Smoothest Cuts, Flawless Miter Joints

Street price: $330
Accuracy of cut: Excellent
Quality of cut: Excellent

The first thing we noticed about the Bosch were deep milling marks on the table. These turn out to be a big benefit, gripping the wood to keep it firmly in place when cutting miters and bevels. With other saws, you have to maintain a tighter grip to keep workpieces from creeping. The stops and detents for common angle settings needed zero adjustment right out of the box. Also, the Bosch is the only model with a completely flat fence and table. Better yet, it produced the smoothest cuts, and flawless miter joints. Bosch got most of the little things right, too. The dust collection is the best of all the saws and the blade-braking system is smooth and fast. The blade is easy to change, and the guard stays out of the way on its own, the only one to do so. The only flawed feature was the graduated miter scale. The lines are thick and the pointer is imprecise. Also, when you set the pointer accurately at 90°, it is off a bit at 45°. The detents are accurate, though.

Fine Woodworking Recommended Products

Festool DF 500 Q-Set Domino Joiner

This joinery machine revolutionized woodworking for so many. There is no easier way to get mortise and tenon joints—but it comes at a cost.

Buy at Amazon

Bosch 12V Trim Router

Trim routers are easier to handle when you cut the cord, and the Bosch’s compact, curvy shape and unique base give it unmatched control.

Buy at Amazon

Ridgid EB4424 Oscillating Spindle/Belt Sander

With five spindles sized from 1/2 in. to 2 in. and a 4 X 24-in. belt, this sander has become a staple in many a shop Fine Woodworking visits.

Buy at Amazon