A Game Changer in Cordless Sanders

[dnschmidt]

Every cordless sander I've ever used has SUCKED BIG TIME. They are amazingly poorly balanced and the center of gravity is way to much toward the back of the tool and they are top heavy which is the worst characteristic a sander can have. I have a Milwaukee M18 (since I'm a Milwaukee fan boy) and it's a total *************. HOWEVER, Bosch has just introduced to the American market the GEX18V-5 and it's a TOTAL GAME CHANGER. This thing has the feel and balance of an AirVantage or Mirka electric sander with an extremely low center of gravity like most air sanders have. The balance point is over the pad where it should be with the 4.0 Core battery (The Bosch core batteries use the big Li-Ion cells by the way) and the damn thing is near perfect. The only downside is that Bosch makes their sanders without vents (probably because they expect home usage by people that use the dust bag instead of a central vac setup) so if you use a vacuum cleaner and Cyclone with them the vacuum has such force that it sticks the sander to the work which is undesirable. I drilled a couple of holes in a vacuum hose I made up for it and this fixes that problem. THIS SUCKER IS THE STONE COLD BOMB. I had no desire to get into another battery system already being super invested in Milwaukee and Makita but this tool is so head and shoulders above anything in it's class I had to do it. It's also brushless and the batteries last a very long time as compared to the Milwaukee. BUY IT!!!

 

[Ton ton]

Do you happen to have a picture?

 

[Nosferatu]

I suppose if you use one everyday for hours a day, it would matter.

The Dewalt 20v works just dandy for this 'ol bag of rocks. I was just happy to finally be rid of the electric leash.

 

[PoorUB]

https://www.boschtools.com/us/en/boschtools-ocs/18v-sanders-gex18v-5n-210877-p/

 

[tarbellb]

Bosch knows how to make a excellent sander (see 1250DEVS)

The formfactor on this sander is way ahead anything else ive seen in the cordless category

 

[Ton ton]

https://www.boschtools.com/us/en/boschtools-ocs/18v-sanders-gex18v-5n-210877-p/

Thank you.

 

[lardy1]

Not cutting my cords any time soon.

 

[acer66]

I was looking at both the 12/18v versions since they looked very interesting so it is good to know that at least the 18v is working so well.

Normally Bosch is a bit too conservative especially when it comes to realizing stuff here in the US imho.

But I really do like their unusual designed 12V router.
Took me a bit to get used to it but once I did it I do like it.

 

[jonshonda]

Bosch does have a few winners in the cordless arena, but their corded woodworking tools are their specialty imho. I just don't think they understand American fascination with constant innovation and new products. Dewalt, Milwaukee, Festool get it. Bosch just doesn't seem to care.

 

[liliysdad]

Not cutting my cords any time soon.

Best thing I ever did....

 

[acer66]

Best thing I ever did....

Yeah while cordless has its own draw backs loosing the cord makes it worth it for me too.

 

[acer66]

Lowes has the bare tool with a free 4a battery and charger same with the 12v one but the battery is a 2a one.

 

[PittsburghTim]

I'm not sure that I see any great benefit for cordless sanders as I always use the vacuum hose attached to a shop-vac in my workshop. If I am tied to the vacuum by a hose, the electric cable doesn't seem to be much more of a problem. That being said, I use these strictly for furniture projects.

 

[Ton ton]

I want one but I'm not sure what the going price is for 1 though.

 

[tarbellb]

I'm not sure that I see any great benefit for cordless sanders as I always use the vacuum hose attached to a shop-vac in my workshop. If I am tied to the vacuum by a hose, the electric cable doesn't seem to be much more of a problem. That being said, I use these strictly for furniture projects.

Same boat, until I see good dust collection from a bag I dont see the advantage in my scope of use



Plus sanding is usually hours at a time , so I would be burning through batteries

 

[Trapps]

$129 Bare tool

 

[acer66]

Since I “had” to go there anyway.
$138.03 otd.

 

[Nthill93]

I’ll take the m18 sander off your hands lol

 

[dnschmidt]

It's already out the door. Gave it to a friend.

 

[Trapps]

Damn you "internet inspired lunch hour run to Lowes" idea instigators...



My initial thoughts:

With the battery/charger deal, this is a solid bargain!
It has one of the smoothest sounding/feeling motors I've heard/felt in any battery tool.
Balance is not over the pad with a 4Ah or even a 2Ah, but it still feels good.
Feel in hand is silken - it just fits correctly. I reserve the right to revise this after use.

