DeWALT DWS780 vs Bosch GCM12SD | Miter Saw Comparison

DeWALT DWS780 vs Bosch GCM12SD : Two classic 12″ sliding compound miter saws. How do they compare? Which one is more suitable for your needs? Which brand is better? New miter saws have come out over that past year that you might want to consider as well.

Let’s have a look at how they compare — Hint : They’re both excellent in their own right. Close your eyes and pick one. You won’t be disappointed. Dewalt is the overall better buy, but that might depend on your needs. The choice is yours.

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Welcome to an impassioned debate on DeWalt vs Bosch — this has been a major discussion between friends and foes for many years. In this unbiased article I compare their miter saws with the aim to help you choose the one that suits your needs.

Keep reading. I go into all of the details and give you the full breakdown as to what separates these two miter saws.

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DeWALT DWS780 vs Bosch GCM12SD

Immediately noticeable when you compare the two is the DeWALT has the classical sliding action of most miter saws. Because of its size the DeWALT does not fit a 24 inch workbench against the wall. It needs a 36 inch work space. The Bosch is different; its patented Axial-Glide is a complex-looking system of two arms with 7 pivot points in all. It is the Bosch alternative to the sliding action on two rods. The Axial-Glide sliding action makes it possible to fit the Bosch to a 24-inch workbench. Right up against the wall.

Now, that will not deter an ardent DeWALT supporter from buying the DeWALT. Will anything? Both these brands have a huge following of faithful followers. We also know the Bosch brand as a strong contender for quality and durability. Their Double bevel sliding compound miter saw could well be the winner in this comparison of the DeWALT DWS780 vs Bosch GCM12SD.

Sawdust buildup may less affect the Bosch GCM12SD system of robotic looking arms controlling the cutting head. The whole system seems more dust proof than the conventional rails of DeWALT DWS780. But, the DWS780 has some excellent features, like its XPS cross cut positioning system. Meanwhile, a positioning system is absent on the Bosch.

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Miter Saw Reviews —

Two 12 inch Double bevel sliding compound miter saws from two respected companies that manufacture quality products. How do you choose? What makes them different?

• DeWALT DWS780 : 12″ Double bevel sliding compound miter saw
• Bosch GCM12SD : 12″ Double bevel Axial-Glide compound miter saw

So, what is the difference between a Double bevel sliding compound miter saw and a Double bevel Axial-Glide compound miter saw?

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Review / DeWALT DWS780 | Fantastic Miter Saw

12-inch Double bevel sliding compound miter saw

Features:

• Integrated CUTLINE Blade Positioning System provides adjustment free cut line indication for better accuracy and visibility
• Powerful 15 amp, 3,800 rpm motor delivers extended power and durability
• Super efficient dust collection system captures over 75% of dust generated
• Tall sliding fences support crown molding up to 7-1/2 in. nested and base molding up to
• 6-3/4 in. vertically against the fence while easily sliding out of the way for bevel cuts
• Exclusive back fence design cuts up to 2×16 dimensional lumber at 90° and 2×12 at 45°
• Adjustable stainless steel miter detent plate with 10 positive stops improves productivity and ensures cutting accuracy
• Miters 60° to the right and 50° to the left providing increased capacity
• Oversized bevel scale makes bevel angle adjustments accurate and easy
• Compact, lightweight design (56 lbs.) allows for easy transport and storage
• Cam lock miter handle with detent override deliver quick and accurate miter angles
• Dual horizontal steel rails with innovative clamping mechanism and linear ball bearings deliver an accurate, durable and compact saw
• Innovative gearbox and belt-drive design increases vertical cutting capacity
• Precise miter system and machined base fence support optimize durability and cutting accuracy

✓ View or download the MANUAL for the DeWalt DWS780.

Overview —

The DWS780 follows up on the popular DWS779 and it is bound to be even more popular. It’s a DeWALT, and that already counts a lot. It’s a brand with a strong following because they manufacture good tools that will last a lifetime. Should something be out of tune, their huge backup support is ready to have it up and running in no time.

