Anyone have problems with Bosch Tools?
I have purchased three Bosch tools in the last six months. A hand planer, a 14 volt drill and the Powerbox (OK, thats more a toy, but hey, what the heck)
The planer has worked fine although I use it only on occasion. The drill and power box are used almost every day.
The drill has already dropped parts (a screw came out from inside the chuck and I can’t get it back in and the clip that holds the extra screw bit fell out) and it now spits sparks on occasion. Also, since the screw came out, the chuck does not hold bits well.
As far as the Powerbox goes, the radio reception STINKS! I can’t even get a station that is broadcast from my town less than five miles away. They obviously found this to be a problem because in later models they have added a detachable antenna (although I hear the reception on the newer models can still be described as poor). Also, insulating covers for the GFI outlets have fallen off.
I purchased Bosch tools on their reputation for a superior product. I have been very dissapointed.
Has anyone else had similar problems with Bosch? Their customer service seems very willing to help, but if the tools themselves are poor, they will just be replacing a poor tool with another poor tool.
I’d like to hear what you all have experienced.
Brian….Bayview Renovations
Replies
Bayview,
I can't speak for any of the items you mentioned, but I have three Bosch 1617EVS routers that perform just great! I've had one of them for five or six years and purchased additional units based on the perofrmance of the first one.
Regards,
Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting
Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
The only Bosch tool I've purchased was a Forstner-style bit.
I say Forstner-style because it was poorly enough done that I had to take it to Jameson's and have it re-ground so it would eject chips.
I was not amused. $14 bit. $10 regrind to get it to work. Damned expensive bit.
Their spark plugs do work well, though.
I have a Bosch hand drill, circular saw and a saber saw. All work fine and I like them better than their Craftsman & Skil predecessors. Sorry to hear you are having problems...
I've owned a few Bosch power tools. Most notably a router. Happy to say it is running strong, never a problem. Until purchasing my porter-cable plunge router, the bosch was my do everything router, hand-held work, router table....
butch
I Purchased a 1619 3-1/4 hp router last July, it's truly a peice of junk. The plunge mechanism now works in reverse, surging downward????
Micro adjust totally inaccurate, the soft start sounds like it never gets up to speed.
In the mid 90's I purchased the 1613 3-1/4hp and just last week after much abuse, even screws falling off it finally died. An old friend that will be truly missed.
Bosch in my opinion has gone downhill, full of plastic and not for heavy duty use. I will probably not purchase another Bosch router.
I got the original jigsaw with the long screwdriver, had to replace a few years ago. Supposedly the same jigsaw but again you could tell they cheapened things. Bad move for Bosch to degrade on quality.
There you have my opinions, I've been wanting to vent for awhile and I guess you got it....sorry
Bill
I had trouble with reception in my shop. I bought a cheap radio shack ouside antena and now I get great reception. I love classical music and pbs. With the new antena I now get two PBS stations and two classical stations.
Got the Bosch 1617EVS router, 4 x 24 belt-sander, barrel grip jig-saw and a drill. With the excpetion of the drill, all are admirable preformers. The drill is OK, I just prefer more torque from a Hitachi or Milwaukee.
All these were purchased 2 years ago or longer. I have no clue as too the quality of what you would purchase if you walked in and made the purchase tomorrow.
Regards...
sarge..jt
Proud member of the : "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
No drils for me but I have the 10" sliding miter saw that is very accurate.
I have several Bosch tools and give them mixed reviews. I think they have advanced designs and do amazing things tools in their price range are not expected to do. But on the other hand I have found some common sense things that just bug me...like the shoe on my new jig saw that is made out of a light metal (cast aluminum or magnisium) and broke off after a minor kick-back incident that also bent the blade...I swear it was a low velocity "boo-boo". It broke way too easily. This saw will never last as long as my last jig-saw (25 year old B&D). Replacement part was $9.00 plus $12.00 shippng.
I think with most tool companies that make a wide range of tools, you need to pick and choose which you buy. I have the Bosch 12" compound miter saw, and though I haven't built that deck with it yet, I've used it quite a bit and it has been a solid performer. Certainly no loose parts! Solid, built like a tank, accurate and pretty easy to use.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
B.V,
I have had a 18V.jigsaw for over a year and it has not let me down ever. It is great in the field and in the shop. I also have the small right angle drill, with exception of the slide type switch on the underbelly of the drill that is a little hard to engage in some tight places, the drill is loaded with power and preforms well. I would like to think that Bosch still makes a highend tool but like anything else the cheaper the tool the more one has to wonder what they are really buying. Ya get what Ya pay for. Rick.
