According to Bosch USA, new 18V cordless track saws are coming soon, as part of their new line of “Profactor” cordless power tools.
The new Bosch 18V cordless track saw will be launching as both a bare tool (GKT18V-20GCL) and in a kit (GKT18V-20GCL14).
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Unlike other brands’ high-performance cordless track saws, the new Bosch Profactor 18V cordless track saw will be a one-battery tool.
The new Bosch cordless track saw has a 5-1/2″ saw blade size, and Bosch says the saw delivers the performance of a corded track saw.
In comparison, Festool’s 18V TSC55 2-battery cordless track saw has a 160mm (6-1/4″) saw blade size, Makita’s 18V X2 cordless track saw (XPS01PTJ) has a 6-1/2″ blade size, and Dewalt’s FlexVolt 60V Max 1-battery cordless track saw (DCS520T1) has a 6-1/2″ blade size.
Festool’s TS55 series of track saws have a 6-1/4″ blade size as with their cordless model. Bosch’s most recent corded track saw has a 6-1/2″ blade size.
It is uncertain as to why Bosch went with the smaller blade size, but this could have been done for performance reasons.
Festool’s cordless track saw can be powered by one or two batteries, but it works best with two. Makita’s 18V X2 is a two-battery tool, and while Dewalt’s FlexVolt track saw only needs one-battery, it’s a higher-voltage 60V Max device.
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The new Bosch Profactor cordless track saw will be “Connected Ready,” where you can add an optional module (sold separately) for Bluetooth connectivity. Bosch does not describe what this provides for, apart from being able to customize settings and receive detailed feedback.
Features and Specs
- 5-1/2″ blade size (20mm arbor)
- Motor speed: 2800-5500 RPM
- Max cutting capacity: 2″ at 90°, 1-1/4″ at 45°
- BiTurbo brushless motor
- Optimized for Profactor Core18V batteries
- ECO mode
- Adjustable plunge settings
- Weighs 9.0 lbs (without battery)
- Weighs 11.1 lbs with 8.0Ah battery (calculated)
- 9″ H x 14.5″ L x 7.9″ W
ECO mode seems interesting – Bosch says that this extends battery life by up to 30%. It’s not clear how this is achieved. If this slows down the tool, won’t it take longer to complete the same task?
We’ve seen something similar before, in Hitachi/Metabo HPT cordless power tools. Their 18V brushless grinder, for example, has an auto-mode that slows down the motor when the tool is not under load.
Bosch says this about the motor and battery tech:
This saw is part of the PROFACTOR System, which pairs BITURBO Brushless Technology with a CORE18V PROFACTOR battery.
BITURBO Brushless Technology is a high-performance motor and drive-train system designed to deliver power comparable to high-demand corded tools. The kit includes a CORE18V PROFACTOR Performance Battery, which provides the wattage to take advantage of BITURBO tool technology.
This suggests that you won’t see maximum performance unless you use Bosch’s Core18V Profactor cordless power tool batteries.
The power comparable to high-demand corded tools might require some interpretation. As mentioned above, this Bosch cordless track saw has a 5-1/2″ blade size while popular corded and cordless track saws have 6-1/4″ and 6-1/2″ blade sizes.
The bare tool (GKT18V-20GCL) comes with a VAC024 vacuum hose adapter, dust bag, and L-Boxx-3 carrying case. The kit (GKT18V-20GCL14) also comes with (1) 8Ah Profactor CORE18V battery and a charger.
Price: TBA for the bare tool, $749 for the kit, guide rail sold separately
We asked Bosch USA for pricing information, but they have not yet responded.
Update: Ohio Power Tool has a preorder listing, with the kit priced at $749.
Buy Now via Ohio Power Tool
Compare: Makita Bundle via Tool Nut
Discussion
Potential Pros
As a one-battery tool, the Bosch Profactor track saw might be simpler to manage than two-battery tools.
Potential Cons
Smaller blade size – lower cutting capacity.
Concern over replacement blade availability.
Limited breadth of Bosch Profactor cordless power tool lineup.
Our Stance – Causes for Hesitation
While initially excited about the idea that Bosch is FINALLY bringing a corded track saw to North America, I got over that sentiment quite fast.
