Bosch PMF 180 E Multifunction Tool

Bought this to help with some flooring I was laying a couple of years ago. It worked fine and was well worth the outlay as it saved me lots of time in completing the job.

I have used for several other DIY tasks over the last year and was using to dismantle some cladding from a shed roof when the tool suddenly stopped and wouldn't start.

Having fixed many electrical appliances over the years I felt sure the fault was minor as the tool had not overheated and there was no smell suggesting an internal fault. If you are not competent to work on mains electrical equipment, please seek help from a qualified person

Checked the plug, fuse and cable then with the tool unplugged I opened the caseing. There are about 10 torkx type screws to remove and the case can then be pried apart, there is a small hole on one side of the casing that facilitates this.

Removed the mains wire from the connector block and released from the cable clamp.

The whole motor and electric board can then be removed for inspection. I checked the on off switch for correct operation.

Looking on the web I found a common fault was the crimped connection from the coil windings to the motor board. There are four of these two visible when you open the case and two hidden underneath. Having removed the whole unit, it just lifts out complete, I was able to inspect the crimped connections. I decided to solder all the connections and found that one wire had become detached. Needed to carefully scrape the insulation with a scalpel, tin the wire and add a short piece of thin wire to remake the connection. My metre then showed a connection between each of the four connectors.

Rebuilt the motor into the casing and reconnected the mains cable. When complete I was able to start the motor and the tool has worked for over an hour today finishing my task.

Pity the connection is so vulnerable and would really benefit from a better connection in a device that generates a lot of vibration resulting in stress on this connection

I have had this tool for 2 years used for a short length of time overall.

The tools just stopped working. Dismantled it to find brushes not worn out but in poor condition a small carbon disk from god knows where. The control board was dead not even worth mt time repairing it as I do have the knowledge to do so.

Averall I would not recomend this to anyone.

I thought Bosch was a resonable quality brand, but its rubbish.

Save your money and but a brand like milwaukee,marketa etc.

Very simple method of changing blades using a socket head screw.

The machine failed after only a week of light use. There is an intermittent electrical fault on the motor.

Not impressed by this german engineering

Had mine only 5 months, only used for light work a handful of times and it just stopped dead, checked fuse which was good, no obvious signs of damage to brushes or anything internal! Very disappointed for such an expensive product

Got this tool as a birthday present October 2011 I only use it for light DIY and as such have used it 6 times at the most, having said that on those 6 occasions it was great but after such light use it has suddenly stopped working. No burning motor, no loose wires ( nothing obvious ). Have to say I'm not impressed, it's an expensive tool to be throwing out after using just 6 times but I think that is where it is heading. Also recently had a Bosch jigsaw fall apart at the quick release blade holder over £30 for the replacement part and that's fitting it yourself. Bosch used to be a brand to rely on but I will steer well clear in future.

Don't touch this tool.

Only used a few times before it died. The only reason it gets a 1 star rating is because there is not a no star option.

the switch cuts out i emailed bosch about the multi tool they said it was out of warranty they would have a look if cant repair they would send it back to me free of charge bit it would be striped down and not be put back as it was

Poor quality, expensive to repair

I have used this tool over a period of about 12 month a few times, cut some tiles, plastic and light sanding. Never for more then minutes.

Already dead! Most accessories not ever used. Nice tool to use if it works.

The air slots are in the wrong spot - exactely where you tend to hold the tool.

Get one from ALDI for $40!

Bosch is now the same "quality" as all other tools - and I have used BOSCH products religiously for 50 years!

No more

I bought my PMF 180 E in June 2011 and have used it four times. On three of these occasions the motor stopped working after only a few minutes of light work. The last failure was a week ago, I emailed Bosch Australia but they have not responded. I have given up sending it back for repair, I will buy the Ozito equivalent (my son has had one for 3 years and it has never given any trouble).

Take my advice; buy Ozito, buy quality!