Bosch GWS 18-125 V-LI Professional Cordless Angle Grinder Instruction Manual

BOSCH GWS 18-125 V-LI Professional Cordless Angle Grinder

Safety Instructions

General Power Tool Safety Warnings

WARNING Read all safety warnings and all instructions. Failure to follow the warnings and instructions may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury.
Save all warnings and instructions for future reference.
The term “power tool” in the warnings refers to your mains-operated (corded) power tool or battery-operated (cordless) power tool.

Work area safety

• Keep work area clean and well lit. Cluttered or dark areas invite accidents.
• Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases or dust. Power tools create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.
• Keep children and bystanders away while operating a power tool. Distractions can cause you to lose control.

Electrical safety

• Power tool plugs must match the outlet. Never modify the plug in any way. Do not use any adapter plugs with earthed (grounded) power tools. Unmodified plugs and matching outlets will reduce risk of electric shock.
• Avoid body contact with earthed or grounded surfaces, such as pipes, radiators, ranges and refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electric shock if your body is earthed or grounded.
• Do not expose power tools to rain or wet conditions. Water entering a power tool will increase the risk of electric shock.
• Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord for carrying, pulling or unplugging the power tool. Keep cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges or moving parts. Damaged or entangled cords increase the risk of electric shock.
• When operating a power tool outdoors, use an extension cord suitable for outdoor use. Use of a cord suitable for outdoor use reduces the risk of electric shock..
• If operating a power tool in a damp location is unavoidable, use a residual current device (RCD) protected supply. Use of an RCD reduces the risk of electric shock.

Personal safety

• Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating a power tool. Do not use a power tool while you are tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication. A moment of inattention while operating power tools may result in serious personal injury.
• Use personal protective equipment. Always wear eye protection. Protective equipment such as dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection used for appropriate conditions will reduce personal injuries.
• Prevent unintentional starting. Ensure the switch is in the off-position before connecting to power source and/or battery pack, picking up or carrying the tool. Carrying power tools with your finger on the switch or energising power tools that have the switch on invites accidents.
• Remove any adjusting key or wrench before turning the power tool on. A wrench or a key left attached to a rotating part of the power tool may result in personal injury.
• Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. This enables better control of the power tool in unexpected situations.
• Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. Keep your hair, clothing and gloves away from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewellery or long hair can be caught in moving parts.
• If devices are provided for the connection of dust extraction and collection facilities, ensure these are connected and properly used. Use of dust collection can reduce dust-related hazards.

Power tool use and care

• Do not force the power tool. Use the correct power tool for your application. The correct power tool will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it was designed.
• Do not use the power tool if the switch does not turn it on and off. Any power tool that cannot be controlled with the switch is dangerous and must be repaired.
• Disconnect the plug from the power source and/or the battery pack from the power tool before making any adjustments, changing accessories, or storing power tools. Such preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting the power tool accidentally.
• Store idle power tools out of the reach of children and do not allow persons unfamiliar with the power tool or these instructions to operate the power tool. Power tools are dangerous in the hands of untrained users.
• Maintain power tools. Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage of parts and any other condition that may affect the power tool’s operation. If damaged, have the power tool repaired before use. Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained power tools.
• Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly maintained cutting tools with sharp cutting edges are less likely to bind and are easier to control.
• Use the power tool, accessories and tool bits etc. in accordance with these instructions, taking into account the working conditions and the work to be performed. Use of the power tool for operations different from those intended could result in a hazardous situation.

Battery tool use and care

• Recharge only with the charger specified by the manufacturer. A charger that is suitable for one type of battery pack may create a risk of fire when used with another battery pack.
• Use power tools only with specifically designated battery packs. Use of any other battery packs may create a risk of injury and fire.
• When battery pack is not in use, keep it away from other metal objects, like paper clips, coins, keys, nails, screws or other small metal objects, that can make a connection from one terminal to another. Shorting the battery terminals together may cause burns or a fire.
• Under abusive conditions, liquid may be ejected from the battery; avoid contact. If contact accidentally occurs, flush with water. If liquid contacts eyes, additionally seek medical help. Liquid ejected from the battery may cause irritation or burns.

Service

• Have your power tool serviced by a qualified repair person using only identical replacement parts. This will ensure that the safety of the power tool is maintained.

