Bosch 18V Multi-X Oscillating Tool
Bosch 18V Multi-X Brushless Oscillating Tool Model MXH180
Bosch Power Tools recently released the Bosch 18V Multi-X Oscillating Tool to their oscillating category.
The Bosch MXH180 has an electric circuitry brush-less motor design.
When you consider that Bosch added a 4.0 Ah fat pack battery to this tool and then combined that with their Constant Response™ Circuitry which allows the tool to maintain constant speed under a heavy load and protect it from overheating you have to be impressed.
Smart and Powerful
To put this in layman’s terms this tools 4.o Ah battery pack acts like the fuel tank and when combined with the the electronic circuitry or the “smart brain” you have the perfect recipe for corded power without the cord.
The Multi-X is powered by EC Brushless Motor Technology which, according to Bosch, provides up to 2x motor life, has advanced electronics and unparalleled durability.
The Bosch MXH180 weighs 4.3 pounds and is 12-5/8 inches long, a variable speed ranging from 8,000 to 20,000 oscillations per minute (OMP), the tool can easily perform a wide range of applications, including cutting, sanding, grinding and scraping.
Battery Compatibility
The Bosch MXH180 is compatible with all generations of Bosch lithium-ion Fat and Slim Pack 18-volt batteries.
Tool Less Accessory Changing
Bosch has one of the nicest accessory changing feature on the market – no tools or small, loose pins to deal with.An accessory change lever is located on the side of the working end of this tool and makes for a fast and easy changeover.
The Bosch MXH180 uses the Oscillating Interface System (OIS) accessories. Other blade manufacturers line Imperial Blades also utilize the OIS accessory systems and are compatible with the Bosch MXH18.
Vibration:
The Bosch MXH180 has a soft start motor and a reinforced gear housing to reduce vibration and soft rubber grip areas for comfort.
What’s In The Box:
The MXH180 comes in an L-Boxx as a bare tool and is set up for users who are already using the Bosch 18 volt platform.
At ACC we love our L-Boxx Click and Go system and recently retrofitted out entire job-site trailer with them.
Using The Bosch MXH180:
I equate the the Bosch MXH180 to sculpting. You need good material before you can even think about sculpting a masterpiece. Bosch took feedback from end users, utilized their training and experience with engineering quality tools and brought the cordless multi-tool project to their teams of designers and engineers and sculpted a masterpiece!
We’ve been using the Bosch MXH180 0n the job site for some time now to cut exterior trim, siding, moldings and other precision cuts and are impressed with the power and run time.
Any Improvements?
If Bosch was looking for feedback on how to improve this tool I’d tell them to redesign the variable speed dial to incorporate a shroud around it. Similar to what they did for the on / off switch.
We found that when using the Bosch MXH180 many times during cutting applications we would move the tool and our hands around the tool to manipulate the cut. During this process our hands would rub over the dial changing the cutting speed of the tool.
How Much and Where To Buy?
The kit comes complete with an L-Boxx storage case, Exact-Fit Tool Insert Tray and one accessory blade for a suggested retail price of $229.
Users can add their choice of batteries and chargers, which are sold separately and are interchangeable with all existing Bosch 18-volt cordless tools.
The SKC181-101 starter kit includes a charger and BAT620 4.0 amp-hour 18-volt lithium-ion battery for a suggested retail price of $99.oo