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Bosch RS20 13-amp Reciprocating Saw
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List Price: $281.00
Our Price: $119.95
You Save: $ 161.05 ( 57% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Bosch
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Average Customer Rating:   
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Binding: Tools & Hardware
Brand: Bosch
EAN: 0000346337129
Feature: 13 amps for cuts in hardwood and larger stock
Label: Bosch
Manufacturer: Bosch
Model: RS20
Publisher: Bosch
Studio: Bosch
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Features
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13 amps for cuts in hardwood and larger stock
Lockjaw blade-change system for nearly seamless blade changes
Brute drive system for optimal durability, longevity, and power
Bright light illuminates the cut line for precision accuracy
Saw hook for convenient storage and hands-free transport
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: great saw
Comment: had this saw for over a year and was happy to pull it out of the case every time i needed it. i did not find anything wrong or about it. the only thing: make sure you buy it with a cord otherwise you will have to get the cord separately. the case is to small to fit the entire power cord, so my solution to that was to get this small cord adapter that i left permanently inside the saw (otherwise there is a possibility of braking the plug in power pin and then the saw will be useless). the led lights are very handy, i am working in tight and often dark places. the metal hook on top is just great idea i wonder why not every tool has this thing (i would hang it on 2by4's, ladder and what not.
this saw broke down after i gave it to my helper and he broke it while the saw sustained a great deal of abuse for a whole day of work.
now i am about to buy a new saw and it will be bosch rs20 again unless i see something extremely much more appealing.
Customer Rating:
Summary: waste of money so far
Comment: I'm a framing carpenter and I make my living with my tools so I was pretty pissed off when my brand new sawsall stopped working after only a few min. of use I talked to bosch and they said they'll replace it for free but I don't have high hopes for it in the future
Customer Rating:
Summary: I like Bosch but DON'T buy this saw!
Comment: I generally like Bosch equipment but this saw is one to stay away from. I am a general contractor and have used this saw for many different applications. It does work well enough in the beginning but I'm now sending it back for the second time to be serviced. Luckily Bosch has an absolutely fantastic warrantee program. But I probably only have about 8-12 hours on the saw. Here are my opinions:
Pros: comfortable, good ergonomics, built-in joist hanger is nice, detachable cord a good idea (but not well designed).
Cons: powercord hoop/hook on saw a pain to get the cable into and out of, trigger had to be replaced in first year and after about another 2hrs of use has stopped working again. The service center guys said that the internal switches are too complex to withstand all the vibration and have been a chronic problem.
I'd recommend going with another saw until Bosch comes out with a new model.
Customer Rating:
Summary: You've got some nerve, maybe
Comment:
Hey, it's a Bosch!
It was only within the last decade [and after many a man's suffering] that we began to recognize the hazards and injuries associated with repeated exposure to heavy and continued vibration. Hence, new models now boast gel pads and the like addressing this very real danger. Someone just forgot to tell the folks at Bosch...
But it's a Bosch!
Yes, it is. And enough of us who have used tools either professionally or semi-professionally over many years realize there is no one toolmaker that makes the best of everything. Not even the Rolls Royce of tools, Hilti; the toolmaker who's prices are so high they now come with a built-in magnetic security "key". Much like your expensive car radio's secret code, if stolen, the tool cannot be used again without having the "key". Unfortunately, Hilti hasn't informed the local crack addicts of this system so your prized Hilti will probably still end up where the majority of Hilti end up: on an obscure stolen goods list of your local municipality. But I digress, again. . .
Can you really have your cake and eat it too?
Now, I ask you, what good is having a cake if you *can't* eat it?? So much for old "witticisms", some get repeated without the slightest thought to any real logic to them. But I digress, again. . .
What I meant to say was
Is it possible to have a real power in a portable tool without having your joints shaken loose? YES! Just not with this tool from Bosch. Porter-Cable proved it perfectly with their famous 330 SpeedBloc ¼-sheet sander. In this class, there is simply nothing else on the market that even comes close, making Dewalts, Milwaukees, and Makitas appear to be experiencing grand mal seizures while providing a finish that effortlessly rivals those mentioned. P-C grasped and mastered the concept of "counter-balancing", but they're not talkin', at least not to Bosch. After decades of 330s virtually without change, we're reminded that "if something isn't broke, you don't fix it". Porter-Cable knows this, so does Bosch, only *this* Bosch needs a *lot* of fixing.
But it's still a Bosch, right?
I'm a Bosch fan. Their jig saws are considered by many to be the best available bar none. Hilti can only out price it. Yes, the first Bosch jig saw models introducing the now much copied "clic-change" system that cut true but also originally tossed blades faster than a mad Italian housewife at three o'clock in the morning. But Bosch went back to the boards and worked on it until they achieved absolute and beautifully harmonious perfection [maybe we could send some Bosch reps to Little Italy].
Yes, it's a Bosch!
It just doesn't get any better than Bosch when it comes to their jig saws. Use one and you will soon discover you can cut a *true* straight or curved line almost effortlessly and very cleanly, almost "laser-like" with just a little practice. But unfortunately, that's a horse of a different color. No, wait, same colors--which I so much prefer to the look-at-me-I'm-a-pro yellow. Right church, wrong pew.
Can you feel me?
If you want your nerves to continue to do what they do, avoid this tool at all costs. Forget trying to "man-up" and tough it out. That's not manly, that's just plain dumb[yes, there IS a difference for all of the misandrists out there]. This thing doesn't just shake your hand like a nervous politician, it tries to take your entire arm off sending your brachial plexus into chaos, synapse by rattled synapse. If you *must* use one of these, for the love of God and country wear gloves specifically designed to absorb or isolate vibrations; there are several renditions on the market available for a few plus bucks.
