Well I’m gonna go break down and buy another tool (yeah). I’m tired of using my 10″ Delta miter saw and am gonna’ invest in a 12″ size, that bevels left & right. I have two brands in mind, Dewalt & Bosch. I’d like you guys to make up my mind on which one to buy so give me any positive or negative feedback you’ve had with either Dewalt or Bosch 12′ miter saws.
Thanks kindly
Paul
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Replies
Bosch
PaulGC,
I've owned a Dewalt sliding compiound mitre saw now for over 5 1/2 years without it ever failing me.. the cuts remain accurite and true..
I use it to cut hardwood timbers up to 6 inches thick and I am amazed at how clean and accurite the cuts are.. I also Like the fact that I can saw completely thru borads as wide as 12 inches. I bought the saw stand after owning mine for about a year and if I have any regret it's that I didn't buy the stand sooner!
Edited 2/11/2007 3:30 pm ET by frenchy
Bosch...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
FHB (Guertin & Arnold) reviewed 12" CMS a couple of years ago. The top 3 rated saws were all dual bevel models:
1. Bosch
2. Delta
3. DeWalt
It depends on what you want to do with the saw. I bought the Delta for a recent job (I wanted to cut 5-1/4" tall base standing up against the fence). Bosch can't do that (only 4-1/2" vertical capacity). I found mine on clearance at Menards for only $250.
The saw is well made and has features unmatched by Bosch and Dewalt (nicer sliding fence, flip up crown molding stops). Delta is also 7 pounds lighter than Bosch. Tall base and large crown the order of capacity is:
1. Delta
2. Dewalt
3. Bosch
On the minus side the Delta blows saw dust in all directions.
I should also say I am a big fan of Bosch tools and usually not too keen on Delta...this is an exception. My other miter saw is a Hitachi 10" slider that I use for most of my work.
Bosch
this is like the dem/rep debates. Are ya yella or blue . . .
Real trucks dont have sparkplugs
I have had the DW718 for over a year now and just love it. During that time I have used all the features the saw has in all types of cutting as it relates to rough framing to finishing work. I have not encountered any weaknesses and highly recommend this saw to everyone.
I got a 12" Bosch SCMS a couple of months ago and it's great. The best thing is how quite it is compared to some others. I got it from CPOBOSCH.com Factory reconditioned and the price was right.
I've got the DeWalt 12" CMS, have had it for several years and have used it in almost every way imaginable from framing to trim carpentry to furniture making. Have never used the Bosch so can't do a direct comparison. Overall, I am extremely happy with the DeWalt, so don't take the following comments as being excessively negative. These, however, are the shortcomings I've noticed:
1. If this is a job site tool, you're going to end up readjusting for square (in both the miter and bevel directions) pretty regularly. When my saw sits on the shop bench, no amount of use will knock it out of square. Every time it leaves the shop and gets thrown in the back of my rig, knocked about, etc, I have to check it for square, and usually end up adjusting it. On the upside, it's extremely easy to adjust in the miter plane, and only slighlty more complex in the bevel plane.
2. If I were doing more furniture making, I'd replace the factory blade. It works well as a combination, general purpose blade and its cuts are more than adequate for framing and even most trim work. For those really perfect cuts, you'd need a better blade or, you'll do what I do which is cleaning up end grain with a block plane.
3. The standard equipment extendable material rest is a PITA to adjust. When mine leaves the shop, I end up setting it at maximum extension and leaving it there, which means it's a little more of a PITA to move the thing to the work. This doesn't matter at all if you intend to mount it in a shop-built extended fence system, or to purchase a good mitre work station with its own material supports.
The benefits of a 12" saw are pretty significant if you find yourself crosscutting large stock on a regular basis. You're gonna love whichever tool you buy.
I love my 12' DeWalt after 4 years,but looking on here,it seems it's a case of take your pick.
All good.
