PMF 250 CES
PMF multifunction tools
Meet any challenge.
Bosch PMF 250 CES multifunction tool
Can do simply everything. And make everything really simple.
Regardless of whether renovations or minor repairs in the garden: The multifunction tools from Bosch meet any challenge.
The new multifunction tools from Bosch. MagnetHold or AutoClic for easily changing the various accessories. So you can master any project with ease.
Sawing shadow gaps? Working on tiles? Shortening door frames? Removing scraps of carpet? Sanding window frames? Cutting pipes flush to length? Do it all at once – with the Bosch multifunction tools.
Technical Specifications
- Power Input: 250 W
- No-load speed: 15.000 – 20.000 rpm
- Oscillation angle on left/right: 2.8 degrees
- Weight: 1.2 kg
Sawing
From wood to metal, from the centre right up to the edge: With the Bosch PMF multifunction tools and a large selection of segment- and plunge-cutting saw blades, you can carry out your sawing with ease and precision.
Precise sawing up to edge
Perfect from coarse to fine
No job is too hard
A neat result
| | | |
|---|---|---|
Change the accessory in 3 secondsAutoClic enables you to change the Starlock accessory on your PMF multi-tool faster than ever before. | | The right accessory for simply every requirementWith the new Starlock range of accessories, numerous accessories for various applications are available. In other words: Always the right accessory tailored to any project. |
 |  |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watt/Volts | 220 W | 250 W | 350 W | 10.8 V |
| Cordless | ✓ | |||
| Starlock Compatible | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Starlock Plus Compatible | ✓ | |||
| Magnetic Toolholder (MagnetHold) | ✓ | |||
| 3 Second accessory change (AutoClic) | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Depth Stop | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Additional handle | ✓ | |||
| 180 degree LED Light | ✓ |
| Weight: | 1.2 kg |
| Dimensions: | 38.6 x 29.1 x 11.2 cm; 1.2 Kilograms |
| Model: | 0603102170 |
| Part: | 0603102170 |
| Colour: | Green |
| Pack Quantity: | 1 |
| Batteries Required: | No |
| Batteries Included: | No |
| Manufacture: | Bosch |
| Colour: | Green |
| Quantity: | 1 |
It seems sound but, as others have said, there are less expensive brands on the market that are just as good and accept standard tools, which are a lot less expensive. I can’t see any advantages to this Bosch except that it is Bosch. It’s not good value for money, really.
I had another multi tool that didn’t work very well and the attachments were rubbish. This Bosch one is excellent and so easy to use. A quality item that is well worth the extra money.
I’ve used it for sanding, and for cutting with the straight edge oscillating blade and find it very useful!
I don’t know however I managed without this tool. Absolutely fantastic.
This is an interesting piece of kit. It has numerous cutting, sanding and grinding applications. However there are some weaknesses which after 5 weeks use are becoming apparent. The thread on the fixing screw on the head is already showing signs of wear even at this early stage. Think you might need to go further up the range to get the most resilient tool for the heavier jobs
Brilliant tool should have bought one ages ago. Removed grout using the grout disk and was amazing. Comes in a case. Should buy the dust extraction tool next if removing grou
As a sander this is pretty weak and I definitely wouldn’t recommend it if that is what you want to prioritise the use of this tool for. But for getting through wood (especially with the wood only blades) it is absolutely incredible. I use it for all of my hardwood joint work.
Very disappointed as the item broke straight away. However after a bit of hassle Bosch did replace the complete item. The new one is working fine.
Fantastic product. Easy to use indoors and outdoors. Provides a clean, precise and professional finish to wood, metal and more. Would definitely recommend.
Does everything, easy to use, loads of accessories both in the box and available online.
Does everything, easy to use, loads of accessories both in the box and available online.
Have used this tool a few times now and I wish I had bought it long ago. Excellent tool and Bosch so all good
I don’t know how I’ve survived without this tool it’s so versatile , it’s also well made and reasonably priced I’m really pleased
it is very qualified machine , It can be used for many purposes
Bosch have changed to tool head on this particular machine, that means that your existing blades do not fit it, so you have to go out and buy new blades. Not an issue if it is new to you, but very frustrating if it is a replacement machine you have purchased. Check first.
A good quality tool. Only negative is the non-standard star-lock blade fitting which means you have to use proprietary blades.
I wanted to get a cordless and was shocked at the prices, especially as a lot of the manufacturers charge for the battery and charger separately – what a joke.
I should have bought this years ago, it is excellent at cutting into very hard to reach places. This tool would have saved me so much time in the past, I highly recommend i
It is pretty nice and easy to use Bosch toll. I have been using it for my woodworking projects. The vibration passed to hand is negligible and not disturbing. Would recommend to woodworking community
We had a Bosch one before which died after a couple of year so brought a different make hoping for the best but it died before first actual use (worked when first plugged in but when actually needed a few days later absolutely nothing) so returned and went back to what we know and so glad we did, another fantastic Bosch tool, so many uses and an amazing work horse, highly recommend.
Shame this is getting discontinued for others to enjoy. Great versatile & ergonomically friendly tool welcomed to my tool inventory.
Why did I wait so long to get one, if you don’t own one and you do diy then get one you won’t regret it, in the past I used a 4″ angle grinder to chase plaster walls for electric cables and wait 2 hours for the dust to settle but with the multi tool no to very little dust and any dust just fell to the ground just like when you drill, so impressed all round with it.