No problem to use a hose adapter instead of the on-board bag:




The Lowes deal runs through April 30, 2022.

Have the cashier ring up the sander first...then the battery/charger.

Thanks for posting, @dnschmidt !

 

[acer66]

Damn you "internet inspired lunch hour run to Lowes" idea instigators...



My initial thoughts:

With the battery/charger deal, this is a solid bargain!
It has one of the smoothest sounding/feeling motors I've heard/felt in any battery tool.
Balance is not over the pad with a 4Ah or even a 2Ah, but it still feels good.
Feel in hand is silken - it just fits correctly. I reserve the right to revise this after use.

No problem to use a hose adapter instead of the on-board bag:




The Lowes deal runs through April 30, 2022.

Have the cashier ring up the sander first...then the battery/charger.

Thanks for posting, @dnschmidt !

Thanks for sharing and I have not played with mine.

My local Lowes has lockers so for stuff like this I order online and use the lockers with no waiting in line at cs.

 

[ScottsGT]

Damnit! I do not want yet another battery platform. And my corded Bosch is getting long in the tooth.

 

[Bubba Fett]

I'm not sure that I see any great benefit for cordless sanders as I always use the vacuum hose attached to a shop-vac in my workshop. If I am tied to the vacuum by a hose, the electric cable doesn't seem to be much more of a problem. That being said, I use these strictly for furniture projects.

And you can always zip-tie or velcro the power cable to the vacuum hose for a few feet, at least.

 

[Robinson1]

Bosch does have a few winners in the cordless arena, but their corded woodworking tools are their specialty imho. I just don't think they understand American fascination with constant innovation and new products. Dewalt, Milwaukee, Festool get it. Bosch just doesn't seem to care.

Bosch's main market is Europe. Its like they forget about us here in the USA. I like Bosch but when you consider the fact that they are at minimum 10 years behind cordless technology with their US offerings. Makes it hard to give them my business. What they release is great. But Dewalt, Milwaukee, Makita have cordless tool lines with 100+ options. Bosch has like 20. And 10 of those were released 15 years ago.

 

[Trapps]

I'll agree with the quantity of offerings, and not just in NA, it is disappointing at best. However, I would disagree with the '10 years behind on technology' statement.

While I am a Bosch 18V owner, I routinely use Milwaukee and occasionally use Makita and DeWalt.

Of course there are specific tool variances, but by and large, they all perform well. Bosch uses 21700 cells and their 'cool pack' technology in Core batteries. Milwaukee also uses 21700 cells with cooling technology (XC extra cool?) in RedLithium batteries. Both offer connectivity as an option.

If I misread (or misunderstood) your comment, my apologies. If I didn't, please share why you feel Bosch is 10 years behind on technology.

 

[Robinson1]

I'll agree with the quantity of offerings, and not just in NA, it is disappointing at best. However, I would disagree with the '10 years behind on technology' statement.

While I am a Bosch 18V owner, I routinely use Milwaukee and occasionally use Makita and DeWalt.

Of course there are specific tool variances, but by and large, they all perform well. Bosch uses 21700 cells and their 'cool pack' technology in Core batteries. Milwaukee also uses 21700 cells with cooling technology (XC extra cool?) in RedLithium batteries. Both offer connectivity as an option.

If I misread (or misunderstood) your comment, my apologies. If I didn't, please share why you feel Bosch is 10 years behind on technology.

10 years behind may not be the best way to put it. But considering the standard 18v reciprocating saw option is the CRS180 a fairly underpowered brushed tool that was released was back when Bosch branded their Lithium tools as "Litheon". Same goes for the CCS180 circular saw. Both these tools have been out forever. Dewalt was still producing nicad when Bosch released these offerings. And while brushless options of both are available they are only recently introduced to the US and very scare. Ive never seen one in person.

 

[Robinson1]

I'm not bashing Bosch, I just wish they would get their head in the game so to speak because when they do release a tool its top of the line. They just seem to never update the existing line.

 

[acer66]

I'm not bashing Bosch, I just wish they would get their head in the game so to speak because when they do release a tool its top of the line. They just seem to never update the existing line.

I think that is true to extend with their 18v offerings but I am, as a remodeler and wanna be wood worker, very happy with their 12V stuff.

 

[engineer2]

My corded Bosch quarter-sheet is getting old as well. It eats the bearing every year and the sandpaper lock handle breaks every 5 years.

Makita is supposed to be offering their 1/4 and 1/3 sheet cordless sanders in the USA this year. I'll see how the reviews are. If battery life is too short, I'll stay with corded.

