Another tool on ToolboxBlog.com that I’ve owned for a very long time and still use regularly, my Bosch 1611EVS 3+HP Plunge Router. When it’s not upside down attached to my Rousseau Stand in the Router Table Extension, I’m using this router for my heavy work and plunge routing.

Rating: 4.25 out of 5 stars

Features:

• 3 1/4 HP
• 12,000 – 18,000 RPM
• 15Amp

Experience:

Well, I’ve had this router running quite a bit since I bought it more than 15 years ago. I used it yesterday to rout a  dado in a piece of Fir. (see photos) It’s shown here with the Bosch RA1052 Deluxe Router Guide which is an accessory I need.

Not too long ago it’s tackled some huge jobs including cutting intricate patterns on the ends of 4″ X 12″ Redwood beams for Lintels and Rafters. I used a 1/2″ by 4″ straight bit and followed a template I made first.

Most often this Bosch router is afixed to a table as a portable shaper. I have used a few 3″ bit and the router’s power hasn’t been the problem.

Comments:

Locking the plunge function, changing bits and working around the plunge mechanics are the only issues I’ve had with this sucker. The slow-start motor is probably one of the reasons this tool has been around for so long and still working great.

I don’t have another huge router to compare this too but I like it’s weight, I trust certain Bosch brand tools for their quality, This has been a good solid performing unit and I am glad I chose it long ago.

Links:

The current model is the Bosch 1619EVS 15 Amp 3-1/4-Horsepower Variable Speed Plunge Base Router.

A triangular orbital sander for corner and detail sanding the Bosch B7000 is probably long outdated but this one is still working fine. Fine, not Fein, this sander gets in corners and right up to the edge where a larger sander won’t fit. I’ve used my Bosch B7000 only a few times in the last couple of years, my jobs just don’t call for much detail sanding these days.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Description:

• 120V 1.1Amp motor
• 13,000 OPM
• Removable hook and loop mounting plate

Experience:

I bought this oddball triangle sander to help automate sanding the nooks and crannies on Manzanita Burl. Anything to reach around the natural shapes of roots and branches. I put it to use on some frames and drawers, sanding inside edges. I’ve also used this tool recently for some large mahogany trim. The B7000 was great for sanding the flat faces on some crown molding I made. Other than the odd project my Bosch B7000 is collecting dust, so-to-speak.

Comments:

Speaking of collecting dust, the B7000 comes with a dust exhaust port so I can hook it up to my dust extractor. The removable mounting plate for the sanding pads allows for ample dust extraction and it works pretty well.

Links:
Bosch 1294VSK 2.3 amp Corner Detail Sander Kit-inchcludes Sanding Sheet and Backing Pad Assortment

Fein Multimaster FMM 250Q Basic Variable Speed Tool with Case (Basic Fein Starter Kit)

Fein MultiMaster FMM 250Q Top – Highly Rated Fein Tool

The Bosch 1634VS is also known as the Bosch Panther. The Bosch Panther is a German tank, not to be confused with the Panzer. I don’t know of a harder hitting machine; with it’s 10.5 Amp variable speed motor and it’s hefty weight I’ve taken down houses with this one.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Description:

A heavy-duty 10.5 Amp variable speed motor with up to 2,800cpm. Without putting it on a scale, I think this saw comes in close to 10lbs. It’s a powerhouse of destruction.

Experience:
The Bosch 1634VS in these pictures was the 3rd reciprocating saw in my toolbox, replacing it’s Bosch predecessor. Since the 1634VS has been replaced by numerous newer models since I put this tool into service, little info is available online these days. I bought this second Bosch sawzall, despite it’s weight, because a Panther is much smoother and deadlier than a Tiger, if you get my drift. This saw has demolished more wood, metal, plaster, drywall and random construction material than most of my tools combined. Hold no doubts, this one is all about destruction. I never babied this one; dropped it, tossed it out of the way, dragged it by the cord over pavement, under houses, through the dirt, in the rain and still it’s as powerful as the day I bought it.

