Thank you Bosch Tools USA, for sending awesome tools in support of young student woodworkers!
Last year, the local high school woodworking and STEM teacher asked if I could keep them in mind if I had any extra sanders.
I didn’t have any sanders to spare.
So, I made a plan. I figured I’d be able to budget for a couple of Bosch random orbital sanders (via Amazon) the next time there was a seasonal promotion.
Bosch makes great sanders. This is something I’ve known as a certainty for maybe 20 years now. It’s a combination of the build quality, scratch pattern uniformity, dust collection, control, and user experience.
That seemed like a good plan – a couple of corded sanders. That’s the best that I/ToolGuyd could do, and it would have been enough.
I asked Bosch Tools if they could help out, and they eagerly obliged.
Bosch supplied the students with a couple of 18V 5″ random orbital sander kits, and a 6-port charger. An angle grinder made it into the box too.
They also supplied 18V finish sanders.
Tools, batteries, chargers, and a convenient bulk charger that I knew would make things easier on the teacher.
It was just awesome. Thank you Bosch!
Following are excerpts of what the teacher shared with me over the summer, which you might have seen in a related post.
On behalf of myself and the students at [local] High School, I want to sincerely thank you for everything you have done for our Industrial Arts program.
Your generosity has helped make this school year one of the most productive and memorable years we have had since I have been here. Every donation you have made has had a real and lasting impact on our students, their learning, and the quality of work they have been able to produce.
…
The [other brand tool], and [Bosch] sanders have made a major difference in the day to day flow of the shop. Because of those tools, students have been able to stay productive and keep working without constantly waiting for equipment to become available. That may sound like a small thing, but in a busy woodshop, it makes a tremendous difference.
…
Everything you have given to this program has been amazing, and I wanted to take a moment to recognize the important part you have played in our student’s success this year. Your support has directly improved what we are able to offer them, and it has helped create opportunities they would not have had otherwise.
Thank you so much for everything you do for this program and for the students of [local] High School. We truly appreciate it.
It pains me when equipment is an obstacle in an educational environment. The school has a limited budget, and things like new tools require a grueling grant-request process that isn’t guaranteed.
There’s an adage where a talented craftsman can work wonders regardless of the equipment. But, learning woodworking is arduous and at times impossible if you don’t have capable gear.
Thanks to Bosch, the students have access to capable gear.
Their generous donation means students don’t have to share as much, and don’t have to string power cords around the room. It also means less sanding by hand!
Bosch sanders offer pro quality, which is important because high school students aren’t known for being careful, and the mobility to move around one’s work.
Plus, there’s also the finish quality. I have only ever known Bosch tools to deliver exceptional sanding performance.
The Bosch 18V sanders’ brushless motors deliver ample power and efficiency, and the CORE18V compact 4Ah batteries deliver extended runtime in a compact and lighter package.
It’s such a great combination.
And Bosch’s response to my request wasn’t “what do we get out of it?” To paraphrase our conversations, it was “absolutely, what do you need?”
There are lots of great corded and corded sanders. I could have went to any number of brands, and I’m sure they all would have happily supplied new sanders for the woodworking students.
I approached Bosch because I consider their sanders to be the best for most people – pros, demanding users, and others.
From the sounds of it, everything has been working out well so far.
