Check it out, Bosch has come out with a new 6-inch sander, model GET75-6N. It’s a rare – but welcome – occasion that we spot a new corded power tool.
The new Bosch GET75-6N sander has a dual-mode design, and can be switched from a random orbit mode and a turbo direct-drive eccentric-orbit mode for more aggressive material removal.
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Bosch says that the turbo mode features direct-drive rotation for 3x stock removal compared to the random orbit mode, giving users an alternative to a belt sander.
It features a multi-hole pad system that can work with a wide variety of abrasive disc styles, and a built-in dust port with adapter (VAC024) that works with 35mm, 1-1/4″, and 1-1/2″ vacuum hoses.
The sander has a slim-grip design for greater user comfort, and a two-position auxiliary handle for greater control. There’s also a removable pad guard, which prevents the sanding pad from touching – and marring – surfaces near your workpiece.
Additional features include a soft hook and loop backing pad, die-cast aluminum gear housing, dual-bearing pad mount, and an integral pad-dampening braking system.
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- 6″ disc size
- 273-635 RPM
- 3100-7200 OPM (no-load)
- 4.5 mm (0.18″) orbit radius
- Separate on/off and speed controls (according to the spec sheet)
- 7.5A power draw
- 15″ long
- 5.5″ tall
- 6.3″ width
- Weighs 5.7 lbs
Price: $299
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Discussion
If I’m understanding this new Bosch sander correctly, it has a random orbit mode for “standard” use, and a turbo mode for faster material removal, allowing it to be used for some of the same applications as you would a belt sander. Bosch says the random orbit mode is for normal stock removal and ultra-smooth fine finishing.
It’s designed with dust collection efficiency in mind, featuring an extended dust collection port, and it also comes with a vacuum hose adapter. The dust port looks like it might be removable, but all of the product imagery shows it securely attached to the sander.
I believe that Bosch knows how to make a good sander, and am inclined to trust that this one is a good as could or should be expected from a ~$300 tool.
Personally, I do far more finish sanding than refinishing, and so the dual-mode functionality might be lost on me. However, the inclusion of a more aggressive “turbo” mode seems like a good idea, and similar functionality has appeared on Bosch 6″ sanders before.
The new Bosch GET75-6N definitely looks different compared to the older 1250DEVS, with the dust collection tube, slim handle, and extended length being the biggest standouts.
The sander’s spec sheet says it has a variable speed range and with a separate on/off switch, although this isn’t apparent in the product photos. The oscillation angle of 4.5 mm should allow for higher material removal rates, and can still be used for finish work, although I personally prefer a smaller oscillation or stroke length for finer finishes.
I find myself wondering – how could this new Bosch sander be any better-featured? I also find myself wondering if we’ll see a cordless Bosch 18V version. Festool has come out with hybrid-powered corded/cordless sanders, but none of which are meant to be used for fast material removal.
Would you choose this as your primary sander? How about indoors in place of a belt sander?
It’s rare for brands to come out with new handheld corded power tools. What are your thoughts about this new sander?
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ToolGuyDan
I see this as a direct response to Festool’s Rotex 150, at less than half the price (even lower given that retailers have far more pricing flexibility with Bosch than with TTI brands). If the build quality is even halfway decent, this’ll fly off the shelves if they get their marketing right.
Tom
I agree. I would love a Rotex but can’t bring myself to spend that kind of money. This might be a great alternative.
After using dust extraction with my little Festool Pro5 sander, I can’t imagine ever going back to a little dust bag. For me, a cord isn’t an issue since I am always going to be running a sander with dust extraction.
John Blair
I thought the same exact thing when I saw it. “Oh Bosch is doing the Rotex 150 now.” I agree with you, if its even close in quality, it should do very well.
PETE
Makita has been making a competitor for a while now.
Andrew LB
Hate to break it to you Festool guys, Bosch invented the electric driven dual mode sander back in 1999 when they released the 1250DEVS. Earliest reference i can find to a dual mode Festool sander is 2004.
ToolGuyDan
No need to be passive-agressive about it. The best crescent wrench isn’t made by Crescent any more. First-mover advantage lasts only as long as you fight to keep it. In this case, Festool one-upped Bosch; if Bosch is now evening the score with (or even outdoing) Festool, good for them, and very good indeed for my bank account balance. I admittedly do prefer well-established brands, but otherwise I’m happy to go with any color, so long as that particular piece of equipment best meets my price/marginal utility tradeoff.