Safety Warnings for Angle Grinder

Safety Warnings common for Grinding, Sanding, Wire Brushing or Abrasive Cutting Off operations

• This power tool is intended to function as a grinder, sander, wire brush or cut-off tool. Read all safety warnings, instructions, illustrations and specifications provided with this power tool. Failure to follow all instructions listed below may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury.
• Operations such as polishing are not recommended to be performed with this power tool. Operations for which the power tool was not designed may create a hazard and cause personal injury.
• Do not use accessories which are not specifically designed and recommended by the tool manufacturer. Just because the accessory can be attached to your power tool, it does not assure safe operation.
• The rated speed of the accessory must be at least equal to the maximum speed marked on the power tool. Accessories running faster than their rated speed can break and fly apart.
• The outside diameter and the thickness of your ac-cessory must be within the capacity rating of your power tool. Incorrectly sized accessories cannot be adequately guarded or controlled.
• Threaded mounting of accessories must match the grinder spindle thread. For accessories mounted by flanges, the arbour hole of the accessory must fit the locating diameter of the flange. Accessories that do not match the mounting hardware of the power tool will run out of balance, vibrate excessively and may cause loss of control.
• Do not use a damaged accessory. Before each use inspect the accessory such as abrasive wheels for chips and cracks, backing pad for cracks, tear or excess wear, wire brush for loose or cracked wires. If power tool or accessory is dropped, inspect for damage or in-stall an undamaged accessory. After inspecting and installing an accessory, position yourself and bystanders away from the plane of the rotating accessory and run the power tool at maximum no load speed for one minute. Damaged accessories will normally break apart during this test time.
• Wear personal protective equipment. Depending on application, use face shield, safety goggles or safety glasses. As appropriate, wear dust mask, hearing protectors, gloves and workshop apron capable of stopping small abrasive or workpiece fragments. The eye protection must be capable of stopping flying debris generated by various operations . The dust mask or respirator must be capable of filtrating particles generated by your operation. Prolonged exposure to high intensity noise may cause hearing loss.
• Keep bystanders a safe distance away from work area. Anyone entering the work area must wear personal protective equipment. Fragments of workpiece or of a broken accessory may fly away and cause injury beyond immediate area of operation.
• Hold the power tool by insulated gripping surfaces only, when performing an operation where the cutting accessory may contact hidden wiring. Contact with a “live” wire will also make exposed metal parts of the power tool “live” and could give the operator an electric shock.
• Never lay the power tool down until the accessory has come to a complete stop. The spinning accessory may grab the surface and pull the power tool out of your control.
• Do not run the power tool while carrying it at your side. Accidental contact with the spinning accessory could snag your clothing, pulling the accessory into your body.
• Regularly clean the power tool’s air vents. The motor’s fan will draw the dust inside the housing and excessive accumulation of powdered metal may cause electrical hazards.
• Do not operate the power tool near flammable materi-als. Sparks could ignite these materials.
• Do not use accessories that require liquid coolants. Using water or other liquid coolants may result in electrocution or shock.

Kickback and Related Warnings

Kickback is a sudden reaction to a pinched or snagged rotating wheel, backing pad, brush or any other accessory. Pinching or snagging causes rapid stalling of the rotating accessory which in turn causes the uncontrolled power tool to be forced in the direction opposite of the accessory’s rotation at the point of the binding.
For example, if an abrasive wheel is snagged or pinched by the workpiece, the edge of the wheel that is entering into the pinch point can dig into the surface of the material causing the wheel to climb out or kick out. The wheel may either jump toward or away from the operator, depending on direction of the wheel’s movement at the point of pinching. Abrasive wheels may also break under these conditions. Kickback is the result of power tool misuse and/or incorrect operating procedures or conditions and can be avoided by taking proper precautions as given below.

• Maintain a firm grip on the power tool and position your body and arm to allow you to resist kickback forces. Always use auxiliary handle, if provided, for maximum control over kickback or torque reaction during start-up. The operator can control torque reactions or kickback forces, if proper precautions are taken.
• Never place your hand near the rotating accessory. Accessory may kickback over your hand.
• Do not position your body in the area where power tool will move if kickback occurs. Kickback will propel the tool in direction opposite to the wheel’s movement at the point of snagging.
• Use special care when working corners, sharp edges etc. Avoid bouncing and snagging the accessory. Corners, sharp edges or bouncing have a tendency to snag the rotating accessory and cause loss of control or kickback.
• Do not attach a saw chain woodcarving blade or toothed saw blade. Such blades create frequent kickback and loss of control.

