Bosch GCM12SD 12″ Axial Glide Mitre Saw a Game Changer

It’s been 22 years since Hitachi introduced the sliding compound mitre saw, and it changed the way homes were built and renovated. The ability to cut wide pieces of wood is the reason why, but this feature also came with a problem that’s plagued every brand of sliding compound mitre saw since then: Size.

The sliding rails that allow these saws to crosscut so wide also stick out behind the saw, making the whole tool large enough to be a pain. Bosch’s new axial glide saw eliminates these bars, replacing them with a pair of articulated arms that greatly shorten the tool. This arrangement works wonderfully in most ways. I’ve got one newly installed in my shop and I love this tool. The only drawback I can see is the way the motor and blade assembly can move from side-to-side because of bending in the mechanism. It’s not a problem as long as you’re careful to apply downward handle pressure only during a cut. Work with a light hand and the GCM12SD performs very well. At $800 it’s reasonably priced given the engineering you get, and the design includes front mounted controls for all angle settings.

Like Hitachi did back in 1988, Bosch has changed the sliding compound mitre saw game in a way that every other tool manufacturer will have to follow.