GFA 12-E Professional - Drill BOSCH - Free user manual and instructions

Brand	Bosch
Model	GFA 12-E Professional
Product type	Cordless drill
Rated voltage	12 V
Battery type	Lithium-Ion
Battery capacity	2.0 Ah (typical)
No-load speed	0 – 400 rpm (first gear) 0 – 1500 rpm (second gear)
Max torque (hard/soft)	30/14 Nm
Chuck	Keyless, 10 mm
Max drilling diameter (steel)	10 mm
Max drilling diameter (wood)	25 mm
Weight (with battery)	1.5 kg (according to EPTA)
Dimensions (L x W x H)	190 x 55 x 210 mm
Sound pressure level	71 dB(A)
Vibration level (drilling in metal)	2.5 m/s²
Protection	Electronic Cell Protection (ECP)
Main functions	Drilling and screwdriving, variable speed, forward/reverse, LED light
Maintenance and cleaning	Clean ventilation slots with a dry brush; do not use abrasive products
Safety	Automatic shutdown in case of overload, battery lock, insulated handle
Spare parts and repairability	Bosch after-sales service, parts available at www.bosch-pt.com
General information	Downloadable PDF manual, multiple languages

Frequently Asked Questions - GFA 12-E Professional BOSCH

What is the battery life of the Bosch GFA 12-E?

Battery life depends on usage. With a 2.0 Ah battery, you can drill approximately 30 holes of 5 mm in wood. For intensive use, we recommend a higher capacity battery.

How do I change the battery?

Press the battery release button and remove it from the tool. Insert the charged battery until it clicks.

Can I use the drill for screwdriving?

Yes, the GFA 12-E is equipped with variable speed and torque adjustment, ideal for screwdriving.

How do I adjust the speed?

Use the two-speed gear selector (1 for high torque, 2 for high speed). The trigger allows progressive variation.

What should I do if the drill suddenly stops?

It's probably the overheating protection. Let the tool cool down for a few minutes. If the problem persists, check the battery.

How do I clean the drill?

Use a dry cloth to clean the housing. Clean the ventilation slots with a brush. Do not use water or corrosive products.

Which accessories are compatible?

The drill accepts bits and drills with 1/4-inch hexagonal shank and chucks up to 10 mm. Bosch 12 V batteries and chargers are compatible.

How do I know if the battery is charged?

Press the charge indicator button on the battery. The green LEDs indicate the level: 3 LEDs = 60-100%, 2 LEDs = 30-60%, 1 LED = 5-30%.

Is the drill suitable for drilling metal?

Yes, it can drill steel up to 10 mm in diameter. Use a suitable drill bit and lubricate if necessary.

Where can I find spare parts?

Go to the Bosch Professional website or contact after-sales service. The 10-digit reference number is on the product label.

USER MANUAL GFA 12-E Professional BOSCH

GSC 18V-16 Professional

HEAVY DUTY

Robert Bosch Power Tools GmbH

70538 Stuttgart

GERMANY

www.bosch-pt.com

1609 92A 50C (2019.12) T/165

1 609 92A 50C

General Power Tool Safety Warnings

WARNING

Read all safety warnings, instructions, illustrations and specifications.

tions provided with this power tool. Failure to follow all instructions listed below may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury.

Save all warnings and instructions for future reference.

The term "power tool" in the warnings refers to your mains-operated (corded) power tool or battery-operated (cordless) power tool.

Work area safety

Keep work area clean and well lit. Cluttered or dark areas invite accidents. Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases or dust. Power tools create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes. Keep children and bystanders away while operating a power tool. Distractions can cause you to lose control.

Electrical safety

Power tool plugs must match the outlet. Never modify the plug in any way. Do not use any adapter plugs with earthed (grounded) power tools. Unmodified plugs and matching outlets will reduce risk of electric shock. Avoid body contact with earthed or grounded surfaces, such as pipes, radiators, ranges and refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electric shock if your body is earthed or grounded. Do not expose power tools to rain or wet conditions. Water entering a power tool will increase the risk of electric shock.

Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord for carrying, pulling or unplugging the power tool. Keep cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges or moving parts. Damaged or entangled cords increase the risk of electric shock. When operating a power tool outdoors, use an extension cord suitable for outdoor use. Use of a cord suitable for outdoor use reduces the risk of electric shock. If operating a power tool in a damp location is unavoidable, use a residual current device (RCD) protected supply. Use of an RCD reduces the risk of electric shock.

Personal safety

Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating a power tool. Do not use a power tool while you are tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication. A moment of inattention while operating power tools may result in serious personal injury.

