Product · Bosch Professional
Bosch GKS 18V-57: 165 mm saw for third party rails
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The GKS 18V-57 is a Bosch Professional circular saw for joiners and fitters who already own, or plan to buy, a guide rail from another brand. Bosch states it works with its own rails and with those from Mafell, Festool and Makita. That cross brand rail compatibility is what sets it apart, letting you use the rail you already have rather than buying into a new system.
- Blade
- 165 mm
- Depth at 90 degrees
- 57 mm
- Guide rail
- Bosch, Mafell, Festool and Makita rails
- In the box
- Saw, blade, parallel guide, L-BOXX 238 (no battery)
In its favour
- Works with Bosch, Mafell, Festool and Makita guide rails, according to the listing.
- 57 mm cut depth and a fast motor brake are listed.
- Comes with a 36 tooth wood blade, extraction adapter and parallel guide.
Good to know
- No battery or charger included, so budget for them if new to the brand.
- The older, non GX model; the GX version above adds the FSN X crosscut rail fit.
Our take
Box contents and key features
Amazon lists an L-BOXX 238 with inlay, a 165 mm standard wood blade, a dust extraction adapter, a hex key and a parallel guide. No battery or charger is included. Bosch quotes cuts up to 57 mm and a fast motor brake that stops the blade immediately.
The spec table lists a brushless motor. The supplied blade is described as having 36 teeth in the scope of supply, which is finer than a typical framing blade and suits cleaner cuts in sheet material.
Rail compatibility in daily use
A rail turns a handheld saw into a precise panel cutter: clamp or lay the rail on your mark and the saw follows it. For cutting doors, worktops and sheets of plywood, that is far more accurate than freehand. Being able to share a rail across brands helps if a workshop already has Festool or Makita rails.
The listing does not say whether an adapter is needed for each rail type, so check Bosch's guidance before buying.
GKS 18V-57 or the GX version
The newer Bosch GKS 18V-57-2 GX lists compatibility with Bosch FSN rails and the FSN X cross cutting rail, with a parallel guide and the same L-BOXX. The older GKS 18V-57 leans on its broader third party rail support. If you have a Festool or Makita rail, the older model may suit you better; if you are buying into Bosch rails, the GX is the more recent choice.
The HiKOKI C1806DA matches the 57 mm depth and adds an electric brake but does not mention rail use.
Weight and specs to verify
The listing gives an item weight of 5.7 kg, which likely includes the L-BOXX. The 3.4 rpm speed figure is a data error. Owners of non Bosch batteries will need to switch platforms to use it.
Verdict
Buy the GKS 18V-57 if you run Bosch 18 V packs and want to use an existing third party guide rail. Newcomers to Bosch rails may prefer the GKS 18V-57-2 GX, while those cutting thick timber should look at the Milwaukee M18 CCS55 for its deeper cut.
Compared with alternatives in: Best cordless circular saws
Amazon listing title: Bosch PRO Cordless Circular Saw Hand-held Circular saws