I bought this one to cut some skirting for my new fireplace. It did its job perfectly. Cuts the wood like butter. I have also noticed it can remove grouting (just need to buy some extra tools) – that’s my next buy. Highly recommend the tool. IT can save a lot of time with small DIY tasks
Versatility:- 1 Sander. 2 cutter. 3 Tile removal. 4 recalcitrant screw cutter. 5 Rubbing doors. 6 Raising of door frames for laminate flooring. 7 Cutting of copper pipes in difficult locations +lots more
Excellent machine for sawing a range of materials including wood, corrugated plastic sheet etc.
However the sanding pad won’t retain a sand paper for more than a few seconds when held against the surface to be sanded. Whilst the sanding sheets have a velcro side,the machine pad is merely a serrated surface.
Could not have removed all the grouting from between the shower tiles without it. It was marvellous ! I am looking forward to using it for other projects as well. Very versatile!!
Great tool i bought it to replace an old one and this one is much bette
It did not last long. An extremely useful and versatile tool, but I expect Bosch to be a cut above the rest for longevity. Very noisy!! Also the accessories are ridiculously expensive.
Used this for sanding and cutting small cut outs in wood. So far so good. Not bought any replacement blades or additional equipment. Must say a bit disappointed that you can not buy any new bits they have to be Bosch. Nonetheless happy with it’s versatility.
Love this one, I use this for all my home DIY jobs. It can do a multitude of jobs its very reliable and I would be lost without it. Highly recommneded
Have not had the item long but it seems to be a good product, though difficult to purchase extra blades.
It’s Bosh and you can’t go wrong with this price. I’m using it for over two years and it’s still going. Awesome!
I did buy this as my old one packed up but in saying that its amazing, i find when im looking at a job and wondering how im going to get it done this multi-tool will have some part to play in getting the job done.
I named it the magic tool for me
I got it very fast from amazon
already I use it
Really Thank you so much
I have most tools and thought I didn’t need this but wow very versatile and useful ! Although the ‘starlock’ type blades aren’t as available as the other locking mechanism type.
I first saw one of these tools being used some years ago by a professional and was very impressed with its versatility, but less so with the cost of the tools at that time. Faced with some jobs of my own I finally decided to buy one and have since been very impressed by just how versatile they can be. From simple cutting jobs in the garden where using another tool would have taken hours, right through to using it to fit flooring this one has proven to be a great choice. I’ve achieved excellent results with only a little practice and have been delighted with my choice. The built-in light on this tool is a handy feature and the Starlock system allows the tools to be changed rapidly and without a fuss. If I was being picky then I’d only say that the replacement blades can be pricey as there’s very little aftermarket choice which actually fits, but to be fair even the official blades can be bought at a reasonable price if you buy them in packs.
Brought tool to make cutting through floorboards / skirting boards easier – Does this with ease and tool is perfect for what we brought it for.
Loses a star for using a proprietary “Starlock” mechanism to attach the blades which cost a fortune, can’t find an adapter to fit general blades either – big FU to Bosch for that on this product.
Solid machine but too heavy for me so had to return it will get a lighter model
A brilliant piece of kit! Very handy, lightweight and a fab hand for sanding
A great multi-purpose tool with a wide variety of attachment heads.
Very useful and versatile tool. Good quality and simple to use.
Good price (same a B&Q) with our having to visit the shops.
I specifically wanted to avoid cordless versions of the tool since I don’t expect to use it often, and didn’t want the battery to die of neglect between uses. But, once I had the tool I was surprised by how often I found a use for it, where it was clearly the best tool for the job. For example I had to cut an access hole in a plasterboard wall in order to fish some network cable. Plunge cutting with one of the supplied blades made short and accurate work of that!
Another was cutting away the tongue on some floorboards I needed to lift (that network cable again). Again this tool did it easily. I’ve used a circular saw for this job in the past, but the circular saw takes a lot of setup to avoid plunging too deep and is frankly a bit scary to use that way (have to pull the guard open, don’t fancy hitting a nail with one of them). With the multitool you just put the right blade in and start cutting: progress isn’t as fast but in many ways that’s a good thing for an amateur. You can feel in your hands when you’re through, so there’s little danger of slicing right through and hitting a cable or water pipe, especially if you choose a short blade.
As to that rotted skirting, it was a doddle: I made a scarf cut over a stud just past the nails and simply lifted the skirting away. Absolutely no chance of damaging the plaster, I literally can’t think of any other tool I could have used.
Only one downer, nothing to do with the tool itself: Amazon suggested that “customers also buy” a pack of 10 “wood+metal” blades, not Bosch made. Those were absolutely useless. I had a floorboard screw that was spinning in its hole so I thought I’d cut it out, having removed the neighbouring board. The cheap blade only made it halfway through the 4mm screw before it was completely blunt. Yes I know the genuine Bosch blades are expensive, and frankly you can say what you like, but I won’t be wasting my time on any more cheapo blade sets for this thing.
Recommended. A multitool is simply the best tool for some jobs, and this Bosch corded tool seems to be good quality and has a nice quick tool change mechanism. Obviously I can’t say anything about longevity.
The drill arrived before the day expected just what we needed
Good tool – works in India also – the parts are also useful like the sandpaper bit. The box is much bigger than expected but it holds the item sturdy.
Only reason for marking this down a star, is the starlock system which limits the choice of cheaper third party blades.
My fault for not researching the options properly. Great for hard to get at cuts, like floorboards.