Brian,
Like every manufacturer Bosch makes a range of products. I had an old (70's) POS Bosch jig saw with the long screwdriver to tighten the blade - took me years to get over that experience and buy another Bosch. Of course, it was their cheapest jig saw so I shouldn't have surprised - I was just too cheap to buy a good one and kept believing that I could get a reasonably decent jig saw for under $100. Just gave up and got the new barrel grip 1591 and can't believe I waited so long - it is awesome! Very solid, made in Switzerland. Same with their 6" random orbital sander. I've been quite pleased with both.
Wayne
Lessee - I have a 1613EVS router, a 1609 trim router, a 1617EVS router, a 1587AEVS jig saw, a couple older 12v cordless drills, the older 10" SCMS (3315?) and a big SDS-Max rotary hammer. I have only had problems with one of the 12v drills; it runs, but not too well. I haven't tried to get it repaired. The 1617 router has a well-documented history of corrosion of the housing, which seems to be solveable with some Scotchbrite pads and paste wax. Otherwise, they all seem to be really good tools.
I'm not a diehard loyal Bosch fan, but I like their stuff. Some of it seems to be junk, but just from a casual observer's perspective. I've been leaning a lot toward Hitachi lately, I have the new Hitachi 12v impact driver and it's a beast. The only brand I try to avoid entirely is DeWalt - I've seen far too many yellow tools die a quick and painful death to want to drop any cash on them. I would even buy Ryobi - I have their 18V cordless sawzall and I actually like it a lot. It's already paid for itself in working on an electricity-free jobsite.
Dear Bay,
I am a professional who earns his keep with tools everyday and have come to enjoy using and owning many Bosch tools. I have had NO problems with them. That being said I am willing to wager a dollar or so that you purchased your tools at Home Depot or similar. I have stopped buying tools from these places because I find that I have problems with them, regardless of manufacturer. Return yours if possible and go to a dedicated tool store or amazon.com, I think that you will find that Bosch makes a very good tool.
Good Luck!
John
Interesting observation. The one tool I didn't have a problem with (the planer) was purchased from the Tool Factory in upstate New York. The other two that I did have problems with were purchased from a HD. It is interesting to note that HD no longer carries much in the way of Bosch tools at all now. Mostly DeWalt, Ridgid and Ryobi. DeWalt I have no complaints about. I have many of their hand tools and they perform well. I have not tried any Ridgid products yet, but I wouldn't give you a dull blade for any Ryobi product.
Thanks for the observation and comment.
Brian....Bayview Renovations
Dear Bay,
I have heard good things about the "Tool Factory". I am in CT, Northern Fairfield county, so if I don't order online, I go to "Coastal Tool" in Hartford or "Tools Plus" in Waterbury. I have a suspision that the manufacturers dump thier "seconds" on the Home Depots, but I can't prove it. Someone a year or so ago, on this Forum, claimed that the manufacturers build a different line of tools for the "big box" stores. That could also be, but all I know for sure is that when I buy tools from Home Depot or similar, problems are not far behind. Good Luck!John
John --- or anyone else........This is interesting.....Have you ever compared model numbers -- the tool you bought at a tool supply place, and the model number of the same tool at one of the big boxes?Unless there is some difference -- even slight -- in the model numbers, it is hard to figure how a manufacturer could ship one run of tools to a big box, and another run to everyone else.
Dear Nikki,
I haven't done it, but there was someone who claimed to of done it on this Forum. The claim goaes that two Paslode "Impulse" trim guns were compared and the Home Depot one had an extra letter at the end of the code. Again, I have not confirmed this.John
Brian, I have 2 Bosch routers (1609??) some thing like that. I purchsed one New about 22 years ago and I picked up a used one from a pawn shop 6 years ago for a great price. I do not make my living with these tools so they are not used every day or week. The one I got new I had to put new berings in last summer. Only one was bad, but you do both when you epai one. This probally came from some of the Cold starts in the winter. Other than that been great preformers.
I have always heard on power tools that there is usally a lower grade model made and will have a one letter diffrence in the model #. I have never bought any power tools from the big box stores to this point. I have bought several used ones from a pawn shop that I know the owner and have done some things for him, so he has done me some real deals on some tools that he has pawned for people. I just know what I'm buying and have not been burned but once and it only cost me $9 bucks for the part that I got locally. Wasn't really getting burned just a "suprise"
I really don't stick to any certain brand tool, I buy what Feel's good and works for me. When I used to Mechanic for a living I bought mostly SnapOn tools, but some of their's I don't like and use other brands. Have some old Craftsman I bought 35 years ago and are great and I like better than other brands. The Craftsman you buy today are no way the quality, fit or finish from back then though. But I would say that 82% of my mechanic tools are SnapOn though so I am partail to that brand though.
Goot luck on any of your future tool purchases.
