The Bosch GSA18V-083B Reciprocating Saw is a cordless power tool with excellent cutting speed and vibration control
What We Like
- Variable speed can be controlled from one arm trigger
- Offers 0.83 Inch length stroke per cut
- Ergonomic design for your comfort
- 18V battery powers the 4 Amp motor
- Affordable price for a bare tool
- Blade offers 0-3,050 strokes per minute
- One-handed design
What We Don’t Like
- Battery and charger not included
- No orbital control
- Not as powerful as the corded version
Bottom Line
We hope that our Bosch GSA18V-083B Reciprocating Saw review is enough to help you decide if it is the right one-handed saw for you.
The bare tool is about 4.4 pounds but it gets a little heavier when you install the battery. The cutting capacity is commendable for a compact reciprocating saw that is battery-powered.
However, the GSA18V-083B saw isn’t as powerful as the corded version of the same saw manufactured by Bosch. The price is affordable but the tool is a little too basic. Some additional features would have made the saw more appealing to professional woodworkers.
Also, the charger and the batteries don’t come with the package. You will have to buy those two separately if you want the device to work. This can be frustrating.
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The best reciprocating saws aren’t always the biggest, or most expensive. This is why some tools that cost less than $100 can be as great or even greater than saws that cost over $200.
Price is a factor you should only consider when you’re working with a tight budget. The primary things you should think about are performance, usability, and durability. With the Bosch 18V Saw, you’re going to get these three things and more.
The GSA18V-083B saw is one of the best in the market thanks to its durable build, vibration control, and cutting capacity. The best part of all these wonderful features is that it comes at an affordable price.
As you can see from our review, the retail price of the device ranges from $110 to $120.
Related article: Bosch 12-Amp Reciprocating Saw
Features Of The Bosch GSA18V-083B Reciprocating Saw
One Arm Control Makes it Easy to Use
The Bosch GSA18V-083B Reciprocating Saw is designed to be used with one arm rather than two. Most saws are two-handed even if they are compact devices.
In the past, there were no battery-powered reciprocating saws. All of them were corded so users needed a direct connection to electricity. Those were big and people held them the same way they held rifles during a hunt.
This was an inconvenience that was eliminated with time and the advancement of technology. Even if modern-day saws are more compact than they used to be, few are one-handed and the GSA18V-083B saw is one of the best among these few.
Instead of holding it like a rifle, you can hold it like a modified pistol and control it with your right or left hand. This is one of the reasons why it is so comfortable to use but it’s not the only reason.
Ergonomic Design For Your Comfort
While the one-handed design is an ergonomic feature, it is not the only feature that makes the saw comfortable. The GSA18V-083B saw is lightweight at just 4.4 pounds.
Even when you add the battery, it only gets a little heavier than 4.4. Many other reciprocating saws weigh up to 8 pounds so you can see why the weight of the Bosch Compact Saw is a significant feature.
With a dimension of 15.75 x 3.15 x 8.1 inches, the saw has a compact design. So, it doesn’t take up too much space in your workshop. The weight and design also make the device easy to wield, especially when you want to make delicate overhead cuts. You will not strain yourself even when you use it for several hours at a time.
Related reading: Bosch 14 Amp Reciprocating Saw
Offers 0.83 Inch Stroke and 0-3050 Per Cut
The cutting capacity of the Bosch GSA18V-083B Reciprocating Saw is impressive. You will get 0.83-inch strokes per cut. This is kind of low for the stroke length of an 18V compact saw.
Considering the size of the GSA18V-083B and the fact that it is battery powered, 0.83 stroke length is not bad. This gives it limitations especially when it comes to cutting thick materials. A stroke length of 1 to 1½ inches would have given you more cutting power.
Also, the knife will give you 0-3050 strokes per minute which is more than what many other portable saws can offer. It has a variable speed feature. So, you can adjust the speed to meet the needs of the material you’re trying to cut.
Battery-powered And Affordable Price
The Bosch GSA18V-083B Saw is battery-powered. Like with many other battery-powered saws on Amazon, the batteries and chargers don’t come with the pack.
Battery-powered reciprocating saws are supposed to be cheaper than their corded counterparts but manufacturers have made it a habit of not adding the batteries or chargers to the package.
When you add the cost for buying batteries and chargers to the cost of the saw, the amount will be more than what it costs to buy a powerful corded reciprocating saw.
The price of the bare Bosch 18V Compact Saw ranges from $110 to $120. This, on its own, is affordable. However, you’ll spend around $60 or more on the batteries and chargers making the total a little too high.
Bosch GSA18V-083B Reciprocating Saw Review The Verdict
The Bosch GSA18V-083B Reciprocating Saw is a great option for anyone looking for a one-handed power tool that will fulfill their cutting needs.
As you’ve seen on our review, it has all the basic features of a reciprocating saw but it doesn’t have an orbital control feature which typically comes in handy for demolishing-style woodworking.
Buying the bare tool without batteries and chargers makes the total a little too high.
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