Bosch GCM12SD 12″ Miter Saw Review

Sometimes Bosch simply doesn’t get enough credit. But when I looked at the Bosch GCM12SD miter saw, I saw an outstanding option in the ranks. This could be the saw that really gives Bosch a tool that deserves heavy recognition. Not only do I view it as a powerful and reliable competitor but you will find that it’s one of the best-rated miter saws in its category and not just from me.

This miter saw is a 12-inch model. It has plenty of power and it really is designed to make your job easier when you need to put it to work. Adjustments are simple and you have plenty of flexibility to do the things. Finally, it’s even built to be compact so it doesn’t take up excessive amounts of space.

Bosch GCM12SD Review of Key Features

Originally released in 2015, the Bosch GCM12SD is a miter saw saw that can make complex, beveled cuts. This means that its blade can be angled up to 48 degrees to cut a bevel into the edges of wood.

The best place to start is to just give you a brief rundown of this saw. The following is a simple list of the key features you can expect. I used these just to give you a basic overview.

• 15 amp motor
• 12 inch blade design
• Purchase just the miter saw or the miter saw and stand for portability
• The build and handle grip are designed for comfort
• Supports for sliding materials
• Dual bevel capabilities that scale to 52 degrees left and 60 degrees right

Features Highlight

With a basic overview of the saw, it’s time to really dig into the details. Anyone can look at a listing and see the key features like this. However, it takes more than just reading a listing to figure out what makes a saw stand apart.

That’s what I’m here for now. The Bosch GCM12SD has a lot to offer.

• Power: The first thing I want to point out is that this saw is powerful. It’s a 15-amp miter saw, which makes it fairly high on the scale. In fact, most saws fall into a 10-16.5-amp range. This is at the top of the game and for a 12-inch saw, it’s perfectly powered. The power alone gives you a lot of versatility.
• Versatility: That brings me into my next highlight. The Bosch miter saw is versatile. Thanks to the dual bevel capability and a combination of spectacular features, you can do just about anything. The dual bevel has a pretty high regard either direction and you have some stops on each side too. It’s easy to adjust and has sliding supports for more length.
• Precision: If you want accuracy and precision, this Bosch miter saw brings you all of the details to help that happen. You’ve got a square lock, a fence, and even a sliding rail. Everything is designed to make setting up the saw easy. Once you’re prepped, precision is the name of the game. If you want accuracy, you will find that easily falls into place here.

Additional Features

As you know, there are many parts to a miter saw. There are the standard details, there are the things that make it great, and then there are the other parts and pieces that bring it all together. That’s what I’m talking about next.

I appreciate the price range of this saw. It falls right into a mid-price range and for what it offers, you can easily call it budget-friendly against comparable saws in this class. Everything is adjustable and everything is simple. This gives you the ability to be quick and efficient. You already know the bevel capabilities.

I appreciate the comfort that goes into the design. The handle is made to be ergonomic so when you raise and lower the saw, you have total control and comfort on your side. The dust port is also pretty great. It’s not your typical bag collector. You can add a bag but this chute is designed to connect to a vacuum for the ultimate dust collection.

Bosch GCM12SD Review Cutting Capacity

Now let’s talk about that cut. Chances are, the cut is what you really need to make happen with this saw. Bosch delivers here as well.

The cutting capacity is two-fold. In my opinion, the beveling capability is part of the cut capacity. It gives you more versatility, particularly when you have a dual bevel allowance.

The capacity itself is 14 inches on a horizontal level and 6.5 inches on vertical and crown molding. The saw also has a sliding rail, which will help you when you need to work with long materials. It gives you that much more on the scale to work with.

From there, let’s talk about the bevel. This is a dual bevel saw. This means the head tilts to the left or to the right so you can make both angles without flipping the board. It’s simple. On the Bosch miter saw, you get up to 52 degrees on the left and 60 degrees on the right. These are both substantial angles.

On the miter scale itself, you have several stops and this just makes it easier to set your angles at specific points. Again, another thing that makes the cut far easier to achieve.

The Cons

Despite the 5 stars and top comments about this miter saw, there are always potential drawbacks to be aware of. I tried to always be open about these too. It simply gives you the full picture.

While the gliding rails are very helpful, they can also be a nuisance. You see saw dust can get down in the rails and cause the guides to stick or not move as easily. You’ve got to take the time to clean those out so they don’t hold you up.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for an all-around great miter saw, the Bosch GCM12SD review reveals that this miter saw is a great saw. It’s simple and it’s functional but it gives you full functionality and versatility all at the same time.

Read about the differences in a 10″ and 12″ miter saw here.

This saw can be a great choice for anyone, professional or otherwise. It’s accurate, it’s smooth, and it’s incredibly easy to use considering all of the things that it can do.

And while it is true that these features make it the domain of more advanced woodworkers now, the actual use of the miter saw is still top-notch. It is hard to believe such a machine came from 2015 when it feels like it outclasses most modern miter saws in many ways.