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Bosch has done it again – only smaller. Its new 10″ dual-bevel glide miter saw has more in common with its big brother than just a blue motor housing. In 2011 Bosch changed the face of miter saws with the GCM12SD 12″ Glide miter saw (read Glen Huey’s review here) which takes up less shop space – it sits closer to the wall – than most comparable miter saws.
I have to admit, from the first time I saw the Glide miter saw, I have wanted one in my shop. The glide mechanism is smooth, and who couldn’t use more space? But there’s lots more to like about Bosch’s Glide saws than a smooth mechanism and their space saving attributes.
In looking over the new 10″ model, and comparing it to its predecessor, there are a few new innovations which are great inclusions. There also are features I wish had made the transition from the 12″ model.
I like the fact that the new saw is a 10″ saw. I know it’s only 2″, but for me, and lots of woodworkers I know, that fact is a lot less intimidating. Intellectually, I know it isn’t any safer than the 12″ version, but it some how feels different.
Because it only has a 10″-diameter blade, some things such as large crown mouldings should be more difficult to cut. Bosch has handled that problem with the innovative two-position crown stop (shown in red in the down position). When flipped up to engage the pin mounted to the articulating arm of the saw, the stop locks the saw into one of two positions to cut large crown or baseboard moulding – neither of which is easily done on other 10″ miter saws. This is a new feature not found on the 12″ Glide.
One feature I liked from the 12″ version that has carried over is the detent lock/release lever. 
Being able to tweak an angle without having the saw drop back into the detent virtually eliminates all the associated frustration. I know, the answer is not to need to cut a 45-1/2° angle, but sometimes cases and walls aren’t very cooperative in that regard.
A feature I wish had carried over from the 12″ saw is the stock support extensions. I like that the 10″ model isn’t simply a stripped down version of the larger saw, but this is one missing feature that I find extremely helpful. (If you’re going to mount the saw on a mobile or fixed stand, this feature may be of less importance to you.)
Overall, I think the 10″ slide miter saw a great addition to the Bosch line. There are, however, a few more features I like (and dislike) about the saw. You’ll need to read my review in the upcoming April 2014 issue to get them all.
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I absolutely love my 12 inch version. That hinged, gliding system is silky smooth compared to the models with steel bearings rolling on steel bars. They are always covered with saw dust and, by nature, they all feel like steel train wheels rolling over steel rails. I also like the solid detents everywhere you need them.
One thing I don’t like about my saw is the very small dust catcher, and the lack of an easy way to attach an external collector. I resorted to buying a “FastCap ChopShop Saw Hood” (www.fastcap.com). I bought it from Rockler. I just checked, and it is on sale for $99.99. I paid $122.99. Here is the link to the Rockler site: (http://www.rockler.com/fastcap-chopshop-saw-hood).
Another negative about the 12 inch version that it weighs a ton! That is both good and bad. “Good” in that it is very solid and gives you the feeling that it will last forever. “Bad” in that the older I get, the heavier it gets. But, all my tools have that problem.
Either version should make you wonder why this design has not been thought of before.
Chuck
am i reading this correctly? amazon is charging 25.00 more for the 12″ version $724 vs $699.00
what are the differences between the two?
michael
michalofsky@gmail.com
I will look forward to your full review in the April issue. I agree I feel safer with a 10″ blade not that it is any safer then a 12″ blade. I have been waiting for this saw to come out.