Earlier today I wrote about the new Bosch 12V Max cordless brushless edge router. As some of you noticed, there’s another new tool hiding in the background of the “action” image – a new Bosch 12V Max cordless brushless planer, model GHO 12V-20.
Yep, a Bosch 12V Max brushless planer. I knew it! Just kidding – this blindsided me. Who would have thought that a 12V-class planer and a 12V-class edge cutter would be Bosch’s newest brushless cordless tools?
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The new Bosch planer is said to set a new standard for compact and ergonomic battery machines. If that sounds a little awkward, that’s because this is a translation.
As many of you have probably guessed by now, the new planer was announced in Europe. There haven’t been any announcements about a potential North American release yet.
Actually, I don’t think it’s even been announced in Europe yet – I pulled the images and details from a European retailer
Depth adjustment is said to be easy, thanks to the large knob. You can adjust the dust ejection direction, and connect a dust bag. It’s shown with dust collection attached, and so a dust port or adapter is probably included in the package, or should at least be available as an accessory option.
There’s even spare blade storage, at least according to the translation. I can’t see where the storage compartment might be, but am inclined to guess that it might stow in the flat hand guard area.
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The housing – at least the metal and non-blue plastic part – is said to be made (machined?) from a single piece of aluminum. Actually, it looks like it’s not just the front of the tool, but the entire bottom plate as well.
A major selling point focuses on the ergonomic and compact design that’s optimized for one-handed use.
Specs
- 14,500 RPM no-load
- 56mm cutting width (~2.2″)
- Saw depth up to 2 mm (per pass?)
- Can cut 45° chamfers
- 0-17mm (~0.67″) rabbet cutting depth
- Weighs 1.5 kg (~3.31 lbs) without battery
- Kitted with 3.0Ah compact battery packs
Part of the news attached to this and the new edge cutter is the emergence of new Bosch 12V Max 3.0Ah battery packs. Or at least they seem new, and I don’t think I posted about them yet.
ETA: Late September in Europe
First Thoughts
As excited as I am that Bosch is breathing life into their 12V Max lineup, there are no assurances that we’ll see this release in North America. Based on Bosch’s track record, the probability is actually quite low.
Plus, what about their 18V lineup? Surely they could have come out with brushless 18V models too. But I suppose that’s an area where there’s fierce competition, with brands like Dewalt, Milwaukee, and Makita cranking out a steady flow of innovations and one-upping each other.
A 12V-class brushless planer? Edge cutter? These are tools Bosch can enjoy exclusivity for, at least for a time.
I’m curious to see how well this new compact planer performs. I don’t use a cordless planer often, and could see how a smaller, lighter, and one-hand-capable planer might be handy and even beneficial for smaller or quicker trimming or beveling tasks.
Bosch, it’s good to see some new tools, please keep the good surprises coming!
P.S. I guess it is turning into a “Bosch Day.” Now, I’d better start working on the next post before someone points out the other new Bosch cordless tool that snuck into one of the shots of the planer.
Teaser:
Pete
Super cool! If your not in america!
Farid
Looks like a router with chip collector in the second photo?
Stuart
You’re right about that second part. =)
It looks like I might have to save that post for tomorrow. (New 18V wet/dry vac.) I’ll upload a teaser pic.
Farid
Yeah, I should have paid more attention to the tools hanging off the side of it, lol.
Stuart
It definitely does resemble a router. Don’t worry, when I first saw this image I thought there was a vacuum in the background, with odd-looking dual exhaust bags coming out of the top.
fred
Many of the early corded power planers (e.g. the Porter Cable 126) used what were essentially router motors mounted horizontally.
Jim Felt
That baby HEPA vac!!!!?
Stuart
I didn’t see any filtration rating, so it might not be HEPA.
Lack
http://www.bosch-presse.de/pressportal/de/de/viel-wirbel-%E2%80%93-wenig-staub-leistungsstarke-18-volt-sauger-von-bosch-fuer-profis-94784.html
It does say HEPA on the filter spec.
