Many readers ask how to distinguish counterfeit brands from original power tools. We decided to carefully investigate the issue and give a number of recommendations that will help you not waste your money.
The first and main recommendation: buy household power tools from authorized retail outlets or online stores that have proven themselves with many years of impeccable work. It is important that the store specializes exclusively in tools and materials for construction and repair. After all, it is clear that if you can buy both perfume and a hammer drill in an online store, you need to seriously think about the quality and sources of supply. At risk are consumers who, in pursuit of cheapness or out of ignorance, decide to purchase a tool from well-known (and not so well-known) brands stamps on the market, from hand or in online stores selling everything.
Let's define the terminology
It should be immediately noted that there are outright fakes of brands and original instruments that are not certified for sales in Russia.
In the first case everything is clear. Counterfeits are made in a handicraft way; technical characteristics are not a priority for counterfeiters; the main thing for them is to more accurately recreate the appearance of the original model. Sometimes this can be done quite well, but often a fake drill or circular saw can be distinguished at first glance. Not only will such household power tools disappoint in terms of performance and durability, but they can also pose a serious threat to the health and even life of the user. The original equipment of famous brands uses motors whose windings are made of double-insulated wire. Counterfeit instruments have single-layer insulation, which significantly increases the risk of electric shock.
In the case of non-certified power tools, things are more complicated. Such models are produced in factories famous companies(that is, the instruments are original). It is clear that in this case there are no complaints about the quality of the product; in appearance it is also absolutely no different from the certified one. But we still advise you to avoid buying an uncertified tool. It is brought into the country illegally. Its selling price may be slightly underestimated, as unscrupulous importers manage to avoid paying customs duties. A side effect of such a scheme is the lack of control and the invalidity of the guarantee. Often, “gray” goods intended for sale in other countries end up on retail shelves. So, on the market or in an online store from unknown suppliers, you can buy a drill or grinder intended for sale in the USA. Everything would be fine, but in the states the standard network voltage is 110 volts, and in Russia - 220. There is also a discrepancy in frequency alternating current(in the USA 60 - Hz, in Russia - 50). We think there is no need to explain possible consequences such a “bargain” purchase. When you bring a burnt tool to a service center, you will be surprised to find that the manufacturer is not responsible for the performance of the tool if the operating conditions are not met.
What household power tools are most often counterfeited?
Manufacturers of counterfeit products want to earn as much as possible, so they try to counterfeit tools from world-famous brands such as Milwaukee, Makita, Bosch, Hitachi, Husqvarna.
But in Lately artisans began to forge even not very expensive instruments Russian manufacturers, for example, “Fiolent” and “Interskol”. For some reason, DeWALT tools are counterfeited less often. The most common counterfeits of Makita tools are the 9069 grinder and the HR2450 hammer drill.
From “Fiolent” the “craftsmen” liked electric jigsaw MP4-700E, and from the Interskol model range - drill D-350ER. There are many examples of counterfeiting existing original designs. But artisanal workshops went further and began to produce tools that have no analogues in model range respected manufacturers. The markings of such models are also fictitious, so a vigilant buyer can check the model code on the manufacturer’s website and avoid purchasing counterfeit products.
In addition to the tool itself, consumables, such as saw blades and grinding wheels, are often counterfeited.
It is clear that it is of poor quality grinding wheel or saw blade may cause injury.
How to distinguish counterfeit goods from the original?
Manufacturers of counterfeits try their best to accurately copy the appearance of original branded instruments. They managed to achieve some success, but still the technology and production conditions do not allow them to achieve absolute identity. Therefore, by being careful, you can often avoid purchasing counterfeit instruments.
Take the Bosch drill for example.
On the original model, the company name is printed in three-dimensional letters, while counterfeit manufacturers most often make the inscription flat or limit themselves to a cheap sticker.
Often a fake can be distinguished by the quality of the case. The texture on the plastic may be uneven, and burrs and sagging may remain at the joints. A self-respecting manufacturer will not allow this. Sometimes underground workshops don’t even bother to accurately reproduce the color of the body of the original model, but the difference can be noticed by a user whose collection already includes tools from a particular company.
