Customer Reviews

Bosch 1365K 14-Inch Portable Abrasive Cut-Off Machine

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

An excellent tool that makes an impossible job merely tedious.

I bought this saw to cut holes in vertical red-clay brick walls, where the thickness is 4". I also bought the Bosch DB1461 Premium Plus 14-Inch Dry or Wet Cutting Laser Fusion Semented Diamond Saw Blade to go with it. Excellent combination, cuts fast and smooth thru brick and concrete.

The saw's practical cutting depth is not quite 5" as almost 2" is lost at the spindle. The handle and foot plate gets in the way when cutting close to corners, but the footplate is removable, the cutting guard angle is adjustable and reversible, and the handle is reversible. With the handle reversed (and the cutting guard angle reversed/adjusted to suit ease of grip), the saw can be held 'upside down' causing the spindle and handle to face the opposite direction thereby allowing a closer cut to a corner obstruction). I'd like to see the rat-tail grip and saw trigger be rotatable 90 and 180 degrees (as it is on the Bosch 9" Angle grinder), for applications such as the above.

At 31 pounds (including guard, foot plate and blade), it is difficult to handle when cutting holes in vertical walls. Precision cutting is hard to obtain as one's focus tends to be on supporting and controlling the weight instead of guiding the cut. I needed to make cuts high up on walls, so I fashioned a makeshift tripod (from pre-threaded 1/2" galvanized pipe with the saw suspended on an adjustable 'tie-down' strap tied to the saw's handle) to support its weight while I guided the cut. The saw's huge torque actually helps to maintain the saw's orientation (like a gyroscope) once cutting starts.

I shrouded my work area but the dust it kicks up quickly obscures vision, so I'd have to stop until the dust settled and I'd vacuum it up and resume. As an electric saw, it is ideal for indoor use, but because it is an electric saw I'd be leery of using water to hold the dust down (not to mention that requires another pair of hands), plus my work was indoors and water would have ruined floors. So an accessory dust-collecting cutting guard (like on the small angle grinders) would be great.

I haven't used it for cutting floors, which I would expect to be considerably easier, as the floor and foot plate would support the saw's weight.

As other reviewers have noted, use goggles and high quality respirator, and I would also add grip-enhanced gloves.

It cleans up well, using compressed air.

The case is very good, holds the saw and foot plate in position and there is a carrying slot for 2-3 extra blades, plus 1 blade can be mounted on the saw while in the case.

I've had this saw for over a year now and have been using it to dry-cut brick walls and cement floors with a diamond blade. For cement floors it's easy work, since gravity does all the hard work. To cut out vertical brick walls, it's very heavy, but does a great job. Be sure to be prepared to suit-up with respirator and masks, as it creates a lot of dust when cutting cement and brick. I had considered gas powered models, but am happy with this, since I always have electrical access when I use it. From what I've read, the gas models seem to have issues with the cement dust, which quickly kills them.

I really love this tool. After using a 14" abrasive cut-off machines for years, it's a delight to use a saw that cuts so cleanly and precisely, makes few sparks, no smoke or smell, generates very little heat in the work, and that is portable. I would not hesitate to reccomend this tool.

This saw is powerful. It can cut thru 4 inch cast iron pipe with a new blade. It is easy to operate. The case is nice for storing blades.

This tool is very dangerous. there are no safety measures in place with this tool such as blade gaurds or an automatic brake. Would never use this tool let alone own one.