Safety Warnings specific for Grinding and Abrasive Cutting-Off operations

• Use only wheel types that are recommended for your power tool and the specific guard designed for the se-lected wheel. Wheels for which the power tool was not designed cannot be adequately guarded and are unsafe.
• The grinding surface of centre depressed wheels must be mounted below the plane of the guard lip. An improperly mounted wheel that projects through the plane of the guard lip cannot be adequately protected.
• The guard must be securely attached to the power tool and positioned for maximum safety, so the least amount of wheel is exposed towards the operator. The guard helps to protect operator from broken wheel fragments, accidental contact with wheel and sparks that could ignite clothing.
• Wheels must be used only for recommended applications. For example: do not grind with the side of cut-off wheel. Abrasive cut-off wheels are intended for peripheral grinding, side forces applied to these wheels may cause them to shatter.
• Always use undamaged wheel flanges that are of correct size and shape for your selected wheel. Proper wheel flanges support the wheel thus reducing the possibility of wheel breakage. Flanges for cut-off wheels may be different from grinding wheel flanges.
• Do not use worn down wheels from larger power tools. Wheel intended for larger power tool is not suitable for the higher speed of a smaller tool and may burst.

Additional Safety Warnings specific for Abrasive Cutting Off operations

• Do not “jam” the cut-off wheel or apply excessive pressure. Do not attempt to make an excessive depth of cut. Overstressing the wheel increases the loading and susceptibility to twisting or binding of the wheel in the cut and the possibility of kickback or wheel breakage.
• Do not position your body in line with and behind the rotating wheel. When the wheel, at the point of operation, is moving away from your body, the possible kick-back may propel the spinning wheel and the power tool directly at you.
• When wheel is binding or when interrupting a cut for any reason, switch off the power tool and hold the power tool motionless until the wheel comes to a complete stop. Never attempt to remove the cut-off wheel from the cut while the wheel is in motion otherwise kickback may occur. Investigate and take corrective action to eliminate the cause of wheel binding.
• Do not restart the cutting operation in the workpiece. Let the wheel reach full speed and carefully re-enter the cut. The wheel may bind, walk up or kickback if the power tool is restarted in the workpiece.
• Support panels or any oversized workpiece to minimize the risk of wheel pinching and kickback. Large workpieces tend to sag under their own weight. Supports must be placed under the workpiece near the line of cut and near the edge of the workpiece on both sides of the wheel.
• Use extra caution when making a “pocket cut” into existing walls or other blind areas. The protruding wheel may cut gas or water pipes, electrical wiring or objects that can cause kickback.

Safety Warnings specific for Sanding operations

• Do not use excessively oversized sanding disc paper. Follow manufacturers recommendations, when selecting sanding paper. Larger sanding paper extending beyond the sanding pad presents a laceration hazard and may cause snagging, tearing of the disc, or kickback.

Safety Warnings specific for Wire Brushing operations

• Be aware that wire bristles are thrown by the brush even during ordinary operation. Do not overstress the wires by applying excessive load to the brush The wire bristles can easily penetrate light clothing and/or skin.
• If the use of a guard is recommended for wire brushing, do not allow any interference of the wire wheel or brush with the guard. Wire wheel or brush may expand in diameter due to work load and centrifugal forces.

Additional Safety Information
Wear safety goggles.

• Use suitable detectors to determine if there are hidden supply lines or contact the local utility company for assistance. Contact with electric cables can cause fire and electric shock. Damaging gas lines can lead to explosion. Breaking water pipes causes property damage.
• Do not touch grinding and cutting discs until they have cooled down. The discs can become very hot while working.
• Release the On/Off switch and set it to the Off position when the power supply is interrupted, e.g. when the battery pack is removed. This prevents uncontrolled restarting.
• Secure the workpiece. A workpiece clamped with clamping devices or in a vice is held more secure than by hand.
• Do not open the battery. There is a risk of short-circuiting.
• Protect the battery against heat, e.g. against continuous intense sunlight, fire, dirt, water and moisture. There is a risk of explosion and short-circuiting.
• In case of damage and improper use of the battery, vapors may be emitted. The battery can set alight or explode. Ensure the area is well ventilated and seek medical attention should you experience any adverse effects. The vapours may irritate the respiratory system.
• Only use the battery with products from the manufacturer. This is the only way in which you can protect the battery against dangerous overload.
• The battery can be damaged by pointed objects such as nails or screwdrivers or by force applied externally. An internal short circuit may occur, causing the battery to burn, smoke, explode or overheat.
• Caution! When using the power tool with Bluetooth®, a fault may occur in other devices and systems, aero-planes and medical devices (e.g. pacemakers, hearing aids). Also, damage to people and animals in the immediate vicinity cannot be completely excluded. Do not use the power tool with Bluetooth® in the vicinity of medical devices, petrol stations, chemical plants, areas with a potentially explosive atmosphere or in blasting areas. Do not use the power tool with Bluetooth® in aircraft. Avoid using the product near your body for extended periods.

