Bosch Laser Level Un-Repairable

[Midwest]

Just posting this because I'm a bit hacked off, and might give people food for thought when considering buying a Bosch product. I purchased a Bosch GLL 2-50 Cross Line Laser Level. Worked perfectly (and still does), until I knocked it over on it's tripod stand, and cracked the horizontal glass lens. I decided to get it fixed and calibrated as well. It was returned to Bosch via my local dealer. They returned it with a label saying 'This tool is un-repairable and is unsafe to operate'. Now I'm no engineer, but the damaged glass doesn't make the laser dangerous, and the dealer checked the levels and it's fine. They phoned Bosch and could get no further explanation as to what is wrong with it and why it's un-repairable. The thing is just over a year old, and surely is not destined for the bin. I've emailed Bosch and gone on their forum, but received no response. Not very good service.

 

[telectrix]

i dropped my chalk line last week. no damage, but think it needs recalibrating. or is that re-chalking?

 

[Midwest]

Ho Ho Ho, no more, I've just cracked a rib. :icon12:

 

[telectrix]

Ho Ho Ho, no more, I've just cracked a rib. :icon12:

well don't ask bosch to repair it.

 

[NDG Elecs]

I have had issues with the level (pun intended!) of service from Bosch before. They are either complacent or under staffed I would guess. I have a lot of Bosch gear and their service has put me off a bit. Though saying that I have only ever had one problem with one bit of their kit.

I got a Bosch laser too. Not used it a great deal, but I find it gives me a bit of a head ache every time after I have used it. So not so keen on the things really.

 

[Midwest]

well don't ask bosch to repair it.

Should I ask Dewalt then?

 

[Midwest]

The level is still.......level, just wanted to replace the small bit of glass. Wouldn't think it would be so difficult.

 

[NDG Elecs]

The level is still.......level, just wanted to replace the small bit of glass. Wouldn't think it would be so difficult.

Mid, I guess the warranty is no more now if Bosch are being crap about it. So can't you take it apart carefully and see if you could put a bit of perspex in maybe. Got nothing to lose really. Annoying though mate.

 

[Des 56]

I've emailed Bosch and gone on their forum, but received no response. Not very good service.

Being such high quality manufacturers

they possibly have very little use for a department dealing with repairs, especially when they are self inflicted lol

 

[123]

Take it to a local tool repair company and get them to repair and calibrate it (or price for at least).

Never had my laser level calibrated, will either test it myself, or as this week on site with the ceiling guys - we either have 12 perfectly good laser levels or 12 with exactly the same problem lol.

 

[SPARTYKUS]

How about trying Leica? All the lenses are made by them anyway, horses mouth so to speak, thats partly why I bought a Leica laser level (not having a dig I have Bosch tools too!). Maybe they can help ?

hope you get it fixed I hate throwing good stuff away....

 

[Midwest]

Thanks for all your helpful replies chaps. Never had much Bosch stuff before, the products might be okay, but customer service, from my experience, is not very good. I'll wait awhile before trying to fix myself...just in case they do get back to me.

 

[Leesparkykent]

Thanks for all your helpful replies chaps. Never had much Bosch stuff before, the products might be okay, but customer service, from my experience, is not very good. I'll wait awhile before trying to fix myself...just in case they do get back to me.

Buy another one exactly the same and return the one with the cracked lense for a refund lol.

 

[uksparks]

I've got a Bosch GL350, will they not fix it under warranty?

 

[Geordie Spark]

Never had any problems with my spirit levels and chalk line except for the time I wanted to change the colour of the chalk so I could chalk black & white dotted lines.

 

[Midwest]

I have just received a response from the Bosch forum community team;

'I have asked about this and unfortunately the answer is the same as the one you already got from service.

If the glass is not available as spare, I don't know how the damage can be repaired. I understand that obviously the glass exists but only at a factory level. Service are the right people to talk to but it appears that indeed it is un repairable this time'.

I don't think I will purchase another Bosch product, if this is the kind of service they provide. Think he chalk & line brigade will have a field day here!

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Interesting. Bad press for Bosch....

 

[Midwest]

For future reference, I have given up on repair this laser. The only spare part Bosch do for my laser, is the battery cover. In due course I will get a different laser (had planned to sell this one, but that's not gonna happen now). Did some research on other manufacturers, Stanley for example do spares for their lasers, including a replacement housing.

It seem Bosch manufacture 'disposable lasers'.

 

[shanky887614]

For future reference, I have given up on repair this laser. The only spare part Bosch do for my laser, is the battery cover. In due course I will get a different laser (had planned to sell this one, but that's not gonna happen now). Did some research on other manufacturers, Stanley for example do spares for their lasers, including a replacement housing.

It seem Bosch manufacture 'disposable lasers'.

are there drills not the same?

i havent checked milwauke or dewalts site but makita have an exploded view with all parts labeled and the part numbers, makes it easy to fix yourself if you buy the parts online

 

[ruston]

are there drills not the same?

i havent checked milwauke or dewalts site but makita have an exploded view with all parts labeled and the part numbers, makes it easy to fix yourself if you buy the parts online

You are right about Makita, spares are easy to get. I have never failed to get spares for Bosch yet either
, but to be honest all the drills seem to need are brushes and the odd trigger switch.

