Bosch's PS50 Multi-X

One of the things I’ve found pertinent to unearthing tools that might be introduced to the U.S. market, is to discover what’s available in Europe. It seems that European woodworkers get the first crack at new tooling , possibly due to Underwriters Laboratories’ incessant studies before granting approval for a tool to be released in the United States.

In doing Internet searches looking for said tools, I found a PMF 180 E, a multi-function tool made by Bosch that’s available in Germany. This tool looked very much like a Fein MultiMaster, a tool shown to the U.S. market via infomercials for many years. I contacted the Bosch team and was surprised to find out they were indeed working on a similar tool for release in the states.

Yesterday, Bosch sent a press release on the new PS50 Multi-X. The Bosch PS50 is battery powered (different from Bosch’s European tool or the Fein MultiMaster) and is built around Bosch’s ultra-compact Lithium-ion battery , the same battery that energizes the company’s PS10 (I-driver), PS20 (pocket driver), PS30 (drill/driver), PS40 (impact driver) and FL11 (flashlight). (Click here to go to Bosch’s web site to check out these tools.)

The PS50 is light at 2.2 pounds, has a soft-grip surface that extends from the nose through the handle (which has a grip girth of 6.88″) and operates at 5,000 , 20,000 rpm.

Bosch is also launching a number of accessories for the Multi-X, including blades for plunge cutting into wood and metal, flush-cut wheels and pads for sanding and polishing. And, with an included adaptor, the PS50 can use Dremel, Fein or Proxxon accessories.

Bosch feels that by changing the accessory, then adjusting the tool’s speed, the new PS50 could take the place of many sanding and cutting tools around shop or home, and do so without breaking the bank. The PS50 Multi-X tool is scheduled to hit the U.S. market in late October or early November 2008.

Bosch will offer two kits. A PS50-2A Cutting Kit with the Multi-X, two 12v Lithium-ion batteries, a 30-minute charger, an accessory adapter, a sanding plate, a sanding paper pad and a plunge-cut blade (1-5/8″ x 1-1/2″) all packed in a hard case and priced at $199. A second kit, the PS50-2B Carpenter Kit, has everything in the previous kit plus three additional plunge-cut blades (3/8″ x 1-1/4″) and a “BIM Segment Blade” (shown at right). This kit retails at $229.

We’re anxious to get a PS50 Multi-X in the Popular Woodworking shop for testing. As soon as we get some time with a Multi-X, we’ll report our findings.

-Glen D. Huey