You can often find rubber inserts on the body of a branded tool; the handles of drills are also covered with rubber, circular saws etc. Inserts play not only a decorative role, their main task is to reduce vibration and increase the comfort of working with the tool.
The underground workers do not care so much about consumers, so they prefer to replace rubber inserts with plastic ones, only of a different color. It is clear that more convenient tool thanks to them it won't.
Sometimes a fake differs from the original in size and shape, but often a counterfeit can only be distinguished by disassembling the instrument.
For example, in a fake Makita HR2450 hammer drill, the distances between the rotor plates “walk.” It is clear that you can’t even dream of good balancing of an instrument with such an anchor. In addition, the winding of wires in a low-quality copy is so substandard that it is difficult to make out what colors it is. Everything is clear in the original.
In addition to the tool itself, you need to pay attention to the box, the quality of the plastic cases, the packaging and the availability of instructions in Russian.
If any of these elements are in doubt, it is better to refrain from purchasing.
How to identify an uncertified tool?
Each tool must have a plate (nameplate) with the model code, the main technical characteristics, as well as the PCT sign. Only in this case can you be sure that the tool is approved for use in Russia and adapted to the parameters of our power grid.
You need to pay attention to the quality of the plate. Remember also that a certified tool must have instructions in Russian.
Where is it safe to buy a tool?
We have already mentioned that you don’t have to worry about the quality and authenticity of an instrument purchased at authorized retail outlets and representative offices. Their addresses can be found on the websites of tool manufacturers.
The situation is more complicated when purchasing a tool via the Internet. After all, it is often possible to carefully examine and touch the instrument a few days after payment. Therefore, you need to approach the choice of an online store very responsibly and check it according to the following criteria:
1. The store must prove itself with many years of impeccable work. There are services on the Internet that allow you to find out the registration date of a domain name. It is clear that if the domain is 3 months old, the store should not be trusted. It is also useful to look for customer reviews; to do this, type “store name + reviews” into a search engine.
2. The store must specialize exclusively in tools and materials for construction and repair. Purchases on sites where you can buy both a handbag and a milling cutter are absolutely excluded. Typically, deliveries of goods to large online stores with clear specialization are carried out directly by manufacturers.
3. The store must have qualified consultants on staff who can competently answer your questions. It is advisable to have several consultants (each oversees their own group of products).
4. There must be several payment options for goods. You should be wary if the seller only offers payment using electronic payment systems. Even if you are satisfied with this option, then EPS allow you to check the seller’s rating (in the Webmoney system, for example, this is done using the BL business level).
5. The store should offer several delivery options. It is ideal when it is possible to order delivery by cash on delivery (when payment is made after receiving and inspecting the goods).
We wish you a pleasant and, most importantly, safe shopping!!!
The Russian market is literally flooded with non-original consumables for professional power tools. Files for Bosch jigsaw are no exception. After reading the article to the end, you will be able to independently distinguish a Chinese fake Bosch file from the original, thereby saving yourself from disappointment.
Although there may be a false belief that cheap "China" is no different from branded "Bosch", such a perception is completely wrong. Eat external differences, which make the fake obvious. Naturally, if you know about them. And you need to know, because the only “advantage” of Chinese consumer goods is its low price. As for quality, those who have tried it know it.
In the test below, the most “similar” examples of files are selected, which are often passed off as original - “Boshevsky”. In order to simplify the identification process, we will divide it into ten parts, in each of which we will find the difference between the fake and the original. Below in each photo on the left is an image of a 5-piece cardboard blister of the original, on the right is an image of a fake.
Front side
- The original is always supplied with a sticker describing the product in Ukrainian.
- The Bosch logo is always located in the upper left corner of the original blister.
- Differences in color shade printing: the original can be crisp light or dark gray.
- The list of companies on the original packaging is located in two rows in the upper left corner.
- The original item number is black.
- There are two icons-drawings with product characteristics on the original packaging, while on the fake there are three.
back side
- The color of the article is the same.
- The original has an inscription on the lower left with the brand logo and Bosch address.
- Number 309 on the original is stamped on top.
As for the file itself
Lettering, design and icon on the original product with clear borders. In addition, the roughness of the material due to the teeth being set can be heard to the touch. But in some fake files there is no marking at all, leading to a deterioration in the quality of the cut.
