BOSCH GPO 950 Professional Metal Surface Polisher Instruction Manual

: May 21, 2024
: Bosch

Table of Contents

BOSCH GPO 950 Professional Metal Surface Polisher
Safety Instructions
Safety Instructions for Polisher
Product Description and Specifications
Intended Use
Product Features
Technical Data
Fitting
Operation
Maintenance and Service
Disposal
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

BOSCH GPO 950 Professional Metal Surface Polisher

Safety Instructions

General Power Tool Safety Warnings
WARNING Read all safety warnings and all instructions. Failure to follow the warnings and instructions 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 mainsoperated (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 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, clothing and gloves 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.

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 the battery pack 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. 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 per formed. Use of the power tool for operations different from those intended could result in a hazardous situation.

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.

Safety Instructions for Polisher

Safety Warnings common for Polishing

This power tool is intended to function as a polisher.
Read all safety warnings, instructions, illustrations and specifications provided with this power tool. Failure to follow all instructions listed below may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury.
Operations such as grinding, sanding, wire brushing or cutting-off are not recommended to be performed with this power tool. Operations for which the power tool was not designed may create a hazard and cause personal injury.
Do not use accessories which are not specifically designed and recommended by the tool manufacturer. Just because the accessory can be attached to your power tool, it does not assure safe operation.
The rated speed of the accessory must be at least equal to the maximum speed marked on the power tool. Accessories running faster than their rated speed can break and fly apart.
The outside diameter and the thickness of your accessory must be within the capacity rating of your power tool. Incorrectly sized accessories cannot be adequately guarded or controlled.
Threaded mounting of accessories must match the grinder spindle thread. For accessories mounted by flanges, the arbour hole of the accessory must fit the locating diameter of the flange. Accessories that do not match the mounting hardware of the power tool will run out of balance, vibrate excessively and may cause loss of control.
Do not use a damaged accessory. Before each use inspect the accessory such as abrasive wheels for chips and cracks, backing pad for cracks, tear or excess wear, wire brush for loose or cracked wires. If power tool or accessory is dropped, inspect for damage or install an undamaged accessory. After inspecting and installing an accessory, position yourself and bystanders away from the plane of the rotating accessory and run the power tool at maximum no load speed for one minute. Damaged accessories will normally break apart during this test time.
Wear personal protective equipment. Depending on application, use face shield, safety goggles or safety glasses. As appropriate, wear dust mask, hearing protectors, gloves and workshop apron capable of stopping small abrasive or workpiece fragments. The eye protection must be capable of stopping flying debris generated by various operations . The dust mask or respir ator must be capable of filtrating particles generated by your operation. Prolonged exposure to high intensity noise may cause hearing loss.
Keep bystanders a safe distance away from work area. Anyone entering the work area must wear personal protective equipment. Fragments of workpiece or of a broken accessory may fly away and cause injury beyond immediate area of operation.
Position the cord clear of the spinning accessory. If you lose control, the cord may be cut or snagged and your hand or arm may be pulled into the spinning accessory.
Never lay the power tool down until the accessory has come to a complete stop. The spinning accessory may grab the surface and pull the power tool out of your control.
Do not run the power tool while carrying it at your side. Accidental contact with the spinning accessory could snag your clothing, pulling the accessory into your body.
Regularly clean the power tool’s air vents. The motor’s fan will draw the dust inside the housing and excessive accumulation of powdered metal may cause electrical hazards.
Do not operate the power tool near flammable materials. Sparks could ignite these materials.
Do not use accessories that require liquid coolants. Using water or other liquid coolants may result in electrocution or shock.

Kickback and Related Warnings
Kickback is a sudden reaction to a pinched or snagged rotating wheel, backing pad, brush or any other accessory. Pinching or snagging causes rapid stalling of the rotating accessory which in turn causes the uncontrolled power tool to be forced in the direction opposite of the accessory’s rotation at the point of the binding. For example, if an abrasive wheel is snagged or pinched by the workpiece, the edge of the wheel that is entering into the pinch point can dig into the surface of the material causing the wheel to climb out or kick out. The wheel may either jump toward or away from the operator, depending on direction of the wheel’s movement at the point of pinching. Abrasive wheels may also break under these conditions. Kickback is the result of power tool misuse and/or incorrect operating procedures or conditions and can be avoided by taking proper precautions as given below.