Powerful little machine, does the job perfectly and very light. You’ll need to buy extra attachments to fully utilise the tool. Very good tool from a great brand
I’ve used it to remove grout, detail sand and cut a slot in a threaded screw. It has handled each job very easily and effectively. The tool clip on and release mechanism is excellent as is the variable speed when precision is required. This comes with a good selection of tools/blades. Good carry/storage case too.
good quality tool (bought to replace a cheaper make that had burned out), but note that it only takes the “starlock” blades – not the generic ones (saxton, anker) which are for older bosch.
Generic makers which probably catch up, but range is limited until they do.
I’ve been sharpening the starlock blades with a small triangle file which works great at prolonging the life, so having to replace less often. Maybe in time there will be more aftermarket starlock blades, or an adapter. Overall I’m more than happy with it, one star lost for the expensive blades.
I literally have every tool for my garage and garden shed. I had a specific need for a non penetrative saw type device to cut a hole through a closed panel where a traditional saw would not have the access behind the panel where pipes etc. are housed. I checked my local tool hire company and they wanted 25 per day.
I had heard of multi cutters of course but thought that they seemed ineffective. How wrong I was. I did my usual and searched the web. As per usual Amazon had the best price on this Bosch item.
Since I have had it I have found a second job for it so that would have cost me 2 x 25 from the hire shop. The Amazon price for this item is 60. I am sure that I will find plenty of jobs to do within the family,
PS, The range of saw blades available is fantastic.
Regards . Ala
Brilliant bit of kit saved hours work, however this is the star lock connector for blades, cheaper products do not fit, do not buy the amazon recommended bits as they do not fit they must be the star lock connecto
My last Bosch PMF 250 failed after 5 years. Warranty was 1 year. It died when I dialed it to level 6 to cut 12x 14 gauge nails. After the 6th nail the motor died.
Bosch does not offer advice about using this tool. From this costly experience I now know to cut only at slower speed settings (under 4). High speeds settings are for sanding. At high speeds you have to turn it off due to the burning of wood dust. You’ll also extend blade life and have much greater control to do clean job.
Consider the professional version as it is not that much more expensive. Fein Multimaster cost twice as much but probably would last 20 years. By then the accessories attachments would have changed ie Starlock Plus. Phasing out the old in 5 years time.
I was surprised how little vibration there was in using this handy tool. Just as well really as it is quite thick to handle and as I have quite small hands I was worried about slippage but turns out there was nothing to worry about.
The PMF 220 comes with three tool attachments (semi-circular saw bit, straight saw bit and sander with extra sanding sheets). The attachments seem quite expensive so I wish I shopped around a bit more for a package that comes with more tool attachments. Other than that, a very sturdy and great power tool.
Great tool. Purchased initially, to remove large area of grout. Did a fantastic job and I can see it being very useful for many different tasks in the future.
I got the chance to test the Bosch PMF 350, 250, and 220 at a DIY workshop hosted by Homebase. Note there is an older versions that use 12 hole system aka OIS. The older version holds its value because it uses cheaper non-starlock bottle cap blades. These blades are widely available and sold at 5x less than the new starlock blades. You can use Starlock blades with OIS Tools because it has the 12 holes. But this new tool can’t use and the older OIS blades. I settled on buying the PMF 350 because at the time of purchase, the PMF 350 was just 2 more than than PMF 250.
The main difference between the models is the wattage of the motor. All three can oscillate up to x20,000 under no load. The extra wattage is useful when you need cut thick hard materials like metal or solid oak boards that slows down the blade and eventually burn out the motor.
MDF, Laminate floor and door trims is very easy material to cut with the right blades. I never gone beyond level 2 out of 6 on the speed setting. I use level 4 only for sanding at high speeds. On ebay you find lots of low wattage bosch multitools sold as parts only because the motor burned out. This is the result of setting it at highest speed and cutting hard objects causing lots of friction. Even FEIN recommends using 4 out of 6 speed setting for all their cutting and sanding accessories. The 6th speed is for doing tasks that has really light loads like cutting carpet with the knife blade.
Starlock – is a new blade attachment system. The bottle cap shape is “more efficient”. I’ve seen youtube video of starlock blade vs OIS blade of two bosch tool of the same performance but different attachments, GOP 18v and GOP 18v-28. Result was starlock was 3% faster in speed.
Only the 350 can take the Starlock PLUS blades, which are physically longer to cut into deep blocks of wood, because 350 has the higher wattage to handle it. Low wattage tools will risk burning out. There is also a Starlock Max which only 500w tools can use. Starlock system is also used by the newest FEIN multitools.
Autoclick – It makes Attaching and releasing the blades within 3 seconds, without having to touch the blades, which gets hot after use. Saving time is great.
The 220 doesn’t have the benefit of the auto click, you need to screw blades on with an hex key. The magnet lock feature is for 220 only because it just holds the blade in place while you put the screw in.
Third party blades are selling blades now at the third of the price of the Bosch originals. BUT bosch blades is better because it’s thinner, blade points are sharper and cut in a way that it pushes out wood dust.
The 350 is heavy and bulky. 220 is lighter and slimmer making it easier to hold and for longer periods.
The 220 is currently the cheapest Bosch multitool. It’s cheaper than the older PMF 190.
The PMF 350 has the “vibration free” side handle – it’s the only model that includes one. 220, 250 can also take the handle but you need to buy it separately. It doesn’t actually reduce vibrations. But It’s easier to control the tool with the handle.