The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Robert Bosch Power Tools GmbH is under li-cense.

Product Description and Specifications

Read all the safety and general instructions. Failure to observe the safety and general instructions may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury.
Please observe the illustrations at the beginning of this operating manual.

Intended use

The power tool is intended for cutting, roughing and brushing metal and stone materials without the use of water.
A special protective guard for cutting must be used when cutting bonded abrasives.
Sufficient dust extraction must be provided when cutting stone.
With approved abrasive tools, the power tool can be used for sanding with sanding discs.
With the Bluetooth® Low Energy Module GCY 42 inserted, power tool data and settings can be transferred between the power tool and a mobile device by means of Bluetooth® wire-less technology.

Product Features

The numbering of the product features refers to the diagram of the power tool on the graphics page.

1. Direction-of-rotation arrow on housing
2. Spindle lock button
3. On/Off switch
4. Hex key
5. Battery pack *
6. Battery unlocking button *
7. Auxiliary handle (insulated gripping surface)
8. Grinder spindle
9. Locking screw for protection guard
10. Protection guard for grinding
11. Mounting flange with O-ring
12. Grinding wheel*
13. Clamping nut
14. Quick-clamping nut *
15. Carbide grinding head*
16. Protection guard for cutting*
17. Cutting disc*
18. Hand guard*
19. Rubber sanding plate*
20. Sanding sheet*
21. Round nut*
22. Cup brush*
23. Button for charge-control indicator*
24. Battery charge-control indicator*
25. Handle (insulated gripping surface)
26. Cutting guide with dust extraction protection guard *
27. Diamond cutting disc

Accessories shown or described are not part of the standard delivery scope of the product. A complete overview of accessories can be found in our accessories program.

Technical Data

Weight according to EPTA-Procedure 01:2014C)

Noise/Vibration Information

Noise emission values determined according to EN 60745-2-3. Typically, the A-weighted noise level of the power tool is The vibration level given in these instructions has been measured in accordance with a standardised measuring pro-cedure and may be used to compare power tools. It can also be used for a preliminary estimation of exposure to vibration. The stated vibration level applies to the main applications of the power tool. However, if the power tool is used for different applications, with different application tools or poorly maintained, the vibration level may differ. This can significantly increase the exposure to vibration over the total working period. To estimate the exposure to vibration accurately, the times when the tool is switched off or when it is running but not actually being used should also be taken into account. This can significantly reduce the exposure to vibration over the total working period.
Implement additional safety measures to protect the operator from the effects of vibration, such as servicing the power tool and application tools, keeping the hands warm, and organising workflows correctly.

Fitting

Using the GCY 42 Bluetooth® Low Energy Module
Note: The GCY 42 Bluetooth ® Low Energy Module is available as an accessory with GWS 18V-15 C power tools; it is included in the scope of delivery for GWS 18V-15 SC power tools.
Read the corresponding operating instructions for information about the Bluetooth® Low Energy Module GCY 42.

Charging the battery

• Use only the chargers listed in the technical data. Only these chargers are matched to the lithium-ion battery of your power tool.
  Note: The battery is supplied partially charged. To ensure full battery capacity, fully charge the battery in the charger before using your power tool for the first time.
  The lithium-ion battery can be charged at any time without reducing its service life. Interrupting the charging process does not damage the battery.
  The lithium-ion battery is protected against deep discharge by the “Electronic Cell Protection (ECP)”. When the battery is discharged, the power tool is switched off by means of a protective circuit: The application tool no longer rotates.
• Do not continue to press the On/Off switch after the power tool has automatically switched off. The battery can be damaged.

