Bosch CM8S 8-1/2 Inch Single Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw - Power Miter Saws - Amazon.com $348.50

This is a cool tool, it's one of the few sub 10" models with a depth stop. When I first got into woodworking I read somewhere that a lot of people get started with a non-slide then get slide. I think that's a bit of crap now seeing as people have found ways to use slide+depth stop to remove matter in joints.

I don't know why they didn't do the Bosch glide on this model.

Does anyone here have experience with this saw? How's the dust collection and does it have enough power? It has a cut capacity of 3", which seemingly means you can't cut straight through a 2x4. (Stood up on end, with a height of 3.5")

Just make sure you take it apart to the mosfets and hall effect sensors before you resemble and use it.

For the purpose of finishing a basement and building some cabinetry like the mudroom bench, etc. This or 10 in (or even 12 in?)

Quote from lKoRTy : For the purpose of finishing a basement and building some cabinetry like the mudroom bench, etc. This or 10 in (or even 12 in?)

I think you need to be honest with yourself about how far you want to take this hobby. In my opinion what you mentioned seems doable with this saw. (I am a hobbyist who does some repair work for my business, so take this with a grain of salt)

For finishing a basement, are you building walls? This thing will handle 2x4s just fine cut to length just fine for that.

If you're planning around something like this for your mud bench - https://www.pinterest.com/pin/553239135468050819 [pinterest.com], I imagine you'll be fine as long as you figure out how to cut the bottom pieces if their length goes longer than the sliding capacity (12 1/4 listed). So this might be doable.

I think this should have the accuracy you need for trim work on the bench/room.

Where I think this will miss the mark is only in your future.

If you enjoy building and are one day going to be working with larger dimension pieces, 10-12 inches may be worth the investment. This can't cut through 4x4 lumber without turning the piece. This might not be a big deal.

I really enjoy splitting panels with a miter saw. In my opinion, the table saw is more accident prone than a miter saw, so I'm pretty sad that I don't have a sliding miter saw. Now this I find crazy, this saw only misses out on an inch and a half of sliding capacity from a 12inch miter saw.

Bosch 12Inch -
Max. Cut Capacity - 0° Miter 0° Bevel 3-1/2 In. x 13-1/2 In. (4x14 Dimensional Lumber)

Bosh 8.5 Inch- Max. Cut Capacity - 0° Miter 0° Bevel 2.75 In. x 12-1/4 In. (Can cut 2x12 Dimensional Lumber)

My biggest complaint about this before looking it up was just assuming that the crosscut sliding capacity would be less because it's a smaller saw.

I like the idea of some of the 7 1/4 models because you could just the same blades you buy for a circ saw on your miter saw, back when I thought there might be ways to save money buying tools.

Bottom line, I think you could handle your project and be pretty well equipped to deal with future projects with this saw, though its a pricier option for a beginner than some other offerings available.

Quote from BrightMallard937 : I think you need to be honest with yourself about how far you want to take this hobby. In my opinion what you mentioned seems doable with this saw. (I am a hobbyist who does some repair work for my business, so take this with a grain of salt) Bottom line, I think you could handle your project and be pretty well equipped to deal with future projects with this saw, though its a pricier option for a beginner than some other offerings available.

Thank you for the breakdown.
Basement doing start to finish (sans hiring electricians/plumbers), so framing included. I don't see myself having a need to cut anything further than 2x6, so 12 1/4 capacity will do just fine.
Mudroom bench will be longer, so will just use a circ for that or just good old manual saw lol.
To your point, 12 doesn't offer that much more cross cut, so probably no need for it.
Not really looking to any larger projects than these, so I suppose might go with 10in glider given the newer sliding design.

Quote from lKoRTy : Thank you for the breakdown. Basement doing start to finish (sans hiring electricians/plumbers), so framing included. I don't see myself having a need to cut anything further than 2x6, so 12 1/4 capacity will do just fine. Mudroom bench will be longer, so will just use a circ for that or just good old manual saw lol. To your point, 12 doesn't offer that much more cross cut, so probably no need for it. Not really looking to any larger projects than these, so I suppose might go with 10in glider given the newer sliding design.

Price:size ratio is not right here unless you need this exact thing. For example, my friend who installs harwood flooring would use a smaller blade sliding miter, for portability. I got a 10" Bauer for two and change, good to go.

Tree killers!!!!!

It's all your fault.

"Either way, I just figured someone might be interested. Be safe. Keep your d.. blah blah something about a vise. Lol."

This Borscht is skookum choocher!

