Shown here is the new Bosch GKS18V-264GC brushless 18V circular saw. Part of the new MegaWatt Crew of cordless power tools, the new Bosch circular saw is designed to take advantage of their higher performance CORE18V Li-ion batteries.
Not much is known about the new Bosch Strong Arm circular saw, aside from its 7-1/4″ blade size and 18V battery compatibility.
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As mentioned in the product family introduction, I like the look of the Strong Arm’s dust chute, which has an integrated dust port. It remains to be seen how well sawdust ejection works when a dust vac is not connected, but I don’t see cause for concern.
If you look closely, there’s a module in the tool’s handle, but at this time we don’t know what that means. Does it offer Bluetooth connectivity for tool tracking, or for performance customizations?
Like other high-performance cordless 7-1/4″ circular saws, such as the Dewalt FlexVolt saw (first impressions here), the Bosch Strong Arm is a blade-right saw.
We’ll share more details about the Bosch Strong Arm circular saw once we know more.
Based on the few details presently available, how do you feel about the new Bosch circular saw?
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JakeJ
YES!! I will be first in line to buy this saw, whether it shows up in NA or Austrailia first. ( I work in both countries). I’m a lefty, so the blade is on the ‘right’ side for me, and I noticed the track indentation on the baseplate, so it should run on my fsn tracks. 100% they could have my $$ if the Bluetooth module was for pairing with a future cordless dust extractor/vac.
TonyT
Bosch is also coming out with corded track saw, with the blade all the way to the right
https://www.boschtools.com/us/en/boschtools-ocs/circular-saws-gkt13-225l-198182-p/
JakeJ
yeah, Tony. i’ve seen that saw in Australia. Price puts me off a bit, (700 AUD) as does the cord. however, i’m sure the new circ saw wont be cheap either…..and , Did i mention the ambidextrous trigger lock! another must have for us lefties
Robin
One of the few times lefties don’t get screwed
Joe framer
Blade right for left handed? Never seen or heard of that…blade right ,right handed
Josh
It will be compatible with the a Bosch track and Festool track.
The top button will adjust depth via detent plate with a plunge action.
Bosch is def taking some good steps! This saw sounds like a winner.
Bolt
That sounds neat
Jorn
This thing looks like a beast. I’m slowly building a Bosch cordless kit to replace my aging craftsman tools and this saw is definitely on my list.
I wonder if Bosch plans to release a BT connected version of their cordless shop vac that can be remotely triggered like Makita’s AWS system? (Or do they already have this?)
Clifford Alloway
Looks good.
Is that a battery gauge on the saw itself?hard to tell from picture. If so, that is a huge plus.
Looking forward to seeing how it compares to my flexvolt. Though it’s hard to imagine it being as powerful as a 60v system. But who knows anymore with rapid advances in tooling.
Stuart
I couldn’t tell with enough confidence to allow a guess. It could be, or related to the Bluetooth module.
Stephen
One of the complaints with the existing 6.5″ cordless saw is, the battery gauge does not face out. You have to remove the battery to check the level. I could definitely see Bosch addressing this common complaint.
Lynyrd
I want… Somehow, someway I hope someone besides Amazon starts to carry more Bosch. Lowes only carries the basics. Tried to find the Cordless Drywall Screwgun but it’s twice the cost of a DeWalt. It seems when there are more outlets for a brand the price is driven down a bit.
Stuart,
Any word from Bosch on new retailers or if Lowes intends to expand?
Stuart
Getting anyone to talk about retail relationships is always hard.
In my opinion, there’s greater focus on independent suppliers and online retailers.
Years ago (October, 2010), Bosch launched a “System Specialist” retail program, where nearly 20 small dealers around the country set up special Bosch display centers. That seemed to have fizzled out, as I hadn’t heard anything about it for a long time.
Jim Felt
In Portland, OR we have a totally full service Bosch dealer. As part of a multi brand independent repair service company. Great pricing too.
Also I’ve got the Bosch Drywall screw drill and screw feeder you mentioned and I’m pretty sure they both came from Amazon. As at the time a couple of years ago one of their periodic Bosch sales had it amongst the eligible tools.
Mark
I managed a Lowe’s tool world for about two years. It was almost impossible to get them to carry anything Bosch beyond the basics. Despite the fact we sold more Bosch tools than any other store in the country, it took an insane amount of work to get them to let us stock the Axial Glide miter saw and portable table saw. And we sold the hell out of them once we got them, but Lowe’s pulled them within 12 months. Bosch was even willing to direct ship to the store to eliminate the complexities of added inventories in a Lowe’s warehouse, and Lowe’s still said no.