Follow the instructions on correct disposal.

Removing the Battery
The battery (7) is equipped with two locking levels to prevent the battery from falling out if the battery release button (8) is pressed unintentionally. As long as the battery is inserted in the power tool, it is held in position by means of a spring.
To remove the battery (7), press the release button (8) and pull the battery out of the power tool. Do not use force to do this.

Battery charge indicator
The green LEDs on the battery charge indicator indicate the state of charge of the battery. For safety reasons, it is only possible to check the state of charge when the power tool is not in operation.
Press the button for the battery charge indicator or to show the state of charge. This is also possible when the bat-tery is removed.
If no LED lights up after pressing the button for the battery charge indicator, then the battery is defective and must be replaced.
Note: The state of charge of the battery is also displayed on the user interface (4) (see “Status indications”, page 30).

Battery model GBA 18V… Fitting Protective Equipment

Remove the battery from the power tool before carrying out work on the power tool (e.g. maintenance, changing tool, etc.). The battery should also be re-moved for transport and storage. There is risk of injury from unintentionally pressing the on/off switch.

Note: If the grinding disc breaks during operation or the holding fixtures on the protective guard/power tool become damaged, the power tool must be sent to the after-sales service immediately; see the “After-Sales Service and Application Service” section for addresses.

A protective guard for grinding

Place the protective guard (14) onto the holder on the power tool until the coding cams of the protective guard are aligned with the holder. When doing so, press and hold the unlocking lever (1). Press the protective guard (14) onto the spindle collar until the shoulder of the protective guard is sitting on the flange of the power tool and rotate the protective guard until it audibly clicks into place.
Adjust the position of the protective guard (14) to meet the requirements of the operation. To do this, push the unlock-ing lever (1) upward and rotate the protective guard (14) into the required position.

• Always position the protective guard (14) such that the two cams on the unlocking lever  (1) engage in the corresponding openings on the protective guard  (14).
• Adjust the protective guard (14) such that sparking in the direction of the operator is prevented.
• The protective guard (14) must only be adjustable while the unlocking lever (1) is actuated. Otherwise, the power tool must not be used any more under any

circumstances and must be sent to the after-sales service.
Note: The coding cams on the protective guard (14) ensure that only a protective guard that is suitable for the power tool can be fitted.

A protective guard for cutting

• Always use the protective guard for cutting (16) when cutting with bonded abrasives.
• Provide sufficient dust extraction when cutting stone.

The protective guard for cutting (16) is fitted in the same way as the protective guard for grinding (14).
Extraction guard for cutting with a guide block
The extraction guard for cutting with a guide block (26) is fit-ted in the same way as the protective guard for grinding
(14).

Extraction guard for sanding
The extraction guard (10) can be used to minimise dust when sanding paint, varnish and plastics in conjunction with the carbide grinding head (12). The extraction guard (10) is not suitable for working metals.
A suitable Bosch vacuum cleaner can be connected to the extraction guard (10).
The extraction guard (10) is mounted in the same manner as the protective guard (14). The brush collar can be replaced.

Side handle

Do not operate your power tool without the side handle (9).

Screw the side handle (9) on the left or right of the machine head depending on how your are working.

Low-vibration auxiliary handle

The low-vibration auxiliary handle reduces vibration, enabling the tool to be used safely and more comfortably.

• Do not make any alterations of any kind to the auxiliary handle.

Do not continue to use a damaged auxiliary handle. Handguard

• Always fit the hand guard (20) when working with the rubber sanding plate (21) or with the cup brush/disc brush/flap disc.

Attach the hand guard (20) to the side handle (9).

Fitting the abrasive tools

• Remove the battery from the power tool before carrying out work on the power tool (e.g. maintenance, changing tool, etc.). The battery should also be removed for transport and storage. There is risk of injury from unintentionally pressing the on/off switch.
• Do not touch grinding and cutting discs until they have cooled down. The discs can become very hot while working. Clean the grinding spindle (19) and all the parts to be fitted.
  Lock the grinding spindle with the spindle lock button (3) before clamping and releasing the abrasive tools.
• Do not press the spindle lock button while the grinding spindle is moving. The power tool may become damaged if you do this.

