jim Felt
As an aside I bought this 18v vac with its concrete drilling wall suction attachment and my guys are really pleased how well it works. And it works with any size and brand of rotary hammer.
https://www.toolnut.com/bosch-gas18v-3n-18v-2-6-gallon-wet-dry-vacuum-cleaner-with-hepa-filter-bare-tool.html
Julian Tracy
Speaking of concrete drilling attachments, Festool has one that is pretty reasonable and almost perfect in design. Very handy. I think it’s a heck of a lot less klutzy than the Bosch model as I recall.
Emilio Gonzalez
Go with MasterVac.