The DWS780 12 inch double bevel sliding compound miter saw has two horizontally opposed guide rails for the sliding action. Many buyers commented in feedback that the two rails do not always align perfectly, causing a rough feel when sliding. It happened to brand new saws and models reworked by DeWALT. These are not isolated complaints that just did not live up to the promise of quality and accuracy we know the brand for. Therefore, I followed up by first reading the DWS780 manual to see what is wrong.

Packed with Features | Dewalt DWS80 / 12″

It turns out it is something many more should have done. It seems the problem is easily corrected by doing a simple adjustment. You can adjust the right rail with the set screw near the rail lock knob. Adjust the clearance of the sliding bush with a 4 mm hex wrench, and rotate the set screw, while sliding the saw until it satisfies you. Also, you must release the rail lock fully for a smooth slide. Some users also recommend plunging the blade into the cut and the locking the head down. Then you can concentrate on the cut and feeding the blade.

It is likely that you will not read the manual and correct errors immediately after unpacking your expensive new saw. You might return it as most buyers do, so, shouldn’t DeWALT pay attention to this problem? A tag with instructions maybe?

The DeWALT DWS780 has a nifty idea with the integrated XPS cross cut positioning system that shows the cut line with a shadow of the blade. The way they implemented it makes it unnecessary to adjust the cut line as with laser systems. You use a miter saw to make quick, accurate crosscuts in workpieces at selected angles. A clear indication where you will cut is an invaluable time saver.

You can cut a crown molding up to 7-1/2 inch nested between the sliding fence and the optional DW7084 crown molding fence. You can also make a fitting for crown molding cuts from scrap particleboard or similar materials. An alternative method for cutting crown moldings on the DWS780, is to bevel cut the molding on the table. I will always prefer to use the crown molding fence with the back fence to support the molding. It is more accurate and convenient and a lot easier to visualize the cut. It is especially true with the XPS cross cut positioning system of the DWS780. Any DeWalt dealership will supply the crown molding fence accessory.

A base molding up to 6-3/4 inch fits vertically against the tall sliding fences and with the shadow line the cutline is clear. The DeWALT DWS780 can cut up to 2×16 dimensional lumber at 90° and 2×12’s at 45°. It is only possible by making use of a special set-up. DeWALT recommends using a platform made from 1.5 inch thick particleboard or similar material. You must cut it to 14.5 x 26 inches.

When you want to do those extra wide cuts, you mount the platform to the saw. Then remove both left and right sliding fences and cut the workpiece on the platform. What happens is that you utilize a wider through-section of the blade. You lose depth of cut, but it is a neat trick that DeWALT explains in the user’s manual.

The DeWALT DWS780 can cut miters up to 60° right and 50° left. Like the Bosch it has an adjustable stainless steel miter detent plate with 10 positive cam lock indents. It is possible to make finer adjustments to get perfect angles.

The saw has an automatic electric blade brake; it stops the blade within 5 seconds of releasing the trigger. Unfortunately, the brake is not adjustable. DeWALT recommends monitoring it and having the saw serviced if it should stop working.

The DeWALT has a powerful 15 Amp motor and the no-load speed of the blade is 3800 rpm. That gives the standard 60-tooth blade a feed speed of 95 feet per minute with a chip load of 0.005 inch. The arbor size is a standard 5/8 inch diameter or a 1 inch with a collar. DeWALT recommend an 80 tooth blade for fine crosscuts.

The manufacturer claims that the dust collection system is super-efficient. Just like all miter saw manufacturers. But most miter saw owners either use the saw outside or build elaborate hoods to collect the dust and suck it into a shop vacuum. I know I ramble on about dust collection in a workshop. It’s because it is so annoying and dangerous in the work environment and you must set aside time every day to clean the shop. It’s a waste of productive time in a small shop, therefore, the saw is mostly used outside.

Fortunately, it is a portable saw you can mount to a miter table saw stand. When locked down the saw is compact and easy to carry. It weighs 56 pounds, making it an ideal miter saw to carry around in a construction area. It is a time saver when you can have the miter as close to the work as possible. It also solves the dusty workshop problem.

