Bosch 3915 10-inch Slide Compound Miter saw-inchcludes Dust Bag and Work Clamp

by Bosch

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Bosch builds good saws. This 10-inch sliding compound miter saw has the smooth, easy-to-control action we demand in a slider. This saw's built burly, too--here's a slider that looks likely to survive a tumble off the back of a pickup truck (not that we tested it). The blade guard has good action and retracts well, so visibility and motion aren't restricted when cutting and there's no danger of it binding or sticking. The grip is contoured and tapered for the human hand, no matter the size--but there is a safety switch that makes this saw difficult to use left-handed. Bosch has also cleverly mounted the important wrenches and keys on the body of the saw (exactly the sort of attention to detail that makes toolhounds happy). We tip our hardhats to the good people at Bosch; they've made a great saw. --Michael Shilling

Choosing a Miter Saw
Miter saws are versatile tools that have become a mainstay of workshops everywhere. These powerful saws make angled cuts by pulling a circular blade down onto a workpiece with a short, controlled plunge. It might appear that miter saws are infinitely complex and varied, but there are only three general types. The type you choose will depend on your woodworking needs.

Basic Miter Saws
Basic miter saws are the least versatile off the three major variations, but they’re a great starting point for novice do-it-yourselfers. These models typically adjust for miter cuts only, so consider upgrading if you need to do more than that.

Compound miter saws are easier to use than basic miter saws because you can place your stock flat for cutting, and they adjust simultaneously for miter and bevel cuts. A compound miter saw is great for jobs that feature stock that's not very tall or wide, such as door and window trim or picture frames.

Sliding Compound Miter Saws
Sliding compound miter saws are the most versatile of the available models. They have a motor and blade assembly that's mounted on a moveable arm to accommodate longer, wider workpieces. For smaller pieces, the saw performs like an ordinary fixed-head model. On some models, the blade can only pivot in one direction, but on a dual sliding compound miter saw, the blade can tilt to the right or left.

Important Features at a Glance
Though models will vary by manufacturer and design, these are a few of the more commonly found features that you might want to keep in mind.

• Electric brake: Reverses the flow of electricity when the saw's trigger is released. This is an important safety feature that slows the blade quickly in case of emergency.
• Blade guard: Most miter saws have self-retracting guards that withdraw when the saw is lowered for use, and reappear when it is raised.
• Laser guide: Gives a precise visual line where the cut will occur on your workpiece.
• Dust bag: Helps collect sawdust for a clearer, more tidy cutting area.
• Shaft lock: Immobilizes the shaft and blade for quicker, easier blade changes.
• Table extensions: Mount on either side of the saw to help balance longer workpieces.

Miter Saw Blades
Miter saw blades come in a variety of different sizes, grades, and materials, but there are three main types: steel, high-speed steel, and carbide-tipped blades.

• Steel: Inexpensive and good for cutting soft woods or plywoods. Sharpness diminishes quickly in tougher materials.
• High-Speed Steel: More rugged than steel blades, and great for cutting harder woods.
• Carbide-Tipped: More expensive than other blades but much more durable. Maintain sharpness over a longer period.

Product Details

Product Manual [814kb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 62.4 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0000223EO
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: 3915
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (97 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #153,273 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

218 of 223 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply the Best -- The VERY Best, May 31, 2000

By 

Matthew Schenker (Western Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bosch 3915 10-inch Slide Compound Miter saw-inchcludes Dust Bag and Work Clamp (Tools & Home Improvement)

I have been using my Bosch saw now for about six months. I agonized over my decision of which sliding compound miter saw to buy, comparing the Hitachi, Makita, Freud, Milwaukee, DeWalt, and Bosch. After testing each one in stores to get a feel for the saw, I went with the Bosch. At first, I was worried that maybe I should have chosen the DeWalt, since I usually love DeWalt products. However, I am so happy with the Bosch that I no longer have any regrets. The saw is accurate, easy to adjust, and incredibly solid. The left side has an extension built in that, together with the excellent clamp that comes with the saw, will hold down boards over 100" in length without a problem. I have cut wood at several angles, and I have done compound cuts (i.e., bevel and miter), and in every case it's been perfect -- and I mean PERFECT. The blade that comes with the saw makes glass-smooth edges. As a matter of fact, I use the saw regularly to make a nice edge on the wood I buy, and again it's performed perfectly. Also, it has a larger cross-cut capacity that almost any other sliding compound miter saw on the market, able to cross-cut up to a full 12" -- and if you are careful turning the board around, you can cross-cut up to 24". This means you can get away without a radial arm saw, which is precisely what I have done. One note about price: even though this saw is more expensive than other 10" sliding compound miter saws, you have to keep in mind that the blade that comes with it is worth at least $60. The DeWalt comes with a mediocre blade that is no good for finish-quality edges, so you would have to right away buy another blade if you buy the DeWalt. So, you have to take $60 off the price of the Bosch to compare fairly, or you have to add $60 to the price of the 10" DeWalt. I have come to believe that Bosch excels in the saw department (see my review of the Bosch Progressor jig saw) while DeWalt is good with jointers, sanders, etc. Bottom line: I can't praise this saw enough. You will be extremely happy to have it in your shop.

