Bosch Tools is launching 3 new 18V cordless miter saws in their Profactor system.
According to Bosch’s press release, the new miter saws allow “pros to find the right tool to match their project and budget needs.” Pricing information is not yet available.
The model numbers for the 3 new saws are GCM18V-12SD, GCM18V-10SD, and GCM18V-07S. Bosch press materials explicitly mention a 12-inch miter saw, and by the model numbers I assume the other saws have 10″ and 7-1/4″ blade sizes.
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It is not yet clear whether these will all be axial glide miter saws, as shown in the single product image that was included with the press release.
All of the saws are said to feature Biturbo brushless motors, and allow “for fast smooth cutting demonstrating similar power to a cordless saw.”
Bosch Tools says:
At the core of this miter saw collection are features that increase accuracy, precision and provide a large cut capacity allowing for ease of custom piece creation.
I wish that Bosch would elaborate on this. What types of features increase the accuracy and precision of these saws?
While there are slight differences between the miter saws in this product line, the tools have been engineered with cut quality and consistency in mind for larger and smaller projects alike.
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Features include:
High Power-PROFACTOR: Tool performance provides the strength and power to cut through the toughest of hardwoods. These tools are optimized for use on both CORE18V 8.0ah and CORE18V 12.0ah PROFACTOR batteries for optimal performance and runtime.
All 3 miter saws are part of the Bosch Profactor 18V cordless power tool lineup, and are optimized for use with their Profactor Core18V 8Ah and 12Ah batteries. I assume that this means the tools will work with Bosch’s other 18V batteries, but with reduced performance and runtime.
Tools Built with Accuracy and Precision in Mind: The miter saw’s built-in shadow LED cut line on the 12-inch model provides a tool adjustment-free cutline and its precisely centered sliding bars create a smooth and easy saw sliding motion while in use.
I’m more a fan of LED shadow cut line indicators than laser cut line indicators, and so this is a welcome feature change in my opinion.
From the press release language, only the 12″ miter saw has an LED shadow cut line indicator. I suppose this is one of the slight differences between models. Maybe this ties in with the announcement’s mention of “tool options at varying price points to align with [users’] budget needs.”
I asked Bosch Tools how else their new 12″ miter saw, GCM18V-12SD, differs from the 18V Profactor 12″ miter saw that came out last year, model GCM18V-12GDCN, and will report back.
Large Cut Capacity: The collection’s large working capacities can cut custom-size pieces with ease for small home projects to industrial worksites.
Bosch press materials don’t list the saws’ cut capacities. At this time, I still don’t know if these are sliding, non-sliding, or axial-glide hinged-arm-style miter saws. “Large cut capacity” that can “cut custom-size pieces with ease” doesn’t exactly provide any clues.
Accessory Compatibility: Each tool’s design allows for seamless blade usage, increasing the number of accessories that are compatible with the miter saws.
I must admit that I don’t quite know what they mean by this.
All of the 3 new miter saws will be bundled with an “8.0Ah battery kit.”
ETA: Winter 2022
I asked Bosch Tools for more information and am awaiting their response.
Jorn
It’d be neat if these new models had a dedicated/corded power option.
I’m bought into the Bosch battery system but as a DIY’er I don’t see the point in a cordless miter saw 95% of the time.
Ecotek
I guess it depends on what you do and how you intend to use it. I’m a contractor with a small crew. We keep a corded 12″ and a cordless 7.25″ miter saw with us in the trailer. Guess which one gets used 98% of the time?
Jorn
I can definitely see the use case for a cordless miter saw as a contractor.
As a DIY’er I don’t move mine very often.
Dave P
The LIGHT and easy to move one with the cheap-to-replace blade would be my guess.
Power source may happen to be a battery, but that’s not why you use it the most…. a 12″ saw is HEAVY and awkward to move out of the trailer and set up on site compared to a 7.25″.
Apples to oranges comparison.
rob
Cordless tools don’t trip residential breakers, nor do their motors burn up from light gauge extension cords, splitters and/or generators.
Jack
Once you own a cordless miter saw you definitely see the point. I have one of the little DeWalts, and it’s life-changing. You can carry them around one-handed, make smooth straight repeatable cuts on the ground, on your tailgate, at unpowered job sites, a mile into the backcountry on the back of an ATV…they are amazing.
I have a nice Bosch with axial glide in my workshop at home in the city, and half the time I use the Dewalt even here. When I’m working out on the ranch, I carry the Dewalt EVERYWHERE.
I think probably my dad’s generation said the same thing about cordless drills and skillsaws…who needs cordless?
Actually when I was little my dad used MANUAL drills, but that’s another story.
Now, I do wonder whether there’s a point to a 12″ cordless chopsaw…I mean, if you can’t carry it around easily, then your usage cases get a lot narrower. But a 7″ or 10″ that’s lightweight? Wow!
Jim Felt
If their largest NA outlet remains Lowes will anyone care? Or even notice?
Luckily we’ve a local and very pro centric vendor nearby.