So, there is an original, there is a fake. You are not left without information on how to distinguish them. All that remains is to apply the knowledge gained.
The Russian user was convinced first-hand of the reliability of Bosch rotary hammers. Various construction forums provide user opinions about the high performance of Bosch rotary hammers, their operational reliability and convenience.
Bosch rotary hammers are equipped with a dust removal system, a shaft rotation stabilizer, a drill depth limiting rail, and a " soft start", rotation speed regulator, anti-vibration devices, overheating protection devices. This all applies to original designs rotary hammers Bosch 2-20, 2-24, 2-26.
But not everyone knows that along with the originals, there are also fakes. This fully applies to Bosch rotary hammers.
How to distinguish a real hammer drill from a fake or a Chinese-made tool?
Just a few words about Chinese rotary hammers from famous brands.
Chinese rotary hammers, manufactured under license or at Chinese factories owned by Bosch companies (Dremel, Rotozip, Skil), are no different in quality from Bosch rotary hammers produced in Germany.
Recently, Western manufacturers have been trying to locate their production in China. The difference between a Chinese and a branded hammer drill lies in the system for receiving the finished product.
For Bosch rotary hammers manufactured in China for Western Europe, there are two levels of control: factory acceptance and acceptance in the purchasing country. Chinese rotary hammers sent to Western Europe undergo factory acceptance, and upon arrival in the customer country, they are checked there using incoming inspection.
The remaining rotary hammers that have not passed factory control at Chinese factories are sent to third countries. But they are made from the same parts, on the same lines, by the hands of the same workers. And they cost 4...5 times cheaper. The quality is no different.
When buying any instrument, first of all pay attention to the appearance.
Remember Golden Rule: If the appearance of the Bosch case or hammer differs from the original, there may not be a branded tool inside.
Classification of Bosch rotary hammers
Bosch rotary hammers are conventionally divided into professional and household.
Household hammer drills weigh significantly less than professional ones with a power of up to 900 W. Among the disadvantages of household rotary hammers, we highlight poor cooling of the electric motor and high recoil upon impact.
The advantages of professional Bosch rotary hammers include:
- high power;
- efficiency in engine cooling;
- the presence of vibration damping devices;
- long-term operation.
Among the disadvantages, two main ones should be noted: high prices and heavy weight.
How to spot a fake Bosch hammer drill
By appearance you can easily determine whether the product you are looking at is a fake or an original.
You need to start getting acquainted with Bosch rotary hammers by examining the suitcase (case) in which the tool fits.
Identifying a fake by the appearance of the case for transporting Bosch rotary hammers
Inspecting the appearance of the suitcase for transporting Bosch rotary hammers, Special attention Pay attention to the inscriptions, various nameplates, latches, and the quality of casting.
When inspecting the appearance of the tool case for storing and transporting tools, pay special attention to the latches. They must have the Bosch logo imprinted on them. Fake Bosch rotary hammers simply do not have such an inscription on the latches.
When examining the suitcase, pay attention to the size of the gaps between the closing lids. There should be no gaps, or the minimum gaps around the perimeter should be the same everywhere. On fakes, the lids do not fit tightly and are skewed. Casting flash and burrs are visible on the covers.
Pay attention to the branded inscription on the suitcase. The original suitcase has a convex sign and inscription, made by casting, the so-called 3D signs. On a fake suitcase, the inscriptions are pasted on and can be easily removed with a fingernail.
Fake hammer drills have a special sticker with various codes, inscriptions and ciphers on the back of the suitcase. Don't pay any attention to her.
It is designed to divert your attention from the fake. The original simply does not have such a sticker.
The back of the original suitcase is stamped with the Bosch inscription and logo. There are no such embossed inscriptions on the fake.
To distinguish a fake Bosch rotary hammer from the original, you need to buy power tools in specialized stores and complete all the necessary documents.
Video of identifying fake Bosch rotary hammers by the appearance of the transport case.
Video: How to spot a fake by looking at a suitcase (2-26 Bosch)
Let's open the suitcase.
Identifying a fake by the appearance of the housing of Bosch rotary hammers
On the original body, all inscriptions and icons are applied using the extrusion method. A fake puncher has inscriptions either glued on a film or each letter is glued on. These inscriptions and letters come off easily when picked with a fingernail. In the original this is impossible in principle.
