Bosch GWS8-45

By Bosch · Angle Grinders · Power Tools

  • 7.5 Amp motor
  • 11,000 no-load RPM
  • 4-1/2 in. wheel diameter
  • 4.2 lb weight
  • 120V

Lowest price seen
$95.92
from $95.92 at eBay · Checked Oct 12, 2026

Prices are snapshots. Check the current price with the store.

Summary

A corded 4-1/2-inch angle grinder built around low weight: 4.2 lb, a 7.5 Amp brushed motor at 11,000 RPM, and a slim grip aimed at overhead work and smaller hands. Check whether 7.5 Amp is enough for your jobs — 11 Amp rivals sit at similar prices.

Strengths

  • Lightest in its class: 4.2 lb, the lightest of 10 grinders in a workshop comparison.
  • Slim grip with the smallest circumference in the category; overhead work is easier on your arms.
  • Service Minder brushes stop the motor before the armature is damaged.
  • Quick disc changes thanks to the large spindle lock.
  • Bosch professional-line support: spare-parts catalog and US service centers.
  • Ships with guard, flange kit, wrench and an abrasive wheel in the box.

Weaknesses

  • 7.5 Amp is modest next to 11 Amp rivals like the DEWALT DWE402; thick steel and heavy production grinding are a stretch.
  • The guard needs an Allen key to adjust — there is no tool-free mechanism.
  • The manual restricts cutting even though the tool is physically capable.
  • No overload protection and no variable speed.
  • One YouTube review reports motor and bearing failures within months; treat durability as an open question.
  • Not compatible with Bosch’s GWS-5SG surface-grinder dust shroud.

Verified specifications

ModelBosch GWS8-45 Professional, part number 0601388118 (tool-only).
Motor7.5 Amp brushed (not brushless), 120 V AC, 900 W max.
No-load speed11,000 RPM. No variable speed.
Wheel diameter4-1/2 in. (115 mm); spindle thread 5/8"-11 UNC.
Switchslide switch with lock-on.
Weight4.2 lb — one of the lightest corded 4-1/2 in. grinders sold in the US.
Cord8 ft, fixed.
Guardburst-protection, quick-adjust; needs an Allen key to adjust.
Side handletwo-position.
Spindle locklarge, for quick disc changes.
BrushesService Minder — stops the tool when maintenance is needed; carbon brushes are user-replaceable.
Overload protectionnone.
CertificationsETL, CSA and UL listed.
Country of originChina.
Includedside handle, wheel guard, flange kit, spanner wrench, one 4-1/2 in. abrasive wheel.
Dimensions11 × 5.1 × 3.7 in.
Full research notes and sources

Weight and handling

At 4.2 lb the GWS8-45 is one of the lightest corded 4-1/2 in. grinders sold in the US. In a 10-grinder workshop test it was the lightest professional-grade 4.5 in. grinder on the bench, and ten minutes of overhead grinding produced less arm fatigue than heavier models. The slim grip has the smallest circumference in the category, which suits smaller hands and long overhead sessions. Owners on retailer sites consistently name weight and grip comfort as the reasons they bought it.

Power and its limits

The 7.5 Amp brushed motor spins at 11,000 RPM with no variable-speed control. Workshop testing had it handling 1/4 in. steel cuts without bogging, but it sits below 11 Amp alternatives such as the DEWALT DWE402 and the Makita 9557PBX1 on raw power, and it carries no overload protection. The burst-protection guard needs an Allen key for adjustment, and the manual restricts cutting use despite the tool’s capability. Bosch also lists the GWS8-45 as not compatible with the GWS-5SG surface-grinder shroud, which limits dust-collection options.

Brushes, repairs and running costs

The Service Minder brush system is the standout ownership feature: it stops the motor when the carbon brushes need replacement, before they wear through and damage the armature. Carbon brushes are user-replaceable, Bosch sells spare parts through its repair network, and directed air flow keeps dust off internal components. The warranty is one year limited; registering within eight weeks extends it to two years. Running costs are what you expect from a corded tool: abrasive wheels and the occasional brush set, with no battery or charger to replace.

Is it worth it?

Home Depot lists the GWS8-45 at $79.00 and Toolup at $82.99 (both October 2026). Under $80 it is a strong lightweight option for DIY and light professional work; from $81 to $90 the value narrows, because 11 Amp rivals with tool-free guards and paddle switches sit at similar prices. Above $90, the weight advantage becomes the only reason to choose it. If heavy flat grinding or thick steel is your main job, an 11 Amp model is the better buy. A factory-reconditioned GWS8-45-RT costs $49.00 at Acme Tools (October 2026) for the budget-minded.

Which model this is

This page covers the Bosch GWS8-45 Professional 4-1/2 in. angle grinder, part number 0601388118 (tool-only). Bosch also sells a two-pack GWS8-45-2P and a factory-reconditioned GWS8-45-RT on the same 7.5 Amp, 11,000 RPM, 4.2 lb platform. Do not confuse it with the GWS9-45, GWS10-45, GWX10-45PE, GWS13-series or the cordless GWS18V-45.

The Amazon listing is ASIN B01HD4EH4A.

Sources

Manufacturer:

Independent reviews:

Owner reports:

Parts and stores:

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