CountyCork
I believe all of the profactor line is sold online and that includes Lowes. You find these at the store. I want to say when I ordered the profactor impact wrench from Lowes it actually was drop shipped directly from manufacture. Will say it was super fast shipping that way but not 100% that is normal method for delivery.
CountyCork
Meant to say you won’t find these at Lowes stores on display unless they change that going forward.
Adam
I picked up a Profactor circular saw in store. Can’t say I’ve seen anything else though.
may depend on market you are in
Gordon
Bosch gets an endcap at the end of the tool section at my store. Half of the space is for Bits and Blades, which are duplicates from the appropriate sections. Most often they have a few drills, drivers, and Freaks. Rarely anything else.
rob
My supplier has a huge Bosch section. It’s mostly empty. There ain’t no new stuff. 😂
Jared
Three new saws is a big release, but why bother sending a press release if you aren’t going to provide any details?
LK
Exactly!
“Tool maker plans to keep making tools”
Big if true.
Richard Schneeman
I love the shadow cut when I’ve used it on Dewalt. I wish more miters had it. I’ve wondered if it’s a patent thing. If so did the patent expire or did Bosch find a way around it with a slightly different approach. Or maybe they just paid a licensing fee.
HH
Pretty much everyone has moved to shadow line recently in the last couple of years. Festool, Milwaukee, Makita, Bosch, Ridgid, and obviously DeWALT are all making shadow line indicators now. I’m sure others I can’t think of are following suit.
Frank D
How about a 110v option on these for those of us who would like to use this more stationary than mobile? without burning through $$$ batteries.
Jorn
THIS.
This is likely the feature that would cause me to buy this tool vs a stationary model.
Stuart
Dewalt and Metabo HPT are the only brands to offer this.
Nathan
glad to see they are moving to shadow line like the rest of the world. It’s a good feature. Nearly everyone has it that I know of now other than Festool which will never use it. (I suspect as they have to be different – though their dual laser thing is useful)
Meanwhile I hear great things about the bosch axial glide – supposedly got better after the very first introduction – which was over 10 years ago. If I recall, wow.
They are still selling their corded version but hopefully they will adapt those to shadow line. Only thing I see missing like others said is the AC adapter add on.
Not sure I need a gliding saw – I see the appeal for some but I’m just not sure it’s needed. I’m still in the market for a new device – and I’m still leaning towards a stationary 12. Still glad to see the changes – despite their terrible marketing language.
Aram
Terrible marketing language indeed (and always in all-caps).
I’m actually a bit surprised they didn’t call it THUGMUSCLE, or talk about how it’s “now with more GRONK, to mutilate your workday!” or something equally puerile.
TimL
Reminds me of “BRAWNDO, the thirst mutilator!”
rob
Festool moved to shadow line. They just didn’t bother to release the saw here.
Dave P
The sliding/gliding saws have a couple of huge benefits: A smaller and much lighter saw will cut the same-sized board as a much larger and heavier stationary saw and the blades (that can accomplish the same cut) are far cheaper and in many instances requires you to inventory less sizes of new blades.
Out on the jobsite, these are game-changing differences.
I’m not buying any more non hand-held power tools that don’t have 110V capabilities; I want to be able to use them when the inevitable battery obsolescence comes somewhere down the line.
EJ
My personal experience with the glider is very negative. I’d stay away if I were you. I sold mine for $200 and I feel bad for the guy who bought it. There are many good alternatives out there.
Tim
From recent footage from WOC22- We can see that the new 7 1/4 and 10 inch saws are both traditional Gliders. Not sure yet if they are also releasing that style in 12 inch or not.aybe people just aren’t sold on the Axial Glide 🤷♂️
Marvin L. McConoughey
I, at least, am sold on the Axial Glide, but I use the saw only as a stationary shop tool and don’t mind the weight. For a carry-around tool, it would be a bit heavy.
Tool Junkie
Well, if they didn’t lighten up the 12″, it would not be my choice for a jobsite saw! I can barely pick up mine, so it’s screwed down to my miter saw station.
I have a Milwaukee 7¼” that is under 26#that goes everywhere when it’s needed.
CoBlue
Based on my extensive experience in deciphering model codes one or twice and briefly looking at the existing Bosch miter saw listings, all three saws are sliders. The 10” and 12” are dual bevel while the 7” is like the existing 8” cordless miter saw in being a single bevel slider. None of them have Bluetooth connectivity **(C)**, but that’s less certain. They seem to be budget models, which is great because the existing 12” saw is extremely expensive.
GCM18V-12SD, GCM18V-10SD: Dual Bevel **(D)** sliding **(S)**
GCM18V-07S: Single Bevel Sliding **(S)**
There don’t seem to be any existing equivalent European models, which is unusual for Bosch.
Stuart
Thank you! That makes sense and might help me decipher future models.
I also checked for European models and international press info to no avail. It’s possible these will be USA-specific models, or that they’ll be released to European markets later.
European and USA tool safety guidelines are different, and this often leading to regional-specific miter saw models.