Grinding/Cutting Disc
Pay attention to the dimensions of the abrasive tools. The diameter of the hole must match that of the hub flange. Do not use an adapter or reducer.
When using diamond cutting discs, ensure that the arrow indicating the direction of rotation on the diamond cutting disc matches the direction of rotation of the power tool (see the direction of rotation arrow on the machine head).
See the graphics page for fitting instructions.
Use the quick-clamping nut (13) to secure the grinding/cutting disc without the need for additional tools.
Only use the quick-clamping nut (13) for grinding/cutting discs up to a maximum diameter of 150 mm.

• The quick-clamping nut (13) may be used only for grinding or cutting discs.
• Only use quick-clamping nuts (13) that are in good working order and not damaged.
• When screwing on, make sure that the printed side of the quick-clamping nut (13) is not facing the grinding disc.
• Always secure a grinding/cutting disc using only the quick-clamping nut (13) supplied. Press the spindle lock button (3) to lock the grinding spindle. To tighten the quick-clamping nut (13), fold up the bar and turn the quick-clamping nut firmly clockwise. Then fold down the bar to secure the quick-clamping nut. It is not sufficient to tighten the disc along the edge. Quick-clamping nuts (13) that are properly secured and not damaged can be removed by hand. To do this, fold up the bar and turn the quick-clamping nut firmly anticlockwise. If the quick-clamping nut is stuck, do not attempt to loosen it with a tool – always use a two-pin spanner. After fitting the hub flange and the grinding/cutting disc, the free thread length of the grinding spindle must be at least 4 mm.
  Ensure that the abrasive tool is firmly seated, so that it does not twist away from the spindle in the runout of the power tool. A plastic part (O-ring) is fitted around the cent-ring collar in the hub flange (11). If the O-ring is missing or damaged, the hub flange (11) must be replaced before the operation can resume.
• After fitting the abrasive tool, check that the abrasive tool is fitted correctly and can turn freely before switching on the power tool. Make sure that the abrasive tool does not brush against the protective guard or other parts.

Flap disc

• Always fit the hand guard (20) when working with the flap disc.

Rubber Sanding Pad

• Always fit the hand guard (20) when working with the rubber sanding pad (21).

See the graphics page for fitting instructions.
Slide the rubber sanding pad (21) onto the grinding spindle (19).
Press the sanding sheet (22) firmly onto the underside of the rubber sanding pad (21).
Screw on the round nut (23) and tighten with a two-pin spanner.

Cup brush/disc brush

• Always fit the hand guard (20) when working with the cup brush or disc brush.

See the graphics page for fitting instructions.
The cup brush/disc brush must be screwed onto the grinding spindle until it rests firmly against the grinding spindle flange at the end of the grinding spindle thread. Tighten the cup brush/disc brush with an open-ended spanner.

Carbide Grinding Head

• A grinding head may be used only with a suitable protective guard.

Approved abrasive tools

You can use all the abrasive tools mentioned in these operating instructions.
The permissible speed [min-1] or the circumferential speed [m/s] of the abrasive tools used must at least match the values given in the table.
It is therefore important to observe the permissible rotational/circumferential speed on the label of the abrasive tool.

Rotating the Machine Head (GWS 18V-15 C)

• Remove the battery from the power tool before carrying out work on the power tool (e.g. maintenance, changing tool, etc.). The battery should also be removed for transport and storage. There is a risk of injury from unintentionally pressing the on/off switch. The machine head can be rotated in 90° increments. In this way, the on/off switch can be brought into a more favorable handling position for particular applications, e.g. for left-handed tool users.
  Completely unscrew the four screws. Rotate the machine head carefully, without removing it from the housing, into the new position. Screw in and retighten the four screws.

Dust/Chip Extraction
Dust from materials such as lead-containing coatings, some wood types, minerals, and metal can be harmful to one’s health. Touching or breathing in the dust can cause allergic reactions and/or lead to respiratory infections of the user or bystanders.
Certain dust, such as oak or beech dust, is considered carcinogenic, especially in connection with wood-treatment additives (chromate, wood preservative). Materials containing asbestos may only be worked by specialists.

• Provide for good ventilation of the working place.
• It is recommended to wear a P2 filter-class respirator. Observe the relevant regulations in your country for the materials to be worked.
  • Avoid dust accumulation at the workplace. Dust can easily ignite.

Operation

Start-up

Inserting the battery
Push the charged battery (7) into the base of the power tool from the front until the battery is securely locked.

