Bosch recently introduced a new 18V 1/8″ die grinder (DGSH181) that offers respectable power and performance in a compact and lightweight package. It features a 4-pole motor, slim soft-grip design for improved user comfort and reduced fatigue, and a hardened 1/4″ collet chuck.
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The die grinder weighs 3.9lbs and is 13-inches long. The kit comes with a high-capacity HC battery, but you can pop in a SlimPack battery as well to cut down on weight.
MSRP for the kit is $285, and a bare-tool version (DGSH181B) is also available.
More Info (via Bosch)
fred
Grinding is one of those tasks where I think first about shop-air pneumatic tools and our Dotco grinders . We have a few corded electrics – onne is a Milwaukeee that I think draws 10 or 12 amps – so I wonder how good a cordless tool will be.
We use Makita 18V tools – an I recall you posted before about their variant – but be that as it may – I’d be interested in hearing from those who’ve tried these out.
mnoswad1
I like it. This is the kind of thing thats going to get me to switch to a new battery brand system when my dewakt 18v system needs replaceing.
Fred
I feel like Bosch took their time about it, but I am starting to really feel like I have as much value in my 18v tools as any other brand out there. Now with Bosch catching up, there’s a lot of variety of things you can do with those tools instead of the 2+ years they spent only giving us the 4 tools in the kit.
A cordless die grinder is about as useful as a cordless dremel or oscillator (‘oscar tool’); you might need to pack it along with you just in case, but it’s not likely to be your go-to tool for anything. I will probably pick one up once they drop the bare tool price in a few months, as I carry my 18v tool bag with me whenever I take ANY tools out of the garage just in case. I’m surprised at how often I use my cordless dremel actually, I can see this being more useful in some of those situations.
Dan Richards
What’s the deal with the model holding the tool by the battery in all these new Bosch promo shots? Nobody does that. Granted, literally everything this guy is doing with the die grinder is asinine, but that’s a trend among newer Bosch cordless tool photos.
I honestly don’t know what I do with a die grinder that I’d prefer it to not have an air hose attached. That and they’re a lot larger and heavier than a pneumatic tool – I suppose that could explain why Grindy McBrakerotor has two hands on it, but come on guy. I know I’ve said the same things about cordless 4.5in grinders and reciprocating saws before, but I like those now. Maybe I’ll come around on these once they get down in size.
Fred
I think they’re trying to show off as much of the tool as possible. The batteries all look the same, you can obscure that part of the photo to have the least obstructed view of the tool.
I saw on some dirt racing show they did an interview with a lot of the crew chiefs and they were all about the cordless tools for impacts, cutting, everything you would normally see a race shop doing with air. They seem to think the air hoses get in your way. I’m sure each team has a tool sponsor so they have hundreds of batteries free, they can go through them like candy. Who wants their tool’s name on a compressor that interrupts (or prevents) the interview in the pit/shop when it’s running? Gee that must be a bad compressor I won’t buy that brand.
On the other hand, I can grind as long as the battery lasts, longer than a 3 gallon (probably longer than a 6 gallon) portable tank/compressor will last if the power goes out with less weight, smaller volume, and still have room to spare for extra batteries. There are some plus sides to both the grinders (I have one of the Bosch 4″ angle grinder as well as both air & electric/AC).
Stuart
I included the Bosch usage image since it clearly shows the size of the tool. I agree that the model’s grip looks a bit odd, but remember that it’s a marketing image designed to help sell the tool.
Yes, a pneumatic grinder is more compact and can provide greater longevity, but such tools require a suitably sized compressor. For tether-less and portable use, a cordless model has clear advantages.