Mister Pants Posted February 19, 2013 Report Share Posted February 19, 2013 Hey guys, Figured I'd throw this out to the braintrust and see if anyone's used these and their opinions. I'm looking for a new miter saw (upgrading to a sliding compound) and this looks interesting, unfortunately no one around carries them in stock (Woodcraft, HD and Lowes carry it, but none have them in stock or on display for me to look at). Online reviews seem to go between best miter saw I've ever seen, and complaints about the top being pretty far from flat. I don't have a whole lot of room in my shop normally so a full sized normal sliding compound miter would be difficult for me to fit, and there's not from what I can see a whole lot of options (a Hitachi, the Bosch and the Kapex which is double the price of the Bosch). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texfire Posted February 19, 2013 Report Share Posted February 19, 2013 I bought one and have been very happy with it. Would be happy to answer any specific questions you have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister Pants Posted February 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2013 Biggest concern I've seen in online reviews was that a number of folks have had issues with the table being flat, any issues on your part? Other things were that the action could be a bit sloppy (though from what I read it seems like that's easily fixable). It also doesn't have a laser line built in right? Given the price, I'm guessing the cuts are pretty dang accurate. How big is the footprint is it significantly larger say than a standard 12" non-sliding saw (what I'm upgrading from). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Autorotate Posted February 19, 2013 Report Share Posted February 19, 2013 kevin, I have this saw in my shop and I'm really happy with it. my table is flat. There are adjustments on it so if its not cutting square you can make adjustments. The on board dust collection is not the best. I hooked it up to my cyclone DC and the rubber piece behind the blade that directs the dust and it collapsed it. I clipped the corners which helped it from not collapsing. I also built a box around it to help collect dust, which does a great job. I have some pics posted on my gallery if you'd like to see it. I think its a great saw. http://www.woodtalkonline.com/gallery/member/1256-bart/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Autorotate Posted February 19, 2013 Report Share Posted February 19, 2013 I also put an after market laser on mine which works good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texfire Posted February 19, 2013 Report Share Posted February 19, 2013 Which laser? That's my only problem with it, having to sight down the blade for cuts that have to be right on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Autorotate Posted February 20, 2013 Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 The Irwin mitersaw laser. works good just wish there was a way to have it on both sides of the blade. Rockler has it on sale too. http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=30662&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_content=pla&utm_campaign=PLA&gclid=CLKzkO_Pw7UCFcZFMgodoH0AKg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SignWave Posted February 20, 2013 Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 I saw that Bosch saw a few weeks ago on display at the Lowes on Plano Rd in Richardson. I didn't use it, of course, but it sure looked and felt like a very nice tool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister Pants Posted February 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 Oooh Richardson you say? I'll have to check it out. I checked Woodcraft and the HD and Lowes near my house in Frisco. Richardson's worth heading to to check it out! Thanks guys, I'm leaning towards that one for sure, but for a fairly large purchase I have this problem with not seeing it, touching it, licking it etc. before purchase . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texfire Posted February 20, 2013 Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 The Irwin mitersaw laser. works good just wish there was a way to have it on both sides of the blade. Rockler has it on sale too. http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=30662&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_content=pla&utm_campaign=PLA&gclid=CLKzkO_Pw7UCFcZFMgodoH0AKg Can you confirm the model? The description specifically says will not fit Bosch saws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Autorotate Posted February 21, 2013 Report Share Posted February 21, 2013 Texfire, The saw is fairly new so maybe its talking about the older bosch models. I took a picture of it on my saw (GCM12SD). I haven't had any issues with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Autorotate Posted February 21, 2013 Report Share Posted February 21, 2013 Dont blame you Kevin I always like to touch it before I buy it, especially if it cost a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texfire Posted February 21, 2013 Report Share Posted February 21, 2013 Thanks Bart, the Irwin model is much cheaper than the Bosch one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister Pants Posted February 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2013 Very cool thanks for posting that Bart. I was wondering similar as I'd looked at a few of the aftermarket lasers and those I saw also spoke about not fitting Bosch, Rigid and a few others arbors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister Pants Posted February 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2013 Got a chance to check