Bosch’s new Profactor cordless track saw seems like it will be most compelling to Bosch 18V users, specifically those that plan to fully buy into their Profactor system of BiTurbo batteries and higher capacity Core18V batteries.
Bosch announced their “Misfit Crew” of next-generation cordless power tools two years ago, and most of those tools have never seen the light of day. Those tools are to be announced again in two months, as part of the Bosch “Profactor” cordless power tool series.
Although Bosch might be releasing their cordless 12V axial glide miter saw here in the USA, what about a 10″ miter saw? Cordless table saw? Dust extractor? I wouldn’t commit to Bosch’s Profactor lineup of 18V cordless power tools until their commitment is known.
For users who might be okay shopping outside of Bosch’s 18V system, the new Bosch track saw has a couple of compromises that seem to stem from its blade size and 1-battery design. They’re not deal-breakers, but their potential ramifications need to considered.
If the Bosch cordless track saw was engineered with a typical 6-1/4″ or 6-1/2″ track saw blade size, I would potentially be concerned over how it might perform, especially compared to other cordless track saws that operate at higher voltages. But with a smaller 5-1/2″ saw blade, this is less of a concern.
However, while the 2″ max cutting depth at 90° might be enough, the cutting capacity is reduced to 1-1/4″ at 45°.
Additionally, that 1-1/4″ seems to be for without a guide rail, which the saw would ride on top of.
Compared to the competition, namely cordless track saws from Dewalt, Festool, and Makita, this Bosch saw has the lowest cutting capacity. In my opinion, this is not much of a concern when making 90° cuts, but it could be limiting when making 45° cuts.
Speaking as someone who has used corded and cordless track saws on countertops and 2x construction lumber, the saw blade size and its cutting capacity might be a limitation.
Although not regularly, there are times when I would need more cutting capacity than this saw would provide.
Additionally, application speeds might also be a potential downside. I would expect that, due to its smaller blade size and max motor speed rating (taken from the online user manual), the Bosch saw should be easily bested by the Makita saw in terms of application cutting speeds.
Compared to Bosch’s saw, Dewalt’s maximum (on-paper) cutting speed is lower (surprisingly), and Festool’s is higher, although not by as much of a lead as Makita’s saw.
Makita’s 18V X2 cordless track saw (bare tool via Amazon) operates at 2500 – 6300 RPM with a 6-1/2″ blade size, while this Bosch 5-1/2″ saw has a max speed of 5500 RPM.
With a 6-1/2″ blade cutting at 6300 RPM, the linear cutting speed at the edge is ~179 ft/s, and with a 5-1/2″ blade cutting at 5500 RPM, the linear cutting speed at the edge is ~132 ft/s. If my math is correct, and assuming that actual under-load motor speeds are close to on-paper no-load values, the Makita saw blade has a 35.6% faster linear cutting velocity.
If it helps, here is another way to think about it. You have two wheels, one 5-1/2″ in diameter, and the other 6-1/2″ in diameter. Roll each wheel one complete turn. The larger wheel rolls a longer distance. Now roll the larger blade 6300 times, and the smaller blade 5500 times. The larger wheel covers a much greater distance. Simplifying things, the larger wheel that rotates at a faster rate is going to get to any destination faster.
Real-world results could – and likely will – vary. Still, I would spend less and go with Makita’s proven and very well-regarded 18V X2 cordless track saw, or Festool’s 18V TSC 55 track saw. Spend a little more, and you get the Festool kit with a guide rail as well.
Buy Now: Makita Track Saw Kit via Acme Tools
While I can appreciate the saw potentially being more compact with only one battery, it weighs in at ~11.1 lbs with an 8Ah battery. Plus, a track saw is likely to be used with a guide rail and probably also a dust extractor vac. Track saws are hardly ever compact in practice.
I would have been more excited if Bosch designed their new cordless track saw with a larger blade size, although that might have required more power than a single battery could deliver.
With that in mind, do you think that the smaller blade size and lower cutting capacity is tied to Bosch Core18V Profactor battery performance limits, or the possibility that Bosch 18V users might try to power the saw with their existing lower capacity and lower output non-Core18V and non-Profactor batteries?
