Bosch announced a new “Strong Arm” 18V cordless circular saw back in January 2019, as part of a larger “Megawatt Crew” line of higher powered brushless-motored cordless power tools.
Now, after nearly two years, it seems that the new Bosch brushless circular saw is finally launching. Maybe?
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We spotted a new listing for the Bosch 18V brushless circular saw, model GKS18V-25GCN, and it looks identical to the Bosch “Strong Arm” saw that was announced 21 months ago.
Bosch says this features their BITURBO Brushless circular saw design and delivers corded performance from an 18V cordless 7-1/4″ saw.
What’s Biturbo?
Buried in a product listing, Bosch says:
BITURBO Brushless Technology – a Bosch-exclusive brushless high-performance motor and drive-train system engineered to take full advantage of the additional power generated by 8.0 Ah and 12.0 Ah CORE18V batteries.
I believe I saw something about Bosch Biturbo tech in paid or sponsored influencer posts a while ago, but Bosch never sent any press release, announcements, and media communications about their Biturbo technology.
From the sounds of it, Bosch Biturbo is similar to what Milwaukee has been doing with their M18 High Output batteries for some time now, Ridgid with their Octane tools and batteries, and Dewalt with their 20V Max Power Detect and FlexVolt Advantage technologies.
Bosch came out with an 18V 12.0Ah battery about a year ago, and we wondered what higher-powered cordless power tools might follow in its wake. We haven’t seen any of the types of tools we were expecting. Perhaps this is it, or the start?
Basically, it seems a lot like competing brands’ heavier duty tool technologies – use Bosch’s 8Ah or 12Ah batteries with select tools for higher power output and performance. How much higher power or performance? They don’t say.
Unfortunately, Bosch PR has not been sharing much with us lately, and so we’re unlikely to learn any additional information or insights about their new Biturbo tech and what it actually means for end users.
We’re also not sure why this tool has been delayed nearly two years, but we know it’s one that some of you have been asking eagerly about.
Also, this isn’t a track saw, but it is guide rail-compatible.
As an aside, I should note that a proper track saw (corded or cordless), such as by Festool or Makita, wouldn’t cut plywood with the splintering and tearout that’s shown in Bosch’s product imagery.
The new Bosch 18V brushless circular saw features a 7-1/4″ blade, 2-1/2″ cutting capacity that can cut through 2X construction lumber in a single pass, rotating dust port, and one-touch cutting depth adjustment.
Bosch also says it has an ECO mode, that helps get the job done by extending runtime by up to 30%.
ECO mode sounds like it caps the motor speed or power output, dropping the power or performance for extended runtime.
What happens if you use the Bosch 18V Biturbo brushless circular saw with non-CORE18V Biturbo Li-ion batteries? They don’t say.
Bosch says the saw takes advantage of Core18V Biturbo batteries, but nothing about compatibility with their lower capacity batteries under 8Ah.
Features & Specs
- 7-1/4″ blade
- Speed: TBA
- 2-1/2″ cutting capacity
- ECO mode
- 360° rotating dust port
- Electronic brake
- 50° bevel range
- One-touch cutting depth adjustment
- On-board user interface
- Track-compatible with Bosch, Makita, Mafell, Festool guide rails
The on-board user interface is said to provide six settings and tool feedback.
From the looks of it, there’s a battery fuel gauge, ECO mode and high-temperature LEDs, and numerical setting. The six settings could perhaps be speed settings or special modes – we’re not sure.
Lastly, the circular saw is Bosch Connected-Ready, but there aren’t any details about what this means either. Is this for tool-tracking only, or for smartphone controls and customizations. Is this tied into the 6 settings users can select via the control interface?
We asked Bosch PR for details, and are waiting for clarification.
Unfortunately, Bosch PR never told us more about the new 18V brushless circular saw, and so we barely know more than when we first posted about it at the start of 2019.
But, there’s a price, fresh images, and a purchase link, and so it seems the new saw might be launching soon.
