With all the excitement surrounding the Bosch Reaxx table saw at World of Concrete earlier this year, their newest miter saw flew under the radar – but nothing more. The Bosch CM12SD is the newest 12" miter saw, following the Bosch GCM12SD (12") and Bosch CM10GD (10") axial slide models released over the past few years.
Those axial sliding models are the smoothest sliding miter saws we've seen. Even five years after it was first introduced, I still haven't used a smoother saw. We're revisiting our original review with a new project to see if it's still one of the top miter saws in the business. That's just a warm-up, though — we also have Bosch's newest miter saw.
Since I do a lot of walking around on residential construction projects, I installed a Bosch GCM12SD on a Bosch T4B Gravity Rise Miter Saw Stand. We've used this stand with other Bosch miter saws and it's hard to beat. I have a cedar floor project to tackle in order to test the saw's speed and see its accuracy and function. I'll also build some structures and targets for the defensive shooting class.
Browsing the forums, we saw some comments about the accuracy of the saw. There was also skepticism about the axial glide design itself—especially whether it would continue to perform well after a while around sawdust and other jobsite debris. I'm going to take a closer look at these and the excellent dust collection that Bosch claims.
first impression
When I pulled this axis-gliding beast out of the box, my initial reaction was that of a child on Christmas morning. I am in awe of the design. The unconventional look and design of the glide system makes it look like some kind of transformer. I'm sure if I press the buttons or turn the knobs in the correct order, it will turn into Megatron.
Out of the box, the glide system was a little loose for me. Just by turning the Allen wrench mounted on the saw, I can tighten it to my desired tension. At 65 lbs the saw was a bit heavy, but I also got a Bosch T4B Gravity Rise Portable Miter Saw Stand. A note on weight and miter saws – when less metal is used they usually get lighter reducing durability or functionality, so I'm not complaining about weight. Once I had the 12" miter saw mounted on the T4B, shipping was a dream. The Gravity Rise Stand is easy to assemble and the Bosch GCM12SD can be easily installed. I am very happy with the setup.
Bosch T4B Gravity Rise Miter Saw Stand
I work for a construction company that specializes in remodeling and repairs. This means we are usually only able to work for a maximum of three days. Transporting our tools easily was a must—we had to pack them all into a 16-foot box trailer. One of the things I like about the Bosch GCM12SD/T4B combo is how compact it is when folded. I've seen people put an extension ladder on top of a pair of sawhorses to make miter sawhorses. Not only is it cumbersome and time-consuming to install and move around, but it's certainly far from compact.
Thanks to the larger tires on the Bosch T4B stand, the saw and stand combination is very stable and easy to move around the yard. When you get to where you want to work, all you have to do is pull the handle and tilt the stand back. It takes about 30 seconds for a miter saw to go from rolling to ready to work. You save time, which in turn saves money. There are platforms without wheels. If you're setting it up at home or at your long-term workplace, great, go ahead and use them. If you're a contractor who's always on the move, I wouldn't even bother.
The Bosch T4B stand has adjustable length and riser support. The riser is a great feature because if you set it up correctly, you don't have to hold the end of the board to make sure you have a real cut. I did find that one of the risers would hit the frame when the unit was folded. Placing the riser higher up when dismounting will help prevent this from happening.
No one wants to lug all their equipment around the house multiple times at the end of the day. With the Bosch T4B Gravity Rise Miter Saw Stand, it doesn't have to be such a chore.
Putting the Bosch GCM12SD 12″ Axial Sliding Miter Saw Stand to Work
The main benefits of axial glide systems are smooth glide and reduced space. The Bosch GCM12SD achieves both goals perfectly with this design. Space is at a premium in most of our workplaces. Since we don't have to plan for an extra 12" to 18" behind the saw, we have more room to work.
When using the Bosch 12″ Axial Slide Miter Saw, I was initially concerned about the number of moving parts in the Axial Slide system. It seems to me that the more moving parts, the more things that could break or break. However, I am in Used it on a couple of messy jobs and haven't seen any ill effects. The glide system works just as well as the day I took it out of the box. When using other traditional miter saw slides in the past, the sawdust would stick to the rail After a while, you'll have to fight the saw to push and pull. Bosch miter saws don't have exposed grease joints, so this problem doesn't arise.
I've read complaints from other users that the joints are causing interrupted cuts due to increased lateral movement or blade wobble. I don't have any issues with beveling. However, I did notice some wiggle in the blade when mitering at a 45-degree angle. This is a common problem with all the 12" miter saws I've used. I've grown accustomed to using a compact miter saw to help with situations like this in pruning jobs, so I wasn't disappointed. When it comes to making the most precise bevel cuts, you'll wonder if the Bosch GCM12SD isn't immune.
My first project while using the dust bag was building a target range for a defensive shooting class. As I cleared I thought to myself, "I know I cut more wood than this". However, my work area is pretty much free of sawdust. Then I checked the dust bag – it was full. Even after doing other projects, I've never seen a sawdust collection system work like this design. Paired with Bosch's VAC140A dust collector, this design has near-top dust collection rates.
My goal is to take a closer look at some of the specific features and claims of this saw. When it comes to performance, I can't say better than what Clint did in his review. The 15 amp motor is smooth and powerful, even with a spare blade. While cutting cedar floors gave me a good sense of accuracy and functionality, that's not a fair assessment of the power of this saw. Be sure to check out Clint's take on the Bosch Axial Glide Miter Saw.
Bosch GCM12SD 12″ Miter Saw Specifications
- Motor: 120 Volt, 15 Amp
- No-load speed: 3800 RPM
- Blade Size: 12″
- Bevel capacity: left and right 48 degrees
- Bevel stop: 0, 33.9, 45 degrees around
- Miter capacity: 52 degrees left, 60 degrees right
- Miter stops: 15, 22.5, 31.6, 45 degrees left and right, 60 degrees right
- Crosscut Capacity: 4″ x 14″
- Vertical Cutting Capacity: 6-1/2″
- Weight: 65 lbs
- Price: $599 (Acme Tool), $649 (Amazon)
in conclusion
The Bosch T48 Gravity Rise Miter Saw Frame is a great addition to the Bosch GCM12SD 12" Axial Slide Miter Saw and I recommend buying them together. The time and frustration saved is well worth your investment. All in all, the performance and functionality of the Bosch GCM12SD miter saw and T48 stand combination is definitely professional grade. In addition to the excellent functional design of the Bosch team, the Transformer-like shape stands out from the competition. I highly recommend the Bosch GCM12SD to all general construction, remodeling and maintenance professionals.