I had a 12" Dewalt CMS for six years before it burned out, I bought another just like it and it lasted for three years. I found the Bosch 12" dual bevel sliding compound miter saw on Amazon. I don't know if it was on sale or clear out but it was only $385 + shipping. I absolutely love the Bosch and wouldn't trade it for anything. It cuts 60 deg in one direction. I've had it for about a year now and haven't had a lick of trouble.Hope this helps,
Ottcarpentry
this might not be the answer yo uare looking for, but I just got rid of my 6 year old bosch 10" slider and got a makita 10" slider. It's like night and day. I'll never buy another bosch miter saw again. On a side note, I bought a Forrest Chopmaster blade to go along with the saw. I didn't realize that the blade that came with the saw was so good. I put the chopmaster in my old 10" chop saw for cutting 2x4's, and switched back to the 70 tooth Makblade that came with the saw.
Yep....I'm a Makita guy as well. But he didn't ask, so I didn't offer.
I've used the Dewalt and it doesn't compare.....the Bosch, I'm not familiar enough with.
Had the Makita since it came out....8 yrs. ago?....when/if it dies, I'll buy another.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
I've had a Bosch 12" CMS for just over a year now. My previous saw was a 12" DeWalt non slider.
The Bosch saw works great. I use it on a TracRac stand. I haul mine around a lot and so far I haven't had to adjust it at all since day one.
My old DeWalt saw is stationary in my shop now.
To sum up: I dont think you can go wrong either way. If you had a specific use you'd be using it for regularly, one might be preferable over the other. I do all kinds of work with my Bosch, mostly trim though, and I'm thoroughly satisfied.
Have fun with your new saw.
My one regret is that I wished my 708 would pack up so that I could get the latest model with laser.
Oooooooooooh.:=)
I know what you mean. I had all my stuff stolen about three years ago and had already replaced my 708 before the 718 came out.
I guess you cant depend on thieves for anything.
The thing Dewalt missed on is the laser is single sided. Should have been twin beam.
I have subscribed to this,you folks should get discounts from here!.
http://www.dewalt.com/us/woodworking/
I've had several Dewalt's (non-sliders, though I've used them), and i have a Bosch....also just retired a Delta and I've never been so happy to see a piece of junk go.
When I got the Bosch, I was pretty impressed although I've been very happy with the dewalt......that was until the Bosch blade guard blew up. I was pretty shocked with Bosch management....all they cared about was if it was under warranty to be repaired, and I've heard of several others that also blew up since. I keep an eagle eye on it now. Next one I buy in that class will be another Dewalt.
Have to say, and it doesn't apply to jobsite saws or for occasional use, I got an Italian Omga mitre saw in as our main small chopsaw (no compound capability, which rarely gets used anyway in the shop).....with a decent blade, super cut quality and accuracy. Around 2K, but worth it in a shop.Cabinetmaker/college woodworking instructor. Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
I have the DW 708 scms and bought my dad the 706 (these are both the old models) and both work very well.. If my saw died I wouldnt think twice about replacing it with another DW.
heck why not buy both?! then you make everybody happy.
I'm a yeller guy. Have the DW 718 slider and the old trusty 12" 705, my favorite. I got the 705 a dozen years ago when they first came out and it's still cranking out the work, constant use. Rebuilt it one time and it's accurate as the day I got it.
Bosch is a very good tool. I prefer the DW 718 slider though because it folds up like a cms but the Bosch is heavy as hell. Also the DW 718 will cut a 6 3/4" standing piece. Great for that huge crown.
Been using my partners Makita 10" slider, another very nice tool, but it just doesn't have the depth of chop and it has a very low fence.
Tell ya what, put pictures of the saws you're considering up on the bulliten board, blindfold yourself and throw a dart. They're all good.
I have used both but prefer Makita because it does not seem to slip in adjustment.
I have been trying to find the Delta 36-422L dual cms for a couple of months. As near as I can tell, it has been discontinued because I can't find it anywhere. I thought that was the #2 saw recommended in the FHB article. I sure wish I could find one!
I am quite pleased with my Dewalt 12" slider for general reno duty. To do it again I might look at the Bosch. One of the Bosch models I have seen seems to have some nice access to the adjustments/locks for the bevel if I ever get to the fret work.
I do like the Bosch adjustments better than any of the others. However I felt that the Makita held its position better than any of the others when I pulled on the handle sideways. I also like the Makita because it seems the easiest to adjust when you have to move it a small amount of a degree off of the stop say at 30.1 or 15.1 degrees.None of them seem to have done a great job at making a saw that will hold position well and ease of adjustment.