Bosch 4212L 12-Inch Dual Bevel Compound Miter saw with Laser Tracking

by Bosch

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

This is what a miter saw ought to be: accurate, sturdy, powerful, versatile, user-friendly and packed full of cool features.

If we had to choose a favorite aspect, it would have to be the handle. It’s vertical. It’s horizontal. And it’s a couple of other things in between. It locks quickly and easily into any of four positions, so both lefties and righties have complete comfort and control.

This saw is beefy: It weighs in at 55 pounds and it’s got a huge 25-1/2-inch base with built-in sliding extensions that bring your total support area to 40 inches. If you’re in the market for a stand for this saw as well, we like both the Bosch TracRac as well as the DeWalt DW723.

The dual bevel is a great feature, swinging 0 to 47 degrees left and zero to 46 degrees right, with positive bevel stops at 31.6 and 33.9 degrees for flawless crown molding cuts. For miter cuts, the blade swings an impressive 52 degrees left and right. There’s even a micro-fine adjustment here, letting you override a detent by as much as 2 degrees. Now that’s precision.

We absolutely love the fence on this saw – Bosch calls it a Speed-track sliding fence – because it’s a full 4 inches tall and has a beautifully readable inch-scale on it. It’s perfect for crown molding, handling pieces up to 6 inches wide when angled against the fence.

We’re suddenly rethinking our earlier statement about our favorite feature on this saw; on second thought, it might well be that all the controls – including the bevel lever – are up front. We’re pretty tired of reaching around a saw body to set a bevel, so this is a most welcome upgrade. Adjustments are so much faster and easier, and all the scales are right up front, too.

Capacities are generous for a non-slider. With a 0-degree miter and 45-degree right bevel, you can cut a 2-by-6; beveling to the left, it will handle a 2-by-8. With an upright blade, you’ll cut a 4-by-4 with ease.

And yes, this saw has a laser cutting guide, but unless you really want one, we wouldn’t let that sway a decision on this saw one way or the other. It’s a nice feature if you’re likely to use it, but most of us woodworkers prefer to get a visual on exactly where that blade meets the wood.

In all, this is a beauty of a saw, with features you aren’t going to find on other saws in its class. And we still can’t pick our favorite between the handle and the up-front controls. It’s all good.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste

Product Description

12', Dual Bevel, Compound Miter Saw With Up Front Controls & Laser Tracking, Easily Accessible Up Front Controls For Bevels & Range Selector, Arbor Mounted Laser Tracking, Built In Flip Storage Crown Stops, Multi-Position Main Handle 4 Positions, 4-1/2' Tall Speed Track Sliding Fences, Miter Detent Override, Crown Molding Settings, Built In Length Stop, Includes 40 Tooth Thin Kerf Carbide Tip Blade, Dust Bag & Elbow & Wrench Set.

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Product Details

Product Manual [3.51mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 37.2 x 25.5 x 18 inches ; 81 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 69 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0007LQQ0U
• Item model number: 4212L
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #103,070 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #72 in Home Improvement > Power & Hand Tools > Power Tools > Saws > Miter Saws
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

76 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Almost there, March 25, 2006

By 

Paul (Applegate, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bosch 4212L 12-Inch Dual Bevel Compound Miter saw with Laser Tracking (Tools & Home Improvement)

I agree with most of the comments about how this saw is very good. The upfront bevel control, the miter detent release, sliding outfeed extentions are all great. Very solid, very low flex and very smooth operating. The cons that I have seen are: Very heavy,(probably weighs more than the old style Dewalt slide). The slide knob does not lock the saw from moving very well during transport. The saw was not adjusted out of the box, I had to adjust all settings, and the miter angle adjustment is clunky, you have to move the back fence; when you tighten it down it tends to move, so you have to allow for this, it takes a couple of attempts. The blade was not very good, another carpenter on the job was also amazed that this was a new blade, it cut like one of my older used blades. It could have a little better cutting range, the Dewalt beats it but is not nearly as well put together,(too much flex and poorly designed controls) The laser is difficult or impossible to see if you are outside, even with clouds, indoors it works great, (I am sure this is true for all lasers).
And did I mention that it's heavy?
That said, I still think that this is the best saw out there, regardless of price, (and this price is a bargain!) Nothing that I have seen compares with it: Dewalt, Ryobi, Craftsman, Makita, Ridgid, Milwaulkee, Hitachi, checked 'em all, bought the Bosch.
I am a contractor with over 24 years in framing and finish work, residential and light commercial work. I have had at least 4 compoud miter saws, (down to 2 right now), Hope this helps

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Laser?, October 12, 2006

By 

Oncle Willie (Long Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bosch 4212L 12-Inch Dual Bevel Compound Miter saw with Laser Tracking (Tools & Home Improvement)

The saw is great. It was bought to supplement an older Craftsman 12" slider but the speed of set-up and accuracy has made it my number one miter saw. I did replace the factory blade with a Forrest 80 tooth Chopmaster without even trying the blade in the box. My cuts are smooth and chip free. HOWEVER... the laser is on its second set of batteries with no discernible improvement. The laser light is VERY dim and nearly impossible to see in a dark garage on light colored wood. On some black gesso covered picture frame stock, the laser was all but invisible. If I can get the laser light sorted out the saw would rate 5 stars but as it is...

Update: Bosch replaced the laser without even asking for proof of purchase which indicates to me a problem for them. The laser does activate and is bright but a real problem with parallax between the blade and beam. The need to spin the blade to activate is also an annoyance. All-in-all, the laser is of little real value compared to the accurate and easy to use lasers offered on other miter saws. If you are considering this saw because of the laser, don't. The saw itself is the easiest to set-up and use of the miter saws I have used over the years.

36 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars you would think nasa had some part in this saw, September 16, 2005

By 

Michael A. Swanner "Professional carpenter/co... (New Orleans, LA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bosch 4212L 12-Inch Dual Bevel Compound Miter saw with Laser Tracking (Tools & Home Improvement)

this is by far the most inovative and amazing miter saw i've ever had the peasure of working with. i'll start by praising the basics - miter and bevel detents are accurate and fast, blade included is top quality, onboard storage for wrench /w screwdriver tip. then you get included extensions, work clamp, length stops, crown stops, laser guide and the best part is even if you add these to another brand saw the don't store onboard and aren't nearly as easily adjusted and accessible. the only this is the saw is pretty heavy, but worth the extra features and accessories. you won't be disappointed.