With Lowe’s now carrying Craftsman cordless tools, it wouldn’t surprise me if Bosch loses more shelf space or goes away entirely. SBD dominates Lowes: DeWalt, Porter Cable and Craftsman cordless, Lennox, Irwin and DeWalt accessories – bits, blades, etc. Bosch and Hitachi are basically the last holdouts.
From Lowe’s perspective, this works well because they can rely on SBD to do most of their selling for them. At this point, all that happens in stores for the most part is merchandising to a pre set plan. No training on the different brands, and very little associate knowledge beyond the locations of the tools.
Stuart
Thank you for sharing your insights!
Tom
Love to see that a dust collection port is included. I can’t imagine why this isn’t standard on all circular saws.
Flotsam
totally agree with that comment
Joe framer
Framing and construction guys ,don’t want a dust collection port, .won’t be connecting a vacuum to it , ever…the sawdust eject port on the flexvolt circ works great…and we buy 80-90 % of the saws
aerodawg
It doesn’t actually have the muscled bicep grip from the marketing material? I am disappoint lol
Ian
Not specific to the saw, but Lowes has a good Bosch deal on today
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Bosch-Compact-Tough-Core18V-2-Tool-18-Volt-Power-Tool-Combo-Kit-with-FREE-Cordless-Rotary-Hammer/1000651887
Hammer Drill, “Freak” Impact driver and rotary hammer drill for $199
Jim Felt
That’s a heck of a value! Really a great way to get into their Core 18v System!
Thanks for posting!
(Damnitall. I’ve got all of these or better already. Grrrr.)
Blythe
The easy plunge depth, dust port and track compatability are all amazing features, especially the latter. I lust for the same thing in blade left and red
Peter
Did anyone have some experience with the saw yet?
Quite a bit more than the smaller one.
https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-Professional-Cordless-battery-powered-all-rounder/dp/B072J25TPG/
Clifford Alloway
Photos reveal it is a battery gauge interface similar to their grinder.
Rob
It’s July, does anyone have an eta from Bosch on this product?
Richard Ramos
Looks like it can be used with the festool and Bosch track saw guide.
rob
Good eye. Yes, it should run on both.
I finally got word that it’s coming in October.
$200-300 for the bare tool. The 8Ah is likely the only way to go on it because of the stacked 21700 cells. Hopefully it gets into some hands because I’m debating between this and the x2 18v Makita that runs on Festool rails.
rob
Well, it’s October…..
JakeJ
I’m waiting for this saw as well. In Australia, we have the cordless mitre saw now ($799 AUD roughly $550 usd) but not the 7 1/4 saw yet. Hate to think what’ll cost over here.
Rob
It will be less than Australian Mafell prices. We know that much. ? I am literally on the line with the HQ in Chicago’s west burbs right this second; no firm release date with an eta of late Oct/early Nov.
Jano
This will be the best tool I guess! 😀
Cabud
I just spoke with a Bosch retailer, they checked with Bosch and are being told the release for this saw in the USA has been moved to May 2020
Robert
LOLz
I’m good.
Robert
So, it’s May. :0
Jorn
So, It’s June…
Robr
So it’s July….
Rob
So it’s August
rob
So, it’s September….
rob
So, it’s October…2020 and I’ve been quite satisfied with the couple of dozen Makita tools I’ve bought since October 2019, 💅
Rob
So it’s December 2020. 🤣
Robr
I wonder if Bosch even cares about how many customers it’s lost thanks to the bs surrounding this saw? I mean, for most of us this is more of a nail in the coffin than a trigger of any sort. I know some of their pr peeps used COVID-19 as an excuse, but I’m pretty certain Hungary was up and running in 2019…..
Dryden
Cant wait until the finally announce the biturbo mottors and pro core batteries which will make these tools insane
Robert
Well, they announced all of that in 2018.
Hank
Sorry, but after waiting over a year for this thing, I decided to go with a Dewalt Flexvolt circular saw. It’s too bad because I have a lot of Bosch tools and I could really use a new circular saw. The late release has me cheesed off on expanding my Bosch collection.
rob
I have a funny joke to tell you. They finally announced a release date for February 2021…..and then delayed the launch. 😂
Yeti
Ok so i got this saw today.
There is no display on the saw. The saw is blade right. Quite heavy. Cuts very clean.
Somewhat sad as I did not know the blade would be on the wrong side of the saw.
Mac
Here in Europe, they sell two different versions, one with speed control, track compatibility and display (GKS 18V-68GC), and one without (GKS 18V-68C). You probably bought the latter (but with the US model name).