In today’s tool brand news brief, we’ll touch upon some new tools Bosch just announced, new Bosch tools I spotted in the wild, and a couple of deals worth mentioning.
Bosch Tools Seen at Lowe’s
I spotted the above Bosch 18V cordless nailer display at a local Lowe’s store, and it raised an eyebrow.
These tools are all relatively new, and I wouldn’t have expected Lowe’s to give the brand prime endcap placement, especially not ahead of brands like Flex and Metabo HPT.
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The Lowe’s-Flex honeymoon seems to long-over, and Bosch has strong brand recognition, and so maybe I shouldn’t have been surprised. I hope we see more attention and floor space given to Bosch’s cordless power tool line.
New Bosch Tools
Bosch just announced a bunch of new 18V cordless power tools, again. Here’s the full list – let me know what you want to hear more about:
- 18V 14″ Dry Cut Saw (GCD18V-14)
- 18V 16-Gauge Medium Crown Stapler (GTH18V-50M)
- 18V Hammer Drill/Driver (GSB18V-65)
- 18V Impact Driver (GDR18V-215)
- 18V 1/2″ Mid Torque Impact Wrench (GDS18V-350)
- 18V High Torque Mixer (GRW18V-160)
- 18V Hybrid Area Light (GLA18VH-7500)
- X-LOCK 3pc Metal Grinding Wheels (GWX27LM450P3)
- X-LOCK 10pc Stainless Steel and Metal Cutting Wheels (TCWX1S450P10)
- X-LOCK Adapter & Spanner Wrench (TCWX1S450P10) for Wire Wheels
- 3pc Wire Set (WB025V3)
- Rotary Laser Backpack (GBP21-17)
Except for the worklight (of course), and it seems the cut-off saw, the new handheld Bosch 18V cordless power tools all feature brushless motors.
Any Good Bosch Tool Deals?
Bosch does have some good tool deals right now at Amazon, and I’ve learned from another retailer that some more might be on the way. It could be worth a quick look, and I’ll be posting about the better deals separately.
Lowe’s also has a new starter kit promo where you buy a 2-battery and charger bundle for $179 and get a free tool.
I think this other deal is worth looking very closely at. $199 gets you a Bosch 18V 2-tool cordless power tool combo kit with brushless drill, brushless impact driver, 2x 2Ah batteries, a charger, AND a free tool of your choosing.
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The list of available free tools includes some nice choices, such as an X-Lock angle grinder, high power drill, 6-1/2″ circular saw, vacuum, reciprocating saw, sanders, Bluetooth radio, and more.
I’d say they’re giving you a lot for $199.
L-Boxx Tool Boxes
Bosch Tools and Sortimo’s co-owned L-Boxx modular tool box brand has made a reemergence at tool dealers.
The prices are… as expected.
While not Bosch branded – there are some that aren’t already available under Bosch labeling – this seemed worth mentioning.
I’ve spoken to L-Boxx folks over the past few months, and it seems they’re reestablishing the brand in the US market. We have also seen Tekton get onboard with the custom organizers and tool kits – see New Tekton Modular Mechanics Tool Kits and Storage System.
I’ll be keeping a closer eye on the brand. There is still no official news about the L-Boxx Contractor system that’s in development.
Robert
Stuart, thanks for giving Bosch some coverage. I know they stay kind of quiet, but it’s nice to have it pointed out when Bosch actually does something in tools.
Luis
Are those tools mentioned above confirmed for North America? I looked up for the hammerdrill and impact wrench and they seem to be International models as they’ve got their torque ratings in Nm. By the way, the torque wrench seems to be a compact model.
I recently saw new 12V and 18V ratchets, 12V polishers, an 18V chainsaw and hedge trimmers on a UK livestream, is there any clue which of these are coming over as well?
Stuart
Yes. Coming soon to North America.
I agree about the impact wrench seeming to be a compact model based on torque specs; Bosch describes it as mid-torque. I figured I’d go with Bosch’s official description and we can argue about the semantics in the comments. =)
I’ve seen the same overseas Bosch announcements, and there’s no information about if or when they might be launching here.
Right now there are a lot of tools coming out here that I’ve been working with and meaning to write up, and so I haven’t spent too much time on EU teasers.
Bosch has been gaining momentum, and so overall I’ve been more optimistic about their direction and continued expansion than over the past 5 years or so.
Rog
Guess this is part of the reason they cleared out Skil from all the Lowes near me?