Stuart
You’re right – thank you!
Albert
Man I actually sent Milwaukee tools a message about making a compact planer a couple months back I actually drew a design to the porter cable model but didn’t hear back from Milwaukee FMl.
Scott
You probably won’t. It puts them in a precarious place legally to use a design from outside the company.
Lack
I caught a glimps of the vac on the first in-use pic of the router. Looks like a nice addition, given that at least some of the 12V tools have built in dust collection ports.
Nathan
is the shop vac 12 v too? otherwise neat idea for I guess someone that is doing some final fitment or the like.
I’d prefer some 18V models. I keep waiting for Dewalt to make a cordless full size router before I buy one. mostly so it will drive down the cost of the corded one.
Stuart
No. There are 12V vacs, but one of that size would be very weak and compromised.
Redcastle
Funny 12v router I would be happy with but for a planer I would prefer 18 (20v?) Even with the 4 hour battery.
Alick
Haha. Taking an opportunity here in case any Bosch people read these blogs …
There’s one lousy design feature in some of Bosch’s 12V tools that is a deal breaker for me. Because of it, I won’t buy some of their tools that I otherwise would.
Q – What is it ?
A – The stupid thumb operated safety that you can see on this planer and also features on the small 10.8V single handed saw.
It is ambidextrous, but for me, the ergonomics of this are lousy. With a proper and natural grip on the handle, I can only operate this by moving my thumb sideways in an unnatural and uncomfortable way.
In this case, Bosch product design is being dictated by lawyers. There’s no need for the safety in the first place. In order to use it, I need to take one grip while I start the tool, then move my hand with the tool running – making it MORE likely that i’ll have an accident.
While I applaud these new designs, until the company drops this awful “safety” mechanism, they won’t sell to this tool junkie.
…and every tool you pass over for such a reason makes it less likely that you will buy into Bosch’s 12V battery system, so the impact affects sales of more than one product.
Chris
Just use your off hand if needed but I don’t see a big issue to use your thumb for a second.
fred
Initially I found the safety on my Bosch GCM12SD awkward – but then got used to it. On that tool. what Bosch’s German Engineering really missed was a soft start motor to get the 12 inch blade up to speed without the herky-jerky motion.
Austin
We didn’t get the 12v grinder, drywall screw gun, dremel, and circular saw so I am going to say we won’t get these either.
Chris
If you really want those go to ebay (all are available). Plenty of valid sellers at good prices.
Mike
Does anyone really care about 12v or 10.8 v since all you winers complain about Dewalts 20v when they can make 20v tools just as compact as 12v but with more power
glenn
There are a couple of pics on the link below that shows the dust bag and dust port attachment and it appears to be able to mounted on the left or the right.
Also it looks the spare blade is stored under the red tab at the lower rear of the tool.
https://www.bosch-professional.com/gb/en/community/category/bosch-gho-12v-20/12848649-t/12848648#id12848648
Chris
Bosch is getting its innovation on. To bad it’s not in America. I really really wanted one of those nanosaws. The cross between a jigsaw and a chainsaw. Those things are hilarious.
Hilton
I don’t know why you Americans are bitching about the product not officially coming to the local market. Why get your panties in a knot over this? Just do like the rest of us in the world and import it. You can already buy the charger and batteries so just get these overseas.
Before anyone starts bleating about honouring warranties, servicing etc, put it down to the cost of ownership.
Scar
I agree. Not being tied to 120v or 240v or a certain style of prong is just another reason to go cordless. Amazon.co.uk and amazon.de ships to the USA without much hassle.
Lack
Another blue 12V that is less maybe a bit less innovative, but still nice, is the new 12V oscilating multi-tool – GOP 12V-28.
Brushless and starlock compatible.
Tegian
Just the tool I needed the other day!