Would I Buy This?
I would say NO, at least based on what I know about Bosch’s new Profactor cordless track saw thus far.
I might be more open-minded if it had a larger blade size, or I didn’t think the 45° cutting capacity could be a potential limitation. In theory, a one-battery track saw that performs as well as competing saws could be nice. But can this Bosch saw perform as well as competing saws?
Would I buy this if it had a 6-1/4″ or 6-1/2″ blade instead of a 5-1/2″ blade? Probably not – my experiences with Makita’s 18V X2 cordless track saw have been stellar so far, and I have also had very good experiences with my corded Festool track saw.
What does this saw offer that competing models don’t? Bosch has had several years to study competing models – what does their Profactor cordless track saw do better? Anything? And that’s why I would not buy this at this time.
Should You Buy This?
I’d like to be open-minded, and so I would advise checking back in a couple of months.
Compared to Festool TSC 55
Festool’s TS/TSC 55 track saws have been very popular, and so replacement blades and accessories are widely available.
This saw can be powered by one or two 18V batteries, with limited speeds when only powered by a single battery. The saw weighs 8.2 lbs without any batteries.
It has max cutting depths of 2-1/8″ at 0° and 1-11/16″ at 45°. This could mean the difference between being able to cut thicker workpieces, or having to either flip your work and risk an uneven edge or grab a second saw with a larger blade.
The Makita and Dewalt saws have larger blade sizes – 6-1/2″ compared to the 6-1/4″ on the Festool.
Festool’s kit is less expensive than Bosch’s, at $699 vs. $749, and for only $50 more, the $799 kit also comes with a 55″ guide rail.
Buy Now: Festool Kit via Tool Nut
Buy Now: Festool Kit w/ 55″ Track via Tool Nut
Read About Bosch’s Corded Track Saw:
New Bosch Plunge-Cutting Track Saw, Now Available in the USA
Read More About Bosch Profactor Cordless Power Tools:
Bosch Profactor “Hitman” Rotary Hammer w/ Biturbo Tech & Powered by Core18V
alex
I always wanted a more compact saw for finish work so I’ll probably buy it unless it performs poorly. I prefer the mafell rail system to the festool anyway. I already have the Dewalt saw that can handle more rough stuff.
TimJ
I have Festool TS55 and TS75 corded track saws and plenty of Bosch 12v and 18v tools to supplement an array of Festool sanders and Domino machines. I also have a Bosch 18v circular saw that I use on occasion when I need a quick cut away from the woodshop.
I don’t personally see a need for this new cordless Bosch track saw, but I’d get it if I wanted something portable with a better cut than the regular 18v circular saw.
Bosch must think there is a niche market for this. Maybe so. I think if they lowered the price a bit they may have something.
fred
Toolnut has a nice promo on the Makita cordless – same $499 price – but you get a brushless impact driver and rail thrown in:
https://www.toolnut.com/makita-xps01ptj-cordless-brushless-36v-lxt-6-1-2-track-saw-kit.html?utm_source=ToolGuyd&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=fredtotherescue
Stuart
Thanks!
I tried to find a seller that still had the promo bundle in stock. Tool Nut doesn’t, but they at least they still allow for backorders.
James
Way back I wanted to buy the Bosch track saw as it was more affordable than the Mafell saw. Since there was no sign of it ever arriving in NA I got the Mafell instead. I am very happy with the Mafell I have had zero problems with it. I can rip 8/4 hickory in one pass like it’s butter and the cut is better than my cabinet table saw. Since I don’t have a sliding table saw I mainly use it for long rips on countertop stock or 8/4 wood that I didn’t order as S3S. I also use it in the field for cabinet installs.
I have yet to use the Bosch track saw but it does sound the same as the Mafell and you cant deny it’s the same base platform as the Mafell so I am going to guess it has the same Cuprex motor as the Mafell. The Mafell motor is superior to Festool and the Mafell/Bosch track is also superior to Festool’s. For a corded track saw my take is if your spending the money get Mafell or Bosch if your on a budget make a shooter board and use a circular saw, that or buy a Makita.