Tony
Thanks for the Bosch update! Two of these are already listed on Amazon and scheduled to be released on June 13:
1. Bosch 18V Impact Driver (GDR18V-215)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FBGY6Q51
2. Bosch 18V Brushless High Torque Mixer (GRW18V-160)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FBHTM9VG
Jared
This is pretty good news for Bosch. For awhile it seemed like they were just accepting their shrinking place in the North American market.
Jim Felt
Agreed. I’ve always liked their design appearance and ergonomics. 12V and 18V. Some of which I like better than the dozen or more red versions I’ve got.
Now if I could always just find what I want between several shop and/or storage locations.
Jared
Me too. Bosch was the first cordless tools brand I bought into when I switched from ni-cd to li-on. I’ve always had a soft spot because those tools worked well and lasted a long time.
There came a point when I started buying more Dewalt instead, based on value, availability and performance – but if Bosch kept pace that could have been different.
I did buy some 12v stuff more recently – it was pretty good.
Doug N
Would love more info on the medium crown stapler. A 1/2” crown air stapler is one of my last pneumatic tools. They are extremely useful for shop cabinets, fencing, upholstery, etc. Bosch may be the first cordless version of this.
fred
This would be a welcome addition. The closest to cordless variant was a Paslode (fuel cartridge cordless) that is no longer made.
https://www.toolnation.com/paslode-900078-im20050s16-nail-stapler-gascordless-impulse-16-50-mm.html
SP
In Israel, like in most european countries, the GDR 18V-215 (Nm) and the GDX 18V-285 (Nm, impact driver wrench)) are also available. All for about 55% – 50% the price of the GDR 18V-200C, the GDX 18V-200C, from 2018 and the GDR 18V-220 (2021-2022), all in body only.
Same with the kits.
Probably a temporary entry deal for the first year in the market.
Chris
Are these 18v Bosch batteries used for US models the same as Europe so also part of the “Ampshare”, one battery fits for many Bosch owned brands? If so, makes the brand even more appealing.
Chris
A few minutes after clicking “post comment” I saw on one of the Lowe’s listing pics they show and mention “AmpShare”. Hopefully Bosch continutes to expand its offerings even further.
Stuart
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/bosch-ampshare-cordless-power-tool-system-launch/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/bosch-ampshare-cordless-platform-usa-2023/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Matt_T
I’m really not sure what to make of these new impacts. The lights look better on the driver but it only has two speeds and doesn’t appear to have bluetooth.
The mid impact wrench is smaller, weaker, and lacks bluetooth, compared to the current 330C. But the switch to a metric part # makes it look more powerful at first glance. I understand why they’d want to globalize the part numbers but it’ll muddy the waters while they transition.
FWIW the mid size impacts are about midway between the Freaks and the full size guns so it makes sense from a Bosch viewpoint even if it doesn’t directly translate to other brands terminology.
Luis
The new impact wrench is only 5.1″ long. It’s a compact model for sure. That’s about the same size as the Milwaukee 2855-20 and Dewalt DCF921 Atomic.
Bosch is just filling in as they sell a 3/8″ compact impact wrench model but this one is 1/2″
Matt_T
The two tool + free tool combo is a good deal but a lot of the free tools really need 4ah batteries. And the shop vac is the only Bosch tool I’ve got that works better with an 8ah. Those bricks just add weight and runtime to most tools.
The OMT is really nice and works fine with the 2ah batteries in the kit. That would be one of the better choices for someone who isn’t planning to buy larger batteries.
James
I agree about the 4ah batteries. I use the 8ah for some bigger stuff but it’s basically runtime – I notice no difference with torque even when driving a 3/4” SDS bit or a big hole saw etc.
With my red tools, I tend to notice a bigger torque variation with the different batteries, particularly when I add a Forge.
Some of the above no doubt is due to the types of tools I’m running with Bosch vs Milwaukee, but your comment reminded me that this was something I’ve noticed in the field.
Luis
pretty much every PROFACTOR tool works better with the 6Ah CORE and above batteries.
My 7 1/4″ circ saw would stall sometimes with the 4Ah CORE while it would glide through 2x lumber.
Same with the high torque drill and so on.
Peter
Does Bosch have a “quiet” impact driver?
Stuart
No.
Rog
Slightly off topic: Who offers the “quietest” oil impact in the US? I’m in the market for one in the house/garage to cut down on bothering the family
Stuart
Unsure. They all tend to be easier on the ears than traditional impacts.
With Dewalt having entered the scene, I expect to see increased competition with new models over the next few years.
