Replies

1. 
   rnsykes | Jun 10, 2009 05:26am | #1

   yeah. I'm having the same problem. For the second time. It hesitates to start, speed fluctuates, and often runs at a lower rpm. First time the repair was covered under warranty. I've only used the saw twice since then, but it's well out of warranty now. It's the electronic speed control. Not sure what is killing it, but it's a $35 part. Sorry to hear about your problems, but I'm glad I'm not the only one. I had a link for the part, but I forget where i found it.

2. 
   IMERC | Jun 10, 2009 06:38am | #2

   what causes that is that most often the saw isn't getting it's full compliment of electricty....

   is a hungry animal...

    

   Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

   WOW!!! What a Ride!

   
   Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

    

   "Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"

3. 
   unTreatedwood | Jun 10, 2009 06:32pm | #3

   I had a thread on this very subject going on and off, (like my bosch!!) for over a year.  You can find it if you do a search.  I finally had a guy look at it, after he reset the brushes, it ran better than it ever did before.  I don't know why, but it is terrific now and I couldnt be happier.  It was definitely worth the patience and time.

   At its most basic level, capitalism offers people the freedom to choose where they work and what they do … the dignity that comes with profiting from their talent and hard work. … The free-market system also provides the incentives that lead to prosperity -- the incentive to work, to innovate, to save and invest wisely, and to create jobs for others.” -President George W. Bush

   In other words, free-market capitalism is the best path to prosperity.

4. 
   troyb_78 | Jun 13, 2009 01:31am | #4

   I was looking a toolpartsdirect.com and the speed control board is 45 bucks. So I'm looking at 60 bucks shipped on a part that sounds like it will  go out again. What do you guys think about wiring past the control board? I would lose my soft start-up but I should at least have full power. Here is a link to the schematic http://www.toolpartsdirect.com/cgi-bin/schematic.cgi/bosch/4000.139

1. 
   rez | Jun 13, 2009 06:46am | #5

   Have you reset the brushes yet? 

5. 
   Stan | Jun 15, 2009 06:09am | #6

   This morning I was talking to a contractor friend of mine about wanting to purchase the Bosch table saw - as much as he loves Bosch tools he told me not to buy this saw.  He mentioned that he has burned through two of them in the last two months.  It seems that the motors keep going out.  He was recently at a local building supply store (not a big box) and his friend who works there showed him a whole wall of Bosch table saws that have failed due to the motor going south.

   One, have the editors of Fine Homebuilding seen this as an issue from the posts on this forum?  If so, as journalists and fellow members of the trades, have you engaged in a conversation with Bosch to explore and report on the resolution of this issue?  Or do you not see this as your responsibility?

   Secondly, I was also informed by my contractor friend that the power tools you purchase in the big box stores like Home Depot and Lowes are a step down than the same tool that you purchase in local store patronized by contractors.  He mentioned that a client wanted to help and went to Home Depot to purchase the same model screw driver that my friends crew uses (paying about $80.00 less); but, when he returned the weight was not the same.   A number of months ago I was in a local hardware store used by a number of contractors.  While there I saw the Bosch table saw (model 4100-09) and inquired on the price, which was significantly higher than HD.  When I mentioned that I could get that same saw for $599.00 I was also told the saw that Home Depot carries is not the same saw.   Editorial brethren, this is another issue, somewhat related, that needs to be addressed – hard as it may seem.  Are the tool manufactures marketing two grades of tools under the same model number?

   "Projects beget projects and projects beget the need to buy new tools and that is what the cycle of life is all about."

1. 
   rez | Jun 15, 2009 06:20am | #7

   I've often wondered about this as plumbing fixtures have been noted to be of a lesser substance in the bigboxes than at a plumbing outlet.

   bump 

1. 
   sully13 | Jun 15, 2009 04:59pm | #9

   sorry to hijack, but your question is valid.

   Plumbing manufacturers do indeed make different quality fixtures and faucets with the same name.  Some differences may be slight like the pop-up stopper being made from plastic instead of metal, and some are major like making the stem from plastic instead of brass.

   Another difference which driv es me crazy is that typically a rough in shower valve purchased at a box store will have threaded supply connections only while the one purchased at a local supplier will have the combo threaded/sweat connections.  I guess they figure the average DY person does not know how to sweat.