Use personal protective equipment. Always wear eye protection. Protective equipment such as a dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat or hearing protection used for appropriate conditions will reduce personal injuries.

Prevent unintentional starting. Ensure the switch is in the off-position before connecting to power source and/or battery pack, picking up or carrying the tool. Carrying power tools with your finger on the switch or energising power tools that have the switch on invites accidents.

Remove any adjusting key or wrench before turning the power tool on. A wrench or a key left attached to a rotating part of the power tool may result in personal injury.

Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. This enables better control of the power tool in unexpected situations.

Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewellery. Keep your hair and clothing away from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewellery or long hair can be caught in moving parts.

If devices are provided for the connection of dust extraction and collection facilities, ensure these are connected and properly used. Use of dust collection can reduce dust-related hazards.

▶ Do not let familiarity gained from frequent use of tools allow you to become complacent and ignore tool safety principles. A careless action can cause severe injury within a fraction of a second.

Power tool use and care

▶ Do not force the power tool. Use the correct power tool for your application. The correct power tool will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it was designed.

▶ Do not use the power tool if the switch does not turn it on and off. Any power tool that cannot be controlled with the switch is dangerous and must be repaired.

▶ Disconnect the plug from the power source and/or remove the battery pack, if detachable, from the power tool before making any adjustments, changing accessories, or storing power tools. Such preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting the power tool accidentally.

▶ Store idle power tools out of the reach of children and do not allow persons unfamiliar with the power tool or these instructions to operate the power tool. Power tools are dangerous in the hands of untrained users.

▶ Maintain power tools and accessories. Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage of parts and any other condition that may affect the power tool's operation. If damaged, have the power tool repaired before use. Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained power tools.

▶ Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly maintained cutting tools with sharp cutting edges are less likely to bind and are easier to control.

▶ Use the power tool, accessories and tool bits etc. in accordance with these instructions, taking into account the working conditions and the work to be performed. Use of the power tool for operations different from those intended could result in a hazardous situation.

▶ Keep handles and grasping surfaces dry, clean and free from oil and grease. Slippery handles and grasping surfaces do not allow for safe handling and control of the tool in unexpected situations.

Battery tool use and care

▶ Recharge only with the charger specified by the manufacturer. A charger that is suitable for one type of battery pack may create a risk of fire when used with another battery pack. ▶ Use power tools only with specifically designated battery packs. Use of any other battery packs may create a risk of injury and fire. When battery pack is not in use, keep it away from other metal objects, like paper clips, coins, keys, nails, screws or other small metal objects, that can make a connection from one terminal to another. Shorting the battery terminals together may cause burns or a fire. ▶ Under abusive conditions, liquid may be ejected from the battery; avoid contact. If contact accidentally occurs, flush with water. If liquid contacts eyes, additionally seek medical help. Liquid ejected from the battery may cause irritation or burns. ▶ Do not use a battery pack or tool that is damaged or modified. Damaged or modified batteries may exhibit unpredictable behaviour resulting in fire, explosion or risk of injury.

Do not expose a battery pack or tool to fire or excessive temperature. Exposure to fire or temperature above 130°C may cause explosion. Follow all charging instructions and do not charge the battery pack or tool outside the temperature range specified in the instructions. Charging improperly or at temperatures outside the specified range may damage the battery and increase the risk of fire.

Service

Have your power tool serviced by a qualified repair person using only identical replacement parts. This will ensure that the safety of the power tool is maintained. Never service damaged battery packs. Service of battery packs should only be performed by the manufacturer or authorized service providers.

Safety instructions for metal shears

This power tool is not suitable for bench-mounted use. It must not be clamped into a vice or fastened to a workbench, for example. Only carry out work with a fitted chip deflector. Make sure that the chip deflector is not damaged or bent out of shape. Working without a chip deflector or with a damaged chip deflector poses a risk of injury. Have a damaged chip deflector replaced immediately by an authorised after-sales service centre for Bosch power tools. Wear protective gloves during work. Make sure that cut sheet parts are not bent towards your body. Sharp burrs develop on cut sheets; these can cause injury. When necessary and while wearing gloves, press bending sheet parts away from your body. In case of damage and improper use of the battery, vapours may be emitted. The battery can set alight or explode. Ensure the area is well ventilated and seek medical attention should you experience any adverse effects. The vapours may irritate the respiratory system. Do not open the battery. There is a risk of short-circuiting. The battery can be damaged by pointed objects such as nails or screwdrivers or by force applied externally. An internal short circuit may occur, causing the battery to burn, smoke, explode or overheat. Only use the battery with products from the manufacturer. This is the only way in which you can protect the battery against dangerous overload.