We all understand that it is not possible to build a miter saw that is dust free. The engineers should design a good portable hood as an optional item. I’ve seen many innovative designs on the internet that they can adapt to the saw. I believe it will be a winner.

The bevel scales on this machine is easy to read and makes bevel angle adjustments accurate. The scales are adjustable so you can set them really accurate. At 45° bevel you can cut dimensional lumber up to 2×14. DeWALT claims they increased vertical cutting capacity with some innovations in the design of the gearbox and belt-drive. It’s interesting to know, but the important point is the miter achieves what it should. It cuts baseboards and crown moldings with ease.

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Bosch GCM12SD | Miter Saw

12-inch Double bevel Axial-Glide compound miter saw.

Features :

• The Bosch GCM12SD is a 12 In. Dual-Bevel Glide miter saw that features a smooth cutting motion, accurate performance and a space-saving design of the Bosch-exclusive Axial-Glide system
• Pre-aligned SquareLock fences help the saw maintain precision throughout its life
• A soft-grip ambidextrous handle along with a combination dust chute and vacuum adaptor add to user comfort
• The saw also offers a large cutting capacity, easy-to-read bevel and miter scales with detents at common angles, and easy-access upfront controls
• Integrated expanding base extensions: 60% more left-to-right material support than leading competitor – 40 In. left to right
• Large easy-to-read uniform bevel and stainless steel miter scales: 52° left/60° right miter capacity; 47° left/47° right bevel capacity with marked detents and roof pitch angles
• Adjustable miter detents: detents at 0°, 15°, 31.6°, 22.5°, 45°, 60° right super-accurate and durable design
• Push-button miter Detent override – easy-to-access thumb actuated control right up front for fine miter angle adjustment
• Bevel detents: 0, 33.9°, 45° left/right for accurate cuts
• Category best 90% dust collection – optimized for cutting 2x material with a vacuum
• Ergonomic ambidextrous trigger handle with soft grip – large form fitting ergonomic handle provides comfort for all-day use

✓ View or download the MANUAL for the Bosch GCM12SD.

Overview —

Bosch introduced the Axial-Glide system many years ago, I remember reading about it on the internet in early 2011. Back then, and today, its fans comment on how smooth the gliding action is. How it glides so effortlessly that you should adjust slight friction into the movement. Many users commend the saw for remaining accurate through the years. The most appreciated feature of the Axial-Glide system is that the saw fits onto a workplace next to the wall. You can easily mount this saw on a 24 inch bench against the wall. It saves about 12 inches of workspace compared to the DeWALT, yet it also cuts up to 14 inches wide.

VIDEO | A Closer Look at the Bosch GCM12SD / Miter Saw

When Bosch first introduced the GCM12SD, the users also complained that the dust clearing system was not so good. This was not related to the normal dust clearing problems experienced on miter saws. The flexible mouth piece would suck closed with a powerful shop vacuum. Without a shop vacuum the chute quickly clogs up, and with a vacuum attached it is still not very effective. Did Bosch improve the GCM12SD dust extractor since then? The answer is no; it is still not as effective as it should be.

I don’t think tool manufacturers spend enough time and money on developing good dust collection systems. To all small shop owners it is a problem when the shop becomes dusty. It takes time to clean it, and if you don’t; you create all kinds of dangerous situations. On the Bosch GCM12SD the dust also collects at the back of the cut on the backstop and eventually shortens the cut.

I would like to see better blades fitted to a new miter saw. Most buyers buy a good quality blade immediately to improve the cut. It is something that should concern the manufacturer. We do not buy a miter saw because it is the latest model, its primary purpose is to cut. Manufacturers should ensure that their new products do just that. We usually buy one because the old one failed, or the workload is too great and you expand the tool base. You expect it to work out of the box, no setting up and with the finest cut.