KK
My experience with Bosch has been the opposite of yours. For the last ten years I have bought Bosch whenever possible and have never had a problem. I currently own a Bosch random orbit sander, plunge router, and circular saw.
Hans
Interesting posts. Maybe the "problem" tools from Bosch are just random run-of-production problems? I've had their 5-inch sander, 2 HP router (mounted in a table) and detail sander for some years with no problem. My son, who works for a large Corian counter-top company, says they replaced two newish DeWalt contractor saws with the Bosch contractor saws and they are used every day out of the shop with great success. The guys love 'em, he says. The DeWalts were trashed. But, my experience with a lot of DeWalt tools has been positive. Go figger.
The screw in the chuck might have lefthand threads. My Bosch tools have worked well for me.
I bought the Bosch 1617EVS router and, while it has been excellent tool overall, the switch died a little over one year from the date of purchase. I was surprised that a) something like a switch failed this early in the tool's life and, b) it would not be covered under warranty - cost me $80 to get it fixed.
Keith
-- measure once, cut twice, or something like that...
Since this is a discussion of problems, or in my case an oddity with respect to Bosch tools, I'll throw this out for possible comment.I've got a Bosch sliding compound miter saw. Didn't note the model # but it's a couple years old now. Not used in a production or 'professional' sense meaning I'm a hobby type woodworker. The saw does not get constant hard use.When I start the saw it sounds and feels like something's vibrating. Like the blade is wobbling ever so slightly. I brought this up earlier but at the time I was running a thin kerf blade and felt, as many did, that the torque of the motor was causing the blade to distort since after a few, sometimes several seconds the vibration sound and feel would go away.I've tried every blade in my stable, including a Forrest WWII, the stock blade that came with the saw, and all the other full strength (thickness) blades I have. They all seem to produce the same kind of start-up vibration sensation.Starting from the basics I took the blade, arbor nut and washer off so the saw motor was turning without anything attached. Just sat there and hummed beautifully at full RPM. Unplugged the saw and tried to find any slack in the arbor but (by simple hand feel) could find none. But the minute I put a blade back on, I've got this vibration thing.The saw cuts extremely well. If I start it up, let it run to the point where the sound evens out and it feels like it's running smoothly, it makes satin smooth cuts with as much accuracy as I could hope for. Even if I make a cut before the odd sound goes away, the cuts are acceptably smooth - very very little in the way of saw tooth marks.Even my neighbor, a cabinet maker, remarked that he thought the saw sounded 'funny' when he heard it start up. What else can I try to determine where this vibration is coming from?Thanks in advance .....Oh - with respect to the topic .... I have two Bosch routers and their saber saw and like them all (including the saw) very much. Other than this saw vibration, I haven't had a bit of trouble with any of them............
From Beautiful Skagit Co. Wa.
Dennis
It's tool karma. Some folks just seem to be snakebit with certain brands that are well regarded by most. And why some can buy some off the wall no name brand, thrash the living daylights out of it and the tool will not die.
check blade for wobble. I have a 10" makita i loaned to client (bad idea) i noticed a wobble in blade after it was returned , i bought new washers for blade aand wobble was gone also noise
Foxfire -Thanks for the reply.I don't feel any wobble in the blade when the saw is off (and unplugged) and I test by hand by trying to move the blade back & forth sideways. There does seem to be a little backlash, if that's the term when I turn the blade by hand forwards and backwards. I can't understand why there would play in the arbor like this .... the blade is mounted directly on the motor shaft, is it not?...........
From Beautiful Skagit Co. Wa.
Dennis
I have a Bosch 1617 router that I use in a table... the switch died on it just days before the warranty ran out so luckily it was covered. I thought it was odd at the time too. Other than that I've used several of that model router at the commercial shop I work at and like the overall feel of them the best; also I've seen guys knock them around, drop them, hose them with laminate glue, take too big a cut, etc., and they can take it.
The tools at Home Depot look a cut below the Tool Crib or better tool dealer models. Never compared, just suspected and avoided. I have a few DeWalt tools (biscuit jointer - only because it was a sweet deal on clearance), and miter saw (a gift) and have gotten solid performance from them for mostly home renovation use. However, from the DeWalt products I have used while earning bread & butter, I have formed the opinion that for their quality compared to other manufacturers, DeWalt could lower their prices at least 25%. They could pay me to take Ryobi tools and I'd still pass.
Jim
Brian: The chuck screw is left handed thread. That could be it! Only have a couple of Bosch tools: 1617 router and an old smallish jig saw; they both have been trouble-free. The idea that major tool makers are selling seconds through places like HD is enough to make my blood boil! I would like to see one of the major magazines pick up on this as they have the resources to really investigate it.
KDM
Kenneth Duke Masters
The Bill of Rights December 15 1791
NRA Endowment Member
LEAA Life Member
CRPA Member
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled