Anatomy of a Winner
The Bosch 5412L has superb cutting range and performance. It features large pullout extensions that expand the table to 40 inches wide, and sliding fence extensions that stretch even farther to help stabilize large stock for accurate cutting. The table wings also have a flip-up stop for making repetitive cuts up to 20 inches. The adjustable handle is easy to rotate for the optimum cutting position, even for lefties. The top carrying handle and cord wrap on the back are nice touches, too, but our favorite feature is the bevel adjustment accessed from the front of the tool. Both the bevel range and lock/release controls are by the miter handle, and the large offset pointers on the bevel scale offer great upfront visibility.
Shadow Line Cut Indicator
DeWalt has developed an interesting alternative to laser line indicators with its new shadow line indicator. Bright LEDs illuminate both sides of the blade and project its shadow in a narrow line across the workpiece. It’s pretty effective, but you still must lower the saw’s head close to the work to see the line accurately.
Makita LS714
Miter angle Range: 47° left to 57° right
Bevel angle Range: 45° left to 5° right
Cut Capacity @ 90°: 2-1/16 by 11-3/4 inches
Capacity @ 45° miter: 2-1/16 by 8-3/8 inches
Weight: 28 pounds Street Price: $439
We ran this one as a comparison just to see what a 7-1/2-inch blade slider could do. The abilities of this miniscule saw were amazing. It will cross-cut a bit more than a 2×12. I estimate that I could do about 75% of my shop work with this saw, saving a big 12-inch slider for the rest.
Basics: 10 amp, 6,000 rpm, gear-driven motor and 40-tooth blade. Can also use a 7-1/4-inch blade.
Adjustments and Features: This is the only single bevel angle saw we had, and the lack of right bevel cutting is a limitation for trim work. Dual sliding mechanisms provide its long reach. There is no laser, and the low fences do not have to be moved to cut bevels.
Makita USA
800-462-5482
www.makitatools.com
Worklights
The Makita LS1214FL features a gooseneck lamp that can be directed to either side of the blade to improve visibility when you are making adjustments on the shady side of your saw. This is a nice touch to improve accuracy in the varying light conditions on the jobsite.
The Milwaukee 6955-20 has dual, built-in worklights that are flush with the bottom of the motor housing above both sides of the blade. This design seems well suited to the knockabout life of a jobsite saw.
The Makita also has easy adjustment access, mounted above the plastic saw guard, for its onboard laser.
Photo: dotfordot.com
Hitachi C12LSH
Hitachi’s Gadgets
A few gee-whiz features of the eye-catching Hitachi C12LSH didn’t really do it for me, but are interesting nonetheless. Besides the bold graphic design, the most notable feature is the angle-readout module on its positionable stalk. This unit shows the miter and bevel angles to a 1/2-degree, and even has a backlight for its digital display. It connects to a little control panel with switches for the display and for the integrated laser.
The blade-depth adjusting knob, situated to the left side of the saw head, raises the blade above the surface of the table for roughing in dadoes. This is not unique to this saw, however. Every saw we tested had some form of this feature.
Another notable part found on only this and Makita’s saw is the flip-down fence extension. As is evident, it serves more to get of the way of bevel cuts than to provide extended support like our favored sliding fence extensions.