For those talking about wanting to use 7 1/4 saw blades, just build a cheap fence out of 3/4 material. It will let you use smaller the blades and it act as a zero clearance insert. Also helps with cut guides as the custom zero clearance acts as a cutting reference.

Quote from NavyHamster270 : Tree killers!!!!! It's all your fault.

To be fair no one is using a miter saw to cut down trees, except maybe some knuckle-dragger on tiktok trying to be funny.

Quote from VinceD8923 : Just make sure you take it apart to the mosfets and hall effect sensors before you resemble and use it.

She's a choocher

Quote from drleggo : Price:size ratio is not right here unless you need this exact thing. For example, my friend who installs harwood flooring would use a smaller blade sliding miter, for portability. I got a 10" Bauer for two and change, good to go.

I agree you're paying a premium for portability and the Bosch name. In terms of sliding miter saws this is a really good price, but still higher than others in the same category.

Quote from lKoRTy : Thank you for the breakdown. Basement doing start to finish (sans hiring electricians/plumbers), so framing included. I don't see myself having a need to cut anything further than 2x6, so 12 1/4 capacity will do just fine. Mudroom bench will be longer, so will just use a circ for that or just good old manual saw lol. To your point, 12 doesn't offer that much more cross cut, so probably no need for it. Not really looking to any larger projects than these, so I suppose might go with 10in glider given the newer sliding design.

Newer design is still from 2012/2013 on Bosch! It's crazy that all their saws basically have minor cosmetic upgrades these last few years.

Last few points to you here is storage, about branding, and maybe consider a non-sliding.

Here you're paying for a small sliding saw designed for job site transportation and (supposedly) accurate trim work. This model got blasted on Amazon a few times for not doing the last well.

You mentioned the 10" glide. The big advantage of the 10" glide is you can have it constantly out tucked against a wall, super helpful if this is how you spend your time. You pay "some" for that privilege and the Bosch name.

I say some because the 12inch (and 10) miter saw market is driving me a bit crazy. I like the Bosch glider a lot because I keep my saw out in my workshop all the time and one of the next projects is a proper miter station because my garage floor is very annoying uneven. The market is hard to understand though, you're choosing between similar yet dissimilar body styles, lasers or no lasers with models which are updated or not updated and the reviews to match. One of the things I like about these comment section is instead of random Amazon reviews, lotta people here are in trades. Basically, if this is a honey do instead of a project where you're super excited to get to, you're probably not going to fully take advantage of the fact a 10"/12" glider can stick closer to a wall, and there's a lot of gimmicks and marketing that the tool companies are making you pay a premium for. This is why I mentioned Boschs new design is almost 9 years old, it's not new really but a proven product for Bosch where they know they can get a premium.

Last bit- if you're really thinking that this is it and don't want a saw sitting out, maybe consider a non-sliding. Yeah I hate the fact I have one, but I restore furniture and build stuff to relax. A sliding in your case might be overkill. You can get a good circ saw and a miter saw for maybe $300, still below this cost. My 12" dewalt was $219. Heck, you may be able to just get a 10" miter saw for a bit less. Add on a cheap framing circ saw and you may be able to get 2-3 tools for the price of this one. The thing that sucks about buying tools is you don't know where you've bought wrong until the ink is dry.

I'd really recommend get the minimum you need if you're just starting out, which in your case might be a 10" non sliding and a circ saw. You may fomo down the road, but that's only if you spend a lot of time on this hobby. If I spent less on crap I just thought I needed instead of crap I was told I needed - I'd have enough for this tool today instead of a mildly disappointed wife, tons of router bits and a router table, more than one unused Dewalt 20v, a couple of dumb Ryobi tools, and a non sliding miter saw.

Quote from lKoRTy : Thank you for the breakdown. Basement doing start to finish (sans hiring electricians/plumbers), so framing included. I don't see myself having a need to cut anything further than 2x6, so 12 1/4 capacity will do just fine. Mudroom bench will be longer, so will just use a circ for that or just good old manual saw lol. To your point, 12 doesn't offer that much more cross cut, so probably no need for it. Not really looking to any larger projects than these, so I suppose might go with 10in glider given the newer sliding design.

I would avoid it.
8.5" is not common in the US (assuming you're there).
You won't be able to walk in most stores and get anything better than the most typical framing blades in stock.
7-1/4" and 10" are extremely common, come in all different flavors (framing, finish, specialty "think laminate, cement, etc." and many more) and will come in a multitude of price ranges.
Selection will make your job easier.