Comments:
In a way, this saw reminds me of my start in commercial construction almost 20 years ago. Each morning I’d crank up a big ol’ Bosch jack hammer and rattle away through a sidewalk, street or foundation. I remember learning to let the tool do the work… you sort of just hold on and away it goes. Well, this Bosch saw is a brute and I mean it. This is the kind of saws-all that despite it’s ultra-smooth German manufacture is a pull the trigger and hold on for life. It is significantly more powerful than any other reciprocating saw I’ve owned and requires a bit of muscle to control. I’ve taken this Panther out of my truck toolbox and carry a newer cordless sawzall but when I’m on a large remodel, this saw will be there busting things up. I prefer the German-made tools and this Bosch Panther hasn’t let me down yet with over 10 years of brutal service.

Links:

Bosch Reciprocating Saws at Amazon.com

Rating: 4.75 out of 5 stars

Features:

• 10-inch slide compound miter saw with dual guide rails for accuracy
• 13 amp, 2.8-horsepower motor; 3-inch wide sliding base extends base and fence to 28-inches
• Aluminum base; all ball-bearing construction
• Includes saw, 60-tooth carbide blade, dust bag, work clamp, blade change wrench, hex wrench, table-inserts
• 52 by 15 by 11-1/2-inches; 64-1/2-pounds; 1-year warranty

Experience:
The 10″ Bosch sliding miter saw has been my #1 for a long time, recently resigned to my shop in favor of the new Makita LS1013 for work. The Bosch 3915 and I have been in and out of the truck, up and down stairs, setup upon pump-jacks, setup on the roof, setup on the floor. I have run my company with this saw for years. It’s a nice piece of machinery and superior to yellow and orange brands by far. This is the kind of equipment a guy needs and relies on. Not only to work reliably but to be continually precise, easy to adjust repeatedly and manageable for transportation.

Comments:
A saw is a saw, right? I mean there are a dozen miter saws on the market from big name tool companies and we can expect they all will cut accurately and last us a reasonably long time. Is this General Motors vs. BMW vs. Toyota? Sort of because I liken driving one of those yellow saws to a clunky American beast and this Bosch to The Ultimate Driving Machine.

I like the detent lockout mechanism. I like the positive detents and they never clogged. The slide bearings occasionally need lube, like any, but handle a build-up of wet sawdust all day long. The motor is still running smoothly after years of service without maintenance.

I did suffer a few problem with the Bosch 3915 despite it’s overall quality. After a few years it became near impossible to push the handle downward, starting a cut. The plastic blade guard was stuck. I thought it was a bad bearing along the guard’s retracting cam but replacing it didn’t ease the lowering of the blade. The problem has been discussed and a fix posted online. The dust collection bag is around here somewhere but I haven’t seen it in years, it’s worthless.

My only real complaint has little to do with the saw and more to do with my line of work. These saws are too damn heavy and I am getting too old to lug this stuff all over the countryside everyday. To be perfectly honest weight is one reason I chose the Makita for my next saw, but I may list more complaints for that saw so be sure to read my review of the LS1013.

If I had to choose another compound miter saw, knowing the choices of Makita, Hitachi, Dewalt and Ridgid I would choose the Bosch again.

Bosch 4410L 10-Inch Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw at Amazon.com

Bosch miter saws at Bosch
–

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Features:

• Variable speed trigger
• Three position stroke control
• Adjustable base plate
• 3.15 Amp
• Scintilla SA – Switzerland

Experience:
I got the 3238VS as a gift. I had asked for the Bosch 1587 VS which, 20 years later, is still for sale but I was happy to have a jig saw at the time and used it for years. Every carpenter knows how necessary a jig saw is on site. From coping to just about any irregular cut this is a tool that is always in my truck box. I replaced my Bosch 3238VS with the Porter-Cable 7549 and most recently added the Ridgid R883 Cordless Jigsaw to my bag.

Comments:
I was never really happy with this jigsaw. With a 1587 on site, this always seemed like the homeowner model and just didn’t quite please me. With it’s modest fence, allen-key adjustable plate and odd shaped body the 3238 performed it’s duties despite my disfavor. Sometimes, the proof of a craftsman is in his ability to make due and that is what I felt I was doing with this saw. Not quite contractor grade features but it cut and it’s a Bosch.

I still use this saw in my shop today because I keep the others in a Knack box or on my truck so I shouldn’t knock it too hard. Imagine, 20 years in my abusive hands and it’s still cutting straight!
Links:

Bosch 1587AVSK Jig Saw at Amazon.com – The one I wanted, still available all these years later.

Bosch 1590EVSK Jigsaw – The one I’d buy today.