125 of 128 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You Can't Have Everything, August 26, 2001

By 

Michigan Nail Bender "Steve" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bosch 3915 10-inch Slide Compound Miter saw-inchcludes Dust Bag and Work Clamp (Tools & Home Improvement)

After studying most of the sliding compound saws currently availible, (and some older used models), I came to the conclusion that I wasn't going to find a saw with every feature I wanted, so I comprimised and bought the Bosch 10" slider. I did some hands-on testing of the Hitachi 10", Makita 10', and the Dewalt 12" sliders. Each saw has at least one desirable or unique feature the others don't, and yet each has it's unique drawbacks as well. I didn't care for the Dewalt blade deflection and dust problem (notice the dust port does a 90 degree to the bag, and I don't think the dust knows how to negotiate a hard left turn). The Makita appears to be a top-notch design, but 'ouch' on the price. The Hitachi was a serious contender in most areas, but a 'hands-on' at a local tool dealer revealed the extemely out-dated knob/screw design used on the cross-cut angle table lock/detente. This system not only flunked Ergonomics 101, but I didn't care for the preset angle detente bypass/override design, either, and that's ditto for most of the other saws I studied. I have an old radial arm saw that has adaquate detente by-passes on cross-cut and bevel which allows for minute angle adjustments near 90*, 45*, etc. I wanted to replace it with a slider that had a similar system. Unless I misunderstood the detente by-pass designs on the other models, I found the Bosch to be the only clear choice. I need this feature often for the type of work I do, so this was a big plus for swaying me over to the Bosch slider. A right/left bevel was a feature I wish had come on the Bosch, but for me it's only a minor inconvenience. I have upgraded most of my 'old reliables' to Bosch and don't have any regrets yet. This slider is just one more smooth running machine in my collection. Bosch includes items as standard that Hitachi does not,(why should a 10 cent dust bag be an option), and the provided hold down clamp features a nice quick release handle. I didn't order any work support extensions as I plan to mount the saw on Dewalt's folding miter saw stand and use their extension system. Amazon shipped on time and it arrived with no damage or missing parts.

72 of 74 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beginning home improvement enthusiast, April 12, 2001

By 

"blakeba" (Austin, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bosch 3915 10-inch Slide Compound Miter saw-inchcludes Dust Bag and Work Clamp (Tools & Home Improvement)

I read as many review as I could find before I bought this saw and agonized over whether to buy the Dewalt 12" sliding compound miter saw or the Makita 10" sliding compound miter. I decided to go with the Bosch primarily because: (1) everyone that owned the Bosch gave it high ratings; and (2) it was less expensive than the other models. But I was also concerned about buying the Dewalt because some people really did not like it and it was the most expensive of the bunch. Still, I wondered if I would be happy with the smaller 10" blade because, let's face it, we all think the bigger the better. The Makita received high reviews everywhere I looked (some magazines rated it higher than the Bosch), but when I looked at it in the store I did not like its more complicated miter adjustment lever. And I was concerned that it did not have the standard 33 degree stop for crown moulding since I plan on using my saw to replace the crown moulding in my aging house.

I have had my Bosch saw for about one month now. I have been very pleased with it so far. I've used it to cut 4x4 (really 3.5" by 3.5") posts to replace a rotting support for my front porch and to cut landscape timbers for a raised flower bed. It handled these tasks with ease. I've also cut some crown moulding. It did a great job and made smooth accurate cuts. I did not have to adjust the saw out of the box at all. Its miter gauge is accurate, easy to read, and the saw is a snap to adjust from one angle to another.

The saw came with one clamp, but I didn't know this so I ordered an extra. The clamps work great and having an extra has come in handy.

The saw head does not swivel both left and right. I thought this might be confusing and almost went with the Makita because of this. It does require you to think a little bit more when trying to figure out which side of the fence to put the crown moulding and whether to set the miter to the left or right in order to cut inside and outside corners, but after a little trial and error you can figure this out. The Makita may also have an advantage in that the slides are located under the stand instead of above, which may reduce the amount of sawdust that collects on them--but then again maybe not. I don't know how other saws compare, but this saw does generate a lot of sawdust and the dust collection bag doesn't catch much of it.

Over all though I am very happy with my purchase and I would buy this saw again if I had it to do all over. I've been so pleased in fact, that I almost forgot to mention that it took Amazon one month to ship this saw to me--after initially saying it would arrive within 2-3 days.