Maintain a firm grip on the power tool and position your body and arm to allow you to resist kickback forces. Always use auxiliary handle, if provided, for maximum control over kickback or torque reaction during start-up. The operator can control torque reactions or kickback forces, if proper precautions are taken.
Never place your hand near the rotating accessory. Accessory may kickback over your hand.
Do not position your body in the area where power tool will move if kickback occurs. Kickback will propel the tool in direction opposite to the wheel’s movement at the point of snagging.
Use special care when working corners, sharp edges etc. Avoid bouncing and snagging the accessory.
Corners, sharp edges or bouncing have a tendency to snag the rotating accessory and cause loss of control or kickback.
Do not attach a saw chain woodcarving blade or toothed saw blade. Such blades create frequent kickback and loss of control.

Safety Warnings specific for Polishing operations

Do not allow any loose portion of the polishing bonnet or its attachment strings to spin freely. Tuck away or trim any loose attachment strings. Loose and spinning attachment strings can entangle your fingers or snag on the workpiece.

Additional safety information
Wear safety goggles

Use suitable detectors to determine if utility lines are hidden in the work area or call the local utility company for assistance. Contact with electric lines can lead to fire and electric shock. Damaging a gas line can lead to explosion. Penetrating a water line causes property damage or may cause an electric shock.
Release the On/Off switch and set it to the off position when the power supply is interrupted, e. g., in case of a power failure or when the mains plug is pulled. This prevents uncontrolled restarting.

Products sold in GB only:
Your product is fitted with an BS 1363/A approved electric plug with internal fuse (ASTA approved to BS 1362).
If the plug is not suitable for your socket outlets, it should be cut off and an appropriate plug fitted in its place by an authorised customer service agent. The replacement plug should have the same fuse rating as the original plug.
The severed plug must be disposed of to avoid a possible shock hazard and should never be inserted into a mains socket elsewhere.

Secure the workpiece. A workpiece clamped with clamping devices or in a vice is held more secure than by hand.

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 polishing metal and coated surfaces.

Product Features

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

Speed preselection thumbwheel
On/off switch locking mechanism
On/off switch
Guard plate
Auxiliary handle (insulated gripping surface)
M14 adapter
M16 adapter
Adhesive disc (M16)
Flat polishing sponge
Lambswool pada)
Wavy set polishing spongea)
Polishing disc with spongea)
Open-ended spanner (2x)
Handle (insulated gripping surface)
Direction of rotation arrow on housing
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

Fitting

Fitting Protective Equipment

Pull the plug out of the socket before carrying out any work on the power tool.

Side handle

Do not operate your power tool without the side handle (5).
Do not continue to use the power tool if the auxiliary handle is damaged. Do not make any alterations to the auxiliary handle.

Screw the side handle (5) on the left or right of the machine head depending on how your are working.
Guard plate
Fit the guard plate (4) to ensure better protection against the hot air from the ventilation slots of the power tool.
The guard plate (4) is attached together with the auxiliary handle (5).

Fitting the Polishing Tools

Pull the plug out of the socket before carrying out any work on the power tool.
Clean the (6) or (7) adapter and all of the parts to be fitted.
Screw the (6) or (7) adapter into the power tool.
Secure the adapter to the power tool using an open-ended spanner (13).
Based on the size of the accessory, tighten the (6) or (7) adapter with the second open-ended spanner (13) by turning it clockwise.
See the graphics page for fitting instructions.

Adhesive Disc
Screw the adhesive disc (8) onto the (6) or (7) adapter by turning it clockwise.
Secure the flat polishing sponge (9) or lambswool pad (10) or wavy set polishing sponge (11) to the adhesive disc (8).

Polishing Disc with Sponge
Screw the polishing disc with sponge (12) onto the (6) or (7) adapter by turning it clockwise.

Dust/Chip Extraction
Dust from materials such as lead-containing coatings, some wood types, minerals and metal can be harmful to one’s health. Touching or breathing-in the dust can cause allergic reactions and/or lead to respiratory infections of the user or bystanders.
Certain dust, such as oak or beech dust, is considered carcinogenic, especially in connection with wood-treatment additives (chromate, wood preservative). Materials containing asbestos may only be worked by specialists.

