I've had a 10" Makita for a long while. Great saw generally, but I've always hated that rear bevel lock knob, which appears to be the same on the new saws.
Mitre saws: Makita DXT 1216 vs. Bosch glide GCM12
So its time to retire my current 12" sliding compound mitre saw and I'm really on the fence between what its replacement will be. This is hampered by the fact I am unable to try either of these models in person before buying.
The first contender is the Makita LS1216 with the dual rail DXT system. http://www.makita.ca/index2.php?event=tool&id=939
I own a lot of Makita tools and have never had a serious issue or complaint with any of them. I fully believe that their DXT performs very well in terms of capacity, durability, and accuracy, but I'm not too keen on the design of the rear bevel lock knob. I switch from left to right 45 and 22.5 often when doing moldings and base, so this would be pertinent. Also one video review on YouTube talks about the saw having a "head shake" problem. This is the only fault I can see with this saw.
The second contender is the Bosch GCM12SD axial glider. http://www.boschtools.com/Products/Tools/Pages/BoschProductDetail.aspx?pid=GCM12SD
I like the idea of the axial glide system, but have heard of quality issues regarding warped tables. Bosch does have good customer service, but I'd rather not need to use it. The biggest PRO I see for this saw is that it has the upfront bevel controls. I have a different Bosch 12 mitre saw permanently mounted in my cabinet shop and really love the up front controls. The axial glide saw is large and heavy, so carrying it in and out of the trailer might become a real chore. I am also unclear if I can cut 6" crown on both sides of the saw because of the dropped gear housing on the right hand side (I cut crown on its spring angle against the fence, so vertical clearance is needed). I have read that there is only 4.5" of clearance / cut capacity on the right hand side of the blade, but that Bosch does not advertise this.
The most demanding applications I use the saw for include stain grade crown up to 6", hardwood handrails, and pieces for kitchen installs etc. so accuracy matters. I also will occasionally do back framing, hardwood flooring, site built casework and lots of general finish carpentry etc. which is much more run of the mill. Dust collection when hooked to a vacuum is important, but if need be I'll modify either saw to improve this as I have done with my current saw. This will not be a shop saw but rather will live in my construction trailer and move from site to site for installs, so durability and portability are important.
Thoughts and experiences on these two saws are welcome. I've looked at the other saws in the field but have narrowed it down to these two.
The first contender is the Makita LS1216 with the dual rail DXT system. http://www.makita.ca/index2.php?event=tool&id=939
I own a lot of Makita tools and have never had a serious issue or complaint with any of them. I fully believe that their DXT performs very well in terms of capacity, durability, and accuracy, but I'm not too keen on the design of the rear bevel lock knob. I switch from left to right 45 and 22.5 often when doing moldings and base, so this would be pertinent. Also one video review on YouTube talks about the saw having a "head shake" problem. This is the only fault I can see with this saw.
The second contender is the Bosch GCM12SD axial glider. http://www.boschtools.com/Products/Tools/Pages/BoschProductDetail.aspx?pid=GCM12SD
I like the idea of the axial glide system, but have heard of quality issues regarding warped tables. Bosch does have good customer service, but I'd rather not need to use it. The biggest PRO I see for this saw is that it has the upfront bevel controls. I have a different Bosch 12 mitre saw permanently mounted in my cabinet shop and really love the up front controls. The axial glide saw is large and heavy, so carrying it in and out of the trailer might become a real chore. I am also unclear if I can cut 6" crown on both sides of the saw because of the dropped gear housing on the right hand side (I cut crown on its spring angle against the fence, so vertical clearance is needed). I have read that there is only 4.5" of clearance / cut capacity on the right hand side of the blade, but that Bosch does not advertise this.
The most demanding applications I use the saw for include stain grade crown up to 6", hardwood handrails, and pieces for kitchen installs etc. so accuracy matters. I also will occasionally do back framing, hardwood flooring, site built casework and lots of general finish carpentry etc. which is much more run of the mill. Dust collection when hooked to a vacuum is important, but if need be I'll modify either saw to improve this as I have done with my current saw. This will not be a shop saw but rather will live in my construction trailer and move from site to site for installs, so durability and portability are important.
Thoughts and experiences on these two saws are welcome. I've looked at the other saws in the field but have narrowed it down to these two.
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I use the Bosch glider, it is fantastic IMO. I have it on the gravity stand and it very easy to move and set up. It's handled everything I've thrown at it with great accuracy.