   Usually the big box store will offer the same model with their own SKU that you can purchase from a local plumbing supply.  Many times the manufacturer will offer local plumbing suppliers dedicated models which can not be purchased at the box stores.  These are almost always of superior quality to anything you can purchase in the box stores.

   sully

    

1. 
   JulianTracy | Jun 15, 2009 07:24pm | #10

   Just about every shower head assembly I've bought at the Bigboxes have the combo sweat and thread valves.As for drain pipes and the such, the gauge of the metal is listed quite clearly and at most big box stores, there's 2-3 choices for metal drain assemblies - good (####) better (ok) best (pretty good), usually 23ga - 15ga.But it's just like Sony and Panasonic - they sell cheap #### and they sell good stuff. Obviously Home Depot has more of the cheap #### than a tool supplier, but the higher quality models are exactly the same as the model number matches at your local tool supplier.Bosch makes 3-4 4100 series saws. They are all the same except for the stand or digital readout options.I had the 4000 Bosch tablesaw for 8 years and just recently purchased the 4100 saw. No problems thus far, but it wouldn't surprise me if for a variety of reasons, including pricing pressure from the big box stores, they made the motors cheaper.It's all about the manufacturers bar code number and model number. Aside from a situation like Bosch now making their 1587 jigsaw in China instead of Switzerland, or Skil now making the Mag77 worm saws in China - there are not two types of the same model number tools around.In the case of the two above examples - I guarantee you that those same tools bought new at your tool supplier will also be the later-version China versions. Unless they have new old stock sitting around due to ridiculously high pricing of said tools.

1. 
   rez | Jun 15, 2009 07:33pm | #11

   Unless they have new old stock sitting around due to ridiculously high pricing of said tools.

   And they'll end up getting it as a small increase in a price is worth it for a better manufactured tool.

   be hearing reports of carbide tips flying off the teeth of some economy grade circular saw blades.  

2. 
   JulianTracy | Jun 15, 2009 07:46pm | #12

   You're preaching to the choir - I certainly think it's worth buying better tools or finding the older tools, but my point is the only reason you may still be able to find the USA made Mag77 or the Swiss made 1587 jigsaw these days is old, outdated stock. I've been in some of the professional tool suppliers that still have circ saws priced at $259 or jigsaws at $219. The pricing model is not wholly based on tool quality but a totally outdated method of tool markup not backed up by a matched percentage of increased service.Any newly ordered versions of those tools will be the out-sourced versions.Because of these reasons, I think you're usually better off buying used tools. NO tool companies these days are making anything better for better's sake, unless it just happens to come around as a byproduct of better or more efficient manufacturing techniques.The only tool company that is without peer IMO in making the highest quality tools would be Festool. They seem to be the only company making no compromises.I think you place can them in order in that respect:
   Festool
   Fein
   Panasonic
   Makita
   Bosch
   Dewalt/Milwaukee
   Ridgid/Hitachi
   Skil
   Porter Cable (the new plastic-craptastic Porter Cable...)
   Ryobi/Craftsman/Black and DeckerObviously there are a few smaller standouts I'm missing. Probably missing a major one as well...JT

3. 
   aworkinprogress | Jun 15, 2009 08:06pm | #13

   Godd day to all , perhaps you might include Hilti at or near the top of the list as well as Husquvarna, and FLEX which used to be loosely associated with PORTER CABLE,and do not forget METABO truly great tools from them

4. 
   JulianTracy | Jun 15, 2009 08:21pm | #14

   True enough - they'd be near the very top of the list. I knew I was forgetting a few.JT

5. 
   aworkinprogress | Jun 15, 2009 08:27pm | #15

   And please chect out the others they offer some very specific types of tools that are unique in thier function and exclusive to each manufactuer ie Fein and the multimaster... Husquvarna has bought Target saws some time ago for an example of how far reaching they are.

2. 
   BillHartmann | Jun 15, 2009 07:29am | #8

   "Secondly, I was also informed by my contractor friend that the power tools you purchase in the big box stores like Home Depot and Lowes are a step down than the same tool that you purchase in local store patronized by contractors. "Old rumor, but absolutely untrue.First of all the manufacture would go crazy sell two differ items with the same model number.Soon or later there is going to a mix up and the wrong ones sent to the wrong place.And what about returns. How do they keep them separate?And if one place sold item XYZ and it was less than the specs list by the manufacture there would be fraud.Now what can happen specially with cordless tools is that the manufacture might have a part number for a specific tool. For example model XYZ-5 18 V drill. But that is ONLY for the drill, no battery, charger or anything. And you can buy it that way.But most off they are sold in a kit, with the charger and one or more batteries and even kits with multiple tools.Now the BB store might sell the 18 V drill system kit, model XYZa which includes the XYZ-5 drill and one 1.5 amp hour battery and slow charger. While the tool store sells the XYZ Professional Kit with 2 3 amp batteries and a fast charger. But the actual drill body is the same.Other times the model numbers might be similar, but slightly different.William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe

   Edited 6/15/2009 12:31 am by BillHartmann