Is it really *that* bad?
The vibration of this machine as it throws itself wildly to and fro in every direction but the one desired is so violent it may actually cause some temporary damage even after limited use without the proper protective gear. So remember, goggles, mask, and now, special gloves, and you may not be any worse for wear, maybe. But why on earth take that chance when there are safer alternatives?
Tell me what it was like. I want *all* the details!
Tests revealed that if you place the bladeless saw's footplate against a hard surface while the tool is horizontally oriented, and pull the trigger, the resulting vibration at various speeds is enough to drive an 8 penny nail into pine and you could easily accomplish this except the footplate travels wildly in every and any direction except straight: Bosch's claimed "wobble" effect?? This all happening while your entire arm gripping the handle is shaken till it's numb[at a little over six feet and 200lbs, that's not such an easy task], while the copiously-lubed drive shaft splatters black goo all over the nifty blade release and maybe a little on the surrounding area: maybe Bosch's self-lubricating blade design?? Are we having fun yet?
You're not the only one
As for the machine, I doubt it's possible for any machine that suffers from such a cacophony of shakes could also be impervious from them. I have little faith this machine would survive any substantial operation. Actually, I doubt another manufacturer could make a reciprocating saw vibrate more than this model even if they tried their darndest. It's as if this extended 1-1/4" throw is trying to set a 3-1/4" throw record.
It's just like Bosch to actually develop an over-achiever.
OOhhh, but the plug lights up, yes?
Yes, and it's pretty cool, even the blue color is a nice change. Great idea, poor execution. The prongs on the tool end are actually very thin[read fragile, cheap import Christmas light plug thin], and getting this "custom" cord to fit completely and snugly takes some finesse, a prayer, and maybe a little luck.
But then if you were lucky, you wouldn't be using this tool, would you?
But it's still a Bosch, dammit!
Yes, Bosch is a company of high integrity, but sometimes whether by hubris or ambition, they just try a little *too* hard. Their 7.25" circular saw of the same series suffers its own ills besides the same tenous cord system. It seems the parts ala Glock made up of "space-age polymers" Bosch boasts of withstand a single story drop, are in practice far too fragile due to thier placement and design, not just material. I wouldn't use my Glock for a hammer, would you? Perhaps Bosch's claims of drop-proof damage are true, they just left out the part about ". . .if it lands on your neighbor. It's never the fall that kills ya, but the sudden landing.
Once again, either by hubris or desire, this Bosch manages to completely disappoint.
Oh well, now what?
Well, the saw and the saw both go back [but can't I keep those cool cords?]. It was a great looking design, the pretty blue cords lit up, its clic-change blade system is second to none [Bosch *does* learn from experience]and even though there's no place for that oh-so-special cord in the custom Bosch case provided, it's got neat little almost useful LED "headlights", a cool built-in hanger for those impromptu beer breaks from 20 feet up, and after all, it's a Bosch! That's all that really matters, right? Wrong.
Which brings us finally to the last witticism I can currently manage to recall: "Not everyone can be right all the time",
not even our beloved Bosch.
AX~
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great Saw
Comment: I love my Bosch RS20CX.
Pro's:
* Well formed grips for comfortable, easy and secure handling.
* Two speeds (Lo/Hi). I use the low speed for more precise cutting of drywall. The Hi speed tears through anything and everything (even double studs - no problem).
* Powerful 13 amp motor (compare to less expensive 10/11 amp)
* The joist handle is very handy indeed. I've hung the saw on my toolbelt and ladders, but not yet a joist.
* The cord connection is super tight to ensure a snug fit. Also, it has an additional cord thingy (for lack of technical term) that the cord clips into to ensure the saw does not come unplugged if there is tension on the cord.
So far, no signifigant cons. It does have a tiny LED headlight I noticed, but I haven't benefited from it yet. And, enlarging the case to fit the power cord would be helpful. However, chances are good the power cord will services three tools at any given time through the project.
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Editorial Reviews:
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These recips saws keep getting better and better. Here's one from Bosch that incorporates some really nice user-friendly features into a powerful, precise machine. We like the Direct Connect system rather than a dangling cord; you just plug a 12AWG cord right into the tool. Spring clips keep it secure, and you loop the cord through a slot in the handle and press it into a molded channel for added staying power. The foot design earns points from us: Just push a button and slide the foot mechanism into one of three detents, where it clicks soundly into place. (You'll know you extended too far if you actually see a notch.) The footplate itself is a great design, pivoting to keep its surface on your workpiece. Plunge cuts are simple enough, and Bosch suggests that for better control on plunge cuts, you insert the blade with the teeth up and use the tool upside down. It really does handle better this way. (Just remember to flip the blade over when you're done with this cut.) Changing the blade is an easy two-second, one-handed affair with this LockJaw system—the old blade ejects with just a twist of the locking collar. We found the built-in work light to be bright enough, and there's a handy blade storage device on the tool. The variable speed trigger is smooth and easy on the hand, and two gear settings give you a wide range of speeds for all kinds of materials, from low speeds for metal to 2,800 strokes per minute for softer materials like wallboard and wood. Bosch has always paid attention to ergonomics, and you feel that when you pick up this saw, from the soft grip on the comfortably curved handle to the nice arc design of the tool's body all the way through the rubber boot. It's Brute-drive tough and a heck of a saw.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste
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