I don't care for the way Makita mounts the motor at an angle, it blocks right hand bevels. The fence design is weak. I got rid my Makita.
I own a Makita 10" SCMS. I'm mostly happy with it, but it does have the head movement issue. I don't do much stain grade so i can live with it, but if I was doing higher end work I think I would probably take the Bosch because it seems more solid.
I don't know how the Bosch is on dust but the Makita is crap. I'd love to know how you modified yours. I absolutely hate dust, since most of my jobs are in finished homes.
I don't know how the Bosch is on dust but the Makita is crap. I'd love to know how you modified yours. I absolutely hate dust, since most of my jobs are in finished homes.
Thanks guys. Looks like I'll go with the Bosch then.
As soon as I can figure out why photos won't post from my iphone onto CT I'll take a picture of my DIY style dust pickup mod. I capture 90% with it. Before I was probably around 30%.
As soon as I can figure out why photos won't post from my iphone onto CT I'll take a picture of my DIY style dust pickup mod. I capture 90% with it. Before I was probably around 30%.
I'd also like to chime in that the dust collection on the bosch axial is mediocre at best. I have it hooked into a ct midi which I'm sure is supplying ample suction. I'm curious to see your mod for the better dust collection. The axial glide though does slide as smooth as butter though and my unit cuts true enough for my stain grade needs. I highly recommend adding a red laser arbor flange though. Check out the oshlun.
i want a bosch just for the upfront bevel controls and detent override. very smart moves.
+1 I actually took it for granted until you mentioned it. Agreed. Very awesome features.duburban said:i want a bosch just for the upfront bevel controls and detent override. very smart moves.
Also, bosch Gravity rise stand or the rigid equivalent are very helpful too when lugging this clunker. (~80 lbs iirc)
The miter detents on the makita get me frustrated when trying to cut 1 or -1 degrees. Also, could have been the diablo blade, but when cutting handrail last week, some of the cuts had some deflection through them. Dust collection was pretty good hooked to the midi, but only because of push cutting. Any chopping and dust goes flying. Next saw will be green.
Nick, which Makita do you have, is it the 1216?Nick R said:The miter detents on the makita get me frustrated when trying to cut 1 or -1 degrees. Also, could have been the diablo blade, but when cutting handrail last week, some of the cuts had some deflection through them. Dust collection was pretty good hooked to the midi, but only because of push cutting. Any chopping and dust goes flying. Next saw will be green.
bosch, or the milwaukee,
the milwuakee comes with a stand the axial glide and makita dont from what i recollect, not to mention the milwaukee goes on sale at hd every so often plus they throw in other stuff with it
the milwuakee comes with a stand the axial glide and makita dont from what i recollect, not to mention the milwaukee goes on sale at hd every so often plus they throw in other stuff with it
Sorry, it's the 1016l.SP Woodworking said:Nick, which Makita do you have, is it the 1216?
If you extend the head if the saw all the way out and put the head down and push side to side there's a lot of movement on the bosch and makita. The dewalt move slightly less. The Milwaukee surprised me with how solid it was. That would be the one I would be tempted to get if I had to buy a 12" slider tomorrow
That's weird. When I upload the photos the images and their thumbnails are correctly upright and now they appear to be upside down once the post is published.
I use this home made dust chute on my saw coupled with a 6.5hp shop vac and it captures almost all of the dust from the blade. It's made of cardboard and coated with tuck tape / sheathing tape. This was supposed to be a prototype a couple of years back but it has worked so well I've never replaced it with the rubber model. Not pretty but very functional.
I use this home made dust chute on my saw coupled with a 6.5hp shop vac and it captures almost all of the dust from the blade. It's made of cardboard and coated with tuck tape / sheathing tape. This was supposed to be a prototype a couple of years back but it has worked so well I've never replaced it with the rubber model. Not pretty but very functional.
I think a rubber model would work great for that.
I have had my Bosch glider since it first came out and would NEVER want it as a field saw. Too heavy, too bulky. It was parked in my shop after about a year of field use. I now use the LS1016 for field work and would take the LS1216 over the Bosch any day of the week for field work.
No the bosch will not cut over 4 and a half inches to the right. If you cut vertically the Makita will be your best friend.
I strongly advise against the Bosch.
No the bosch will not cut over 4 and a half inches to the right. If you cut vertically the Makita will be your best friend.
I strongly advise against the Bosch.
1 - 20 of 33 Posts
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