Over in the other side of the world, in Australia and New Zealand, Bosch came out with a new 18V cordless 1/4-sheet sander, model GSS 18V-Li. There are other cordless sanders on the market, such as the Makita 18V random orbit sander, but Bosch is claiming this to be the first professional cordless quarter sheet sander in the world.
Features and Specs
- Low vibration and low noise allows for comfortable extended usage
- Long runtime per battery charge
- Micro filter dust collection box
- 11,000 RPM no-load speed
- 22,000 OPM no-load orbital stroke rate
- 1.6mm oscillation diameter (~1/16″)
- Weighs 1 kg (2.2 lbs)
- Sanding sheet size is 115 mm wide x 140 mm long (~4.5″ x ~5.5″)
What I find particularly appealing about the new Bosch cordless sander is its small and compact size. It looks like you get the same ~4.5″ x 4″ sanding surface as Bosch’s corded 1/4-sheet sander, although the dust collection box is almost definitely smaller.
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It doesn’t look like the cordless sander is equipped with Bosch’s SheetLoc feature which allows for effortless clamping of sanding sheets. Perhaps this was done to make the sander a little simpler and more compact.
Not everyone is going to want a cordless sander, but the promise of long runtime and how the sander can be equipped with the latest generation of high capacity 5Ah Li-ion batteries should ease the hesitations of some users.
I do wish that Bosch was more specific about how long the sander could be expected to run per battery charge. Maybe they’ll provide this info if or when the sander is announced for USA release.
The sander’s no-load and oscillation specifications appear to be on-par with Bosch’s corded sanders, and so it is hopeful to expect corded-like performance. Not that 1/4 sheet sanders are heavy duty and demanding tools in the same way as saws and grinders, but it’s nice to be able to use corded and cordless tools interchangeably with similar results.
Price: ~$109 USD for the bare tool ($139 AUS), ~$132 USD for the kit with a 3.0Ah battery and charger ($168 AUS)
If this sander makes it to the USA, the pricing might be different.
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What do you think? Are you happy to see one more cordless sanding option – the world’s first 1/4 sheet sander? Or will you stick with what you’ve got?
Brian
not my battery ecosystem, but options are always nice to have.
Tator
Totally off topic but I want to see a m
Tator
Damn these smart phones! I would like to see milwaukee come out with a electricians hammer. It would match my new tool belt.
fred
Nice to have the option – and maybe others will follow suit. My tool buying days are mostly over – and buying into a new battery platform as I have Makita and Milwaukee – would be a disincentive – but the concept seems nice. I still have an old Rockwell-Porter Cable 1/4 sheet corded sander (not so compact as this Bosch) that I pull out from time to time – just because it can get into corners. While its by no means a production tool (think air sander) for the type of work that this sander would logically be put to – maybe the battery power will be enough.
julian Tracy
I’ve got Makita’s and its good to have in the bag at times. Good dust collection as well. Runtime is pretty much a non-issue as you’d only use a cordless sander for quick pick up jobs, not for any real sanding sessions.
JT
Kevin smith
I’ve been waiting for one of these. I use a 1/4 sheet sander quite often and this will fit nicely with my other Bosch 18v tools.
ktash
I wonder how the low vibration on these and other Bosch Low Vibe sanders compares with the Festool sanders. I got a small festool sander 125EQ for that reason and for the dust collection, both of which are excellent. I don’t mind sanding quite as much as I used to.
But it's me!
While I have bought into the 18v Bosch cordless system, a cordless sander is not something I want or need. Nice to have the choice, but stinks that overseas gets the good stuff first, my usual rant about Bosch and other brands out of the way! The corded Bosch random orbit vibration reduction sander is my favorite, with almost no pain or numbness from big sanding projects, but pricey.
Rami
For some reason I am not fascinated about cordless sanders. I do not know if sanders are widely used outside cabinet making, but at least in that trade I do not really see the usefulness of a sander being cordless. Battery always makes the tool heavier and bulkier, and there usually is a place to plug your tool in when working in a shop. If sanders are being used at a jobsite then I get the hang of the sander being cordless. Personally, I will pass any cordless sanders.
Drew M
This makes me want to see a comprehensive comparison of the various 18v systems out there now.
Right now, I only have Bosch 12v ‘toy’ cordless tools but I’m finding I often wish I had some bigger more serious cordless tools.
glenn
This has been available here in Australia for at least 12 months. I have a use for and would really like one but I am not prepared to get into a third battery platform for just one tool.
Also available here is the Bosch green sander.
http://www.bunnings.com.au/bosch-18v-li-ion-cordless-multi-sander-skin-only_p6200317
joehomebody
Cutting the cord for sanding why not. I have a belt sander, random orbit, pad, and 1/4 sheet sander all corded. So hey like I said why not I a milwaukee freak so please
make one.
Mr D
WHEN WILL WE GET IT IN THE UK, WE INVENTED AUSTRALIA (joke). BUT WHEEEEEN!
Simon
Hi dear,
I would like to know if you are doing shipping to the UK?
Many thanks.
Simon