This is one thing I really appreciate about the Bosch tools, they work as well and accurately as they should when you buy it. From user feedback it is also true for the Bosch GCM12SD. But unfortunately, it’s equally true that the blade you buy is not the blade you want. Not that it’s bad, but more suitable blades are available, and most users buy a replacement.

When I researched user feedback on the internet, I developed a concern that the Bosch is not too accurate. I based it on the many videos and write-ups on the internet. It concerns the run-out that some users reported when you pull the blade back all the way towards you. Apparently, it is not much, but noticeable, and causing quite a stir on the internet. It must be a setting or out of specification arm and should be correctable. If you find the saw is not 100% out of the box you should have it replaced.

I’m always aware of the brand preference personality that enjoys to down talk a good tool from another brand. Therefore, I do not take all comments as gospel. On the positive, the miter stop mechanism on this saw is a stainless steel plate with notches that’s mounted underneath the base. When you need to make finer adjustments, there is a push-button miter detent override. You use a control right up front for fine miter angle adjustments which you actuate with your thumb.

Bosch assured that the GCM12SD is easy to use by placing the miter and bevel controls closest to you. It’s possible to adjust the miter table from 52° left to 60° right. The controls make it quick to adjust, and Bosch placed detents at common angles to ensure that your often used stops are accurate. They set the miter detents at 0°, 15°, 22.5°, 31.6°, and 45°, to the left and right. There is an additional stop at 60° to the right.

You can cut base moldings standing upright against the back fence. The maximum height for a straight cut is 3-7/8 inch. You can cut angles from 0° to 47° left, to a maximum width of 6-3/4-inch.

When you cut bevel angles with the Bosch GCM12SD, the limits are 47° left and 47° right. It has bevel stops at 0°, 33.9°, 45° and 47° left and right.

The maximum size for a 38° spring crown molding angled against the fence is 5-1/4 inches. 5-1/2 inches when cutting from 0° to 47° left bevel. For a 45° spring crown molding also angled against the fence you can go up to 6 inches.

Using 4×14 dimensional lumber you can do straight cuts up to 3-1/2-inch by 13-1/2-inch. It will cut 2 by14 dimensional lumber at 0° miter and 45° left bevel to 2 inches by 13-1/2-inch.

The Bosch 15 Amp motor delivers 3 horsepower maximum. It delivers no-load speeds of 3,800 RPM. It is powerful, in typical Bosch fashion, and it cuts many types of wood smoothly. The brake used to stop the motor is an electronic brake so it should last a lifetime. The ergonomically designed ambidextrous trigger handle with a soft grip distinguish it from the DeWALT which has a handle to the right of the blade. The Bosch handle is a large form fitting handle with two triggers and within easy reach of your left hand.

The bevel and stainless steel miter scales have clearly marked detents and roof pitch angles, making them easy to read. The Bosch does not have the highly effective shadow line of the blade as cutline indicator that DeWALT uses. They opted to sell the saw with no optical guide. An optional Laser Washer that replaces the blade lockdown washer is available.

It’s an intriguing idea that could work well and it is available on several Bosch models. The main problem here is the many complaints from users that it does not work with Diablo and other replacement blades. Even with the standard Bosch blades they supply with the saw some users experienced that the blade spins. I will be one of those watching if other manufacturers will follow DeWALT’s innovative lead once their patent expires.

Bosch lists the weight of the miter saw as 65.0 pounds, it is a smaller unit to pick up and carry around than the DeWALT. It is equally portable and you can use it where needed. It fits three miter-saw stands, the T1B, T4B and GTA3800. A variety of vacuum hoses and adapters are available to ensure you can hook it up to a shop vacuum.

The Bosch has integrated expanding base extensions that offer 40 inches additional space left to right to the base support.

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Summary | DeWALT DWS780 vs Bosch GCM12SD

So, which double bevel sliding compound miter saw do I recommend? Is it the DeWALT DWS780 or is it the Bosch GCM12SD? I found both the bevel saws equally up to the task of working in a production environment and out on the building site. Both are adaptable and easy to use and equally easy to move around when needed. I do not have a specific preference, I recommend the one you feel will satisfy you, you choose.