The Bosch GCM12SD Axial GLide 12" Dual Bevel Miter Saw is a leap forward in design and function. Design innovation in tandem with the best features from earlier models combine for a saw with more bang for the buck than any other compound miter saw. Especially if you know where to find the best deal.
Sliding compound miter saws extend the width of cut by moving the blade forwards and backwards on rails. This design, though proven has some disadvantages.
Dewalt 12 Saw
The rails which hang out of the back of the saw take up a lot of space. Rails are prone to mis-alignment and eventual wear causing inaccuracies. Saw dust and resins clog up exposed sliding mechanisms causing stickiness and uneven saw action. Rails are quite fragile and vulnerable to damage (especially if the saw is moved from site to site)
How does he Bosch 12" Dual Bevel Glide Saw overcome ALL of the above problems?
The traditional rails of sliding saws are replaced with a cleverly designed cast aluminum folding arm. This is the essence of the Axial Glide System. The Arm is really 2 arms which are set 90 degrees to each other, but move in unison. The entire assembly is fully supported by 12 sealed ball bearings. The result is precise, smooth forward and backward motion an greater accuracy which remains true with extended use.
The compact design of the axial glide system means there's nothing hanging out of the back of the saw and it can be placed within an inch of a wall, saving around 10"-12" of space compared to a scms. This opens up new possibilities to set up a miter saw in confined spaces. In a workshop setting, the GCM12SD can save a great deal of space where a set up includes material supports to one or both sides of the saw. When you install a Bosch Glide Saw you can reclaim all the wasted space you'd expect to have to sacrifice for a sliding saw.
You might expect that such a radical compact design would mean some compromise in performance. In fact the Bosch 12" Dual Bevel Glide Miter Saw cuts wider and taller than the top end Bosch 5412 it replaces. Now cross cuts of 14" are possible and cuts up to 6.5" tall for crown molding or board.
In use the Bosch is remarkably smooth and almost effortless. It feels tight, without play, even for compound cuts. The blade always seems stable at the center of the kerf without wandering to either side.
Of course there is more to this saw than the wizzy new arm. The GCM12SD inherits many features from the 5412 and other recent Bosch saws such the squarelock fence. There are 10 miter detents with a push button override allowing for precise settings. As on other recent Bosch saws, everything you need is at the front of the saw including bevel adjustment. Improvements include clearer, more detailed scales and much better dust collection.
So where can you find the best deal online for the Bosch 12 inch Dual Bevel Glide Miter Saw?