Protect the battery against heat, e.g. against continuous intense sunlight, fire, dirt, water and moisture. There is a risk of explosion and short-circuiting.

Product Description and Specifications

Read all the safety and general instructions. Failure to observe the safety and general instructions may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury.

Please observe the illustrations at the beginning of this operating manual.

Intended Use

The power tool is intended for cutting sheet metals without incurring any loss from chipping. It is suitable for straight and curved cuts.

Product features

The numbering of the product features refers to the diagram of the power tool on the graphics page.

(1) Battery (2) Battery release button (3) On/off switch (4) Chip deflector (5) Handle (insulated gripping surface) (6) Fastening screw for upper cutter (7) Upper cutter (8) Bottom cutter (9) Set screw for bottom cutter

(10) Fastening screw for bottom cutter

A) Accessories shown or described are not included with the product as standard. You can find the complete selection of accessories in our accessories range.

Technical Data

Cordless metal shears GSC 18V-16
Article number		3 601 J26 2..
Rated voltage V= 18
No-load stroke rate n0	min-1	3400
Max. steel sheet cutting capacityA)	mm 1.6
Smallest curve radius mm 15
Weight according to EPTA-Procedure 01:2014	kg 2.3–3.0	B)
Recommended ambient temperature during charging	°C 0 to +35
Permitted ambient temperature during operationC) and during storage	°C –20 to +50
Recommended batteries GBA 18V...		ProCORE18V...

12 | English

Cordless metal shears GSC 18V-16

Recommended chargers GAL 18...

GAX 18...

GAL 36...

A) Refers to steel sheets of up to 400 N/mm²

B) Depends on battery in use

C) Limited performance at temperatures <0 °C

Noise/Vibration Information

Noise emission values determined according to EN 62841-2-8.

Typically, the A-weighted sound pressure level of the power tool is 71 dB(A). Uncertainty K = 3 dB. The noise level when working can exceed the volume stated. Wear hearing protection!

Vibration total values a_n (triax vector sum) and uncertainty K determined according to EN 62841-2-8:

a_n = 8 m/s², K = 1.5 m/s².

The vibration level and noise emission value given in these instructions have been measured in accordance with a standardized measuring procedure and may be used to compare power tools. They may also be used for a preliminary estimation of vibration and noise emissions.

The stated vibration level and noise emission value represent the main applications of the power tool. However, if the power tool is used for other applications, with different application tools or is poorly maintained, the vibration level and noise emission value may differ. This may significantly increase the vibration and noise emissions over the total working period.

To estimate vibration and noise emissions accurately, the times when the tool is switched off or when it is running but not actually being used should also be taken into account. This may significantly reduce vibration and noise emissions over the total working period.

Implement additional safety measures to protect the operator from the effects of vibration, such as servicing the power tool and application tools, keeping their hands warm, and organizing workflows correctly.

Assembly

Battery Charging

▶ Use only the chargers listed in the technical data. Only these chargers are matched to the lithium-ion battery of your power tool.

Note: The battery is supplied partially charged. To ensure full battery capacity, fully charge the battery in the charger before using your power tool for the first time.

The lithium-ion battery can be charged at any time without reducing its service life. Interrupting the charging process does not damage the battery.

The lithium-ion battery is protected against deep discharge by the "Electronic Cell Protection (ECP)". When the battery

is discharged, the power tool is switched off by means of a protective circuit: The application tool no longer rotates.

▶ Do not continue to press the On/Off switch after the power tool has automatically switched off. The battery can be damaged.

Removing the battery

The battery (1) is equipped with two locking levels to prevent the battery from falling out if the battery release button (2) is pressed unintentionally. As long as the battery is inserted in the power tool, it is held in position by means of a spring.

To remove the battery (1), press the battery release button (2) and pull the battery out of the power tool. Do not use force to do this.

Battery charge indicator

The green LEDs on the battery charge indicator indicate the state of charge of the battery. For safety reasons, it is only possible to check the state of charge when the power tool is not in operation.

Press the button for the battery charge indicator to show the state of charge. This is also possible when the battery is removed.

If no LED lights up after pressing the button for the battery charge indicator, then the battery is defective and must be replaced.

Battery model GBA 18V...

LEDs Capacity

3× continuous green light 60-100%

2× continuous green light 30-60%

1× continuous green light 5-30%

1× flashing green light 0-5%

Battery model ProCORE18V...

