Why not Bosch?

[jives]

In all the discussions about cordless tools, I cannot remember a recommendations for Bosch. High end IR, SO, Matco, followed by Milwaukee, DeWalt, Makita, then Rigid and the rest. No Bosch.

Why not?

BTW, my 15+ year old Bosch drill has a failed chuck, but has taken a huge amount of abuse (e.g., ladder drops). But, the NiCad batteries are dust.

 

[kctyphoon]

Other brands are more available number one, second - I can't remember anything where Bosch has really set a new standard and changed the game forcing other brands to react. I'd imagine Bosch has more of a following overseas's .

For them to make a big impact right now (here anyway) they'd have a lot of catching up to do.

 

[BK13]

Other brands are more available number one, second - I can't remember anything where Bosch has really set a new standard and changed the game forcing other brands to react. I'd imagine Bosch has more of a following overseas's .

For them to make a big impact right now (here anyway) they'd have a lot of catching up to do.

Well, they do have the impact driver/wrench combo with a 1/2" square drive and 1/4" hex, if you're into that sort of thing...

 

[theoldwizard1]

Other brands are more available number one, ...

They are more expensive than red or yellow ! The used to be exclusive made in Germany or Switzerland but I hear that is changing !

 

[Vintage Veloce]

I 'm just a homeowner hobbyist, but I prefer Bosch. They are my default. I think their drills are excellent and they make great laser levels too. And I really like their hand held cordless vacuum. But some of their cool stuff is hard to get in the USA.

 

[JiminAZ]

I had a great cordless drill from Bosch about 3 generations back. It had an electronic clutch which was a little quirky (and inconsistent). But it was very well made and had precise controls.

Also like their drill extension system for drilling studs and bulkheads and such at a distance.

 

[equitiesguy]

In all the discussions about cordless tools, I cannot remember a recommendations for Bosch. High end IR, SO, Matco, followed by Milwaukee, DeWalt, Makita, then Rigid and the rest. No Bosch.

Why not?

BTW, my 15+ year old Bosch drill has a failed chuck, but has taken a huge amount of abuse (e.g., ladder drops). But, the NiCad batteries are dust.

Honestly if it’s made in China it doesn’t matter what brand they stick on it. At that point go for warranty and performance.

If Bosch was made in Germany I would say they would be worth pursuing.

 

[Wamsutta]

I have two U.S.A. made Bosch corded drills 3/8. They will run a 1 inch auger bit through a 4x4. Paid $60 each when Lumber Jack was going out of business. I can only imagine the 1/2 inch models from that era must've been brute beasts.

 

[Zebu Fellenz]

A few years ago I bought into the Bosch 18v system. When I was looking I was trying to decide between Bosch & Milwaukee and at that point I thought both were pretty evenly matched so I went with Bosch because I was able to get a Swiss made drill and US assembled impact wrench opposed to tools made in China IIRC from Milwaukee.

If I were buying again today I'd get Milwaukee no contest; it's a much more extensive product line and spec to spec (especially considering impact tools) Milwaukee has made great strides while Bosch is still selling for the most part the same tools they sold 3 years ago.

Not to say Bosch tools are bad at all but working around cars/trucks/heavy equipment the impact wrench is the most important cordless tool and Bosch just isn't competitive right now.

 

[plinker]

Most of the Bosch stuff I saw around & after '06-'07 (and have) was made in Malaysia, then more recently china. I really like the smaller 10-12v Bosch drill/drivers & mini recip saw I have from that period, 2 problems are/were battery life and they wont function when it's less then fifty degrees.

I started buying Milwaukee a couple years ago since they have more options for tools & batteries. They also work in colder temps. I dont think the quality is the same as the Bosch, but anymore they are probably all about the same.

 

[finn]

I have a couple of corded Bosch drills, a grinder, a sliding miter saw, 12v driver and an 18v impact driver and drill set.

It’s good stuff, but I now have more cordless Dewalt than cordless Bosch.

I think the reason for more Dewalt in my inventory is that they have wider distribution and better sales promotions.

