Bosch GAS Extractors and PortaLED Worklight archive
Tuesday 13 August 2013
Anthony Bailey puts these new extractors and a clever portable worklight from Bosch through their paces
Gallery
One of things that craftsmen all need, but seldom seem to use, is extraction. Considering the mess and health risks involved, this is strange; there is nothing macho about allowing yourself to get asthma or lung disease. Bosch know this and they also understand, along with other power tool manufacturers, what a big market is waiting if tradesmen everywhere equipped themselves properly for personal safety. The new range of GAS extractors are designed to answer a lot of the problems by delivering complete solutions as part of a system of tools and accessories. We tried out the GAS 25 L SFC in issue 71, so this time we turned our attention to the new models.
GAS 35 L AFC and GAS 55 M AFC Professional
These are two of a range of four new models which have similar specs, but represent them all quite well. They all have the same turbine motor and assembly, but the differences are in the filter type, filter cleaning operation and dust container size. The 35 L has the normal filtration standard which is suitable for woodworking and similar dust-producing tasks, while the 55 M has a higher filtration level for fine building dust, etc. Both have automatic filter cleaning, although there is another version of the 35 L AFC - the 35 L SFC - which has semi-automatic cleaning via a button at the tool end of the hose. You can select manual or auto-switching for working with power tools. As you work, the filter cleaning kicks in at regular intervals which can sound alarming, a bit like a door banging, but this is your assurance the filter element is being kept at maximum efficiency as you are working.