LEDs Capacity

5× continuous green light 80-100%

4× continuous green light 60-80%

3× continuous green light 40-60%

2× continuous green light 20-40%

1× continuous green light 5-20%

1× flashing green light 0-5%

Operation

Starting Operation

Inserting the Battery

Push the charged battery (1) into the base of the power tool until the battery is securely locked.

Switching On and Off

To switch on the power tool, slide the on/off switch (3) forwards so that "I" appears on the switch.

To switch off the power tool, slide the on/off switch (3) backwards so that "0" appears on the switch.

Working Advice

Remove the battery from the power tool before carrying out work on the power tool (e.g., maintenance, changing tool, etc.). The battery should also be removed for transport and storage. There is risk of injury from unintentionally pressing the on/off switch. This power tool is not suitable for bench-mounted use. It must not be clamped into a vice or fastened to a workbench, for example. Wear protective gloves during work. Make sure that cut sheet parts are not bent towards your body. Sharp burrs develop on cut sheets; these can cause injury. When necessary and while wearing gloves, press bending sheet parts away from your body.

Apply the machine to the workpiece only when switched on.

Guide the power tool at an angle of 80° to 90° to the surface of the sheet metal and do not tilt it to the side.

Guide the power tool evenly, pushing it gently in the cutting direction. Applying too much pressure to the power tool will significantly reduce the service life of application tools and can damage the power tool.

When cutting curves, make sure not to tilt the power tool laterally and work with low feed rate only.

Maximum steel sheet cutting capacity

The maximum steel sheet cutting capacity d_max depends on the strength properties of the material to be cut.

The power tool allows for cutting of metal sheet to the following thicknesses:

Material max. strength (N/mm2)		dmax(mm)
Steel 400		1.6
	600	1.2

Material max. strength (N/mm2)	dmax(mm)
800	0.7
Aluminium 200	2.2

Adjusting cutter clearance "a"

The cutter clearance a (gap between the cutters) depends on the sheet thickness d_max to be cut.

The clearance a between the cutters should be 10% of the maximum sheet thickness (e.g., 0.1 mm cutter clearance for 1 mm sheet thickness).

For softer or more ductile materials, the clearance a must be decreased; for harder or more brittle materials, it must be increased.

Loosen the fastening screw (10) for the bottom cutter. Adjust the requested cutter clearance a with the set screw (9) for the bottom cutter. The upper cutter (7) and the bottom cutter (8) may not touch each other.

Check the clearance with a commercially available setting gauge. Retighten the fastening screw (10) for the bottom cutter with a tightening torque of 3–4 Nm.

Temperature Dependent Overload Protection

In normal conditions of use, the power tool cannot be overloaded. If the power tool is overloaded or the battery temperature is outside the permitted range, the stroke rate is reduced or the power tool shuts down. When the stroke rate is reduced, the power tool will not run at the full stroke rate again until the battery temperature is back within the permitted range. In the event of automatic shutdown, switch off the power tool and allow the battery to cool down before switching the tool on again.

Recommendations for Optimal Handling of the Battery

Protect the battery against moisture and water.

Only store the battery within a temperature range of -20 to 50 °C. Do not leave the battery in your car in the summer, for example.

Occasionally clean the ventilation slots on the battery using a soft brush that is clean and dry.

A significantly reduced operating time after charging indicates that the battery has deteriorated and must be replaced.

Follow the instructions on correct disposal.

Maintenance and Service

Maintenance and Cleaning

Remove the battery from the power tool before carrying out work on the power tool (e.g. maintenance, changing tool, etc.). The battery should also be removed for transport and storage. There is risk of injury from unintentionally pressing the on/off switch.

▶ To ensure safe and efficient operation, always keep the power tool and the ventilation slots clean.

Changing the cutter (see figure A)

The upper cutter (7) and the bottom cutter (8) are identical, have four cutting edges each, and can be exchanged with each other.

Turn or replace the cutters in good time. Only sharp application tools achieve good cutting capacity and make the power tool last longer.

To replace the upper cutter (7) loosen the fastening screw (6), to replace the bottom cutter (8) loosen the fastening screw (10).

Turn the cutter by 90° or install a new cutter. When installing the bottom cutter (8), ensure that it fits against the set screw (9).

Note: Turn the cutter only in the direction indicated in figure A and only insert a new cutter in the position shown in the figure. Cutting is not possible with an incorrectly inserted cutter.