I also have a corded Milwaukee drill, 12v saws all (hacksall), and corded grinder, but don’t think they are anything special. Same with Metabo.

The selection of Bosch in Germany is fantastic, both at stand alone tool stores and the local HD equivalent.

 

[Packard V8]

Honestly if it’s made in China it doesn’t matter what brand they stick on it. At that point go for warranty and performance.

Not entirely in agreement here. I've been to factories in China financed by major European brand names, with their name on the buildings, with European QC inspectors there every day. The resulting products were just as good as anything made in the home country.

However, for those brands who try to cheap out by contracting to the lowest Chicom bidder, by not having their own on-site QC, no surprise the products don't always perform.

jack vines

 

[JiminAZ]

Oh, and I have a corded Bosch plunge router and a Bosch corded jigsaw (the barrel type with no handle on top). Both are at least 10 years old and are excellent tools that I feel zero need to upgrade.

 

[Locker537]

My experience has been with their corded tools. Like JiminAZ said, I have their popular router and jigsaw. If I needed an SDS hammer I'd likely go bosch as well.

 

[acer66]

Mostly Bosch over here, their 12V line line is hard to beat for my remodeling business.

Can not comment to much on their current 18V line up since I am working with pre brushless stuff for years and they have hold up to the abuse and only the 18V brute drill is started to develop a wobble.

The only tool which really failed me was the 12V reciprocating saw which I love by seizing up.

If I would have to start over I might go over to Dewalt but I would have to check the Bosch brushless stuff first.

 

[Rabid Badger]

Advertising. TTI (Milwaukee's parent company) dropped $925 million on advertising in 2017.

 

[Rickster]

I too have several pieces of 12v LI Bosch tools. They're great! Use them all the time. Have a drill, impact driver, jigsaw and a small single handed sawsall.

 

[DieselNut88]

I love corded Bosch tools. I have many for woodworking. Anything cordless is Dewalt.

 

[FlaGman]

I really like the little 12v Bosch drill and especially the impact, also have a couple of the lights and reciprocating saw. I tend to use them more than the 20v Dewalts, of which I have a lot. Sometimes smaller is better, and still gets the job done.

 

[FigureItOut]

I recommend Bosch 12V often. The lineup is certainly slim, but I use my Bosch 12V stuff everyday. I'm also partial to their accessories like bits, bit holders, SDS bits etc.

I also have a corded Bosch jigsaw that I love, though I haven't used a lot of others to compare it to. If I wasn't already heavily into Milwaukee M18, Bosch would also be my choice for cordless SDS.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930AZ using Tapatalk

 

[Negen]

As a DIY home owner building sheds and decks and shop benches fein has been the best drill I ever owned. Fein , metaboo, or hilti would be what I would recommend. Even more so since the German brands did that battery agreement thing to where they share the batteries. Hilti nice because when they brake they come out to your house and swap out right there within 1 hour no need to mail or drive anywhere but I only had one hilti ever brake battery just wouldn't hold a charge.

Sent from my G8141 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[dr_clyde]

I have a bunch of Bosch stuff. I have been happy with all of it. I have a nice router and table setup, bulldog rotary hammer, jigsaw, and at home I have a cordless drill, impact driver, recip saw combo and a small corded grinder.

Oh I also have a laser and tripod setup.


No complaints about any of it.

 

[winlinmac]

I like Bosch Corded; built with rigidity and ruggedness in mind

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

I have an 18 volt NICAD Bosch tool kit. Purchased about 10 years ago. I have 4 of one drill alone. Since purchase I have had one charger go and one battery become a little flakey. Haven’t had any batteries go south yet, but I do take proper care of the NICAD batteries and watch for discharge and charging procedures. My hammer drill is a Bulldg and it also is an excellent tool. My old system was Makita and still have them around somewhere but haven’t used them in years. The only other item that needs charging is my Milwaukee jacket and I like it.

