Available Shorty, a new addition to the Bosch 18V Rotary Hammer lineup a true 1” SDS-Plus Bulldog GBH18V-26 ($349, bare). The new EC Brushless motor will put out a very impressive 1.9 ft-lbs of energy. At the end of last year we did a full Cordless SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer Head to Head and according to the numbers this new Bosch would be more powerful than the Hilti, Dewalt, Metabo, 18v Makita and Milwaukee (2712-20). Still slightly less impact force than the 36V Makita or Milwaukee (2715-20) but very close. Certainly power isn’t everything and at on 7.7lbs the new Bosch looks be the top power-to-weight in the class.
One of the big features Bosch is now putting on all their cordless drills is the Kickback Control which I think is going to start catching on as more people know it exists. Every year there are thousands of injuries caused by tools that catch and twist the tool. On the larger auger type drills from other tool brands we are seeing a clutch to prevent injury. For standard cordless drills and even cordless rotary drills however a clutch is going to add costs and extra parts to break. This electronic sensor does not appear to add much, if any costs but makes them much safer tools to use. For those interested in keeping workers safe this is a big selling feature.
With the big Silica Dust OHSA Rules coming roughly 8 months away it is very surprising this unit does not already have an option for a HEPA dust collection unit similar to the Makita and Milwaukee units, it does look like there will be one coming before the deadline in 2017 but that seems to be cutting it pretty close. Certainly Bosch does have some nice options for silica dust containment with the SDS-Plus Speed Clean bits and drilling attachments but a single compact cordless system has a lot of advantages.
These new cordless 18V Bosch Bulldogs will be available soon in the meantime here is the full Bosch press release below.
Mt. Prospect, Ill. – The rotary hammer is the workhorse of any construction site, providing the power and torque to drill and chisel in materials that range from concrete to steel. But the real differentiator among these power tools is putting all of that performance in a package that delivers great power at low weight – and that’s the story of the Bosch GBH18V-26 1″ SDS-plus® EC Brushless Rotary Hammer.
The Bosch GBH18V-26 rotary hammer delivers 1.9 Ft.-Lbs. of torque in a tool that weighs only 7.7 lbs. The ergonomic L-shape design offers great horizontal power transmission. Combined with a Bosch 6.0 Ah Lithium-ion battery, this is a power tool that will drill longer and hit harder than bigger tools with more weight.
The advantages of 2x motor life and less maintenance comes with the tool’s lighter weight and the reduced-size Bosch EC brushless motor. Bosch electronic precision control ensures soft-start (70 percent) to help avoid walking or skating. Dust extraction is seamless with the optional on-tool dust extraction adapter (available 2017).
More Safety Features
The Bosch GBH18V-26 1″ SDS-plus® EC Brushless Rotary Hammer features proprietary KickBack Control, an integrated acceleration sensor that virtually stops the drill’s rotation during bit bind-up situations. It’s designed to reduce potential arm and wrist injuries. In addition, the tool includes industry-leading Bosch vibration control for added user safety and ease of use.
“The Bosch GBH18V-26 rotary hammer is the result of extensive research on the jobsite combined with user feedback,” said Mike Iezzi, product manager, concrete products, Robert Bosch Tool Corporation. “Users demand a tool that brings the power every day, every job, but one that comes in an easy-to-handle package. We continue to deliver tools with the combination of power and advanced design that get the job done with respect for precision and user safety.”