Andrew LB
How is my response “passive aggressive”? I made a direct statement at Festool owners who are inferring that Bosch is copying Festool. This is not true. In fact, Bosch was copied by Festool two decades ago.
I do agree that Festool one upped Bosch with definite improvements on the original Bosch idea but that’s how it always is. I can’t think of a gen 1 product that has stayed the test of time where nobody else improved upon the idea.
But like the original gen1 from Bosch, this new sander will likely suffer the same fate due to it being at a price point above where most B&M retailers claim studies say it won’t sell, and only a few specialty stores will sell it. I personally believe the disposible culture is changing and more people are wanting higher quality, longer lasting products. I recently restored a 1934 General Electric Monitor Top refrigerator (refinished/epoxy paint, rewired, new gaskets, and oil conditioner) and the compressor itself was running as good today as it did 85 years ago. Power draw, runtime, and temp was spot on. Yea, my grandfather did pay $100 for it back then, which is obviously a lot, but I would personally spend more for a high quality product that is not quite into the “boutique” price range like Festool products are.
Gustavo
Only reason bosch made the DEV is because Festo’s patent expired. Get your facts straight, chief. Also, Festool is made in Germany. Bosch isnt made in Switzerland anymore like the old days. You’re getting a chinese product. You get what you pay for.
Sandman
1979, ROTEX RO 1, Patent: 2938704
Mark Shelton
I have a rotex 125 and it is an amazing tool. I use it professionally when installing cabinet end panels and other such tasks. It is amazing how much material it can remove and how quickly. It is also a dual mode and can switch to random orbit “fine sanding”. I rarely use it that way. It is a large heavy and awkwardly balanced sander to use this way. It is really more balanced for fast material removal. It looks like this is a similar offering. I would recommend anyone who needs fast material removal to give this offering a shot, especially at this price point.
Nathan
One thing I expect the previous model to go on sale and that I might buy.
Overall I like the idea and both look to have good dust collection. I like the edge guard too.
considering i do that job now with a porter cable 6 inch RO polisher/sander. I welcome the idea of dust collection
blocky
I had the devs1250 and now also the rotex 150. The dust collection with the 6 hole pads was NOT good. The material removal was fast, but in my memory, the thing was both louder than the rotex and much harder on my hands in terms of vibration.
I had an intense sanding project early this year- to restore a very old and poorly maintained 100 sq ft. teak conference table that was full of dents, dings, and some gouges. After 15 minutes with the DEVS1250, I went and bought the rotex, which I used for 8 hrs straight going through the grits before switching to a finish sander – my hands only had a little buzz.
I haven’t touched the old Bosch since, and I favor a lot of Bosch gear.
Anyways, features are the same, but the previous model stood to improve a lot.
The math is correct though – I did a test piece before diving in and calculated that job would have been 3 days of sanding with a standard ros.
Hopefully this new one delivers.
Eric
I refinished the wood flooring in my house using the Bosch sander you spoke of and lived it.
Eric
I refinished the wood flooring in my house using the Bosch sander you spoke of and loved it.
Paul
I have the current Bosch model (1250DEVS). I bought it to refinish our hardwood floors and the normal flooring edge sander is to big and threw me across the room on my knee pads. Also buying vs renting for the project was a wash. I have used it on 4 more flooring projects (loaning it to friends or helping family) and now it usually lives in a mount I made so I can use 2 hands while finish sanding small parts in the shop. This sander is a beast in turbo mode.
I couldn’t afford the Rotex at the time and it is hard to justify being a hobbyist. The one feature I wished I had while doing floors was that edge guard. While in turbo mode, it is not a centered rotation. It is off set by a few mm. Trying to get in close the wall while removing finish would sometimes bump eat up the paper and pad. In 3 years, I have had to put 3 pads on it because I chew them up for these projects. $15 isn’t bad over the course of a project. I even contacted a friend about 3d printing something for it but we couldn’t figure out how to get it to stay on.
If anyone is getting this for carpentry use, I highly recommend that guard and use dust collection. My manual even says, “do not use with out dust collection”. If I had to replace my sander, I would buy the new one with the guard.