There are Bosch 2-24 rotary hammers with a body of blue color. As a rule, these are rotary hammers manufactured in Europe. They most often become the subject of counterfeiting. On a fake, the incorrectly applied inscription is immediately visible. Instead of the inscription Bosch 2-24, a set of letters and numbers are pasted on the fake, which at first glance resemble the inscription of the original.
Well, one last thing. On a factory-made Bosch rotary hammer, the inscriptions are applied by casting or extrusion. A fake Bosch rotary hammer has inscriptions pasted on self-adhesive tape.
These are the main characteristics of counterfeits, determined by the appearance of the power tool.
How to avoid counterfeits
To avoid falling for a fake, you need to follow several recommendations:
do not buy power tools by hand, in online stores, or in markets;
don't be fooled by the low price, quality tool cannot be cheap;
buy only in specialized power tool stores with all warranty documents completed
Don’t be gullible, don’t fall for simple tricks, don’t go after cheap prices.
The Russian user was convinced first-hand of the reliability of Bosch rotary hammers. Various construction forums provide user opinions about the high performance of Bosch rotary hammers, their operational reliability and convenience.
Bosch rotary hammers are equipped with a dust removal system, a shaft rotation stabilizer, a drill depth limiting rail, a “soft start” system, a rotation speed regulator, anti-vibration devices, and overheating protection devices. This all applies to the original designs of Bosch rotary hammers 2-20, 2-24, 2-26.
But not everyone knows that along with the originals, there are also fakes. This fully applies to Bosch rotary hammers.
How to distinguish a real hammer drill from a fake or a Chinese-made tool?
Just a few words about Chinese rotary hammers from famous brands.
Chinese rotary hammers, manufactured under license or at Chinese factories owned by Bosch companies (Dremel, Rotozip, Skil), are no different in quality from Bosch rotary hammers produced in Germany.
Recently, Western manufacturers have been trying to locate their production in China. The difference between a Chinese and a branded hammer drill lies in the system for receiving the finished product.
For Bosch rotary hammers manufactured in China for Western Europe, there are two levels of control: factory acceptance and acceptance in the purchasing country. Chinese rotary hammers sent to Western Europe undergo factory acceptance, and upon arrival in the customer country, they are checked there using incoming inspection.
The remaining rotary hammers that have not passed factory control at Chinese factories are sent to third countries. But they are made from the same parts, on the same lines, by the hands of the same workers. And they cost 4...5 times cheaper. The quality is no different.
When buying any instrument, first of all pay attention to the appearance.
Remember the golden rule: If the appearance of a Bosch case or hammer drill differs from the original, there cannot be a branded tool inside.
Classification of Bosch rotary hammers
Bosch rotary hammers are conventionally divided into professional and household.
Household hammer drills weigh significantly less than professional ones with a power of up to 900 W. Among the disadvantages of household rotary hammers, we highlight poor cooling of the electric motor and high recoil upon impact.
The advantages of professional Bosch rotary hammers include:
- high power;
- efficiency in engine cooling;
- the presence of vibration damping devices;
- long-term operation.
Among the disadvantages, two main ones should be noted: high prices and heavy weight.
How to spot a fake Bosch hammer drill
By appearance, you can quite easily determine whether it is a fake or an original.
You need to start getting acquainted with Bosch rotary hammers by examining the suitcase (case) in which the tool fits.
Identifying a fake by the appearance of the case for transporting Bosch rotary hammers
When inspecting the appearance of the suitcase for transporting Bosch rotary hammers, pay special attention to the inscriptions, various nameplates, latches, and the quality of casting.
When inspecting the appearance of the tool case for storing and transporting tools, pay special attention to the latches. They must have the Bosch logo imprinted on them. Fake Bosch rotary hammers simply do not have such an inscription on the latches.
When examining the suitcase, pay attention to the size of the gaps between the closing lids. There should be no gaps, or the minimum gaps around the perimeter should be the same everywhere. On fakes, the lids do not fit tightly and are skewed. Casting flash and burrs are visible on the covers.
Pay attention to the branded inscription on the suitcase. The original suitcase has a convex sign and inscription, made by casting, the so-called 3D signs. On a fake suitcase, the inscriptions are pasted on and can be easily removed with a fingernail.