It worked fine on first project to remove old grout in bathroom floor tiles. This needed special tipped disc which was not one supplied with the tool. Weight and noise of the tool are both low, which encourages its use on further projects. Seems ideal for occasional diy use. Very pleased with this purchase so far.
Can’t imaging doing any work without one of these. The light is a really useful function and the usual Bosch quality.
The Bosch PMF 250 is a versatile tool – in the box you get a range of different attachments for cutting wood and metal as well as sanding and grout/mortar removing attachments. On each of the cutting attachments Bosch have indicated whether its for wood, metal or both, so you are not having to constantly refer back to the manual to know which attachment to use. Changing tools is very quick and simply – pull the AutoClic lever out (this will eject any tool that is currently attached) and place the tool into the head and press until it clicks into place.
The PMF 250 cuts by oscillating the tool you’ve attached by just a few mm in each direction (more of a vibration really) which makes it feel very safe to use. I noticed that the body includes a screw hole for attaching a handle, which surprisingly was not included given that this is a multi-tool set, but to be honest it’s not needed for most jobs – maybe for sanding, but for cutting the tool is small and light enough that you don’t feel the need for an extra handle.
A plastic collar can be fitted to the head to act as a depth guide when cutting – this has preset “stops” so is pretty limited but is better than nothing I suppose. At the very least it will allow you to get to a certain depth quickly, after which you can fine tune by cutting more carefully.
I’ve used this for a range of jobs, including cutting off nails and screws that have seized, removing old trellis that had got entangled in the bush it once supported and cutting slots in chip board for running cables through and it’s proven to be just the job. I’ve not used it for sanding yet, and expect it will come into its own for for small/detail work. I wouldn’t try sanding large areas with this.
In summary, a versatile tool that does the job needed. Recommended.
This is a very handy tool. I am finding it extremely useful, and despite having several different uses, sanding, sawing etc, it doesn’t take up much space in my cupboard.
I used this tool for the first time yesterday, I must say I found it very useful and I can see the versatility of its use in all sorts of projects around the house. Thus I have ordered more tools for it.
I have had this tool for awhile now but had little need to use it. I recently had a job that needed a bit of finer work to be doing.
The job was putting down a laminate floor in the living room and thought this tool would be useful for trimming the floor and making it near.
The tool is multi purpose and relatively straight forward to work with from a domestic point of view. I would not spend the money on the tool as in 6 months I have used it once, and for that kind of use I would not be inclined to spend the money on the tool itself.
If you work within the trade and need a tool like this on a daily basis I am sure it would be well worth the money.
This is second time I have laid a laminate floor, and last time was with basic tools. I must admit it did speed up the process and make it quicker, the tool fits in your hands perfectly and it is easy to get a straight cut making the finish much better than my first attempt.
This tool has many other jobs for which I have not used it for but since I am not in trade as such its hard to compare it to anything as I use a standard saw.
Given it 4 stars as I think the product is good quality for someone with a lot of use but for someone like me it wont be used that much.
Great piece of kit. I’ve been renovating a bedroom, including all woodwork and plasterwork. In the last three months the tool has been used every day and has always done the job required.
Wish I had bought one years ago.
Easy to use versatile a great tool.
I only gave it 4 stars because it did not come with all its tools, I had to purchase further tools so that I had every tool that I might need for any project that I decided to use it for!.
Pros: Great tool, Easy to use and quick starlock tools which connect with Allen key (supplied)
Cons: No side Handle and not enough tools!.
Very good tool great for getting into hard to reach places and price was 18 cheaper than main stores and was delivered same day. Very good all round wont be without this tool ever now.
Bought one before 3 years ago from Amazon and this is a replacement – superb product and very well priced and very versatile does a whole range of jobs quickly and easily.
Brilliant bit of kit. Bought this to help remodel my shower room and I would of struggled with tasks such as cutting floorboards to be replaced. Blae fitting is easy even without the latest “quick locks” just an Allen key and 10 seconds. Be carefuel when buying replacement blades as only ones with the “starlock” system will fit, but Bosch are Good quality blades and will take a lot of punishment unlike cheaper items.
What’s not to like about this multi tool, it’s by Bosch who we all know of and quality with good pricing.
I’ve been going round to see what I can use it on on and yes it is truly a fantastic device. I wish I’d of bought one sooner.
I bought this after using a friends multi tool so of course I had to have my own.
Well done Bosch
excellent price and prompt delivery. Genuine Bosch replacement parts are expensive though you can use alternatives which are more affordable
Hi dose it cut metal as in nail in floorboards
Having said all that, this is a quality tool and, if what you want to do is within its range of capabilities, it’ll do it well and feels solid in the hand. Not as noisy as I expect, either.
My 85-year-old father-in-law had a go with this tool. Here are his thoughts:
“I approached this tool with a degree of scepticism as past experiences have led me to believe that multipurpose tools usually failed in most of their aims. Therefore I was pleasantly surprised when I first used the Bosch Multi Tool. Not only does it do what it says, it does it to a very high standard. The unique Starlok method of fastening the attachments is simplicity itself – it locks the tool firmly, with no fear of a slipping chuck.
“With its low profile and 180-degree LED light it means that adjustments to the work in hand can even be carried out in situ, even in difficult corners.
“It is quite heavy but this drawback is mitigated by the use of the optional extra handle which can be fastened to either side of the tool, allowing it to be used two-handed”.
