I spotted a listing for a new Bosch portable table saw, model 4100-10. It looks like the 4100-09 saw, and has identical specs, but surely there must be some differences.
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Above, the Bosch 4100-09 is on the left, and 4100-10 table saw on the right. Can you spot the differences? To me, it looks like there are only some cosmetic differences in the gravity stand. I reached out to Bosch to learn more.
First off, the 4100-10 will be replacing the 4100-09. (So maybe there will be closeout pricing on the 4100-09?).
The 4100-10 was redesigned with a lighter version of the gravity-rise stand, model GTA47W. This should help make the saw a little easier to move around jobsites, and to load in and out of pickup trucks.
The saw is the same, except the 4100-10 is now bundled with a 24-tooth blade, rather than a 40-tooth blade as was included with the 4100-09. Bosch says that the 24-tooth blade is more common for rip-cutting of dimensional lumber, which is one of the most frequent applications for portable table saws.
So there you have it, the 4100-10 has a slightly lighter gravity-rise rolling stand, and it’s bundled with a different blade.
I can’t find any saw + stand weight specs, but Amazon puts the shipping weight as 124.2 pounds for the 4100-09, and 110 pounds for the 4100-10. From the product images, I can’t see any material removal or changes that could result in such shipping weight differences.
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Price: $599 (as of the time of this posting)
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fred
We had a number of these saws – and I bought one for my own use (travelling to my kids houses and for garage use) since my old Unisaw with sliding table isn’t exactly portable. My take on the blade – is that the old 40T one (Bosch CBT1040A) was not worth anything much – so the change to a 24T blade can’t hurt (zero time anything is still zero). They generally bundle saws with cheap blades to keep the overall price down – but when I was buying in many multiples – I would have been happy for $10 off each if I had a “no-blade” option.
As far as performance, the fence could be a bit better in its locking in – square front to rear – but you get used to being able to set it square and use the rear adjustment knob so that it stays put. Some folks have complained about motor burn outs – but having experience now with 17 saws – over 6 years or more – I haven’t encountered the problem (maybe we’ve been lucky?)
Joe Smith
Maybe I’m wrong here but I think manufacturers need to start shipping their saws with better blades in general or not at all. One of the first things anyone does with any type of saw is to buy a better blade.
It makes such a big difference with a fairly minor monetary investment.
They might as well not include a blade and knock a few bucks off the price.
Bolt
But then stores would have to deal with angry customers complaining about the saw not having a blade and making them take an extra trip back to the store.
Brian
I agree, they should definitely ship with better blades.
kent
I think there is no way for the manufacturer to win.
1) Ship without a blade and have angry customers.
2) Ship with a nice blade, and raise the price.
Either way, you lose sales.
The small percent of people who know the difference between a good blade and a meh blade are willing to eat the $10 blade and buy a good one.
Michael Sigler
What kind of blade should they ship? Glue line? Combination? How many teeth? 24? 60? Everyone has a different use for the saw, although the majority of the cuts are probably rip cuts, and therefore a different blade preference. Some users, especially a first time table saw owner, probably don’t even know what type of blade would best suit their needs and probably won’t know until they actually start using the saw. Therefore, it is probably best that the manufacturer continues to ship the saw with the cheap blades thereby enabling the purchaser to at least use the saw when they get back home.
Pete
I think I would rather have it come with a more general purpose blade like the 24t. Reason being that most of us will already have good blades for the finer stuff anyways. Stay safe out there guys.
Raoul
Is it just perceived that all saws come with crappy blades? Does Bosch make a crappy blade?
I have had saws over the years that came with crappy blades and they got swapped out immediately but all my saws of recent years have come with usable blades. Not for fine work but I wouldn’t expect a saw to come with an expensive blade. The blades that have come with my saws have been fine for general purpose work.
Bruce
Agreed, most saws come with a blade that works. It may not be your favorite but it’s usually good enough for general purpose work.
Stuart
Many table and miter saws come with basic starter blades. Actually, the same is true for a lot of brands. Many users are just fine with those blades, others toss them in favor of something better or more favored. It depends on the task. Rough framing? They’er usually just fine. Fine joinery? Too rough.
Jonathan
My first gen Skilsaw worm drive came with a Diablo blade, its an odd toothed blade (50 if I recall) a happy medium between rips and fine tooth count blades.
But so did the Skilsaw Mg worm saw – but not all were sold with Diablo blades other models with a black skil blade.
Mr. P.S.
So you get a blade with your brand new equipment. Before you even plug it in take the blade off and put the only one in the world you believe is the best. When your buddy comes over and ask to borrow your saw because his won’t cut, you give him the shiny blade you have been saving. Before you turn in for the evening, look in the mirror and pat yourself on the back as to not break your arm. Hopefully you will realize what just happened.
ktash
My makita corded circular saw came with a decent blade. Festool comes with a good blade, but then, it’s not a size easily swapped out.
Jacob W Flynn
Great heads up on the new model! Certainly wouldn’t be able to tell much of a difference when you stand them side-by-side. I was surprised they switched to a 24-tooth blade but their logic makes sense.
Ken
My experiences with the blades included with makita’s saws is generally they are not terrible.
Jim Wilhelm
Unfortunately, “redesigned with a lighter version of the gravity-rise stand” means that the stand with all the bends they designed into it will deform more easily over time. This was one area that they should have gone the other way. You need a strong, stiff, and sturdy base for a saw.
Johnny4
At the moment I have both stands. The newer 4100-10 gravity rise stand certainly does feel less sturdy and more twisty under a sheet of 3/4″.
Hoser
Thanks for the feedback. That’s one reason I tend to stick with non-rolling stands. They might make transporting a bit more difficult, but it’s more than made up for when the saw is on a job for a month or more and you have a nice solid stand under it.
Kevin Richardson
I just bought a 4100-10 and out of the box it doesn’t fit on the gravity stand GTA47W it comes with. It appears they changed the base of the saw and there is now a couple of protrusions that stick out of one end of the base of the saw and one of them gets in the way of the stand (poor design). I contacted Bosch, will see what they say. I may get some spacers and raise the saw up 3/4 to 1 inch and see if the protrusion clears the stand where it gets in the way. My other option will be to move the saw a bit and drill a new set of holes in the stand once the protrusion is clear of the stand. I am surprised they didn’t check the fit after reengineering it.
Kevin Richardson
I bought 4, 3/8 inch plastic spacers at Home Depot and put them under the saw where it bolts to the gravity stand and boom! It raised it just enough to clear the handle bar and back in business! So if you buy this saw with the gravity stand, pick up 4 3/8 inch plastic spacers and you should be good to go.
Jim Jack
Just bought a new 4100 to begin replacing the ‘fleet’. Wish I spent money on new motors. The new ones feel cheap, unstable and generally not made with quality components. I’ll be selling this one, buying the sawstop and reconditioning the old one. Had the old one for 15 years with no issues. Smoked the motor just yesterday (maybe the motor from the new will fit the old)