If you're having trouble finding a cordless combo kit that packs enough cutting capacity at an affordable price, give this 24-volt package from Bosch a try. The blade-left circular saw offers as much power and capacity as you could ask for in a cordless saw. It can easily cut regular 1-1/2-inch-thick material at a full 50-degree bevel, and the bevel mechanism has a positive stop at 45 degrees. The saw features tool-free, rear-pivot depth-of-cut adjustments and tool-free bevel adjustments. The wrench for blade changes stores in a clip right on the base. The rear battery configuration on this saw allowed Bosch to give the tool good, even balance while maintaining a nice low profile. In this kit, Bosch teams the circular saw with a burly 24-volt reciprocating saw that provides plenty of heavy-duty cutting power. Its 0 to 2,300 spm speed ranks it with many corded reciprocating saws in raw cutting speed. The reciprocating saw also features tool-free blade changing and shoe adjustments, and, in a feature unique to Bosch's reciprocating saws, the user can switch the stroke length from 3/4 inch for precision plunge cuts to 1-1/4 inch for faster cuts. For a reciprocating saw, it's relatively easy on the arms, and for a cordless model, its power can't be beat.
The batteries on Bosch's 24-volt tools are 2 amp hr ni-cads, made for Bosch by Panasonic. While we really like the padded grips Bosch uses on its cordless tools, the 24-volt battery does add a little extra heft to these tools, and no matter how nice the grip is, you will notice the extra weight if you carry these tools around all day. This kit is ideal for contractors and other professionals looking for heavy-duty tools at a great price. The full kit includes the 6-1/2-inch circular saw, reciprocating saw, two 24-volt batteries, a one-hour charger, a carbide circular saw blade, a rip fence, two reciprocating saw blades, and a case that holds it all. --Brian Trinen