 

[Lisamelting]

There are a few things holding Bosch back. One is marketing...they just don't have the exposure that you see with Milwaukee, DeWalt or even Rigid.
Shelf space....walk into HD or Lowe's and there are aisles of red and yellow, with huge banners or signage touting their greatness.
Herd mentality...the younger people entering the field, be it electrical, plumbing etc copy the people their learning from. Look around and you'll see plenty of Milwaukee, DeWalt and Makita. Likewise, the typical DYI'r probably has come into contact with a pro in a particular field. When he or she is looking for tools they are probably going to naturally gravitate to what they believe professionals use. They may even do it subconsciouslly without even realizing it.
I know I'm guilty of it. Recently I needed to purchase another drill for the shop. Without even really thinking about it I just naturally looked at red or yellow... because that's what the pros use right?

 

[wesbrad1962]

I am pleased with my combination of Bosch and Ryobi, except I lust for the Milwaukee ratchets.

 

[maico]

Bosch corded stuff is superior quality. My older green hammer drill was made in Switzerland and in more recent times they moved production to Hungary. Plenty of blue is still made in Germany at least for European sales. My Metabo corded made in Germany.

Having said that, I recently checked some DeWalt battery stuff and it was all high quality made in the Czech Republic.

If you do buy Bosch the profits all go to charity and good causes. The company is 95% owned by the Robert Bosch Foundation.
If you buy Milwaukee, AEG, Ryobi, Ridgid, they go to Techtronic Industries Hong Kong.

 

[jonshonda]

When we bought our first house I got a big gift card to Menards and needed a drill/driver combo. The Bosch 18v stuff was the best stuff there, so I got it. I have no complaints about quality or performance, but it would be fun if there was more variety, more places to buy it or better deals on it.

Its funny because Bosch really seems to have a pretty firm grip on the corded wood working game. Their routers, miter saw with stand, jig saws, and sanders are considered the gold standard by many. If I started all over with cordless, it would either be Dewalt or Mil, just depends on what felt best in my hand.

 

[pelletman]

I've loved any Bosch stuff I have ever bought, and it is a fair amount. That being said, lately I am moving to Milwaukee

 

[kctyphoon]

Another thing seems to be the upgrading of models.. TTI has changed the game with this. You’ll now see new and improved models being released sometimes within a 2-3 year period instead of the 6 yrs or hardly ever like things used to be. It was once - “whoever” made a drill, that was “THE DRILL” they offered for what seemed to be forever. The guy who bought a new drill in 1990 and the guy who bought a new drill in 1997 both owned the same exact drill.. NOW - innovation and design improvements FORCE some other brands to keep up. Brands like Milwaukee m18’s fuel line is on their 3rd generation of drill and impact drivers.. their cordless leaf blower was upgraded in about a year after its initial release.. while giving some people a reason to upgrade worn tools - it gives new buyers a reason to go with certain brands cause they are not buying a brand new drill that was designed a decade ago. Instead they get what the newest models are, which are never really “old models”.

Right now you see brands trying to dominate certain markets, and Bosch really doesn’t seem interested in trying to plant their flag anywhere.. Milwaukee seems hell bent on owning the 12v market, and using their 18v line to even compete with higher voltage platforms. Dewalt keeps coming out with higher voltage lines, first 40, now 60v. Makita is competing using a dual 18v battery line (36v) - and Bosch is kinda on the sidelines doing the same thing they’ve been doing, which is nothing disruptive it seems. I believe (and this is pure heresay on my part) that they are more interested in the “we make quality products” market, then the “our tools are faster and stronger than your tools” market right now.

Its almost like Hilti. Hilti doesn’t seem to be making much noise either. But they are known for their quality and reliability. So even though other cheaper brands may do things faster, for less money - the guys that really torture equipment in harsh environments will still look to Hilti.

 

[acer66]

Bosch corded stuff is superior quality. My older green hammer drill was made in Switzerland and in more recent times they moved production to Hungary. Plenty of blue is still made in Germany at least for European sales. My Metabo corded made in Germany.

Having said that, I recently checked some DeWalt battery stuff and it was all high quality made in the Czech Republic.

If you do buy Bosch the profits all go to charity and good causes. The company is 95% owned by the Robert Bosch Foundation.
If you buy Milwaukee, AEG, Ryobi, Ridgid, they go to Techtronic Industries Hong Kong.