it out at the Lowe's in Richardson (thanks SignWave!), dang that thing is nice. Incredibly smooth action, I really like the front controls for doing the compount miters as well. That said it's still at Lowe's, I can (and will) get it on Amazon for almost $100 less Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raymondvillain Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 Brand new GCM12SD, set up very carefully. Glide cut NOT the same as a chop cut, off about 1 degree. Can't figure out why. Used straight clear 1X board (oak, azek, pine, etc.). If I true up the saw to give a 90 degree chop cut, the glide cut is off. Went to Lowe's, bought new DeWalt 12 inch 60 tooth blade, installed it, no improvement. Anyone else had this experience? If you have this saw, make the same test and see if yours works as it should, let me know. Guess I'll take mine back. Can't think of anything left to try. Set it up with great care: adjusted zero degree bevel, 45 degree left and right bevels, tension of bevel lock lever, aligned zero degree miter stop detent, etc. Drives me crazy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twodeuce Posted February 25, 2015 Report Share Posted February 25, 2015 I ended up selling my bosch scms. Bought it new 3 years ago...right before the glide came out. One thing to check before you pull the trigger on one, check out the play in the table. Mine had easily 1 degree of play each way on the positive indentions. Thats cool for trim work, not so cool for cabinet work. Guess its a moot point if you plan on using a shooting board with every cut. I checked out the Bosch Glide at our woodworking show here in KC last month. I told the guy my plight and he reassured me they corrected that with the glide. Well, it felt the same to me. Not sure they did anything different there. I love Bosch's other stuff FYI. I have looked lately at some others in the store that seemingly have less play. Will probably end up buying a darn Kapex when another trim job comes up again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fireball Posted March 6, 2016 Report Share Posted March 6, 2016 Marc, Saw this saw is now in your shop. Any thoughts from you on it? We have an old 10" Bosch in the shop, looking to replace it with a 10" or 12" glide mainly so that the saw can sit closer against the wall. The old 10" is still working well, and will be transitioned to jobsite usage. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted March 6, 2016 Report Share Posted March 6, 2016 I don't want to speak for Marc but someone had asked him this in one of the last guild meetings and his one small complaint was the hold down clamp had to be screwed down instead of a simple clamp down like the Festool Kaypex. He had enough good things to say about it that I just purchased one for myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim DaddyO Posted March 6, 2016 Report Share Posted March 6, 2016 I have one and I love it. Not without minor shortcomings but easily addressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fireball Posted March 6, 2016 Report Share Posted March 6, 2016 Thanks for the quick replies guys. Have read a few other reviews talking about table flatness, slide cuts being off and poor dust collection so have been looking for more reviews and first hand experience. Was also debating the 10 vs 12", the extra cutting capacity of the 12" saw is only useful if it's accurate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisG-Canada Posted March 6, 2016 Report Share Posted March 6, 2016 I have the 12" and the table is perfectly flat and fence is 90 degrees to the table. I have no issues with the accuracy of the sliding cut - straight and 90 degrees to rear fence and table. Dust collection is an issue with any miter saw. I did make a custom ZCI for mine - definitely recommended! Overall I'm very happy with it and love the extra reach the 12" provides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N00b-in-training Posted March 7, 2016 Report Share Posted March 7, 2016 I bought mine last week and love it. My only complaint is that it cost me an extra $300 on top of the saw purchase price. I had planned to put it in my UTS table since the dimensions on 3 or 4 different sites said it was 23 3/4" wide, this would fit the 24" spot I have on either side of my UTS table. I take it out of the box, sit it on the table, and $&%(#&$()*&@# to the point the neighbors could hear me. It's actually 26 3/4". WTH? I then "had" to make a miter saw table with collapsible wings which in total after lumber, casters, t-track, swing stops, etc, etc cost me $300. GCM12SD = $509, Miter Stand = $300, not sitting on the garage floor breaking down boards with a sh!tty circular saw = priceless. Oh, and I should add, it's an awesome saw. After dialing in my stop blocks it cut 40 drawers to within less than 1/64". I'll post pics of the cabinet when i get home tonight. BTW - The boss came out to the shop last night and she said, "you've spent all weekend out here building ANOTHER piece of shop furniture and not getting my list done?!?!?!?!?" Me - "yes, I'm tired can you grab me a beer so I can look at this kickass cabinet I built?" "Sure". She's a pretty awesome "boss". 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fireball Posted March 8, 2016 Report Share Posted March 8, 2016 ChrisG - what is a ZCI? N00b - let's see pics of the table! Also, where did you buy for $509? I'm seeing $600 everywhere I looked. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaneymack Posted March 8, 2016 Report Share Posted March 8, 2016 ZCI is a Zero clearance insert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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