On this cordless saw I would have to do more thinking. On the RPM’s I wouldn’t care about that it’s all about the blade and the chipload needed for the blade. I do agree in the US that blade size might be hard to find outside of the professional/industrial supply chain. We will have to wait and see some real world testing. For me since I own tracks already I would probably just buy the Mafell MT55 18M for $795.00.
Stuart
Several readers have said that Bosch track saws aren’t the same as Mafell’s own products. I have seen others say the motors are different.
I still couldn’t find a clear breakdown of the differences, but it seems that Bosch’s track saws are less expensive than Mafell’s because they’re cheaper to make.
James
Both saws are 1400w have an identical RPM range of 3,600-6250 and they sound 100% identical down to the break. I don’t know about you but I know the sound of the tools I use if it’s one I own I can tell from another room or a video if someone is running that same tool.
I know Bosch makes all of the magnesium parts for Mafell, I wouldn’t be surprised if they share other parts.
W00dy
Bosch does not make the magnesium parts for Mafell, they make them themselves. They even own moulding tech company Exeron that makes the moulds https://www.exeron.de/en/Home
fred
There seem to be enough 5-1/2 inch circular saw blades in the US market – but probably not ones aimed at track saw use – and arbor size may be an issue if Bosch has chosen something oddball
https://www.homedepot.com/b/Tools-Power-Tool-Accessories-Saw-Blades-Circular-Saw-Blades/5-1-2/N-5yc1vZc2jqZ1z0sjm4?storeSelection=
Ben
Why is the Mafell/Bosch track better than the Makita/Festool track?
Hector
– caveat – my opinion here –
the mafell/bosch rails are better because
1. They are stiffer
2. The antisplinter strip is held in mechanically, not w/ adhesive (which failed repeated in my use of Festool rails)
3. Rails are joined w/ one piece of steel perfectly w/ no fiddling
4. End guards are included (a personal pet peeve of mine that Festool dings you $24 for 1 (ONE ! – a plastic part that can only cost them pennies even after you’ve shelled out hundreds on rails)
5. Almost w/o exception, everything is less expensive is using Bosch rails and accessories relative to Festool. Even after shipping, purchasing from EU amazon sites my prices on the dozen or so rail components averaged 40% less than festool equivalent prices.
Ben
Hmm, good response. I use the Makita rails and Festool rails interchangably and aside from a couple second-hand Festool rails, I’ve only bought Makita which are cheaper.
Did even know there were ends available for the rails.
I’ve never had a anti splitter strip fall off, but I could see why the mechanical connection would be nicer.
fred
I’d add that the Festool connectors are a joke – maybe OK for fiddling around in the shop if you have a reliable straight edge to work against – but way too finicky to get 2 rails connected out on the lawn. And while I don’t usually complain about prices – but $40 for a 2 pack seems obscene for what it is and how poorly it works.
John
That’s why many Festool/Makita rail owners bought the TSO Products rail connectors which are beveled along the top edge and self align when tightened. Been available 1-2 years. They work perfectly, removed the hassle of rail alignment. I have 6 or more Festool/Makita rails and all work fine, no hassles. I have the cordless Mafell KSS40 with flexible rail, saw is incredible but flexible rail is so-so, certainly not straight with a curve over only 4 ft.
fred
I lave a TSO jig for my Domino XL – I may have to try out their connectors – but have a FS 2700 rail that usually meets my long-rail needs
The alignment jig from Betterley is also supposedly good – but pricey
https://www.festoolproducts.com/betterley-slc23-straightline-connector-for-festool-guide-rails.html
Tom D
If they call this Jack The Ripper™ It’d have some consistency 🤪
King duck
Blade selection for 6.5o is already much lower than 7.25” I hate to see 5.5”
John E
Diablo make a number of 5 1/2″ / 5 3/8″ blades with 20mm arbor. Several are sold in
most Homee Depot locations starting around $15.
King duck
But with a track saw you are going to want many choices in tooth count when I was looking at the M12 5.5” saw there were 3 blades choices at my local Home Depot like 10+ 6.5” and lots in The 7.25” size. I realize with a panel saw you aren’t going to be wearing blades out unexpectedly but still I hate having limited emergency replacements. I’m 1 good OPE sale away from buying Makita tools and their track saw seems to be universaly liked so Milwaukee is about to loose my money and I think each year more people are going to start embracing multiple battery platforms
Don Julio
I’m intrigued by the 12v axial glide miter saw. Milwaukee needs to step up its game.
