Motor: 15 amp; belt drive; no soft start; blade brake; 4,800 rpm
Miter angle: 52° left to 60° right; stops at 15°, 22.5°, 31.6°, and 45°; detent override
Bevel angle: 47° left to 47° right; stops at 0°, 33.9°, 45° and 47° (L/R)
Horizontal cut width at 3/4 in.: 12 3/8 in. at 90°; 8 3/4 in. at 45°
Horizontal cut depth: 3 5/8 in.
Vertical cut height at 3/4 in.: 5 1/2-in. through cut at 90°; 5 1/2-in. shave cut at 45°
Nested crown capacity: 6 in.
Dust collection: 2 lb. 13 oz.
Weight: 64 lb.
Price: $600
Website: boschtools.com
Comments: There’s a lot to like about this saw, especially the slide mechanism and the fact that it can be pushed up tight against the wall. Also, all of the bevel controls are up front, which is a bonus. Adjusting the saw’s miter alignment is easy, and it has a heavier detent plate than other saws, which in theory means it will hold up over time. The slide accuracy at 90° was very good at 1/128 inch (.0078 in.) in 12 inches, and the chop accuracy was excellent at 1/256 inch (.0039 in.) over 4 inches. The process for calibrating the bevel, on the other hand, is clunky—the adjustment screws are difficult to access, and because what’s being adjusted is hidden, the process is not at all intuitive. On top of that, achieving an accurate bevel in thicker stock was very difficult due to the saw’s heavy head; it deflects more than any other saw in this test. The fences were true to the table, and the table was flat out of the box. Blade changes are easy thanks to a blade guard that locks out of the way. Long, straight cuts showed some sway and were not perfect—a function of the slide arm traction, blade wobble, head deflection, or a combination of all the above. The miter gauge has markings for roof pitches, which to me says it all: How can you have a super-accurate trim-level saw that’s also designed for rough framing? All in all, while this saw is a workhorse—capable of cutting anything you put under it—it’s not the most accurate by a finish carpenter’s standards. If you’re looking for a high-quality trim saw, you’d do well to avoid this saw. At 64 pounds, it is a total beast, and while the footprint might be relatively compact, it has a significant height when in the up position. It fared worst in dust collection, and sawdust can build up over time, limiting the backward motion of the head. The slide function is smooth and adjustable, which is nice.
