Bosch 5312 Miter Saw Review – 12-Inch Dual Bevel Slide Compound Miter Saw
The Bosch 5312 lives up to their reputation and is a very solid tool. It’s a 12-inch dual bevel slide compound miter saw, which in layman’s terms means it is flexible to the extreme. It has a miter angle range of 0-52˚ to the left, and 0-60˚ to the right, along with bevel angle ranges from 0-47˚ both left and right, which gives you incredible versatility in terms of the types of cuts you are able to perform.
Those cuts are powered by Bosch’s heavy duty 15 amp motor, spinning at 3800 RPM, which delivers smooth as butter cuts each and every time. This model also features an electric brake to prevent accidental cuts to your material, extra tall speed-track sliding fences, large base and up-front bevel lock levers and range select knobs for added convenience.
What to Look For When Buying a Miter Saw
Picking out one miter saw from the sea of choices can be a real challenge, especially if you’re a first time buyer. You really need a game plan to help you narrow your choices down quickly, and the best way to do that is to focus your attention on what I consider to be the four most important elements:
- Type (basic miter, compound miter, sliding compound miter)
- Capacity
- Portability
- Additional Features
What Type Of Miter Saw Do You Need?
Dual bevel sliding compound miter saws like the Bosch 5312 are really the Swiss army knives of this tool type. Not only do they do it all, but they do it very well. Best of all, when you go with this type of miter saw, you never need to worry about upgrading down the road when you realize your basic miter or standard compound miter isn’t up to the task. Personally, I like to always go with the most flexible type of tool right from the start. You may not need that added flexibility today, but given how long a high quality miter saw lasts, chances are it will still be around when you do need it.
What Capacity Is Best For Your Needs?
12-inch miter saws like the Bosch 5312 are at the top of the pile size wise, although there are a number of larger models that have seen limited production. In general though your choices are limited to 8-inch, 10-inch or 12-inch capacities. With the 12-inch, you’re going to be able to handle pretty much any size and thickness of stock that you’d ever need to cut on this type of tool. And with the dual sliding rail design that capacity is expanded even more when compared to a standard compound miter saw. You could go with a smaller model like an 8-inch or 10-inch (which Bosch also carries), but again you run the risk of having to upgrade later when you run into a project that your tool can’t handle.
Should You Go Cordless?
Cordless vs. corded, the debate rages on. Mostly the choice comes down to personal preference, but there are a few key considerations that you need to be aware of in this debate. Cordless miter saws do offer more portability, that’s just a fact. However, they have a significant disadvantage, which is of course the reliance on battery power. If you’re planning on using a cordless miter saw on a job site where it’s going to see any kind of regular use throughout the day, you’re almost certainly going to find yourself running out of juice. You can solve this by buying a 2nd or 3rd battery, but they aren’t cheap, so you really need to consider whether the extra portability is worth the extra cost. You should also consider that most of the time, you’re going to have access to an outlet. Even if you have to run an extension cord, that’s not a big issue. And chances are the miter saw is going to be staying in one place most of the time anyway. That’s why corded miter saws like the Bosch 5312 are so popular.
What Other Features Do You Need?
Many miter saws on the market leave you wanting for a number of extra features, but fortunately Bosch included all the bells and whistles on this model including the dual bevel capability, electric break, extra tall sliding fences and up-front adjustments. How
Bosch 5312 Miter Saw – How Much?
What’s Included
- Bosch 5312 miter saw
- Premium 60-tooth thin-kerf carbide-tipped blade
- Wrench set
- Tool-free vertical work clamp
- Dust bag
Does It Come With A Warranty?
Yes, it comes with a 1 year warranty, 30-day money back guarantee and 1 year service protection plan.
What Others Are Saying about the Bosch 5312 Miter Saw
“Bosch did it again, this saw is simply amazing. Runs true right out of the box and cuts hardwoods like buttah!” “I’ve had this saw for a number of years now and it’s still going strong, even after seeing heavy use about 300 days a year and being throw in/out of the back of my truck .” “Best purchase I’ve ever made. Blows away anything Hitachi and Dewalt have.”
Any Problems or Complaints?
While the reviews were very positive for this model, some owners felt that the dust bag could have been designed a little better to pick up more dust while operating.
Where Can You Buy the Bosch 5312?
The best place to purchase this model is online from Amazon. They have the lowest price of all the online retailers that I checked and they also typically offer free Super Saver shipping. Other retailers will kill you on the shipping, especially when you’re dealing with a heavy item like this.
Where Can You Read More Reviews for the Bosch 5312?
The best place to check out reviews from owners is over at Amazon.
Read More miter saw reviews