Bosch GCM12SD 12" Glide Mitersaw

Combined with the built-in extensions of the saw and the extensions of the optional "Gravity Table" I could handle extra long stock. I had been looking for the right miter saw for many years with no luck. I had been buying, trying, and selling miter saws over-and-over. I was sick of it. Until then, all other sliding-compound-miter-saws had 2 steel rods that were suspended over the saw's cutting path. You ask, "What's wrong with that?" They always had a vibration caused by the ball bearing rollers as they rolled over the dust on the rods - every one of them! That vibration has to transfer to the saw blade and the quality of the finished cut. Not so with this Bosch gliding design. Then I read an article describing the coming of this Bosch Glider. It didn't have any rods and bearings to rumble and vibrate and spoil the cut finish. Instead, and this is important to notice and think about, it was designed with "knuckles" (or hinges), not 2 steel rods. I have used other kinds of tools that use knuckles to keep the parts in line and operating perfectly straight and smooth. So I was familiar with the design concept, and liked it. I put my order in as a pre-order. So, I was willing to take a chance on my gut feeling. The saw was "almost perfect". Pros: It was very solid and sturdy. This is also a "con", because it was so heavy, and I am getting older and weaker. This would not be a problem for a young man with lots of muscle. It operated as smoothly as I had hoped. There was absolutely no vibration as I had experienced with rods. The knuckles never imposed behind the saw at all, so I could push it right up against a wall. All controls are up front and easy to use. Good, solid stop detents that leave no doubt that you have found the exact angle you are searching for. Cons: It's very heavy. You must judge this one for your needs. For me, it sits in my shop; I never intend to take it to a job site. Like most tools, calibration is ticklish, and takes time. All types of machines seem to have this fault. I would sure be angry if my new car needed this much user service. But like I said, this is common to all machinery; they never come perfect from the factory. Even chisels require the owner to sharpen them before using them the first time. I had one problem. The saw has an electronic braking system. At firt it worked fine. By that I mean that I would turn on the saw motor, bring it to full speed, then release the trigger. Normally it stopped quickly...until one time it didn't. The blade just costed to a stop, taking a long time. I called the factory, but they had no clue for what could cause this. They said to take it to a service center! No chance I was going to build a crate and haul it up the stairs from my shop and lift it onto my truck. So I studied it to try to figure out what could cause the brake to fail. I found it! It was simply a LOOSE ARBORE NUT! I tightened it, and all has been well since. The factory blade is not meant to make the machine cut well. I would say it is there to teach you how to change blades. In other words, buy a Forrest Woodworker or other quality blade to replace it. I was surprised at the low price offered by "Performance Line Tool Center". I jumped on it! (I cannot speak to what they sell for today.) The dust collection sucks; no, it really doesn't exist. I replaced it with a tent that catches the dust and lets it drop to the bottom. (See "Chopshop Saw Hood" from "www.fastcap.com".) I would recommend it to everyone. That's all the cons. Once you get by them, you are set

The rather crude hold-down clamp on the Bosch is slow to adjust (turn, turn, turn the knob) when alternating between thick and thin workpieces. I have replaced the hold-down clamps with better clamps from other brands of compound miter saws. The super-stiff switch and safety button springs have also been replaced with lighter-to-push replacements. I have yet to find a solution to the poor dust collection despite a dedicated shop vac and customized hose hookup. The main culprit appears to be a too-small dust gathering rubber apron and a convoluted, too small dust, collection plastic ducting fitting on the saw.