Ease of Use: 4/5
Durability: 4/5
Service: 4/5
Overall Value: 4/5
Right miter: 52°
Left miter: 52°
Right bevel: 2°
Left bevel: 47°
Blade size: 12″
Motor: 15 AMPs
RPMs: 4,300
Weight: 43 lbs
Avid builders and hobbyist woodworkers alike will be impressed by this miter saw. It has everything most craftsmen are looking for; a good name, a big blade and plenty of power.
The Bosch CM12 is powerful, accurate, and durable. It has less bells and whistles than some of the newer models, but often, the time and money saved on built-in lasers and other superfluous gimmicks translates into more focus on the important stuff. In this case, that’s exactly what it seems like. Bosch’s engineering on this saw results in a strong, precise miter saw that can handle just about anything you can throw at it.
Our Bosch CM12 Review
Cut Quality
Bosch engineering always produces a quality finish, and this saw is no different. For a building site ready saw, this is incredibly well priced. This saw will stand up to plenty of punishment, weather, apprentices, rough vans and everything else that carpentry throws into the mix.
Many owners of this miter saw consider it a pleasure to use. This is both due to the largely out-of-the-box readiness, and simplicity of use. The bevel angles seem to stay true and it cuts both miter and bevel angles perfectly. Cuts are accurate and consistent. To take this saw’s performance to the next level, and upgrade to a finish blade is recommended.
Ease of Use
This saw is extremely easy to adjust (which is recommended for any tool). It’s simply a lock nut to undo and then a screw to go either way. It is very quick and easy to adjust, and long-term use reports say that it stays well calibrated. It comes with a 40 tooth blade, however many owners have upgraded to an 80 tooth blade – and yes, the 80 tooth one cuts a lot nicer.
The Bosch miter saw also has a dust collection bag that works well, so it always leaves jobs quite tidy. The electronic brake works just like you’d expect and leaves the saw safe and always ready to make cuts in quick successions.
Durability
At 43 lbs, the Bosch CM12 is still a saw for some serious work sites. Woodworkers from a variety of fields, can verify that this saw is built for hard work. The 12” blade is a monster that is able to cut whatever you throw at it, like it’s butter. The 15 amp motor ensures that you’ll never run out of power when sawing through a tough knot or a wet hardwood (the latter is not recommended though).
Service
Bosch has built a reputation for quality, and their one year warranty ensures that if you have any difficulties with your saw, they’ll be there to replace or repair your saw.
Included in the box:
- 12-inch, 40-tooth carbide tipped blade
- dust bag
- blade-change wrench
See what questions other shoppers have about this miter saw.
Overall Value
The CM12 is a seriously hot selling piece of equipment, and the amount of contractors using this miter saw on job sites is testament to that. A lot of users say that they initially bought this saw as a backup, but have now realized that it will stand up to being used as a front line piece of equipment every day, for years on end. When you consider the accuracy, portability, and tremendous ease of use, the price you pay for this miter saw is a steal.
The only downside to this particular saw is it’s single bevel nature. This isn’t a problem for most woodworkers, however if you’re looking for a dual bevel miter saw…this might not be the one for you.
Our Verdict
If you are wanting a high quality saw that will last for years and stand up to all conditions, the Bosch is a safe bet. Quality always costs a little more, but the Bosch sits at a price within most budgets. For a carpenter with years of experience or for the first time D.I.Y guy, this would make an equally good purchase. In fact if you are just starting out with D.I.Y projects, it’s recommend to buy a quality saw such as this one purely because your projects will turn out so well!
Take a look at Amazon.com’s price on the Bosch CM12 Miter Saw if you’re interested. Or compare it against the best saws on the market with our comparison chart.