It has been nearly a year since we learned of Bosch’s plans to release a 12V-class brushless impact driver in Europe. Following Bosch’s tool naming patterns, this is the tool that would be dubbed PS42 here in the USA.
We still haven’t heard any official news about whether Bosch would be bringing their brushless impact driver and impact wrenches to the USA.
Advertisement
I don’t think I ever asked any of our contacts at Bosch as to whether a PS42 impact driver was on its way, figuring they wouldn’t tell me. Luckily, Mike thought to ask Bosch customer service and wrote in with their reply.
Mike emailed in (thanks!), saying: According to Bosch, PS42 releases March 1.
What?!
Thank you for your reply. I’m sorry you were given that information since our Bosch PS42-02 has not been released yet. The Internet vendor listed is taking pre-sales. The Bosch model won’t be available until March 1st.
At Bosch, we want to provide the best support possible. Your feedback and participation in our survey is appreciated. Please click this link to answer a few questions about your experience.
Ellen
Bosch Customer ServiceAdvertisement
I too have seen an online retailer or two with listings for a Bosch PS42 kit, but when you look at their pages, there are no images and no specs – nothing at all – and this never changes. I never thought much about those product listings, believing them to be placeholders for predicted but unconfirmed tools.
I’m not sure how much I can trust the information that Mike was given by Bosch customer service. March 1st? The PS42 is a very highly anticipated tool, and so I wouldn’t think that Bosch would release such a tool without a press release or other formal announcement. Maybe we’ll see one soon.
But even if I don’t let myself trust the March 1st ETA, this is the best indication that I’ve seen that Bosch will be releasing a brushless 12V Max impact driver here in the USA.
So… what do you think?
If the Bosch PS42 brushless impact driver is on the way, will you be buying one?
John S
I will believe it when I see it. I saw eons ago on the Bosch US site that the 12v jigsaw would be out at x date, then lo and behold, it came over a year later. And that was after the fake-partial release on Amazon/a few other retailers around Christmas (2 years ago?). At least the jigsaw is here now.
I like my Bosch 12v tools. I do not like the NAINA nonsense. The releases are way, way too slow, especially with Milwaukee bringing out all sorts of cordless stuff non-stop.
Jacob
Anybody bought a REAXX yet? Oh wait….
Matt
I read on another tool blog that Bosch had these at the world on concrete event but had only prototypes on display that lacked anerican serials
Pablo
Impact wrench here (ROW model numbers).
https://www.instagram.com/p/BBb_kCGLrgF/
Cabud
My convo with Bosch on Twitter, hope it’s OK to link to Pro Tool Reviews
https://twitter.com/ProToolReviews/status/695611379001200640
victor
To Ellon – I am a big “BOSCH” fan “its about time …………… by the way ……………is there any { if i han a penny for the times i have been asked } ever going to be a “BOSCH-BRUTE” hammer drill, if so what might be the torque range and realease bate………….victor.
victor
BOSCH — ELLEN………from victor.
Mike
Victor, if you are wondering if Bosch will be releasing a BRUTE series hammer drill with EC/brushless motor, the answer is (probably) “no”. Brushless motors are nice for longer runtimes and higher precision clutches on drills, a good fit in wood and cabinet shops. But brushless tools, although very appealing in some aspects, are simply not as durable/reliable in the applications BRUTE series drills are marketed for. Bosch certainly has the ability to release such tools: they’ve had 36v brushless SDS drills for six years, at least. The reason that Bosch BRUTE, Hilti, Ingersall-Rand, Snap-On(Proto, Cornwell, Matco, etc)and most Metabo battery tools are still “old fashioned” is simply durability. On the other hand, Festool and Fein(drills/drivers) have been brushless for years, since they are marketed to cabinetmakers and indoor carpenters generally.
Mike
*Ingersoll-Rand
Dominic van Lievenoogen
You’re giving away some wrong information i’m afraid 🙂 The Bosch Brute Brushless has already been sighted on the internet. Photo’s on TIA Forum.
Metabo’s high end tools are also Brushless.
I do not think you can provide any concrete evidence that brushed tools are ‘more durable’ then brushed. If you can I really would like to check it out 🙂
And the 36V brushless rotary hammer of Bosch you are talking about is actually just an 18V tool. It’s their GBH 18V-EC adapted to take a 36V battery. It’s completly thesame motor / pneumatics / hitting power/etc…. it just takes 36V batteries but all in all it’s still thesame 18V brushless motor as seen in their GBH 18V EC.
Mike
Sure. Transistors typically do not like to get wet. Plastic, power tool grade plastic at least, absorbs small amounts of moisture from the atmosphere. Integrated circuits are fairly delicate in a broad sense as well. Traditional wound motors tolerate wetness(and drying of course) a little bit. Typically. As well as bigger tolerances in manufacturing parameters. Even children can assemble them fairly easily. There are certainly shitty wound copper tools, and obviously good EC tools. I think Mafell is retailing some red Metabo brushless tools and Mafell is tip-top with me. If Bosch drops some EC BRUTE, that’s great! I tend to favor Bosch’s style, overall quality incorporating comfort, size, vibration, runtime, battery replacement/quality, OK prices…as well as Newtonian style performance. Contrasted with other brands that seem more concerned with a torque number on a piece of paper or computer screen.
To be clear: I only provided my personal opinion on Bosch (probable) strategy. If any one person knows all the inside info at Bosch tools…it ain’t me.
I love good brushless tools. Been a Panasonic(Greenlee)user for a decade or so. Bought Festool T15 when they hit the streets in USA. In my earlier post I was only referring to current retail conditions where it’s much easier for a company to build solid wound motors(as in cheaper) since they’ve been around since the Romans, I think. Brushless/EC (tools at least) are still toddlers…in terms of consumer access and markets and all. USA especially. Obviously the EU enjoys easier access to more refined consumer products from baltic birch to butter to Bosch BRUTE Bulldog Brick Busting Bits. Here in the States, we get the Pentagon and a TV show called, “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader”.
victor
THX — victor
sp
The photos in TIA tool forum show the DDH-181 (GSR 18VE-2 LI) and it’s brushless version. Not the HDH-181 (GSB 18VE-2 LI) and the EC model. So that’s a ‘BRUTE’ but not The hammer drill.
Mike aka Fazzman
These have been out in EU already,im so hoping this comes to fruition here. I love what Bosch 12v stuff I have.
I hope 2016 is the year the Bosch 12v line gets some love. I really want one of these new impacts.
cb
I will be skipping this. I started collecting Bosch 12v tools four or five years ago. About two years ago I also started collecting Dewalt 20v lithium and replacing the older Nicad 18v tools. The newer tools are light enough and compact enough that they make my smaller 12v bosch tools seem underpowered and redundant. I’ve since put the 12v line on the back burner.
BikerDad
I’ll be in for a 12v Brushless combo, drill & impact, in an L-Boxx. I’ve been waiting a loooong time for this puppy. Sure hope Bosch isn’t pranking us here…
Aaron
I’ll be all over these if they release them. Bosch is in desperate need of proving to the US market that they’re taking our loyalty seriously. No more of this NAINA junk.
I consider their 12v products superior to the equivalents made by Milwaukee, but they need to show they’re serious about competing with them and treating their userbase with respect.
victor
THX………….victor.
Taylor
Aaron I completely agree with your comment. I had a recent conversation going on with Bosch over a week ago. I had commented on the Tracksaw and how a lot of us customers feel regarding the NAINA and they said it wouldn’t sell. I had stated that three other manufacturers have already released one and it is evident that the market would support them and that the majority of their customers that are buying there jigsaws, routers, and planers do have a need for a Tracksaw.