I still have a old sds hammer drill made in the usa that does not want to die no matter what you do with it.

That is great that they are giving back, I did not know that.

What bugs me a bit is they seem to make more stuff and no quality is not the issue for me in china while other companies like dewalt bring at least some jobs back in the usa.

Lowes here carries quite a few cordless tools and has an extra little stand for additional presentation.

 

[rmsg0040]

Most of our power tools at work is Bosch

Cordless drill, cordless hammer drill, cordless impact driver, cordless angle grinder, corded SDS hammer drill

It does the job but there are better brands out there

 

[mbshop]

I pretty much use Bosch. They seem to fit my hands and needs best. Bought on sale I think they are a better value.

 

[bwringer]

When we bought our first house I got a big gift card to Menards and needed a drill/driver combo. The Bosch 18v stuff was the best stuff there, so I got it. I have no complaints about quality or performance, but it would be fun if there was more variety, more places to buy it or better deals on it.

Same here, Meanards gift card to burn, needed some cordless stuff, so Bosch was the winner.

I'm very, very happy with my Bosch 18V drill/impact set, but honestly for my modest home gamer needs I probably would have gone with Ryobi at HD if it were on my dime. Somewhat less expensive, a HUGE variety of tools, killer deals regularly, and durable enough for my needs.

Stupid snot yellow color, though -- the Bosch stuff definitely looks a lot classier.

I'd love to get a cordless circular saw, but the Bosch item is $125 for the bare tool with no battery (and forget about EVER finding much of a sale on Bosch batteries or tools). The Ryobi is $69 for the bare tool, and there are killer package deals all the time.

I'd also love to get a 1/2" cordless impact. The only Bosch option is short on torque and very expensive. To be fair, the Ryobi option is pretty low on torque but it's at least reasonably priced.

 

[matthew]

My cordless drill and impact driver are 18V Bosch, and I really like them.

I don't necessarily see fast product turnover as important to me - I buy a tool for more than just a 2 year useful life. And it has looked like the battery offering has been evolving, which makes sense.

Milwaukee has done a lot of new product, but seems to have kept good durability. The red stuff at work has survived a lot better than the yellow stuff, which sort of turned me off buying that, although admittedly a lot of that wasn't the current line. But if I was buying again, I'd probably be choosing between Bosch, Milwaukee, and Makita.

The problem with cordless tools is you do sort of buy into the package... every tool you buy makes it less likely you'll change over. I like my Milwaukee Sawzall and my Bosch angle grinder, and wish the cordless stuff had an interoperable battery to allow the same luzury. From the glance I gave it, even the TTI brands aren't quite the same battery between them...

 

[GrayFlattop]

Lots of Bosch 18v LiIon cordless here and very happy. Bosch corded tools across the range as well. No problems, good performance and good battery life.

I’ve got a fair amount of red and blue tools too, but I’m not really that worried about having a single battery platform -that’s almost too impractical.

 

[metaleltr]

I have two U.S.A. made Bosch corded drills 3/8. They will run a 1 inch auger bit through a 4x4. Paid $60 each when Lumber Jack was going out of business. I can only imagine the 1/2 inch models from that era must've been brute beasts.

We have a 1/2 Bosch hammer drill that runs super fast and will break your wrist if it catches. Grandpa picked it up in the middle of the road when he worked for the city. Don't know how old it is but it's the only yellow Bosch tool I've ever seen.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

In all the discussions about cordless tools, I cannot remember a recommendations for Bosch. High end IR, SO, Matco, followed by Milwaukee, DeWalt, Makita, then Rigid and the rest. No Bosch.

Why not?

I'm not a huge fan of battery powered tools. When I do recommend brands of cordless and corded I always include Bosch. I also recommend other brands as well that I like and have had good experiences with.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=404839

 

[Crazyjake8493]

Local availability is Bosch’s biggest downside. At least around here it is. Lowes carries only their 12v drill and impact, and HD carries nothing.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I can't remember anything where Bosch has really set a new standard and changed the game forcing other brands to react.

I think they pretty much led the way int the sub compact category, M12, litheon, etc