Bosch X-Lock angle grinders and accessories, which feature a new quick-change interface, have started to ship.
As you might recall (if not click the link above), Bosch X-Lock grinders have a tool-free grinding wheel and disc change mechanism.
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Bosch says that there are now “over 130 accessories in the system,” and there are several corded and one cordless grinders. Most Bosch X-Lock accessories will also fit traditional grinders.
Readers have sent us information about X-lock accessories being announced from other brands, but we haven’t seen them shipping here yet.
Buy Now(Bosch X-Lock Tools and Accessories via Acme Tools)
Buy Now(Bosch X-Lock Tools and Accessories via Tool Nut)
Here’s a short video showing how the X-Lock wheel change mechanism works:
Jared
Cool. Good idea. I could see this cutting down on the number of grinders a person might need – especially if carrying them around a job. I have a half-dozen grinders and have different discs in them, but usually just take my cordless one if I’m doing a job outside of my shop. Then it’s a pain of course if I need to sway between cut-off discs, flap-discs and wire brushes etc. This looks like a real solution to that annoyance.
Gregory
What’s dissapointing, is the fact, that you need special discs/accessories. From what i remember Metabo has quick-release nut. Nut 🙂 as fast as xlock, but still better than normal nut and tool.
Does anyone know if this nut van be used on other grinders (Makita, DeWalt, …)?
Jared
I googled that to see what you’re talking about. Looks like a thick heavy nut that is released by inertia as you stop the grinder with the lock button before it comes to a stop. Interesting concept – but does the grinder need to be built with a beefier button for that kind of treatment?
Gregory
I don’t know, from what i found it’s “Suitable for all small Metabo angle grinders with M-Quick spindle button, except W 6-115 W 6-125 WB 11-125 required thread connection M 14”
From what i see, there are at least two models
Metabo Quick M 14 630802000
METABO M14 QUICK CLAMPING NUT 316023660
It would be nice if they were universal.
Altan
I think it does fit in other grinders from DeWALT and Makita, in UK the nut is M14, I think in US you have an Imperial size nut for Grinders, as much as I remember there was an adapter for that to switch it to M14 metric. I did buy a Milwaukee one and it was working with DeWALT grinders:
https://www.milwaukeepowertools.co.uk/4932352473
I have a Bosch one which DeWALT and Milwaukee also made similar ones to that but I don’t feel too safe with that.
https://www.orbitalfasteners.co.uk/en/products/bosch-quick-clamp-sds-clic-quick-clamping-nut-1-603-340-031
Rory
Milwaukee do an excellent quick release nut. It has a built in clutch so it can be over tightened. See part # 4932352473
PETE
Surprisingly their cutoff discs are priced the same as other premium discs. I don’t know if bosch discs are actually consider premium but….. i really don’t think i’ll ever switch from a standard grinder to the x-lock.
Nathan
I just don’t see it being popular. and even if it was I see it as too expensive. For the guy that works out of a van it might make sense. like say a plumber that doesn’t have the room or space for extra grinders so he would change disks for cutting, grinding, cleaning etc all day. It might be a help – if the cost into the system wasn’t too high.
Most other shop you you’ll have more than one grinder to use because your always going to have more than one grinder. you can’t not have multiple tools in a shop in case you break one.
If I was in the market for a new grinder and the bosch was 20% more than dewalt/milwaukee/makita – then I wouldn’t buy it. At 10% more I would look harder at the cost of the Xlock accessories and make a decision. If every grind wheel was going to cost me 20% more also – no thanks.
Starlock doesn’t appear to have come down much in price either since it’s introduction and I view this the same way. Now – bosch might should do a test or such and prove that Xlock transmits more torque to the wheel leading to faster cuts, etc. Then they would have a marketing point. Similar issue with starlock. I’ve yet to see anything like that.
Now none of this is to say that Bosch doesn’t make a great tool. They do. But this doesn’t make me want to buy one over the current standard .
Gordon
Click the link in the article and go look at the prices. 10A corded grinder is $99. Same as the 11A Milwaukee and $10 more than the 11A Dewalt. A 4.5in continuous diamond blade is $11. The Makita was $22 and Ridgid $29 at Home depot when I bought one yesterday.
Given that it’s still compatible with the old style discs, we can expect the X-lock to become the new standard for Bosch. So at that point, why not use it?
Rory
How do you use an x-lock tool with normal wheels if you run out of fancy wheels?
Gregory
You probably don’t
Lefty
It’s NOT compatible with old style discs from what I understand.
The X-lock wheels will work on any grinder, but the X-Lock grinders need X-Lock wheels. The X-Lock discs are compatible with non X-lock grinders, but X-lock grinders are not compatible with standard wheels.
So if you buy an X-Lock grinder, you are then locked into only buying X-lock wheels. I have a feeling the price of X-lock wheels will never be as low as non X-lock wheels, so these are undoubtedly going to be more expensive to run vs a non X-lock system.
Nathan
didn’t realize the accessory prices were that good. But when I priced the grinder I can get a Dewalt or others for cheaper than 99 dollars. (4.5 inch) – corded that is. not cordless.
Noah
I’m sure this could be handy in the right application but nothing is as quick as 2 or 3 grinders at hand in the shop.
Corey Moore
I’ve always used pretty much all grinders as tool free. You tighten and loosen the nut beyond finger tight, with the disc. The Flexvolt 6″ has a popping kind of underside on guide tabs as well, and I’ve never once had it stick on me. Cool to see innovation and new ideas, but I don’t see it as a reason to move to Bosch for grinders.
jeff
agree.
jeff
Thats cool and all, but I thought all grinders were tool free…
Ive never used a tool to get my discs on or off, I tighten the nut via friction from the disk, and remove the same way. Ive been doing this since I was a kid…
JakeJ
Us carpenters could learn a lot from you ‘metal’ guys. It takes me damn near 20 minutes to fumble my way through disc changes on my grinder. Half that time is spent searching for the locking wrench.
Altan
Buy this then you don’t need locking wrench https://www.milwaukeepowertools.co.uk/4932352473
jeff
just grab the disc like its the nut while pressing on the disc lock button, disc changes take seconds.
The What?
In all my years of using an angle grinder, I’ve never used the pinned spanner or anything to tighten the arbor nut. I’ve always used the hand tighten method and it’s yet to fail. Simply hold the lock pin and turn until you feel it sure up. Works every time. I don’t even take a wrench to a wire wheel. I honestly don’t see much benefit from something like the xlock or the Metabo thing. It literally takes less than 15 seconds to change a disc or wheel for any grinder that has an arbor nut. And how can Bosch have an angle grinder with over 130 different accessories
sp
I will buy the GWX 13-50VSP (GWX 15-125P in most of the world).
I use it’s “conventional” brother, the GWS 13-50P for five years now. Great angle grinder. As well as many other Bosch corded and cordless tools.
So, no regrets, no apologies and no explanations. Well… may be after one year experiance..
Rory
In other news, the Germans are doing everything possible to fix the prices of angle grinder consumables….
Chip
Maybe Its because I was raised on a farm, maybe from being in the trades all my life.
Grinder wrenches, side handles for grinders/dills get tossed.
I can change a blade in 10 seconds using my hands.
1 grinder with a diamond or cutting wheel, and the 2nd with a flap disc.
A wire cup, and wire wheel get used vey seldom.
Paul
Nearly every tool manufacture in gb and n.ireland are going xlock .its like sds for grinders. I can assure you that it is here in a big way and here to stay.everybody is changing there grinders to it,.it’s not about catching on . It’s about the future. Bosch has done it again,made life easier for us.thanks bosch