And – there’s no mention of “Strong Arm” or “Megawatt Crew” marketing in the product listing. Although, is Biturbo any better than Megewatt? If I’m being honest, I think I prefer Megawatt.
Price: $279 for the bare tool
Thoughts?
Big question: the blade is right-facing so as to be guide rail-compatible, but do you wish the saw was left-facing similar to worm drive circular saws and the cordless rear-handle saws that many major pro-grade cordless power tool brands have come out with?
Jorn says
I was excited about it when it was announced almost 2 years ago.
I’m still excited for it.
I’ll be excited in 2 years from now when it’s almost ready to launch.
And so on…
And it’s too expensive.
Patrick says
You took the words right out of my mouth. They don’t have much of a selection, but the tools they do make are really, really good….when they finally arrive.
I bought the Ryobi 18v brushless to use until then.
Josh says
I really like my Bosch cordless stuff, but there’s nothing I have that I couldn’t have gotten in red, sooner, and kind of better. Good thing for them I’m locked into a battery platform!
Scott K says
I feel the same way. I’ve started to supplement with ryobi for tools that see less use.
Thomas Herbst says
As far as I know Milwaukee don’t yet offer a track saw.
Frank D says
I know 18v may be the bread and butter, heavy duty, etc … but I find myself really wanting more 12v compact tools; to get into confined spaces, to do certain repairs and upgrades inside cabinets, floor & wall cavities, dropped ceiling spaces, … so I can squeeze in closer and tighter to do what is needed and be effective and efficient, without having to destroy something, rip out x amount of material, redo walls, ceilings, … in order to get access with large tools.
fred says
You say: “Also, this isn’t a track saw, but it is guide rail-compatible.”
I say: Also the picture they show of it cutting plywood – shows a pretty splintered edge.
That’s not something I’d accept from my track saw that employs splinter guards.
Stuart says
I mentioned exactly that just under the image – glad to not be alone in noticing it!
I figure a saw like this is aimed much more at construction tasks, rather than fine-finish, cabinetry, or other such work.
The guide rail compatibility is still a bonus that’s better to have without the need for added accessories.
fred says
It is also one of those things that some folks overlook when saying to themselves : “why do I need a track saw when I have a circular saw and straight edge?”
For years I used a 4-1/2 inch Porter Cable worm gear saw and a shop-made rail for breaking down sheet goods. The rails I made were a step up from just a straight edge – because they were made from 2 pieces – a masonite bottom and maple top piece glued together allowing you to put the bottom edge along the cutline and run the saw along the maple straight edge. Even with a fine tooth blade the cut had some tearout. So sometimes I would tape the cutline – or run the saw in 2 passes with a first scoring cut.
When I switched to my TS55 – it was a big improvement – because of the sacrificial anti-tearout strip, the saw’s plunge action and the anti-skid action of the track which avoids the need for clamps on some cuts.
Thomas Herbst says
There’s something wrong with that image!
There’s no way a compatible Bosch saw would have the blade sitting 10mm away from the splinter guard.
Stephen says
That push-style safety switch looks like a big improvement over the left/right switch on their current 18V saw, the CCS-180.
What’s the little red switch on the back of the handle? It wasn’t on the original “Megawatt Crew” Bosch press releases.
JakeJ says
Agree about the safety switch redesign.. red button you’re talking about most likely drops saw down to the Desired plunge Cut depth.
Stuart says
Sorry, I don’t know what that switch does.
I emailed Bosch PR and am waiting for their response.
rob says
Unfortunately, the thumb switch is not a safety switch ala Festool/Mafell. It’s the height adjustment lock/unlock. They were showing it off in January off in 2019. The tabs on each side are the safety switch.
Jim Felt says
They’re clearly not interested in US sales per se but I’ll give them this:
when I bought the first Core 18 6.3 Ah batteries they wouldn’t fit my Bosch circular saw. The (still) current US model as I recall. I called them and they said either modify it carefully or send it to us (in the US) and they’d install the updated battery holding piece.