J
Anyway to share a photo of your mount for the 1250?
andy
I have the old model 1250DEVS and our one complaint is the un-ergonomic grip, so this is a welcome change. I go through at least 100 pads a year.
Compared to a belt sander, a dual mode sander is better in most ways. Most surprisingly, it even seems to be faster in some cases. I think that’s because the direction of cut is constantly changing. We refinished a small floor too small to bring in the real equipment and had both a belt sander and the Bosch going. The Bosch seemed to remove more material and in a more predictable way.
Nathan
Follow on question are there any other versions of this? IE other makes?
Shane Holland
Yes, the Makita BO5060J 6″ sander is another alternative to the Bosch and Festool’s Rotex sanders. Festool sanders are available in 3½”, 5″ and 6″ diameter versions.
Nathan
Does the makita have the non RO mode also?
dave jones
mirka make the best sanders, very expensive though.
Kimber Janney
We have 2 1250DEVS sanders and have used them for years. We did send the older one in for bearing replacement after a while. They are great sanders and much better at keeping a countertop or table top flat than a belt sander. Dust collection works well with Festool vacs. I’ve used the old ones for hours without having vibration fatigue until the bearings wear. The new one looks like a nice improvement, nicer grip and better dust collection attachment. I would definitely buy this before the Rotex.
bwh
After making the jump to Festool, I can’t look back.
My 150/5 is absolutely fantastic, and the dust collection, especially with the “nets” (granat net, sandnet, etc.) is unbelievably good. I’ve heard that’s the constant difference between festool and all the rest – the power/speed/specs may be largely the same, but the dust collection is miles ahead on festool.
Rami
That thing, as all sanders of similar “grinder” style, looks clumsy, heavy and just awful to use. To me, one handed sanders are superior over these two handed ones. I always use my second hand to hold the cord or hose, so it would not drag on the surface and potentially ruin it, especially the edges. I also use my second hand to feel the surface while sanding, because I trust my feeling more than anything when determining whether my surface is good enough or not. That particular Bosch maybe an excellent sander, just not for me.
fred
Like you say – “one man’s meat is another man’s poison” When Porter Cable introduced the world’s first RO sander – it was based on a small angle grinder. Folks either liked it or hated it – but there was no other choice back then if you wanted a RO machine. Thankfully – we now have options to choose from in one-haded or 2-handed in corded or cordless tools. My guys in the cabinet shop – said that 2-handed tools provided better control – but a lot of their production sanders were pneumatic – not electric powered.
Koko The Talking Ape
Fred:
I borrowed a friend’s old ROS some years ago, and it wasn’t balanced over the pad, so you constantly had to lift the rear of it to keep it level. And I got some swirl marks. At the time I thought the cause was the unbalanced pressure on the pad, especially when moving it in a particular direction.
What do you think of that theory? My own ROS, a Bosch, is balanced over the pad, and it does a great job.
andy
Mainly it’s about the speed. Maybe not as ergonomic, but if it’s the difference between an 1 hour job and a 10 hour job, it makes a lot of sense. Rapid mode really is that much faster.
Kevin
This may look two-handed, but it’s a one-handed sander (except for ”Turbo Mode” with 40-60grit. You want two hands for that). This is the best dust collecting sander I’ve ever owned. Well, it’s the only one that really works. Like Festool, you can use it indoors and have no mess. I just finished a 4’8’ yellow cedar table that got to big for the planer after the first glue-up. The whole thing was done with my Bosch. From roughing lumber and 40 grit up to the finished 800 grit. My dad liked it so much he took it and told me to buy another. I can’t decide if I want to try—Festool or stick with this as it has worked so well.
Jeremy T
What sand paper does the bosche 75 take? Any recommendations?
Jamie
This new Bosch sander looks fairly well spec’d, but the dust port design looks terrible. Sticking out the side will reduce your ability to sand in some tight spots. It also looks like your hand may get pinched between the dust port tube and the sander body.
The 6 hole sander paper also seem woefully inadequate for good dust collection when you consider this sander has such a high material removal rate when used with low grit abrasives. You’ll see what I’m talking about when you compare it to the Festool Rotex.