Provide for good ventilation of the working place.
It is recommended to wear a P2 filter-class respirator.
Observe the relevant regulations in your country for the materials to be worked.
Avoid dust accumulation at the workplace. Dust can easily ignite.

Operation

Start-Up

Pay attention to the mains voltage. The voltage of the power source must match the voltage specified on the rating plate of the power tool. Power tools marked with 230 V can also be operated with 220 V.
Products that are only sold in AUS and NZ: Use a residual current device (RCD) with a nominal residual current of 30 mA or less.

When operating the power tool using a mobile generator that does not have sufficient reserve capacity or an adequate voltage control system with inrush current boost converter, loss of performance or atypical behaviour may occur upon switch-on. Please check the suitability of the power generator you are using, particularly with regard to the mains voltage and frequency.

Switching on/off
To start the power tool, press the on/off switch (3).
Press the locking mechanism (2) to lock the on/off switch (3) in this position.
To switch off the power tool, release the on/off switch (3); or, if the switch is locked, briefly press the on/off switch (3) and then release it.

Always check polishing tools before using them. The polishing tools must be fitted properly and be able to move freely. Carry out a test run for at least one minute with no load. Do not use polishing tools that are damaged, run untrue or vibrate during use. Damaged polishing tools can burst apart and cause injuries.

Speed preselection
You can preselect the required speed using the thumbwheel for speed preselection (1), even during operation. The required speed depends on the material and the working conditions; it can be ascertained through practical tests.

The rated speed of the accessory must be at least equal to the maximum speed marked on the power tool. Accessories running faster than their rated speed can break and fly apart.

Constant Electronic control
The Constant Electronic keeps the speed at no load and under load virtually consistent, guaranteeing uniform performance.

Soft start
The electronic soft start limits the torque when the power tool is switched on and increases the service life of the motor.

Working advice

Pull the plug out of the socket before carrying out any work on the power tool.
Clamp the workpiece if it is not secure under its own weight.
Do not load the power tool so heavily that it comes to a stop.
If the power tool has been subjected to a heavy load, continue to run it at no-load for several minutes to cool down the accessory.
Only hold the power tool by the handle and auxiliary handle during work. The application tool could come into contact with hidden wiring or its own cord. Contact with live wires may make metal parts of the tool live, posing a risk of electric shock (see figure A).

Polishing
For polishing weathered lacquers and redressing scratches (e.g. acrylic glass), the power tool can be fitted with an appropriate polishing tool, e.g. lambswool bonnet, polishing felt or polishing sponge (accessory). Select a low speed for polishing (level 1–2) to prevent the surface from overheating. Apply the polish to an area slightly smaller than the area which you intend to polish. Using the appropriate polishing tool, work in the polish using side- to-side or circular motions and applying moderate pressure. Do not allow the polish to dry out on the surface; this may damage the surface. Do not expose the surface which you intend to polish to direct sunlight. Clean the polishing tools regularly to ensure good polishing results. Wash the polishing tools with mild detergent and warm water; do not use thinning agents.

Maintenance and Service

Maintenance and Cleaning

Pull the plug out of the socket before carrying out any work on the power tool.
To ensure safe and efficient operation, always keep the power tool and the ventilation slots clean.
In extreme conditions, always use a dust extractor if possible. Blow out ventilation slots frequently and install a residual current device (RCD) upstream. When machining metals, conductive dust can settle inside the power tool, which can affect its protective insulation. Store and handle the accessories carefully. In order to avoid safety hazards, if the power supply cord needs to be replaced, this must be done by Bosch or by anafter-sales service centre that is authorised to repair Bosch power tools.

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.

Malaysia
Robert Bosch Sdn. Bhd.(220975-V) PT/SMY
No. 8A, Jalan 13/6
46200 Petaling Jaya
Selangor
Tel.: (03) 79663194
Toll-Free: 1800 880188
Fax: (03) 79583838
E-Mail: kiathoe.chong@my.bosch.com
www.bosch-pt.com.my
You can find further service addresses at:
www.bosch-pt.com/serviceaddresses

Disposal

The power tool, accessories and packaging should be recycled in an environmentally friendly manner. Do not dispose of power tools along with household waste.