FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe

In every issue you'll find...

  • Expert insights on techniques and principles
  • Unbiased tool reviews
  • Step-by-step details to master the job
  • Field-tested advice and know-how
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
  • Join
  • Log In
Subscribe
Tools & Materials

Bosch GCM12SD compound-miter saw

This Bosch slider doesn't have tubes

By Patrick McCombe

Cutting wide stock on a miter saw usually means using a sliding saw with one or more tubes that provide travel for the saw’s motor assembly. It’s a time-tested design, but the slide tubes take up a lot of space—generally about 12 in. beyond the rear of the saw—and are especially vulnerable to the bumps and bruises common to everyday life on a job site.

Bosch has addressed this problem with its newest 12-in. slider. The GCM12SD is like no other sliding compound-miter saw you’ve seen. That’s because it doesn’t really slide. Instead, it uses a pair of hinged arms, each with three knuckles, to provide travel for its 13-1/2-in. crosscut capacity. The manufacturer claims the hinged design is more robust than conventional slide tubes and is less likely to go out of alignment. I tested this claim by whacking the hinge mechanism several times with a 3-ft. scrap of 2×4 and then making some test cuts. Even after a sound beating, the saw was accurate, and the hinge mechanism silky smooth.

The saw bevels to 47° in both directions and miters to 60° right and 52° left. There are nine detents for common miter settings, and the semicircular detent ring is adjustable for bringing the saw to square. Crosscut capacity is not as good as on the 12-in. slider from Makita, which goes to 15 in., or on DeWalt’s saw, which can go to 16 in. when part of the two-piece fence is removed (14 in. with the fence intact). But its 13-1/2 in. at 90° is fine for all but the widest soffit boards. I was able to cut a 45° miter in 3/4-in.-thick, 6-in.-wide stock standing up against the fence. With the stock lying on the table, I was able to cut a 45° miter on a 10-in.-wide, 3/4-in.-thick board.

My only complaint with the saw’s performance is the adjustable depth stop designed for dadoes. It flexes slightly when you push down hard on the saw handle, which can vary the depth of cut.

Bottom line: Bosch’s new saw is innovative and accurate, and the controls are precise and intuitive. Unfortunately, a tool of this size (65 lb.) is near the limit of what one person can carry safely. The price tag of $800 also makes it one of the most expensive choices on the market. If I were in the market for a new slider, though, I’d be tempted to pry open my wallet and take the plunge.

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters
×

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Editor Test Results:

Overall RatingGood

Manufacturer Specifications:

ManufacturerBosch
Manufacturer's Web Sitewww.boschtools.com
Manufacturer's Phone Number877-267-2499
Weight65 lb.
DimensionsN/A
Max Width of Cut (90/45 degrees)N/A
Max Depth of CutN/A
Max Miter/BevelN/A
Double BevelN/A
LaserN/A
Amps15 amps
Volts120v
Blade Size12 in.
Blade TypeN/A

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

Comments are closed.

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

How to Install Exterior Laminate PVC Siding

In this video, learn how hidden fasteners make for a seamless feature wall.

Featured Video

SawStop's Portable Tablesaw is Bigger and Better Than Before

The 10-in. Jobsite Saw PRO has a wider table, a new dust-control port, and a more versatile fence, along with the same reliable safety mechanism included in all SawStop tablesaws.

Related Stories

  • DeWalt Recalls 12-in. Sliding Compound Miter Saws
  • Multi-Material Miter Saw
  • Why You Should Use a Cordless Saw
  • Setting Up a Cut Station

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Video

View All
  • Why You Should Use a Cordless Saw
  • How to Make a Zero-Clearance Miter Saw Fence
  • Coping Crown Molding on Inside Corners
  • Build a Built-in Mudroom Series: A Versatile Miter Saw Station
View All

Compound Miter Saws

View All Compound Miter Saws Articles
  • Superportable Sliding Miter Saw
  • Floating shelves have a modern, seamless look. This article explains how to create floating shelves from 3/4-in. rift-sawn white-oak plywood, from cutting the mitered corners, to glue up, to installation. The author puts extra emphasis on the finishing touches—wire brushing, light sanding, and touch-ups.
    Floating Shelves Made Strong and Simple
  • The Britches Method: A Simple Template for Outside Skirt Returns
  • Tool Test: Cordless Sliders
View All Compound Miter Saws Articles

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • Code Check Building 4th Edition
    Buy Now
  • 2021 Fine Homebuilding Archive
    Buy Now
  • Pretty Good House
    Buy Now
  • Outdoor Projects
    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 309 - Aug/Sept
    • 10 Steps to Install Crown Molding on Cabinets
    • How to Get Sturdy Walls Without OSB
    • Choosing the Right Construction Tape for the Job
  • Issue 308 - July 2022
    • Pretty Good House Book Excerpt: Copper Farmhouse
    • 10 Dos and Don'ts for Electric In-Floor Heat
    • A Sturdy Rail for Outdoor Stairs
  • Issue 307 - June 2022
    • How to Raise a Post-Frame Home
    • Trimming Deck Stairs
    • Evolving an Energy-Efficient Envelope
  • Issue 306 - April/May 2022
    • Framing Stairs to an Out-of-Level Landing
    • Building a Zero-Energy Home for Less
    • Good-Looking and Long-Lasting Traditional Gutters
  • Issue 305 - Feb/March 2022
    • The Steady Surge in Residential Solar
    • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: William B. Rose
    • How Good Is Your Air Barrier?

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2022 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in