James
In theory it’s a nice saw but I have yet to find one that is true in the full length of the cut. They are very smooth and seam like a nice saw but if your doing miter or compound cuts on anything more than 3.250″ I bet you won’t find one that cuts tight enough. They also weigh a ton. We have one for shop use but for field work or for critical cuts we run DeWalt DW716XPS we have 3 of them. They cut true and for the most part stay true. The sliders from most get loose overtime and don’t cut as accurate.
Skye A Cohen
I would add that the visibility of the back of the workpiece is terrible on that saw. Oftentimes it’s the only way to mark a board or the most direct way to mark a board. But when I use bosch’s axial glide saw I need to transfer the marks to the front or top of the workpiece. A small annoyance on a small scale but if cutting the trim package for a house it’s annoying and slow enough that my irritation level gets pretty high. There’s other things that annoy as well, like when pushing the head down to make a cut you need a fair amount of force to fight the blade guard linkage. Again not a huge deal for a few cuts but drives me totally crazy when cutting all day on it.
Also I do have the little tiny milwaukee m18 slide mitersaw and understand it’s very similar the 12inch one and it is very nice to use.
Many of the bells and whistles included on the bosch like up front bevel controll are in my opinion foolish and just make the saw slower and more annoying to use. The milwaukee may seem boring without those things but they did seem to get all of the basic stuff down very well at least in my opinion.
James
The only time you I used the Bosch on a job site was for 48 units. I would cut 8 units at a time all from the same spot. On seeing I have to hunch down on any brand of saw as I am tall so our experience probably differs. If it would large miters better and didn’t weigh 100 or so pounds I wouldn’t have any problems with it as a daily use field saw.
chip hershberger
Agreed,we have a corded 12 Bosch axial slider we use for cabinet installs.
You must raise the guard completely to be able to see your tic marks.
The only thing its better at then my personal x2 Makita slider, is Makita is the only brand to have drop in fence height extensions.
So when cutting a bevel they need to be removed,in our case cutting 5 1/4 arched basemolding.
Slats
Likely a typo as I don’t think we’ll ever see a 12V mitre saw. Should have been 18V, 12 inch
DC
Love my Makita and Festool, both corded so not getting the Bosch anytime soon.
Ben
“Festoon is less expensive” – a line I haven’t read very often….
Christopher
I read this entire article and the whole time all I could think was, where the heck is the Milwaukee tack saw…..
King duck
It is getting ridiculous they haven’t come out with one I think if the sales had been better I would own the Makita I’m already thinking of switching to Makita for OPE
Stuart
It’s not easy to launch a track saw.
First, there has to be a market for the saw itself. The tool has to be affordable to make. And then you have to manage the track design, manufacturing, and also shipping logistics.
Even if a hypothetical Milwaukee M18 Fuel track saw was compatible with other brands’ tracks (which ones?), Milwaukee would still need to have their own accessories available.
There are lots of moving parts that have to mesh together for a product like this.
MoogleMan3
Agreed, but you’d think they jump on the tracksaw market seeing as how popular tracksaws are. If they released an M18 fuel tracksaw I’d be all over it if it performs well and is well designed.
That said, I’m very happy with my M18 fuel 6 1/2″ saw.
MoogleMan3
I keep wondering this myself. The second they release an M18 tracksaw, I’ll be all over it, assuming it’s well-designed and performs well.
Ron
Someone on the Instagram modify bosch cordless track saw to fit bigger blade by
grinding off part of the blade channel inside of the housing with a dremel tool.
It works, but i’m sure nullifies warranty. Do it on your own risk.
James
The blade’s are only 140mm vs 160mm so that’s only 10mm (0.394″) of clearance needed. You would want to do chip load calculation on the blade the loss of 750 RPM might give heat problems if running a combination blade.
Frank D
I can see the single battery unit with smaller blade work just fine with hi-cap batteries and provided you can get the odd size smaller blades without breaking the bank.
AC
Just picked up the bosch 6 1/2″ CSS180. Ordered the dust collection port for $20 from EU on ebay. There are 55″ and 27″ older Bosch tracks that work with it (FSN 70 & 140) also from EU. Should end up with a decent near track saw, albeit without plunge, for about $250.
Does anyone have an opinion on the usefulness and necessity of a 27″ track compared to just jumping up to a 55″?
Now that I’m seeing this, I’m tempted, but for limited use, I’ll probably stick with my budget solution until a greater need arises.
Ian Pratley
After seeing this announced over two years ago – I’ve been awaiting it’s release.
I’m fully Bosch blue, with both the 12v and 18v systems, so I’ll admit I’m a perfect target for this tool.
Got it around 2 months ago in the UK, and immediately pressed it into service for a 2 to 3 bedroom remodel, cabinet construction, home office desk remodel and basic cross cutting.
It’s fantastic, very powerful, and the smaller blade is not an issue in the real world – most materials i use are 18mm thick.
I did adapt the Bosch FSN angle adaptor track into a 90 crosscut track, thanks to Bisch Basch Bosch, and this is the use I use it for mostly. But the ability to rip a long section on the track, on location is superb.
The quality of the edge cut it leaves is fabulous – I cut table tops which needed no additional work.
I’m very happy with it. Cheers – Ian
Nathan
ONly thing I can think of off hand is that some survey in EU probably showed that most cutting depth for tracksaw use in a portable field was under 2 inches. sorry 50 mm.
and that is probably quite true. So they decided to grab onto the next normal smaller blade size with is 5.5 inch (whatever metric) and use that to base the cordless saw. providing probably better run time and debatable cleaner cuts.
I however have no use for it – I see the appeal of going that route.
Love the marketing of the Biturbo motor or whatever.
SpainUser
Look here. https://youtu.be/zv56rDDpJcA The tool is crap and so are the blades. Mafell Festool or Makita have a better saw.
Drew M
Thank you for sharing that !
Looks like the tool isn’t stiff enough to keep the blade in one place.
Interesting that the bigger non-cordless doesn’t have those issues.
Mike K
I ordered this from German Amazon (Amazon.de) for under $500 shipped. At least, I believe it’s the same product. Haven’t tried it yet- but folks definitely shouldn’t pay hundreds more for a USA release. It even came with an English manual. So, if you don’t mind a month of shipping time and you’re a Bosch fanboi…
Dan
They do the smaller blade size because you can also put the new circular saw on the tracks if you need a deeper cut. You technically have a 7 1/4 track saw. Pretty ingenious
Stuart
So you’re saying the cordless track saw has a smaller blade than their corded track saw, because a completely different non-plunge-cutting saw can also be adapted to the guide rail?
Mr Mephisto
It’s a great saw, with plenty of power, but with a smaller blade, it means you will need to fully bury the blade on certain cuts.
Personally, I’d prefer a 7-1/4″… but that would hurt these companies sales in both categories of Circular and Teack saws.
My biggest gripe… with ALL tool companies…. NO LEFT BLADE!!!!
I wish 1 (good) company would make blade left. Then right handed users would realize that we’ve been duped for years. I’m a righty currently, but until 6 years ago, I was a lefty. So I’ve been on both sides if the blade. And with a track saw, it’s different than a saw where it’s a matter of preference.
Think of it the next time you are ripping a sheet, and how you have to stretch, cross arms, climb, lean over, etc. Then imagine its a left blade in your right hand. With the track to your right, and the blade facing you, the motor is now resting on the opposite side of where you are cutting off. You can use 1 arm, and walk down the rip. You can turn 2x material into heavy duty French cleats with ease at 45°. If trimming the end of a deck, you can just walk beside it with saw in one hand, beer in the other. Lol.
Now imagine it’s the 40v Makita with a blade left. Ahhhh what joy.
Until the day a good company makes a track saw for righties, I’ll be stuck using the XSH03Z with track adapter, and my modded side plate, and riving knife. It’s ugly, not very strong, but it works. Plus it doesn’t take me 20mins to see up a cut like other systems.