Sneak peek: miter saw with up-front controls

Tools of the Trade, Nov-Dec, 2002 by Rick Schwolsky

Randall Coe has a reputation in the tool industry for true innovation, and it's lucky for Bosch that he's on their product team. So when he offered us the opportunity to be the first to see the company's new miter saw, we jumped at the chance. It was worth the trip to Chicago.

At first glance, the Bosch 4412 12-inch dual-bevel sliding compound miter saw looks like a well-built, albeit large, slider. But it doesn't take long to figure out that this is not a typical saw. The red lever and knob at the front are tip-offs, but this saw has more surprises than you can see. Bosch has mounted the dual-bevel controls front and center, alongside the miter adjustment handle, so you don't have to reach all the way around the back of the saw to change bevel settings. Convenience and control are the key words here.

Turning the knob on the right side of the miter-adjustment handle allows you to set which way the bevel goes--left, right, or either way. This gives you more control over the saw when you free the bevel lock to swing the saw into position. The lever to the left of the handle is the saw lock--lifting it frees the saw for setting bevels, lowering it locks the bevel setting in place.

As if that weren't enough, the soft-grip handle on the 4412 adjusts to four positions for maximum comfort when cutting in different positions or angles. You can operate the saw with the handle set horizontally, vertically, or on 45-degree angles either side of vertical. Dual lock-off switches allow for safe operation for both left- and right-handed users.

Other safety features include a very-well-designed blade guard that retracts smoothly but limits the amount of blade exposed during a cut, a wider saw base that keeps the tool from tipping when released quickly, and an electric brake.

The saw also comes with tool-free base extensions, built-in stock stops, and a 4 1/2-inch-tall fence that allows you to position-cut up to 6-inch-wide crown molding. If you cut crown on the flat, the saw will handle up to 10 1/4-inch-wide material. The 4412 has enhanced dust collection and a belt-driven 15-amp motor and spins a 100-tooth thin-kerf blade at 3,800 rpm. Two carrying handles make it easier to transport the 59-pound tool.

The new saw is expected to sell for between $640 and $699 when it becomes available this month. Bosch, 877-267-2499, www.boschtools.com.

Circle #201.