I would add that the attachments can be released using the handle (labelled “AutoClic” in the product photographs) – it took me a couple of minutes to work this out. There’s a small selection of attachments included, but there are an awful lot more available to buy depending on your needs. The tool is great for general work in the house, such as cutting holes in plasterboard for fittings, or cutting access holes through flooring (including cutting through nails). There’s a place to attach a vacuum hose if you’re working with dusty materials.The motor seems reassuringly powerful.
It won’t replace dedicated tools, but it covers a lot of bases. Now I just need to get it back from my father-in-law….
I got the impression that there’s plenty of power behind this tool and with some practice it can become a precision instrument. The set of Starlock attachments supplied should give you versatility and you can add more if need be (though they aren’t cheap!). The ergonomics are good, in particular with a side-handle with vibration damping material built in. However, the body of the tool is quite large and heavy so could fatigue your forearms after a while. There is a dust extractor attachment but unless you happen to have tubing of the right diameter it’s not much use. The LED is more useful as it brightens the working surface and makes it easier to tell how deep the plunge-cuts have gone. You also get a variable depth control bumper which goes on the collar of the Starlock bit connector to provide maximum plunge depth.
All this comes in a classic Bosch DIY casing (there’s also Bosch professional range – take a look at the Bosch GOP range) with enough space to arrange accessories including extras you may purchase separately. Overall I’m impressed but for two reasons held off from a 5* rating. Firstly, there are a good proportion of the functions that I could manage easily enough without this tool so it’s a nice-to-have rather than a real DIY essential. Secondly, I’ve seen a few deals around for the Bosch Professional 0601231071 GOP 40-30 Multi-Cutter with a set of attachments that makes this look less great value.
I used this to sand some garden furniture which it seems ideal for. The tools are easy to swap over as there is a nice quick release method. There were multiple cutting tools with this kit. The whole thing is stored away in a sturdy green plastic carry case and the device is very good quality and has easy to use speed control of six speeds. Very pleased with it. If there was one thing I would mention it is the cable length but an extension cable soon fixes that.
The Bosch Multi Tool is of a moderate size, and while it can be used with or without the auxiliary handle, attaching the handle lessens the amount of strain on the hands and arms over longer periods of use. The auxiliary handle feels secure and is easy to attach.
Likewise, the Autoclic lever for fitting the various tools and accessories to the unit is simple to use, and keeps everything locked tightly in place. The manual is well laid out with clear instructions and a helpful chart of what accessories can be used on what materials, along with the techniques involved in using them.
The blades that were included with the Multi Tool were:
HCS plunge cut saw blade (wood, soft plastics)
BIM plunge cut saw blade (wood and metal)
BIM segment saw blade (wood, plastic, non-ferrous materials)
All three of these performed excellently, cutting through the relevant materials with ease.
Red and white sanding discs were also included. The sanding plate the discs fitted to was simple to attach. However, the sanding sheets did not stay on the base plate while the device was in use. I was unable to test the sanding discs in corners or edges as they would work loose from the plate.
The light situated at the front portion of the unit, as well as the vaccum hose/dust extraction tool help to increase visibility and accuracy when working.
Overall, the general build of the unit and the way its various accessories attached to it was excellent – only really had a problem with the sanding discs.
Cuts metal tubing quite easily.It has a variable oscillation rate which does not put pressure on.
It comes with a manual and 4 assorted saw blades and depth guage.All the tools are easy to attach and connect and release.This is a very handy collection for the busy woodworker/metal worker.It has all sorts of possibilities and uses.I have not tried everything yet but they make a very good addition to a tool collection.
Further blades are available.
Information sheet illustrated are included with the manual.Very easy to use
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I researched similar multi-purpose tools and bought this PMF 220 at Argos recently for 49.99
The basic kit is too basic – a scraper could have been added to enhance the ‘multi-function’ value and also no handle is supplied, yet apparently available as an optional extra (mentioned on the Bosch website). One has to purchase accessory blades by Tops Tools or Saxton which are compatible with the Starlock system in order to enhance the basic kit – this costs anything from 20 upwards, but better than spending over 100 for the Bosch full set option. Individual blades cost over 9 on the Bosch website, so for real value one has to research how to mix + match to get the best cost effective combination for this multi-purpose tool. For this reason (cost) I dropped a star, otherwise an indispensable tool to have alongside a circular saw, jig-saw, planer, router etc.
It is a sander but the sanding area is quite small so it would not replace my large third sheet sander but would be useful for detail or awkward spaces.
Where it is a real addition is for sawing, routing, or scraping in tight spaces or close up to another surface ie at right angles to conventional tools. To operate it is like an angle grinder and so takes a bit of getting used to but, once you do it works really well. So it is not cheap and I suppose it comes down to how much use you would be able to make of what it is really good at. I will not be getting rid of my jigsaw and hand saws because of it but I know there are jobs which it will turn from a real problem into a breeze
WOW!! Was very impressed when I opened this set up as it comes with so many attachment for different jobs. When I tried it out I was further impressed by ease of which the attachments change over. The kit feels solid and well made as one would expect from Bosch. In short an ideal multi tool for dit enthusiasts.
Anyway, even for a totally impractical idiot like myself, this was easy to use. Flick a switch and the, say, sanding head just drops off to be easily replaced by the paint scraper (or vice versa). It’s easy to use and the manual is adequate -trust me, that’s a compliment. I showed it to my very practical neighbour who checked it out and his face lit up when I offered to lend it to him any time. The box container is nice and solid.