Not knowing what the 'piece of glass' does, would it be possible to have a piece cut and fit it yourself. Seems a shame to bin a good tool for a piece of cracked glass.

 

[Midwest]

You are right about Makita, spares are easy to get. I have never failed to get spares for Bosch yet either
, but to be honest all the drills seem to need are brushes and the odd trigger switch.

Not knowing what the 'piece of glass' does, would it be possible to have a piece cut and fit it yourself. Seems a shame to bin a good tool for a piece of cracked glass.

The laser still works ok, the glass covers the horizontal beam and the crack just diffuses it. It's okay if you angle it slightly. As I said, I was going to sell it, to get a different laser (with plumb function), but will stick with it for time being. Just not sure how long the glass is going to last in its current state, and I don't fancy taking the laser apart, especially if can't get similar piece of glass the same shape.

On the Bosch forum where, I posted about my laser, someone else has a problem with a faulty horizontal beam on a GLL 3-80, which has been returned un-repairable by Bosch. Now that's nearly £400 down the drain, only 3 1/2 years old. Not good Bosch.

They advertise 'Real Bosch, Blue Power Tools; for trade & industry. Sturdy, robust & practise orientated'. I posted perhaps they should add 'Our laser levels are easily broken and are un-repairable'.

Anyway, time to move on.

 

[ruston]

I agree with you, that is a poor show. It is a sign of the times though, perfectly good equipment is being scrapped because parts are not available , or they are beyond economical repair. Cars are a prime example.

 

[123]

Just posting this because I'm a bit hacked off, and might give people food for thought when considering buying a Bosch product. I purchased a Bosch GLL 2-50 Cross Line Laser Level. Worked perfectly (and still does), until I knocked it over on it's tripod stand, and cracked the horizontal glass lens. I decided to get it fixed and calibrated as well. It was returned to Bosch via my local dealer. They returned it with a label saying 'This tool is un-repairable and is unsafe to operate'. Now I'm no engineer, but the damaged glass doesn't make the laser dangerous, and the dealer checked the levels and it's fine. They phoned Bosch and could get no further explanation as to what is wrong with it and why it's un-repairable. The thing is just over a year old, and surely is not destined for the bin. I've emailed Bosch and gone on their forum, but received no response. Not very good service.

The laser still works ok, the glass covers the horizontal beam and the crack just diffuses it. It's okay if you angle it slightly. As I said, I was going to sell it, to get a different laser (with plumb function), but will stick with it for time being. Just not sure how long the glass is going to last in its current state, and I don't fancy taking the laser apart, especially if can't get similar piece of glass the same shape.

On the Bosch forum where, I posted about my laser, someone else has a problem with a faulty horizontal beam on a GLL 3-80, which has been returned un-repairable by Bosch. Now that's nearly £400 down the drain, only 3 1/2 years old. Not good Bosch.

They advertise 'Real Bosch, Blue Power Tools; for trade & industry. Sturdy, robust & practise orientated'. I posted perhaps they should add 'Our laser levels are easily broken and are un-repairable'.

Anyway, time to move on.

By god it aged quickly!

And imo for a spark, £400 for a laser level is nothing short of insane. The Dewalts etc are about a third of the price and extremely good kit.

 

[rapparee]

I spotted that too. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and assume it is the other forum's member who owns the 3 year old level and midwest's is a year old.

 

[Midwest]

Didn't think I confused things. The £400 refers to the other guy's GLL 3-80. He's a carpenter and his laser is 3 1/2 years old. Hope that clarifies things.

 

[robsparky1975]

Just been reading through this thread,I need to order the centre pin for my bosch mutitool and came across a site that seems to stock spares,not sure if they might have what you need but a quick call may help.I bought a twin drill set,18v impact and drill,the drill motor started playing up luckily just within the warranty period,emailed them,courier collected on the monday and returned on the thursday all with a brand new gear assembly f.o.c under warranty,door to door at my house,I was in shock at how quick and easy it was,so perhaps they care about warranty items and dont the out of warranty stuff,I suppose they know they need to keep face with the warranty gear and Just do not have the time for older equiptment,not good enough really thats for sure,Here is the link for the spares site I found.Dont bin it just yet! Bosch Measuring & Laser Tool Spare Parts | Miles Tool & Machinery Centre.

Just to add,for some reason I decided to add my business name to my original email to them,now my thinking was that If they thought a trader could potentially be buying more of their future products they would need to put some effort it to keep that customer before they go elsewhere,dewalt etc..

 

[Midwest]

Thanks Rob, will give them a shot, but when I spoke to Bosch themselves, they said the glass was not available as a spare - but you never know. Laser still works fine, I'm not gonna bin it.

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Or, at worst, over clock the ruby rod, increase the frequency of the stimulator, double the power and convert it into a 'Star Wars' laser cannon:conehead:

 

[Midwest]

ummmph

 

[Midwest]

Just rang them, only battery cover available as spare.

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Bosch professional GLL 2-50 line laser with magnetic BM1 bosch pro mag stand. | eBay

get it for a snip and you have a spare for parts, with a stand thrown in.

it would have cost a few Ayrton Sennas to fix anyway.

just an idea. Its better than my Star Wars themed one.

 

[Midwest]

Cheers, will watch it. Doesn't show the glass though