
I've owned the Bosch Combo Kit (5 tools instead of 6) for three years. These will be the LAST Bosch tools of any kind I'll buy.
The reason I bought this kit was I wanted more Heavy Duty tools to replace my cheapo Black & Decker kit, which cost $200 as opposed to the $500 I paid for the Bosch kit.
The Bosch drill was, indeed, much better than the B&D, and the circular saw was, at times, more useful, due to the larger blade. And the flashlight worked as well as any $2 Radio Shack special.
The recip saw was practically useless. Just getting the blade seated was a project by itself, and once you get it going without shooting a blade across the yard, it jitters and bounces so violently it breaks blades and makes a big mess. Oh, and it's made in Mexico, the same as B&D, Dewalt, and so on.
The jigsaw was slightly better.
Meanwhile, I still put the Black & Decker tools to much more use, unless I need a good drill.
Of course, you need batteries to run these tools, and Bosch gives you two.
And those don't last! Which is the main reason I'm shooing you away from Bosch.
These tools got VERY light usage over the three years I've owned them. I've also treated them like babies, and I've taken GREAT care of the batteries.
The first one died after two years, and the second is almost dead now. I can get maybe two holes drilled before the battery goes flat.
Folks, these things cost $80 to $90 EACH! B&D batteries cost $35, and I've found them for $40 for a 2-pack. So obviously, the Bosch batteries must be made to last a bit longer, right?
Nope.
If the Bosch batteries were $20 or even $40, I wouldn't have a problem, but at this price premium, for the same (or less?) quality? There is absolutely NO excuse for this.
I shudder to think what would happen if I was a contractor and needed these tools to pay the rent. I could see a handfull of these batteries lasting maybe 6 months, then be forced to pay several hundred dollars to replace them.
These tools will find their way to Craigslist, and I'm slowly building a Dewalt collection. Their batteries seem to be somewhat better, and their tools are MUCH better.
I'm also keeping my B&D tools FOREVER! They may be cheap and 'light' duty, but they DO work.
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Bosch CPK60-18 18-Volt Ni-Cad Cordless 6-Tool Combo Kit.