I sent it in using their prepaid label and they returned it shortly. Perfect Customer Service experience. No?
Jorn says
I agree with your point about Bosch customer service.
I had intermittent issues with my drill and impact driver and they replaced both via prepaid mail labels.
I’m sticking with Bosch, I’ve really enjoyed using the tools and my CS experience has been good.
I just wish they would release new tools in the US much faster.
Peter says
I wish they would just make the current one brushless.
countycork says
Toolnut is sell this Bosch 18v tracksaw pre-order ships Nov 30th. Sorry for the long link. https://www.toolnut.com/bosch-gkt18v-20gcl14-core18v-5-1-2-track-saw-8-0-ah-kit.html
Peter says
Wow, they are getting pricey.
Festool has weaker but two batteries and cost less.
https://www.festoolproducts.com/festool-576816-tsc-55-cordless-track-saw-w-o-track.html
CountyCork says
I’m not in the market but I’d have to wait for a decent sale or for the price to come down.
Nathan says
it wouldn’t get me into bosch 18v battery stuff but I like most of the idea. Would love a corded version of it since it looks alot like their tracksaw
I wonder if part of that splintering in the pic is due to the rough blade? If you ran that with the 24 tooth blade shown in the first picture then I could see an issue. Also if you ran that on a track that you didn’t cut the strip with that saw. Which you would think they would have caught but marketing people.
Which brings me to the next bit. Biturbo – clearly the bosch automotive people have switched to the tool arm marketing group. I mean might as well put a VW sticker on there too.
Eitherway interesting and I look forward to seeing more.
Drew M says
This tool is DOA because it is designed to work with the older Bosch track.
The newer Bosch/Mafell track is superior and FINALLY available for purchase in the US.
JakeJ says
That’s a real bummer for the US market. The version available in Australia fits the current fsn tracks and Mafell tracks. Maybe you could order one from there and get it shipped….although it’s like $480 AUD
robr says
What drugs are you smoking? The old tracks never even came here.
This runs on the same Bosch and Mafell tracks that any other Bosch or Mafell saw have run on for the past decade.
High & Mighty says
Two years plus later and they still haven’t finished the megawatt line yet. It’s just awful that they can’t even complete their line of six very commonly found tools that they announced back in 2018. Or was it 2017? Either way its just as bad as it appears. And now they have biturbo? With just one single tool? Wth is wrong with Bosch and their bass ackwords dysfunctional ill advised decision making? Like, why would you even waste two years to design only one tool and nothing else to compliment this new technology? Pointless and stupid. Does Bosch not know the process of how things are built and that it requires more than just a circular saw? I’m thinking that this is supposed to be another line of tools that will be abandoned by Bosch in the next year or two. They obviously have no clue as to which direction they’re going or how they’re going to get there. Why even bother making tools if you can’t even finish designing and developing one complete line of the most basic common cordless power tools? That’s not a brand I want to own.
CountyCork says
US is usually the last to get the new stuff but since last year Bosch has already been using the biturbo in europe for 18v miter saw, plunge saw, circle saw, angle grinders, and rotary hammers. Looks like some of these are becoming available this fall state side.
rob says
Biturbo and Megawatt Crew are the same stuff. Megawatt is Mount Prospect slang for Biturbo models plus two already available brushless tools. We got the dumb new xlock angle grinders and the miter saw. Plunge saw is slated for November (but it looks pretty daft compared to lower priced models from Festool, Mafell and Makita).
rob says
As I mentioned before, I’ve bought a couple dozen (maybe three dozen, lost track) cordless Makita products since Bosch missed their self imposed October 2019 deadline. I keep meaning to drop my Bosch and Metabo stuff off at the pawn shop.
ls says
No longer a compact 18v saw, and the blade on the right.
GKS 18V-Li / CCS 180 , an updated model of this circular saw would be good. A new upper protective quard with a proper chip outlet! ( Really weird that it’s missing )
Brushless motor
The sides of the base plate directly parallel to the blade.
ls says
And the same size