Only one very mild gripe: the cable could have been a bit longer. Still everybody has cable extensions these days, don’t they?
A versatile and very useful option for occasional DIY. Its relatively easy to understand its various functions and to assemble. I’ve only used the sanding option to date which worked well without a problem. My only reservation is its reliability over an extended period as I’ve had problems before with other similar products-so holding on the fifth star until it proved itself.
This review is for the PMF 250 CES set model.
This is a great multi-tool kit. In the well protected case you have the actual tool, well protected from movement in a moulded section. This has a wood and metal cutting disc attached. There is a spindle to the right holding the larger attachments:- carbide grout abrasive disc (brown) and the sanding block holder. To the left is the small and narrow attachment holder comprising:- multi material cutter (purple), wood cutter (silver), carbide metal cutter (blue) and a multi material with a curved blade (purple). At the back are 6 sanding triangles – 2 x P60 grade, 1 x P120, 1 xP126 and 2 x P240. Also in the box is a handle attachment which can be fitted to a vacuum cleaner to extract dust easier, a depth gauge for use when cutting and full instructions.
The main unit is a good weight, a lot easier to handle with 2 hands compared to one. The power lead is approx 2m long, so a fairly good movement but you will need an extension for a lot of work. Changing attachments is very easy. On the top is a recessed lever. Flip it out all the way to the 10 o’clock position to release an attachment. To attach a new one, just push it into lock without the lever being used. A resounding click means it is locked in place. On the side is a rotating control knob with 6 power settings. For sawing harder materials a high setting of 6 is best, for softwoods and plastic, 4 should be OK.
I was having new carpet installed, so this helped a lot in getting the old one up. I used the multi purpose curved blade, power setting 4 and it cut through the carpet with no problems. It was not long before it was all up. I then used it to cut it to a smaller size for ease of disposal. This saved me loads of time. I have also used the sanding to clear a metal legs on a garden bench for re-painting. I used the P60 coarse abrasive pad and setting 6 to get it back to bare metal ready for priming and restoring. I changed the pad to the 120 to sand the wood on the seat for re staining. I liked the sanding discs, as they just push on the pad holder and pull off, so easy to use.
I can see me using this device for many projects. This would have been great for removing the grout and silicone around a shower unit, I had to do it the hard way. For something that I thought would only be used once in awhile, it is proving very handy. A friend borrowed it to help cut some plaster board and said it was great. I made him bring it back quickly as I knew if I didn’t he would have loaned it permanently.
There are other accessories available, make sure that you get the STARLOCK – not plus or max, just standard STARLOCK.
Overall a great machine.
Supplied in the usual Bosch case, which for a change actually has space for attachments, this 350 watt multitool is certainly at the heavy duty end of the market.
Several decent quality attachments are included (with space for a few more in the case) and will cover the usual cutting and sanding tasks. Fitting an attachment is easy and requires no tools – simply place the attachment on the work surface and push the multitool onto, when you hear a click it’s secure. To remove it operate the lever near the business end and it pops of.
In use the Bosch PMF350 is reassuringly hefty and a removable handgrip is supplied if you want a more secure grip, but it’s perfectly manageable without. Switching on and there’s a soft-start before working up to full power a second or so later, and although certainly not silent, I found it a lot quieter than expected.
With the standard circular cutter attached it made short work of a piece of hard to get at thick hardwood. Any other tool I have either couldn’t reach it, or wasn’t powerful enough. The light is useful too, especially in confined spaces.
Definitely recommended.
This is a great multitool from Bosch, which will come in handy for all kinds of jobs arround the home, particularly when you want to sand or saw in awkward places. It is corded and esigned to be used two handed, to get the best results. The multitool comes with a.variety of smart fit attachments, and it all fits comfortably in the case provided…happy d.i.y’ing 🙂
This is a very capable and professional quality power tool . It has its own LED light and comes with a range of accessories for precise cutting and sanding. The tool is not cordless – it needs to be plugged in to the mains at all times but the upside of this is that in use this tool is very powerful – it needs to be held with both hands whilst using.
It uses the Bosch Starlock system to attach accessories – this makes it very easy to chop and change accessories – it’s a quick, intuitive and effective system which makes it simple to set up the tool for a particular job.
Lots of accessories in the box and the tool can even be connected up to a vacuum cleaner to extract dust. All in all this is a really well thought out product that will be very helpful with many DIY jobs….
This is a great and versatile unit, it come s with a variety of different attachments which can be swapped out very easily and each works great for it’s designed purpose.
It comes in a green carry case which closes very securely and has a comfortable and convenient carrying handle. There is plenty of space inside so packing it away once you are finished is not difficult, everything fits comfortably.
The unit itself is larger than I was expecting, but this is because it is so well made – any smaller and I would have worried about its hardiness. The motor is very reliable and consistent, changing the speed is very easy with the well placed switches, and the cable for powering it is long enough to allow a good deal of movement and reach, although you may need an extension cable at some point as it won’t reach across a room.
Switching the heads is a very easy process that doesn’t require a lot of effort, but there is no chance of the heads accidentally coming off during use, which is a difficult line to tread, so well done Bosch. You can buy additional heads for the unit if you want to be able to accomplish more jobs, and having this capability makes it even more attractive as a versatile tool.
All in all this is a great unit – every part is well designed and it does it’s jobs fantastically well. Highly recommended.
