FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Tiktok YouTube 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
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In
Tools & Materials

CS10 Circular Saw

With the recent discontinuance of the more progressive CS20, this saw is now Bosch’s top blade-right sidewinder

By Michael Springer

Features:
Cutline markers: 90° Fair, 45° Good
Blade visibility: Very Good, even when using both handles
Guard operation: Good
Brake: No
Adjustments: Poor. Depth adjustment arm with stiff rolled edge and nice ratcheting outboard lever. Detents in arm locked in well, but locking along the rest was difficult. Bevel set with similar lever, cast-in numbers marked every 5°, spring-loaded detents at 22.5° and 45° had notable slop.
Shoe: Cast magnesium. Flat across width, flat across length. 
Stability: Poor for both shoe and body flex.
Grip comfort: Rear handle Very Good, trigger Fair due to square edges. Trigger hole tight for gloved hand.
Extras: Folding rafter hook
Case: Fabric bag

Flaws: Two major problems shook my confidence in this saw. The first was the depth adjustment locking mechanism. While it set securely in any of the four slots that are the saw’s depth of cut stops, it would not always reliably lock along the rest of the adjustment arm. Tightening the locking lever causes the mechanism to “walk” up the arm which sets the blade a bit shallower than intended. This anomaly mellowed a bit as I broke the saw in, but remained noticeable.

The second issue was the excessive play between the body of the saw and the shoe which seemed to stem from a loose connection where the metal yoke from the base is bolted to the plastic arm extending from the motor housing.

Bottom Line: Despite being graced with decent power and quality features, the large amount of play between the body and shoe made the Bosch the least favored saw among the top pro brands. Without all the instability, its overall performance otherwise would’ve ranked this tool significantly higher.

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 RatingN/A
ErgonomicsN/A
SightlinesN/A
Depth and Bevel AdjustmentsPoor
Base and Blade GuardN/A

Manufacturer Specifications:

ManufacturerBosch
Manufacturer's Web Sitewww.boschtools.com
Manufacturer's Phone Number877-267-2499
Weight10.9 lbs.
DimensionsN/A
Blade Size7-1/4 in.
Max Depth of Cut (90/45 degrees)N/A
Amps15
Corded/CordlessCorded; 10’-4”
Bevel Range56 degrees
SpeedN/A
TypeSidewinder

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

Comments are closed.

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Exterior Materials for a Midcentury Home

Travis talks with the architect about his thought process for choosing the materials that create a functional and seamless aesthetic for this house.

Featured Video

A Modern California Home Wrapped in Rockwool Insulation for Energy Efficiency and Fire Resistance

The designer and builder of the 2018 Fine Homebuilding House detail why they chose mineral-wool batts and high-density boards for all of their insulation needs.

Related Stories

  • Podcast 599: Members-only Aftershow — Tools That Changed Residential Construction
  • Speedy PEX Expander
  • Deeper Cuts in Concrete
  • Quiet and Compact Cordless Bandsaw

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 Videos
  • Don't Wait to Get These Tools
  • How to Cut a Notch with a Circular Saw
  • How to Accurately Cut a 6x6
  • Worm-Drive Oil Change
View All

Circular Saws

View All Circular Saws Articles
  • Choosing and Adjusting a Circular Saw
  • High-Value Circular-Saw Blades
  • A Deck Builder's Tool Kit
  • Sheathing Specialist
View All Circular Saws Articles

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • Pretty Good House
    Buy Now
  • Code Check Complete 3rd Edition
    Buy Now
  • 2022 Fine Homebuilding Archive
    Buy Now
  • 2023 Tool Guide
    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 318 - October 2023
    • Make Mudsills Square and Level
    • Turn Up the Heat With Induction Cooktops
    • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: Lloyd Alter
  • Issue 317 - Aug/Sept 2023
    • Finishing Drywall With Seamless Results
    • A Flat Roof in a Cold Climate
    • Compact Cordless Shop Vacs
  • Issue 316 - July 2023
    • Timber-Framed Solar Canopies
    • Build a Transom Above a Stock Door
    • Understanding Toilet Design and Efficiency
  • Issue 315 - June 2023
    • How to Craft a Copper Roof
    • 5 Lessons from Building in a Cold Climate
    • The Advantages of Cellular PVC Siding
  • Issue 314 - April/May 2023
    • 7 Options for Countertops
    • Tool Test: Wood-Boring Bits
    • Critical Details for Ductless Heat Pumps

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok
  • twitter

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 or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2023 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

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
  • FHB House
  • 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

  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok
  • twitter

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