Retighten the fastening screw (6) for the upper cutter and the fastening screw (10) for the bottom cutter with a tightening torque of 3–4 Nm. Check the cutter clearance a as described above.

Upper cutter (7) and bottom cutter (8) may not be re-ground.

After-Sales Service and Application Service

Our after-sales service responds to your questions concerning maintenance and repair of your product as well as spare parts. You can find explosion drawings and information on spare parts at: www.bosch-pt.com

The Bosch product use advice team will be happy to help you with any questions about our products and their accessories.

In all correspondence and spare parts orders, please always include the 10-digit article number given on the nameplate of the product.

Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands

Robert Bosch Australia Pty. Ltd.

Power Tools

Locked Bag 66

Clayton South VIC 3169

Customer Contact Center

Inside Australia:

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Inside New Zealand:

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Outside AU and NZ:

Phone: [phone]

www.bosch-pt.com.au

www.bosch-pt.co.nz

Great Britain

Robert Bosch Ltd. (B.S.C.)

P.O. Box 98

Broadwater Park

North Orbital Road

Denham Uxbridge

UB 9 5HJ

At www.bosch-pt.co.uk you can order spare parts or arrange the collection of a product in need of servicing or repair.

Tel. Service: [phone]

E-Mail: [e-mail]

Ireland

Origo Ltd.

Unit 23 Magna Drive

Magna Business Park

City West

Dublin 24

Tel. Service: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Republic of South Africa

Customer service

Hotline: [phone]

Gauteng - BSC Service Centre

35 Roper Street, New Centre

Johannesburg

Tel.: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

E-Mail: [e-mail]

KZN - BSC Service Centre

Unit E, Almar Centre

143 Crompton Street

Pinetown

Tel.: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

E-Mail: [e-mail]

Western Cape - BSC Service Centre

Democracy Way, Prosperity Park

Milnerton

Tel.: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

E-Mail: [e-mail]

Bosch Headquarters

Midrand, Gauteng

Tel.: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

E-Mail: [e-mail]

Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia

Robert Bosch Ltd.

David Agmashenebeli ave. 61

0102 Tbilisi, Georgia

Tel. [phone]

www.bosch.com

Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

TOO "Robert Bosch" Power Tools, After Sales Service

Muratbaev Ave., 180

050012, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Service Email: [e-mail]

Official Website: www.bosch.com, www.bosch-pt.com

Transport

The contained lithium-ion batteries are subject to the Dangerous Goods Legislation requirements. The batteries are suitable for road-transport by the user without further restrictions.

When shipping by third parties (e.g.: by air transport or forwarding agency), special requirements on packaging and labelling must be observed. For preparation of the item being shipped, consulting an expert for hazardous material is required.

Dispatch battery packs only when the housing is undamaged. Tape or mask off open contacts and pack up the battery in such a manner that it cannot move around in the packaging. Please also observe the possibility of more detailed national regulations.

Disposal

Power tools, rechargeable batteries, accessories and packaging should be sorted for environmental-friendly recycling.

Do not dispose of power tools and batteries/rechargeable batteries into household waste!

Only for EU countries:

According to the Directive 2012/19/EU, power tools that are no longer usable, and according to the Directive 2006/66/EC, defective or used battery packs/batteries, must be collected separately and disposed of in an environmentally correct manner.

Battery packs/batteries:

Li-ion:

Please observe the notes in the section on transport (see "Transport", page 15).

Français

Robert Bosch (France) S.A.S.

Robert Bosch Argentina Industrial S.A.

Calle Blanco Encalada 250 - San Isidro

B1642AMQ

Calle Robert Bosch No. 405

Bosch Service Center

Telegrafvej 3

2750 Ballerup

On www.bosch-pt.dk you can order spare parts online or create a repair order.

Service Center phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

E-Mail: [e-mail]

Transport

Bosch Service Center

Telegrafvej 3

2750 Ballerup

Denmark

Tel.: [phone] (within Sweden)

Fax: [phone]

Transport

Robert Bosch Sp. z o.o.

Bosch Service Center PT

K Vápence 1621/16

692 01 Mikulov

Power tool service

Strada Horia Măcelariu Nr. 30-34, sector 1

013937 Bucharest

Power tool service

Strada Horia Măcelariu Nr. 30-34, sector 1

013937 Bucharest, Romania

www.bosch-pt.com/bg/bg/

Transport

"Electronic Cell Protection (ECP)"

Sahba Technology Group

Al Muthanna Airport Street

Baghdad

Robert Bosch Morocco SARL

53, Rue Lieutenant Mohamed Mahroud

20300 Casablanca