Despite some of the potential flaws, I think this would be an excellent alternative to the Festool Rotex sanders for the prosumer crowd or budget conscious pros.
Paramount
I have the 1250 model. It will remove some material, alright. I use it as an edger for floors and to refinish stairs.
It’s heavy, so I wouldn’t be inclined to use it vertically. I’ll probably pick up the newer one when I happen to see it in the wild and see if it is an improvement.
Someone mention one-handed. I wouldn’t recommend that in rotary mode or it might end up across the room, at least the 1250. It can get away from you if it gets angled wrong.
kman
I used the 1250 to refinish my kitchen table in place. I sanded off the laquer and stain through a few grits in about 1/2 hour or so in place with a dust extractor. No dust. I didn’t cover anything in the room. I used both modes. It is a beast and would not be suitable for overhead work or extended vertical work.
JakeJ
Can anyone comment if any of these dual mode sanders are more capable at’flattening’ cupped decking boards as opposed to belt sanders. I’ve had mixed luck with belt sanders and the dust collection would be really beneficial when needed
James
I used my 1250 for around 6 hours this last Saturday and tried both are small and big PC belts and it was faster and did a better job. I tried the belt sanders because sanding cupped and twisted wood with the 1250 can be a work out. When the wood is flat it’s not an issue but anything else it will pull you where it wants to go.
kman
Flattening a cupped deck board would be difficult unless it is slight cupping or you do not have many to sand. I think you would be better off replacing the boards. The best sander for this would probably be a floor sander that you could rent from a rental yard or home depot. They would be more powerful and faster. These type of sanders may work but you would need very course paper and it would be slow. Probably would be better than a belt sander but not much. This type of sander would work good for edges or steps that the rental unit can not reach. Again very course paper. Think about 16 or 24 or 32 grit for starters if you are going to be removing very much material to get the flatness.
JakeJ
Thanks for that. It’s a deck for a client which is pine and has been exposed to the weather. I’m building a roof over it and they want the deck sanded flat and then painted. Luckily it has been fixed down with Camo screws so I’ll probably hire the big drum sander and start with 24 grit and see what happens
ktash
I’d be curious to see if the vibration is improved to the standard of the Rotex. I got the anti-vibe 6″ Bosch a while back and love it. I have a 5″ Festool sander and it matches that on anti-vibe. If it removes fast enough this would be a great alternative to a belt sander, especially for DIYers who don’t have a lot of practice with a belt sander. If I were planning on doing my floors, I’d consider this, since the cost for that job would make it worth it.
MattF
Curious how many people use there 1250 or Rotex in finish mode? I have a couple finish sanders. I am interested in these dual action sanders, but would only run it is turbo mode. It seems like a proper finish sander is a better choice for finishing. I would love a cheaper turbo only model.
Devin Ginther
We own all of them and are in the process of a demo and tool review across the Festool RO 150 Rotex, Bosch DEVS1250 and Bosch GET75-6n via our Instagram, Facebook & YouTube channels. I do this purely for fun….no advertising, etc. Hopefully post a full comparison in the next 2 weeks and share via YouTube. My initial thought is that the Festool is a bit more balanced and easier to control. But there is NO difference in terms of sanding performance. All of them remove material very rapidly. And NONE of them can be used a standalone sanders for a truly fine finish. We specialize in fairly expensive live edge tables & furniture and sand a TON of very, very large surfaces that must have flawless finishes. If you need rapid removal of material, I personally do not think the festool is worth over 2x the cost. I may be proven wrong through an objective comparison but these are my very preliminary thoughts. We own two of the 1250DEVS, one of the GET75-6Ns and just received the Festool RO 150. If interested, check out our Texas Urban Sawmill & Refined Elements feeds to see the review by the end of Feb 2020. Try to post a link when we post a full, unbiased, non-sponsored review.
MattM
Possibly a really stupid question–but can this be used to polish/wax a car in random orbital mode? Wondering if I can use this for both “house” work per se, and to wax my car as well. thanks! MattM
Stuart
Perhaps? Even if you could mate a polishing platen to the tool, you’d probably be better off spending the money on an inexpensive polisher. Polishers typically operate at much lower speeds, otherwise you could potentially burn through your car’s paint.
In other words, it *could* be done if you’re intent to do so, but it’s often recommended that you buy two separate tools.