Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(62)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

We have a door and window business, and use chop saws for a variety of carpentry jobs - particularly interior and exterior trim. In addition, I am a serious DIY hobbiest around the house having modified/remodeled just about every room during the past six years or so.

As soon as I received my new Bosch B3915 10" Sliding Miter Saw, I set out to begin a long-awaited kitchen project for my wife. What a beautiful tool!! It cuts so quietly and smoothly compared to the others in the shop (Makita and Hitachi - both of which I've had good experience using). The angle detents on the Bosch are dead-on precise and easy to use. I do have a very minor problem with the small dust collector and bag which are useless. I realize that all slide saws do this, but I have to admit I especially appreciate being able to make single cuts on wide jamb stock compared to our other miter saws. Finally, many users complain that the loose adjustment wrench can easily get lost since it does not attach to the saw. But I simply took a center punch and hammer and whapped the slot in the center of the adjustment wrench, thereby opening up a 1/4" hole in the slot. Now you can simply insert the included allen wrench through the hole and attach it securely and effortlessly in the allen wrench grommet holder. Problem totally solved - try it!

Bottom line . . . Don't pass on purchasing this tool! Compared with DeWalt's $... 12" model, the price and performance of the Bosch B3915 saw is really incredible.

When I retired a couple of years ago, I went on a tool buying binge. I wanted to replace my old Craftsman 12 inch radial arm saw with a sliding miter saw. The issue was safety.

I read the reviews and selected the Bosch 10 inch sliding compound miter saw. I went with 10 inches because I read that the 12 inch saws wiggled to much. My Bosch B3915 will cross cut 12 inches just like the bigger blades. I don't need the increased depth of a 12 inch blade.

This is a good tool. Cross cutting wide boards is simple and safe. You start the motor and lower the blade at appropriate distance and push the blade back through the material. This is much safer than pulling a radial arm blade through the work.

The hold-down clamps are great. I bought an extra one.

The saw is well constructed. I didn't have to make any adjustments out of the box. It's noisy as all tools having universial motors are. Motor brush life will be short for heavy users because of the dynamic braking feature. The blade stops very quickly when you release the trigger. A quieter induction motor would make the tool very heavy and probably usless.

I love this tool. I get precise and repeatable cuts. That's all I want.

It might be nice to have a laser beam illuminating the cut line, but I find that I don't need it. When I make several exact cuts, I use a special fence that I built.

Dust collection almost works but it is marginal. Still, I feel comfortable recommending this tool.

After much thought and research I decided to purchase the Bosch 10" Sliding Miter Saw. It arrived via Fedex with a couple of minor "dings" in the box, but the packing of the saw was outstanding and no damage to the saw was evident. Set-up was easy and the "factory alignment" was right on except for a slight loose allen screw on the slide bearings. The saw is not light so i would hate to lug it around to job sites with out wheels of some type. My saw will stay in the shop on the bench. The Saw cut 2x4's with ease and all cuts were clean and accurate. I have also used it to cut 5/4"x6" oak and again the saw had no difficulty. The two reasons I didn't give this saw five stars are that blade changes are a pain complicated by having to remove alot of the guard and the operating handle is mounted vertically instead of horizontally which makes it difficult to operate with your left hand. Overall I would still purchase this saw again over everthing else out there. It was/is the best value for the money.

The 10 inch Makita Slider is often rated as best, however it is never rated best by those who use there tools everyday on the job site. In the real world, after many hours of use the Bosch is simply the best. It is acurate to within a fraction of a degree and stays that way forever. Being a professional carpenter I can say that every (A bit of a anicdotal evidence here) Makita ends up with a sticky lift spring and works loose after a year of hard use. The Bosch does not. It may not have duel bevel or soft start, but for the lower price, the quality, acuracy, and durability is amazing. Spend more and get less with other brands. Dollar for Dollar, you will not find a better 10 inch slider.

Reviewers seem to love their saws, good thing after plunking down this kind of money. I had the distinct advantage of working with guys who owned each of the competitors, hitachi, makita and dewalt, that I considered.The Bosch was the least expensive but also the best tool for me. The detente over ride is clearly the easiest and best. The turn table is the smoothest. The gauge, both mitre and bevel, are the clearest and easiest to read. The dust bag catches as much as any of the rest. The chop action has just the right amount of resistance, the head does not fly back uncontrollably, after the cut. The feet are wide enough and deep enough to make the saw the very most stable. I forgot to screw it down one morning and cut all day without it moving. Any of the other three would have flipped off the bench. I don't know the actual weights of the other saws but the Bosch is well balanced and seems the easiest to move in and out of the truck or to another cut site.It may very well be my imagination or I'm just a happy carpenter but it sounds quieter too. Happy cutting.

Hands down the best saw for the money. Widest range of angles right or left and with rock solid detents. Plenty of power for hard woods and delivers an accurate cut every time. those who have experience with miter saws will soon see that there really is no need to bevel both ways and the action on these rails is perfect.

I've been impressed with this saw, and if I were going to buy a new saw today (Fall 2002) would by this same one again at this time. Projects have included 3/4" solid oak molding and melamine closet organizers. Both with the same very good 60 tooth blade that comes with the saw. I did quite a bit of research and knew what I would add to the product to make it better before I even ordered it. See Bosch's 12" compound miter saw for most of the improvements. I will summarize them:
1. Offset motor so right side clamping is possible.
2. +/- 45 deg bevel capability.
3. D handle that can be rotated or is horizontal.
4. Solid throat plate that you cut through as you use the saw to reduce rip-out.
5. Adjustable rear fence to reduce rip-out at the back.
6. Better placement dust port and 3" dust collection port.

I have a shop vac hooked to the dust collection port and I would say it still only catches 40-50% of the saw dust generated. I did have to adjust the miter for accuracy. And the work clamp that comes with the saw works great - a must for any miter cuts on hard wood. I did order the extension supports and have yet to get them...