“From BOSCH” Electric Grinder X-LOCK: A “New Feature” That Overturns 80 Years of History. Adopted by Makita. Convenience—Why Isn’t It More Widespread?

18 April 2023

(´ー｀) We update every morning at 8 AM!

There’s a convenient feature called “X-LOCK”.

A very convenient feature that allows you to attach and detach grinding wheels on electric grinders without tools
“One-touch” operation.

This wonderful feature was developed by “BOSCH” .
Makita has also adopted it on some models.

I researched this feature that overturns “80 years of history” in various ways (*´ω｀*)

What is X-LOCK? A new feature developed by Bosch

No tools required. To remove, just pull the lever. Installation is simply a matter of fitting it in place.
It’s incredibly convenient.

Makita and various other companies have also adopted it.

Surprisingly simple and highly efficient (´ー｀)

There’s no doubt that everyone thinks it’s wonderful.

When replacing a grinding wheel on a standard electric grinder,
flanges, lock nuts, and wrenches are used to secure it.
This method hasn’t changed for over 80 years. (According to BOSCH)

In other words, “80 years of reliability”
Grinding wheel replacement is certainly tedious.
However, unless someone changes wheels very frequently,

grinding wheel replacement is
“just a minor inconvenience”

—nothing more, nothing less—so perhaps that’s why there was no change for so long.
In a sense, it’s already perfected?

What are the “advantages” of X-LOCK?

● Grinding wheel replacement is very easy
● The price of standard electric grinder bodies doesn’t differ much.
● Since there’s no lock nut at the center, the nut won’t break or wear out
● The disk attachment direction is fixed, so it can’t be installed backwards—a reassuring design
(for diamond wheels, etc.).
● “X-LOCK grinding wheels/blades” can also be used on standard grinders. An advantage?

What are the “disadvantages” of X-LOCK?

● Limited selection of grinding wheels and blades
Monotaro Abrasives Category Search
“X-LOCK: 64 items” versus
standard grinder “Cutting 3,277, Disk abrasives 2,415, Grinding wheels 745”
There’s no comparison…
● Compared to standard grinders, “it’s not easy to obtain grinding wheels and blades” .
● What about blade prices? “Standard grinder wheels: 100 yen/piece~, X-LOCK wheels: 260 yen/piece~”
Roughly speaking, “1.5 to 2 times higher” difference.

(Standard lock-type grinder)
GA418DZ 100MM Paddle Switch
GA518DZ 125MM Paddle Switch

Actual retail prices are a bit more reasonable.

“X-LOCK-type grinder”
*Head section has “green lever indicator”
GA420DZ 100MM Paddle Switch
GA520DZ 125MM Paddle Switch

At list price, there’s only a slight difference.
Functionally, I think it’s truly wonderful.

However, considering the inventory issues with grinding wheels and blades, as well as their prices and limited selection,
honestly, it’s not very practical.

Going forward, “will it flourish?” “or will it decline?”
That’s quite difficult to say.

For your first grinder,
choosing “X-LOCK” from the start might be a good option too.