Bosch - 5412L 12-in. Sliding Compound-Miter Saw

Editor's Review: Testing 12-in. Sliding Compound-Miter Saws

The Bosch is packed with innovative features, but the standout is excellent up-front controls for both bevels and miters. It was also the quietest saw I tested. Unfortunately, the model I tried out had some problems with accuracy. With the rails fully extended, I could push the head of the saw more than a full blade width either way from center. This is a flaw that can be overcome with practice and proper cutting technique, but I was disappointed. Also, the saw’s miter setting would consistently creep to the right as the locking knob was tightened. The drifting can be overcome by applying quite a bit of pressure to the left while tightening the knob, but this shouldn’t be necessary. It also makes accurate cuts more difficult. Hoping that these two flaws affected only the test model, we purchased a second saw to confirm the results. The new saw had little play in the head, but the miter-lock creep problem persisted. It’s a shame because this saw is an otherwise beautifully engineered and well-thought-out tool that was in close contention for best overall.

Editor Test Results: