Bosch PS50-2B reviews courtesy of Amazon.com carpenters friend, December 7, 2008
By Chad Kramer "Tools tools tools...." (minneapolis MN)
This review is from: Bosch PS50-2B 12-Volt Max Multi-X Carpenter Kit (Tools & Hardware)
This bosch multi-x use tool is exactly that. I do remodeling/ finishing/framing and light cabinet building on site and install. This tool has been used much more than I had originally thought. I've used it for drywall cutting(it makes very nice straight cuts with relatively little dust flying everywhere). I've used it for flush cutting, it will cut through a 2x4 if needed. It works great where it's to hard or awkward to use a sawzall. The detail sanding pad works great and is very nice for tight spaces or small areas. I wish there was a vaccum attachment for this though...?
Also the blades are very nice and are quite durable. I'm anxious to see bosch release their own blades/attachments soon. (A rep just said that they should be released next week. Dec 8th? ) Also he said they would be priced from 10-40% LESS then the compareable Fein attachments!! Thats about time.
Another thing. I tried to use the new Dremel's sandpaper on the bosch, but the Dremel's sandpaper are too small. They don't work well at all. I think the Dremel's other attachments will work fine though.
I think i would actually give this a 4.5 star if i could because there are a few shortcomings.
1. The battery life is short. maybe 5-10 minutes depending on how hard you're pushing this tool and how high the variable speed is. Also when maxed out, this tool does make a good amount of noise and has some vibration. I've used it often dialed about halfway up. Its quieter and less agressive but usually plenty of power. Also, a bosch Rep told me that the 12 volt max batteries are exactly the same as their 10.8 volt. I just picked up the 10.8 volt impact driver because i needed more batteries to keep this tool running. They are interchangeable and seem to work perfectly the same. I think that the battery option and freedom of cords far outweigh the downside of short battery life. (As long as you have more than 2 batteries!!!)
2. My multi-x has a hard to turn off switch. It may just be mine, because in the store the floor model was just fine.. But its bothersome. ( I bought mine in a store. )
To summerize this, I am very happy with my purchase and can't believe how i did certain things before having this handy tool. If you're serious about being efficient on the job, and are looking for a new favorite tool, you can't go wrong here.
Does the job, June 11, 2010
By Rick M. Platte
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Bosch PS50-2B 12-Volt Max Multi-X Carpenter Kit (Tools & Hardware) Works like advertised. Batteries are too short, so I took advice from a reviewer and bought the Bosch 12-volt max impact driver with two batteries. Once you get over the short learning curve, it performs as stated. Other manufacturers blades work with it. Saved alot of time. I wish I had it a year ago.
cordless tradeoff is worth it for me, April 9, 2010
By Tim Kieschnick
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Bosch PS50-2B 12-Volt Max Multi-X Carpenter Kit (Tools & Hardware)
I agonized over whether to go with the cordless Bosch, after all the reviews about its short battery life. But I ended up going for it, and I'm glad I did. The key is what kinds of jobs I use it on.
What I'm finding is that I don't use it for continuous tasks that go on for hours without a break. For me, this is a specialty tool. I use it when my other tools hit their limit--when my random orbit sander won't reach into the corner, or when I need to trim a little off of a window frame, or when my sawzall is too big for a small plunge cut.
So I typically only use this tool for a few minutes at a time, and always with at least 5 or 10 minutes of time between uses--usually much more than that--plenty of time to recharge, especially given that it comes with 2 batteries that are easy to remove.
And I love it being cordless, again because of what I typically use it for. Since I use it when my other tools don't have the precision or finesse, or simply won't fit in the space, it's important that this tool be easy to manipulate, and I really appreciate not having to deal with a cord as I twist into awkward angles and spaces, often on top of a ladder.
Also, since I'm typically using this in conjunction with other tools, it's a real advantage to not have to plug it in each time. For instance, last weekend I was installing some custom windows in a new structure, and I had 3 outlets available, all of which were full with other tools. If my multi-tool were corded, I would have had to unplug something else and plug in the multi-tool each time I needed it. But since it's cordless, I could just pick it up, make the cut, and move on.