Bosch oscillating tool blades - why so stupidly expensive?

[Eric The Viking]

What a rip-off these things are!

I hesitate to use the "C" word*, but there are three main manufacturers, and their prices are all very similar.

I have tried third party ones from ebay in the past, but the ones I bought weren't much cheaper, and the 'saw plate' thickness was significantly more, meaning it drained the tool's battery a lot faster.

Some of these accessories are stupidly expensive: e.h. more than 40 quid for a Bosch-brand grout removal tool? That's half the cost of the mains version of the tool itself!

I've been using these:

for raking mortar from the corbelled bricks making up our windowsills. It works brilliantly, but black mortar quickly takes its toll. That's 22 quid a pop, and the Domestic Controller is getting Annoyed..

Can anyone solidly recommend a third party supplier, either of Bosch or Bosch-pattern ones?

Please...

E.

*rhymes with "Martel".

 

[pcb1962]

I get all mine from Saxton Blades.
I haven't used the grout blades but they seem to have what you're looking for:
http://www.saxtonblades.co.uk/84mm-bg-c ... blade-p412

 

[Phil Pascoe]

"Bosch oscillating tool blades - why so stupidly expensive?"
Why do dogs lick their testicles? ...Because they can.

 

[AndyT]

I think you know the answer... isn't it just another instance of the classic Gillette 'cheap safety razor / lock in on blades' business model?

 

[RogerP]

I think you know the answer... isn't it just another instance of the classic Gillette 'cheap safety razor / lock in on blades' business model?

... or printers and ink!

 

[Phil Pascoe]

:lol: Beat me to it...

 

[StevieB]

Whatever you do avoid the Erbauer ones from Screwfix - they fit the Bosch pattern but wear down incredibly quickly.

 

[paulm]

Saxton blades as linked to above are where I get mine from, for the reciprocating saw blades too.

Cheers, Paul

 

[Newbie_Neil]

Shark Blades are also very good.

 

[petermillard]

Yep, Saxton or Shark; used them both, no problems at all.

 

[beech1948]

The lowest cost way to obtain these blades is shown here on a Russian web site.....its a bit like woodgears.ca by a Russki version.

http://www.instwood.com/2014/08/blog-post_9.html

Quite a bit of effort though.