Switching on/off
To start the power tool, push the on/off switch (5) forward. To lock the on/off switch (5) in position, push the on/off switch (5) forward and down until it clicks into place.
To switch off the power tool, release the on/off switch (5); or, if the switch is locked, briefly push the on/off switch (5) backward and down and then release it.

• Always check abrasive tools before using them. The abrasive tool must be fitted properly and be able to move freely. Carry out a test run for at least one minute with no load. Do not use abrasive tools that are damaged, run untrue or vibrate during use. Damaged abrasive tools can burst apart and cause injuries.

Kickback stop

If there is a sudden kickback in the power tool, e.g. jamming in a separating cut, the power supply to the motor will be interrupted electronically. The kickback stop indicator(29) then lights up. When kickback stop is activated, the status indicator (33) flashes red.
To restart the tool, set the on/off switch (5) to the off position and then switch the power tool on again.

Restart protection
The restart protection feature prevents the power tool from starting unintentionally after the power supply to it has been interrupted.
When restart protection is activated, the status indicator (33) flashes red.
To restart the tool, set the on/off switch (5) to the off position and then switch the power tool on again.

Impact shutdown
The integrated impact shutdown switches the power tool off as soon as it hits the floor. The status indicator (33) then flashes red.

To restart the tool, set the on/off switch (5) to the off position and then switch the power tool on again.

User interface
The user interface (4) is used to preselect the speed and to indicate the status of the power tool.

Speed Preselection (GWS 18V-15 SC)
In the default setting, 3 speed levels are preset. A special application (Bosch Toolbox App) can be used to program up to 6 speed levels.
If the number of speed levels is changed, the values of the individual levels are adjusted by default. In this case, the speed level/mode indicator (31) lights up white. When a speed value is programmed individually, the speed level/mode indicator (31) lights up blue at this speed level (i.e. not according to a default setting). The individual adaptation of speed levels is possible in steps of 200 min-1 each. Observe the ascending logic of the steps (2 ≥ 1 / 3 ≥ 2 etc).
The information in the tables below describes the preset speeds (default settings) for each programmed number of levels.

Maintenance and Service

Maintenance and Cleaning

• Before any work on the machine itself (e. g. maintenance, tool change, etc.) as well as during transport and storage, remove the battery from the power tool. There is danger of injury when unintentionally actuating the On/Off switch.
• For safe and proper working, always keep the machine and ventilation slots clean. Please store and handle the accessory(-ies) carefully.

After-Sales Service and Application Service
Our after-sales service responds to your questions concerning maintenance and repair of your product as well as spare parts. You can find explosion drawings and information on spare parts at: www.bosch-pt.com

The Bosch product use advice team will be happy to help you with any questions about our products and their accessories.
In all correspondence and spare parts orders, please always include the 10‑digit article number given on the nameplate of the product.

Great Britain
Robert Bosch Ltd. (B.S.C.)
P.O. Box 98
Broadwater Park
North Orbital Road
Denham Uxbridge
UB 9 5HJ
At www.bosch-pt.co.uk you can order spare parts or arrange the collection of a product in need of servicing or repair. Tel. Service: (0344) 7360109
E-Mail:
You can find further service addresses at:
www.bosch-pt.com/serviceaddresses

Transport

The contained lithium-ion batteries are subject to the Dangerous Goods Legislation requirements. The batteries are suitable for road transport by the user without further restrictions.
When shipping by third parties (e.g.: by air transport or forwarding agency), special requirements on packaging and la-belling must be observed. For preparation of the item being shipped, consulting an expert for hazardous material is required.
Dispatch battery packs only when the housing is undamaged. Tape or mask off open contacts and pack up the battery in such a manner that it cannot move around in the packaging. Please also observe the possibility of more detailed national regulations.

Disposal

Power tools, rechargeable batteries, accessories and packaging should be sorted for environmental-friendly recycling.
Do not dispose of power tools and batteries/rechargeable batteries into household waste!

Only for EU countries:
According to the Directive 2012/19/EU, power tools that are no longer usable, and according to the Directive 2006/66/EC, defective or used battery packs/batteries, must be collected separately and disposed of in an environmentally correct manner.

Only for United Kingdom
According to Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2013 (2013/3113) and the Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009 (2009/890), power tools that are no longer usable must be collected separately and disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner.

Battery packs/batteries:
Li-ion:
Please observe the notes in the section on transport (see “Transport”, page 32).