 

[acer66]

Damn you "internet inspired lunch hour run to Lowes" idea instigators...



My initial thoughts:

With the battery/charger deal, this is a solid bargain!
It has one of the smoothest sounding/feeling motors I've heard/felt in any battery tool.
Balance is not over the pad with a 4Ah or even a 2Ah, but it still feels good.
Feel in hand is silken - it just fits correctly. I reserve the right to revise this after use.

No problem to use a hose adapter instead of the on-board bag:




The Lowes deal runs through April 30, 2022.

Have the cashier ring up the sander first...then the battery/charger.

Thanks for posting, @dnschmidt !

I just use it for the first time and it is balanced best w/o a battery kinda like you said but if I lay my hand on it with a battery it seems to be balanced fine.

 

[dnschmidt]

Compared to any other cordless sander available it's balanced amazingly well. I've used the Bosch Impact/Screwdriver 12V kit for years and love it and I'm really loving my new sander. I've never dumping my AirVantage, Dynabrade or Hutchins air sanders in my lifetime but for color sanding a car in the field this has got to be the ultimate nuts. I have two corded AirVantage electric sanders whose form factor is similar to air sanders and they're great but this is the first cordless to even come close to having the right "feel".

 

[Ton ton]

Since I “had” to go there anyway.
$138.03 otd.

Thank you for sharing the price.

 

[BombShelter]

Thanks for the heads up, I'm not an either-or guy, I'm a both guy. Small jobs or off-site locations, cordless, in the shop with big jobs, corded (if needed).

 

[Trapps]

Look no further than the 'addicted to' threads here on GJ. Red is nearly 25,000 posts...Blue less than 200! *Disclaimer, after committing to Blue batteries, I'm now a Bosch addict.

Bosch is happy with the rest of the world market share. I wish they'd embrace the US more, but this is unlikely. In this regard, we agree 100%; breadth of product offering is weak by comparison.

Still the tools I've acquired have been very good. I do have the CCS180 and it is an excellent performer - admittedly I use it mostly for 2x on site. I do not have any experience with the CRS180 but the new GSA18V-125N looks interesting. I use the hell out of my GSA18V-083.

I've been so close to adding Red or Teal to my shop simply because of the product diversity available. Never say never, but for now I'll stay with blue.

 

[Ton ton]

Look no further than the 'addicted to' threads here on GJ. Red is nearly 25,000 posts...Blue less than 200! *Disclaimer, after committing to Blue batteries, I'm now a Bosch addict.

Bosch is happy with the rest of the world market share. I wish they'd embrace the US more, but this is unlikely. In this regard, we agree 100%; breadth of product offering is weak by comparison.

Still the tools I've acquired have been very good. I do have the CCS180 and it is an excellent performer - admittedly I use it mostly for 2x on site. I do not have any experience with the CRS180 but the new GSA18V-125N looks interesting. I use the hell out of my GSA18V-083.

I've been so close to adding Red or Teal to my shop simply because of the product diversity available. Never say never, but for now I'll stay with blue.

I didn't know that a Bosch addiction thread even existed.

 

[Trapps]

Makita addiction
Bosch addiction
DeWalt addiction
Fein addiction
Milwaukee addiction
Ryobi appreciation

There may be others.

 

[Ton ton]

Much appreciated,Trapps.

 

[engineer2]

Look no further than the 'addicted to' threads here on GJ. Red is nearly 25,000 posts...Blue less than 200!

Quite a few of the posts in the Red tool thread are about problems with the tools or the batteries. Kind of turned me off to that brand. they do have some nice tools though.

 

[Trapps]

...The only downside is that Bosch makes their sanders without vents (probably because they expect home usage by people that use the dust bag instead of a central vac setup) so if you use a vacuum cleaner and Cyclone with them the vacuum has such force that it sticks the sander to the work which is undesirable. I drilled a couple of holes in a vacuum hose I made up for it and this fixes that problem. THIS SUCKER IS THE STONE COLD BOMB.

I used mine for the first time today and I agree with all you've said, especially the vacuum aspect. Dust collection was excellent, but required a bit of learning to move the sander smoothly. I am very impressed with the power. Drop a sheet of #80 on this thing and it's a real hog! I only went up as far as #220, but it produced excellent results. Soft start is nice too.

 

[Ton ton]

Quite a few of the posts in the Red tool thread are about problems with the tools or the batteries. Kind of turned me off to that brand. they do have some nice tools though.

I can't say it better myself.