This is the larger of the range. For home use its possibly too big and heavy.
I can see the merit in its use in a professional setting though.
The unit comes in a good sturdy case with enough room to easily repack and store the attachments.
Supplied is a 3 year warranty. Built in led light. Additional handle for stability.
Very useful for the jobs its intended to be used for as shown on the website but i would have liked a few more starlock accessories included.
As said before the main unit is a little large and heavy, definately a two handed tool, so home users may get better value from the cheaper in the range and buy the starlock cutting blades with the cost savings.
This is an extremely good power-tool set from Bosch. The main tool is well built and powerful, and the blades and accessories that come with it are excellent. I particularly like the simple and reliable way they attach and detach from the body of the machine (Bosch call it Star Lock). The locking system feels very safe and secure; you have to swing the flush fitting release handle through more than 90 degrees and press against a firm spring so there’s zero chance of unlocking by accident.
The machine oscillates the blades rapidly in a short circular motion. There’s no full rotation though. You control the speed with a chunky dial that you could operate wearing gloves.
I used the larger scraper tool first to shave a bit off a sticking garden gate. It worked almost like a plane and easily removed a couple of millimetres of wood though it’s designed more for paint scraping. Then I switched to the sanding attachment and it made light work of that too. No more sticking gate! Having the right tools is a great encouragement to get these sort of jobs done rather than just thinking about them for years and years. Especially when one tool does so many different things.
Then I used the big saw blade to cut some rotten wood out of the bottom of the same gate. For me it’s quite a novelty to have a saw blade that goes straight into the wood (a plunge cutter). Gives you a whole new set of possibilities. A normal saw would be useless and normally I’d be drilling holes or chiselling. With plunge cutter blades you can just carve chunks out of the middle of the wood (like for cutting a hole for a power socket in a skirting board), and you can use the depth guide attachment to avoid going too far. I’m going to use it to dig out the root of an awkwardly placed old rose bush I can’t seem to get rid of — another situation where a regular saw won’t do any good.
The blades supplied are marked for wood, (sheet) metal, wood and metal, mixed materials — there’s a range. You can buy more specialised blades to fit the machine and there seems to be a good range, though you have to be careful to get the right Star Lock fitting since there seem to be three different fittings. There are several sandpaper pads included that attach with velcro to a triangular pad, and a separate abrasive metal plate for masonry and plaster. The vacuum cleaner attachment protects your lungs from dangerous substances and the risk of explosion from lots of dust (that’s what the instructions say anyway). And reduces mess of course.
And there’s a lethal looking curved blade for cutting thick material like carpet. Haven’t tried that yet but I really wish I’d had it a few months ago when I needed it. Cutting carpet with scissors is a nightmare.
Everything packs neatly into a tough plastic case, and unlike my Black and Decker sander, I can actually pack it back in without having a tantrum. There’s space for extra blades too.
You can extend the two-year warranty to three years free via a leaflet in the box.
There’s not much to criticise. Everything feels robust and well engineered and very ‘Bosch’. I was a bit surprised though that there’s merely an on/off switch and no safety interlock. This tool will keep on running if you let go of it or drop it. I don’t have any other power tools like this. You need to be careful. And you’ll almost certainly need an extension lead at some point because the cable is just 2m long.
But overall this thing is fantastic and has given me a new enthusiasm for doing little jobs around the house.
This is an amazing tool. It really is multi purpose. It saws, sands, cuts, scrapes and polishes. There’s a light too. The tools are quick to change and it’s possible to attach a vacuum cleaner to minimise dust. It comes neatly packed in a sturdy case. Corded so no waiting for batteries to charge.
Bosch continue to come up with great quality power tools, this being no exception. I chose this partly because of my wifes penchant for accumulating either by buying or being given, old bits of furniture and doing them up, I also thought it would be a darn useful tool to have around.
The whole thing, as with most Bosch sets comes in a green heavy duty plastic holding case. Everything fits neatly and surprisingly after use it all goes back in neatly too rather than having to open and re-open to squish cables e.t.c. into place. It’s a corded model and is of a reassuringly nice weight and not overly heavy. It comes with two plunge blades one for metal one for wood, a grout and mortar remover, a rigid scraper, a segment saw blade, base plate for sanding (and a number of sandpapers), a multi blade, a depth stop (for use with the segment blade) and a dust extractor.
The blades themselves use something called the Starlock system, they just easily clip on and when you need to change them there is a lever on the top of the unit you pull and they drop off, no pulling or screwing threads. The lever itself sits flush with the handle and takes an extra pull to open so it’s not going to get caught by accident.
The first test was my wife who earlier this week used it to sand down an old wooden chair frame prior to either painting it or polishing it (she’s not decided what to do yet), she was dead pleased as she was able to get into areas where previously she would have had to have used “a bit of sandpaper wrapped around a lolly stick” was how she described it. She used the dust extractor too which strangely enough fits just about nicely on one of the vacuum cleaners we have without any further accessory although she did put a turn of gaffer tape around the edge just to make it that much snugger (I think Bosch do a hose to connect to it as a extra if you want to do it properly).
But today was a bit more of a test for it in a different way. We have an old leather sofa a BIG old leather sofa which had to go as a new suite, with a much smaller sofa is arriving. Because we had an extension a few years back the way it came in is… well it’s not going out that way in one piece also because of that we can’t get it to the front of the house for collection. So we dragged it out into the back garden. I was looking at a long couple of hours breaking it up and I started trying to cut the leather using a stanley knife which was slow. Then I thought of this tool now the multi blade that comes with this is for “Fast precise cutting of soft material and flexible abrasive materials e.g. cutting carpets, card, roofing felt PVC flooring” it says. So I thought I’d give it a go. Well it cut through the leather like a knife through butter and within 10-15 mins we had the leather covering off.