Fake hammer drills have a special sticker with various codes, inscriptions and ciphers on the back of the suitcase. Don't pay any attention to her.
It is designed to divert your attention from the fake. The original simply does not have such a sticker.
The back of the original suitcase is stamped with the Bosch inscription and logo. There are no such embossed inscriptions on the fake.
To distinguish a fake Bosch rotary hammer from the original, you need to buy power tools in specialized stores and complete all the necessary documents.
Video of identifying fake Bosch rotary hammers by the appearance of the transport case.
Video: How to spot a fake by looking at a suitcase (2-26 Bosch)
Let's open the suitcase.
Identifying a fake by the appearance of the housing of Bosch rotary hammers
On the original body, all inscriptions and icons are applied using the extrusion method. A fake puncher has inscriptions either glued on a film or each letter is glued on. These inscriptions and letters come off easily when picked with a fingernail. In the original this is impossible in principle.
There are Bosch 2-24 rotary hammers that have a blue body. As a rule, these are rotary hammers manufactured in Europe. They most often become the subject of counterfeiting. On a fake, the incorrectly applied inscription is immediately visible. Instead of the inscription Bosch 2-24, a set of letters and numbers are pasted on the fake, which at first glance resemble the inscription of the original.
Well, one last thing. On a factory-made Bosch rotary hammer, the inscriptions are applied by casting or extrusion. A fake Bosch rotary hammer has inscriptions pasted on self-adhesive tape.
These are the main characteristics of counterfeits, determined by the appearance of the power tool.
How to avoid counterfeits
To avoid falling for a fake, you need to follow several recommendations:
do not buy power tools by hand, in online stores, or in markets;
do not be fooled by the low price, a quality tool cannot be cheap;
buy only in specialized power tool stores with all warranty documents completed
Don’t be gullible, don’t fall for simple tricks, don’t go after cheap prices.
The well-known Bosh brand is associated throughout the world with high quality and reliability. Throughout its existence, the company has always placed the quality of its products at the forefront. The price of the product has always been slightly higher than that of competitors, but it has always been justified by the quality. With the development of the market, a huge number of unscrupulous entrepreneurs have appeared offering to buy fake Bosh. In this regard, I propose to figure out together how to distinguish an original Bosh from a fake.
In order not to run into a fake, it is suggested to purchase Bosh products only from official dealers in the company store. In this case, you will definitely buy an original Bosh. Also, such stores, as a rule, offer warranty service for your instrument. Full list Dealers can be viewed on the official Bosh website. Unfortunately, not all Russian cities have official Bosh representatives, so you will want to purchase products on the market, but that is where they sell a large number of replicas, therefore, when buying a product in such places, you should carefully study the product before giving money for it.
When purchasing, pay attention to the logo. On fakes it can simply be pasted in the form of a film or letters glued separately. On the original instrument and case, the logo is always stamped in rich red color. On Chinese fakes, the logo is usually just letters glued on. Only the stamped, embossed logo is a sign of the original Bosh.
It is important to understand that the original Bosh tool cannot be cheap. Of course, a high price is not an exact guarantee, since our entrepreneurs often put a high price on a fake, thereby making a big profit.
Another nuance that gives away a fake is the information plate on the instrument. The original must contain information about the product number and country of origin. For fakes, the number often does not match the original catalogue. In the event that there are hieroglyphs on the information label, this is sure sign fakes.
As a rule, the color of the instrument and case is the first thing that gives away a fake. The original Bosh can only be made in blue and green. The color of the original is quite rich and bright, which makes it possible to always understand which series instrument is in front of you. Color cannot have any shades or tones; the original has only green or blue.
The warranty card must contain contact details of service centers and markings, as well as stamps. The instructions must have a translation into Russian.
It should be noted that there are no burrs on the original tool, and all gaps are the same size. On the original instrument, the paint applied to the switch is very clear with no smudges. Another indicator of a replica can be the instrument’s network cable. On Chinese fakes it often has a very strong and pungent smell of rubber.
Perhaps these are all the main points that distinguish an original Bosh tool from a fake. We hope they will help you when purchasing Bosh products.