Rog
FYI: After googling and ChatGPT, both say Makita—followed by Ridgid—is the quietest on the market
Stuart
You’d need dB measurements for each model, either from the manufacture or testing by the same person with the same device under the same conditions.
All designs are fairly mature and could have been tweaked over the years, and so measurement timing is important too.
Rog
I asked ChatGPT how it came up with its determination and it said this:
[trimmed]
Noise Level Testing (dB)
• Makita XST01Z: Consistently measured around 73–76 dB during operation.
• Ridgid Stealth Force: Around 75–77 dB.
In comparisons where multiple models were tested side-by-side with sound meters, Makita generally edged out Ridgid and other competitors by 1–3 dB
MM
Now ask Chat GPT how it knows the measurements reported from all its sources are trustworthy or comparable.
I say that because I don’t think I’ve ever seen a single tool test video on youtube perform a proper SPL measurement. The conditions aren’t controlled, people are using crappy meters with no calibration–or even worse a phone app–nobody is reporting environmental conditions during the test which sounds silly (pun not intended) but actually has a large impact on sound.
Similar problems exist with people testing firearm suppressors, most of those ‘tests’ are also full of junk measurements as well, though every once in a while one of those will break out a B&K, calibrate it, and perform careful testing with environmental conditions recorded, proper attention paid to the location of the microphone, etc.
Fact is that doing this testing correctly is expensive and tedious so hardly anyone does correct testing.
Luis
so it looks like the almighty ChatGPT is using 10 yr old hydraulic impact drivers and nothing else to came up with that number. I typed in specific numbers from Milwaukee, DeWalt, Ridgid, Ryobi and Makita and allegedly the M12 Surge is the quietest
Stuart
@Rog, Please don’t copy/paste huge swaths of AI-generated content. This is also way too far of a digression for a post about Bosch.
AIs are designed to sound confident and regurgitate from difference sources, many of which are unreliable. The generated output tends to be extremely flawed, occasionally inaccurate, and unreliable when it comes to data and even facts.
Google, for example will say “The DeWalt Meatball Impact Driver (DCF885, DCF887, or DCF787 models) is generally 5.5 to 5.9 inches long, depending on the specific model.” but it will then give specific dimensions from 5.3″ to 5.5″ with no indication why they provide a floor of 5.5″ and ceiling of 5.9″.
Rog
Apologies for the digression in topic
Stuart
@Rog, short sidesteps are fine, but we’re now getting deep into completely different territory. I’ll clean up the comments section after the weekend.
You did pose a very good question, but the answer is also complicated because we’re talking about tools that launched over a decade ago. Even the M18 launched 9 years ago.
A lot of review and “review” data might not longer be accurate, let alone data that’s amalgamated from unspecific sources.
Ridgid has a new model. Dewalt has their first. Milwaukee is surely going to release an update, and Makita might too. We can (and should) revisit noise levels at that time.
JeffD
I’ve been using the Bosch 12v system for over 10 years. No issues with the batteries or tools. Recently I upgraded the drill and impact driver to brushless. Looking forward to another 10 plus years.
Peter
Same here, their 12V line is great.
Fyrfytr998
My opinion of Bosch is that they don’t promote themselves nearly as much as they should in Lowe’s. Not sure if that is due to themselves or Lowe’s. Another thing I observe is that their tools usually fall in the middle of the pack whenever I see them in head to head battles on YouTube. I mean if a want a middle of the road performer when shopping at Lowe’s, I can save a bunch of cash buying Craftsman or Kobalt. Those brands also happen to have a wider selection of in store items to choose from compared to Bosch.
Lowe’s power tool department needs a change in leadership. Chervon has failed to launch Flex into the elite level. Kobalt doesn’t command the same respect Rigid gets. SKIL is an afterthought to shoppers. And Lowe’s has to deal with a SBD that is playing both sides of the fence with DeWalt and Home Depot, while giving Craftsman scraps. Meanwhile Lowe’s has Metabo HPT and Bosch languishing.
There was a time where I was all for dumping Metabo and Bosch from Lowe’s, but maybe a pivot is in order? Maybe it’s time to strike a deal with them to buff up their lineups to become the prominent name plates? One could say they at least have the brand recognition Chervon couldn’t generate with Flex. Could you imagine if Bosch or HPT had similar performance scores of Milwaukee or DeWalt? Things would certainly be different over at Lowe’s if they did.
Nathan
If no crazy names I like it.