Then to break parts of the frame up I used the segment saw blade which worked brilliantly for the narrower sections where using a circular saw would have snagged against material and padding that the wood was against. The whole job was done well inside an hour and I was over the moon.
A great tool to have about for those jobs that need that little bit extra manoeuvrability and precision that the big boys can’t provide.
The whole kit comes in a thick, sturdy, rigid, green plastic case. Everything inside the case is tidied away neatly and is protected well.
Inside my set i had:
BIM segment saw blade Wood and Metal, 85 mm, ACZ 85 EB (2 609 256 943)
Carbide plunge cut saw blade, Metal, 40 x 32 mm, AIZ 32 AT (2 609 256 C65)
Delta sanding plate 93 mm, AVZ 93 G (2 609 256 956)
Delta sanding sheet set (2 609 256 A54)
Dust extraction (2 609 256 D57)
HCS Multi blade, 24 x 11 mm, ASZ 32 SC (2 609 256 D22)
HCS plunge-cutting saw blade for wood, 32 x 40 mm, AIZ 32 EPC (2 609 256 947)
HCS rigid scraper, 52 x 26 mm, ATZ 52 SC (2 609 256 954)
HM-RIFF grout and mortar remover, AVZ 70 RT4 (2609 256 C51)
4-stage depth stop for segment saw blades (2 609 256 C61)
As there is limited information about this set on this listing i have taken the following info directly from the manufacturers website.
Key product features
Versatile tool due to a wide range of innovative Bosch Starlock accessories
Easy, tool-free changing of accessories in only 3 seconds due to new AutoClic System
Dust extraction system that can be connected to an all-purpose vacuum cleaner enables dust to be minimised during sanding
Other product advantages
Precise and gentle plunge cutting due to rounded cutting edges of the plunge cut saw blades with Curved-Tec
Maintain an exact cutting depth using the 4-stage depth stop
Consistently high performance even under load thanks to Bosch Constant Electronic
Optimum guidance due to optional attachment of an auxiliary handle
Faster work rate thanks to powerful 250 watt motor
Continuously variable preselection of the oscillation rate enables you to gear your work towards the material and application
Technical data
Power input 250 W
Power output 130 W
No-load speed 15.000 — 20.000 rpm
Oscillation angle on left/right 2,8
Weight 1,2 kg
Noise / vibration information
w/o handle
Measured values determined according to EN 60745
Total vibration values (vector sum of three directions).
w/o handle
Vibration emission value ah 10.0 m/s
Uncertainty K 1.5 m/s
w/o handle
Vibration emission value ah 13.0 m/s
Uncertainty K 2.0 m/s
w/o handle
Vibration emission value ah 14.0 m/s
Uncertainty K 3.0 m/s
w/o handle
Vibration emission value ah 12.0 m/s
Uncertainty K 1.5 m/s
In use, the tool is exceptionally easy to handle. For such a robust tool, it is very lightweight and is also a cinch to change the tools. Now i am not a tradesman, just a diy novice, but i have had my brothers walnut hand made bookcase for the best part of 25 years and he doesnt want it back, and ive always hated it, so i am using this to sand down the wood, and i am going to be redoing it in a warm oak stain.
The sanding down has been amazing, the pointed tips make it a doddle to get into the crevices and corners. I have not used the other tools so far.
It is very light, easy to handle, easy to change heads, it uses the starlock system, not the starlock plus system.
Very good tool
Useful to have such a comprehensive tool in the house for all the weird jobs you need to do.
The machine itself is easy to use – the tool heads click on and off with ease (although there are some Bosch tools that are compatible with other makers’ attachments, this one works only with Bosch fittings), and the motor speed is simple to control.
The tool is reassuringly heavy in the hand at roughly 2 kgs, but not so heavy that it wears you out, although the cable could be a bit longer (2 meters approximately).
There are 5 ‘blades’ included in this kit – which comes in a very nice Bosch-green plastic carry case – a circular saw blade (this device vibrates rather than revolves), two plunge cutters (one wood, one metal), a multi-surface scraper and a strange hook-shaped thing (which looks good for getting things out of crevices).
There is also a sanding attachment – the familiar shape of a rounded triangle gives the game away – which can be fitted with a vacuum attachment so that the dust doesn’t go everywhere.
I used the multi surface scraper to remove thick areas of paint from the stools (I turned the motor up to high and slid along the surface, taking care not to let the blade cure in at all) – this was easy and quick, with all the tucked away bits no problem to get to.
Then the sanding – there are 6 different papers included; very quick, and the dust attachment picks up the sawdust as it is produced (although I had already made quite a mess with the scraper by then).
Really pleased with the even results. I wouldn’t want to sand a whole floor this way, but it’s great for fiddly stuff.
The saw comes with a plastic collar that can be positioned to ensure that it doesn’t cut beyond various settable measurements.
I’ve grown quite fond of this device over the course of my little project – it has been reliable, quick and easy to use, and it’s saved me so much time. I’d totally recommend it to anyone from bidding DIYers through to professional decorators (it can cut tiles as well, you know!), as there are many further attachments you can buy.