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Tool Addicts

New Sliding Miter Saw from Bosch

Patrick McCombe, contributor

254 users recommend

Free from tubes, Bosch's new 12-in. slider can be pushed against a wall. The slide mechanism is silky smooth and you can adjust the resistance to your personal taste.

Patrick McCombe

The bevel control is on the front of the saw next to the miter adjustment, so you don't have to reach around back. It bevels in both directions too.

Bosch

Mounted to the back of the saw table instead of the table top, Bosch claims their new fence design is sturdier and less likely to go out of alignment.

Patrick McCombe

Bosch used this gooseneck fitting for dust collection to save room at the back of the saw. Bosch claims up to 90% effciency, but I think that's a little optimistic based on my observations. I'd say closer to 60% or 70%.

Free from tubes, Bosch's new 12-in. slider can be pushed against a wall. The slide mechanism is silky smooth and you can adjust the resistance to your personal taste.

Photo: Patrick McCombe

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In the nearly ten years I've been reviewing and writing about tools, few things stand out as truly revolutionary, but Bosch's 12-inch sliding miter saw is definitely among them. The new saw doesn't have slide tubes. Instead it has a pair of hinged arms, each with three knuckles. The design makes the slide mechanism more robust (I watched a Bosch employee whack it repeatedly with a scrap of 2x4) and allows you to put the saw right against the wall which should be a big help in cramped quarters.

The saw also has Bosch's innovative up-front bevel control and a new fence that bolts to the back instead of the top of the saw's base. The maker claims the design prevents the fence from going out of alignment for increased accuracy.

I've requested one for editorial review. Look for a full writeup in an upcoming issue of Fine Woodworking magazine and in Fine Woodworking.com's online tool guide

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Comments (27)

deere2520 writes: This is the Bosch GCM12SD. The one I seen on youtube wasn't.
Posted: 4:22 pm on September 12th

deere2520 writes: This is not the Bosch GCM12SD Glide Miter.
The picture of the GM12SD is completely different.
It has two bars it slide on.
Posted: 9:51 pm on September 3rd

deere2520 writes: it.
Posted: 1:40 am on August 30th

deere2520 writes: I would like to see this saw in action. I hope lowes or home depot carries ir.
Posted: 1:39 am on August 30th

Dick_Summe writes: Does the motor have soft start?
Posted: 9:01 am on August 22nd

Dick_Summe writes: Does the motor have soft start?
Posted: 9:01 am on August 22nd

deere2520 writes: I emailed Bosch and ask if they could tell me what Month
this was coming out,but they just said sometime this fall.
I would like to see it in action before I buy. Does anyone know if they have a expo show where they show this. I live 80 miles from the Pittsburgh expo center.
Posted: 12:05 pm on August 14th

deere2520 writes: When are they going to sell this saw and quit talking about it.
Posted: 11:44 am on August 14th

energytactics writes: Does anyone have the footprint dimensions for this saw? Haven't seen any in any online review.

Also is there a depth of cut adjustment to make dados?
Posted: 9:42 pm on July 6th

hguy39 writes: how does this tool compair to Hitachi's new 12 "slideing miter at aprox. $650.
Posted: 9:05 pm on June 29th

glstexas writes: I don't know. Where will it all end? I want a laser cutting chop saw with a .0001 kerf - now that's a real game changer! When that comes out, I'll trade in my 12" Hitachi slider.

One cool thing about the Bosch is that you can set the bevel from the front of the saw. The Hitachi makes you crawl up on the bench to change it when it's used in a fixed configuration.

FWW likes to hype up things if you haven't noticed.




Posted: 12:37 pm on June 27th

neil howard writes: What is the width and depth of cut? I wonder how it would compare with my radial arm saw?
Posted: 2:54 pm on June 23rd

metron writes: Why is this saw a "game changer?" Because you can put it against a wall or because you can whack it with a 2x4? I don't get it.
Posted: 10:48 pm on June 22nd

RalphBarker writes: Can I get one with a 48" width of cut? Now, that would be a game-changer. ;-)
Posted: 4:39 pm on June 21st

LouieAtienza writes: I believe Pierre Sarrus invented this type of straight line linkage in the 1850s... cool to see that it's still relevant today!
Posted: 1:22 pm on June 16th

gzpz writes: I believe the model number is the GCM12SD Glide Miter Saw. I think it is coming out in the fall for just under $700.


Seems like $1,000 is the new $500...
Posted: 12:47 pm on June 15th

Richie3000 writes: The model number should be Bosch GCM12SD, no solid word on pricing yet, but expect region of $699 when it hits shelves. Not cheap, but being Bosch possibly worth it. :)
This technology is called "axial-glide".

Posted: 12:44 pm on June 15th

saschafer writes:
@demouser:

I agree. It shouldn't be difficult to put together a setup that exerts a consistent lateral force on the handle (all it takes is a weight, a pulley, some string and some scrap wood).

I was having some difficulty getting consistent perpendicular cuts with my own miter saw. I finally figured out that the dust collection hose was exerting enough force to pull the head out of whack. I did some tests with a dial indicator, and just a light sideways force (I didn't measure it) was enough to move the front of the blade by 0.010", while the same amount of force moved the back of the blade only 0.002".

-Steve


Posted: 12:23 pm on June 15th

demouser writes: When you test miter saws you should put a dial indicator on the blade and pull the saw mechanism sideways to see how much side-to-side play there is. Use a tensions gauge (or fish scale) for consistency.

A bit of slop doesn't matter much for framing, but becomes important for trim and furniture. Accurate cuts with sliders are iffy. A good old-fashioned hinge type is the best. It would be interesting to compare cut accuracy of the new Bosch articulated saw to others.



Posted: 9:31 am on June 15th

Franaq writes:
It looks good, but I'd be a little worried about stability when the saw head is extended all the way forward. It looks like rigidity is dependent on three sets of hinge pins, each of which is under great stress at full extension. Time should tell.
Posted: 9:26 am on June 15th

energytactics writes: Does anyone have a model number for this saw?

I'd like to see a head to head comparison with the Festool Kapex.

My shop is rather narrow and I have not added a sliding miter because other than the Festool nothing can go close to the wall. This would appear to be a strong alternative. I wonder if a 10" version is coming?
Posted: 9:22 am on June 15th

jph01 writes: Any pricing yet?
Posted: 9:12 am on June 15th

patrick_mccombe writes: Good question, Bunkey. I've added a photo that shows the dust hood and hose connection. See above. I'd say the system is on par with all the other miter saws I've used. I suspect Bosch decided these tools are mostly sold to carpenters and homebuilders who use them outside, so they gave the dust collection system less emphasis.

It's quite a speciman you have there Mr. Hausch! Is it more of a collectable or do you use it in a commercial setting?
Posted: 7:49 am on June 15th

wulfpacker writes: Does it have laser lines? If not, then I pass.
Posted: 7:36 am on June 15th

Bunkey writes: What about sawdust control?
Posted: 7:28 am on June 15th

jhausch writes: Here is a slightly less portable version of a similar extension mechanism. :)
http://www.owwm.com/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=795

[img]http://www.owwm.com/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=795[/img]
Posted: 6:48 am on June 15th

dastep writes: Can you request 2 for editorial review? ;-)
Posted: 1:17 pm on June 14th

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