Bosch GSA18V-125 Cordless Reciprocating Saw
Bosch GSA18V-125 18V EC Brushless 1-1/4″-Stroke Reciprocating Saw Review
Bosch GSA18V-125 Cordless Reciprocating Saw
Manufacturer: Bosch
Model number: GSA18V-125
Price: 299.00
Power source: 18 Volt
Motor size: Brushless
Weight: 7.7 lbs
Bosch went through many prototypes before arriving at this design, which has been optimized for better user comfort, and to allow access to hard to cut areas.
Orbital Cutting Feature
The Bosch GSA18V-125 is the first cordless reciprocating saw to feature three orbital settings (0-1-2), these settings are:
- Positing 0: Orbital action is switched off This setting is useful for metal
- Position 1: For non-ferrous metals, hardwoods, plastics and medium density materials
- Positon 2: For cutting softer materials, insulation and softwoods
“The three orbital-action settings allow optimization of the saw to ensure maximum cutting power and speed whether the job is general rough cutting or demolition of wood or metal” said Jim Stevens, product manager, Robert Bosch Tool Corporation.
Powered with an18-volt battery the Bosch GSA18V-125 has an EC brushless motor with an orbital/non-orbital action for dialing in cutting preferences.
Size Matters
The Bosch GSA18V-125 is smaller than you’d think for such an aggressive cutting demo saw.
This saw measures 19” in length, and weighs 7.7 lbs. without the battery. When equipped with a with a 6.4 Ah Core battery the saw weighs 9.4 lbs.
We liked the angled handle has a very comfortable soft-grip. The blade changing is super easy with an oversized tool-less blade change lever. Based on past reciprocating saw reviews, we found this lever to be one of the best, and easiest levers to operate on a cordless tool. It is also large enough to easily manipulate with gloves on.
Bosch GSA18V-125 Angled Motor
The Bosch GSA18V-125 has an angled motor to put the tools weight toward the rear of the saw where the user is strongest. The angle also reduces the front to back dimension of the saw.
This saw operates at 0-2,900 strokes per minute with a 1-1/4″ stroke length. Bosch included an integrated counterbalance technology to limit vibration. This technology was borrowed from their jigsaw technology.
The angle of the tool positions the blade at an angle that has been optimized for aggressive demo and framing cutting.
Variable Speed and Maximum Speed
The tool features an accelerator trigger for adjusting the operating speed, such as starting a cut. This trigger allows you to slowly start the tool at the minimum stroke rate and when depressed fully the tool will achieve the max SPM that the maximum speed dial is set t.
A 6 setting, maximum-speed control allows users to dial in and set a max speed. The settings are:
Speed Dial Setting SPM (No-Load Strokes Per Minute)
- 6 2500
- 5 2200
- 4.
1800 - 3 1400
- 2 1000
- 1 600
Optimized To Be Used With Core Battery
The Bosch GSA18V-125 will work with any Bosch batteries, but was designed to operate with Bosh’s most powerful battery, the CORE18V 6.3 Ah 18 volt battery. The CORE battery produces up to 1,440 Watts of energy, 80% more than previous-generation 6.0 Ah batteries.
The CORE batteries carry more energy density than the previous-generation cells, the 10 next-gen, high-powered cells in this battery are welded and rail-connected for high-current efficiency. They deliver performance comparable to batteries that are made with 15 standard cells (making them up to 35% larger).
The CORE battery adds 1.8 lbs. onto this recip. The battery features the Bosch-exclusive CoolPack 2.0, which provides up to 35% more cooling effect than predecessor batteries and provides up to 135% more battery life than batteries that don’t have CoolPack technology.
The optional Bosch BC1880 18V Fast Charger can charge a drained CORE battery to 80% in 41 minutes and to 100% in 55 minutes.
Hanging Hook
One nice feature that is always appreciated is a large, oversized hanging hook that folds against the body of the saw.
Dual LEDs
There are two horizontal LED lights at the front end of the tool, near the crank shaft that illuminate the cutting area really well. The horizontal placement of these LEDs is to illuminate the left and right side of the blade cutting are. The front plate pivots and has a 3-position adjustment.
Electronic Protections
Bosch built in Electronic Cell Protection (ECP) that protects the battery against overload, overheating and deep discharge for longer life. The tool also has Bosch’s Electronic Motor Protection (EMP) protects the motor against overload with integrated temperature management.
Bosch GSA18V-125 Features
- Angled-handle design – angled-motor design
- 19 In. length
- 7.7 Lbs. (tool only, without battery) weight
- 9.5 Lbs. with a 6.3Ah Core battery
- Three orbital settings (0-1-2)
- 18V EC Brushless motor
- Versatile large ergonomic handle with soft-grip
- 0-2,500 strokes per minute
- 1-1/4 In. per stroke
- Integrated counterbalance technology – limits vibration
- Variable-speed control – includes a dial to set max speed and accelerator trigger to control operating speed
- Toolless blade-change system
- Hanging hook
- Double LED light
- Adjustable footplate
- Electronic Motor Protection (EMP) – protects the motor against overload and ensures a long lifetime
- Electronic Cell Protection (ECP) – protects the battery against overload, overheating and deep discharge
Bosch GSA18V-125 Cost
The Bosch GSA18V-125 sells for $299.00 as a bare tools.
Improvement on the Bosch GSA18V-125
This reciprocating saw is nice! The only improvement I’d offer to Bosch would be to add a spring for blade ejection.
We used this tool on a bathroom demo, remodel and to frame in a screen porch.
We were impressed with its small size to power ratio. It’s definitely a powerful cutting saw but more importantly the ergonomic shape of this tool makes its comfortable to use longterm, which equates in less user fatigue, and a safer tool.
It’s obvious to us that Bosch has spent some time developing this tool. “Sawing is believing,” so check it out!
Bosch GSA18V-125 Cordless Reciprocating Saw Video Review
About the author
Rob Robillard
Robert Robillard is a remodeler, general contractor, and principal of a carpentry and renovation business located in Concord, Massachusetts, and serves as the Editor of Tool Box Buzz and founding editor of A Concord Carpenter . Rob is in charge of our Tool and Product Review - Tool and Product Review - Video Channel, , where we post all of our tool reviews and video tutorials. Rob enjoys using his knowledge and experience to help and educate building professionals as well as DIYers on best practices in the remodeling industry. The Concord Carpenter's motto: "Well done is better than well said!" : Read more about Rob
http://www.aconcordcarpenter.com/@https://twitter.com/robertrobillardRob Robillard
2 Comments
Leave a comment
Disclosure
Product reviews on this site contain our opinion of a product or service. We will always strive for objectivity and transparency in our reviews. Our goal is to provide readers with honest, objective information based on our own experiences. We never have and never will accept payment in exchange for a positive review. Many of the products that we review are provided to us for free by a manufacturer or retailer. In some cases, we also have advertising or affiliate relationships with manufacturers and retailers of products and services we review. For additional information please visit our additional disclosure policies.
hey, Rob Robillard
Awesome article. I enjoyed reading this article. Informative image and video sharing. Did I want to know which reciprocating Saw is better for wood cutting? Which is more cutting faster and easier?
Jim,
What exactly is your question?