I still made the point of adjusting the fence to find out how easy it was to fine-tune the saw though. It’s not quite as simple as adjusting the Einhell TC-MS 2112, but then this is a much more complicated beast to deal with overall. Technical data of the GCM 8 SJL professional: Cutting capacity: 0 70 x 312 mm Cutting capacity: 45 mitre 70 x 214 mm Cutting capacity: 45 bevel 48 x 312 mm Mitre setting: 52 L / 60 R Bevel setting: 47 L / 2 R Depth x length x height: 91 x 46 x 41 cm No-load speed: 5.500 rpm Saw blade diameter: 216 mm Saw blade bore diameter: 30 mm Weight: 17,3 kg Rated power input: 1.600 W Measured values determined according to EN 60745: Total vibration values (vector sum of three directions): Sawing wood: Vibration emission value ah: 2.5 m/s Uncertainty: K 1.5 m/s Dimensions of the Bosch GTA2600 Mitre Saw Leg Stand: Stand Height (folded/unfolded) : 270/940 mm Legs in position (L/W) : 1378/610mm Stand folded together (LxWxH) : 1245x305x1272mm Stand Length (supports extended) : 2630mm Stand Length (supports closed) : 1220mm Weight of the Bosch GTA2600 Mitre Saw Leg Stand: Box and complete stand : 21.6 kg Stand only : 15 kg Tool mounts : 4 kg A big selling point for Bosch saws is the readily available spare parts and the large dealer network for any problems or maintenance issues. As this is one of the biggest brands of high quality power mitre saws in the world you will have no problems getting advice and the parts to keep your saw running smoothly. What I will say about this saw is the quality of the materials used to construct it. The heavy gauge machined aluminium parts that make up the saw bed and extending table feel well made. The mechanisms for the mitre, bevel and slide-out rails are extremely solid.

Cutting through the CLS I tested with was as I expected. The Bosch GCM8SJL made short work of even compound cuts that might have stressed a smaller chop saw. The big motor didn’t struggle at all with the cuts, and it felt comfortable throughout.No power tool is completely safe. However, wearing the correct level of personal protective equipment (PPE) is a great start! Always wear eye and ear protection, and make sure all loose clothing and hair is well out of the way. Make sure the saw is on level ground and clamped to the workbench before using it as well. Ensure that the tool is connected to the power supply but do not activate the on/off switch while adjusting the laser. Bosch market this saw as a compact and lightweight mitre saw that still offers the maximum cutting capacity for a tool of this size. You can cut pretty huge pieces of timber on this saw up to 312 x 70 mm. That’s really impressive for a machine with a small size 216 mm blade on it. It’s this huge capacity that makes it an ideal workshop saw for a demanding DIYer. You’ll rarely be forced to flip the workpiece to cut through normal timbers.

Like the Metabo KGS216M, the fence comes in two parts to allow the blade to pass by at extreme angles. But unlike the Metabo, the fence is incredibly solid. The heavyweight machined aluminium rails slide out of the way but don’t have the wobble that put me off the other German brand on my list. When tightened down the fence feels rigid and flat. The GCM8SJL has an improved dust management system that helps keep the area dust free and a nicer place to work with a two point dust extraction system. One of the dust collection points follows the blade, ensuring that dust is collected even on the widest of cuts. When a saw like this is working constantly there will be a lot of dust generated which needs to be managed and not end up being a hazard. To adjust the laser when the saw blade and laser are not aligned on the Bosch GCM 8 SJL saw, follow these steps:

Available in 110v or 240v

Make sure the tool is connected to the power supply, but do not activate the on/off button while adjusting the laser. It’s incredibly sturdy, and all the moving parts are smooth and well thought-out. There are features on this saw that would better suit a professional tradesperson than a part-time DIYer, but if you’ve got a lot of cuts to make this is the saw for you. Designed to cope with large bits of timber; this saw features a massive sliding saw arm, extendable table sections, and dual-zone dust extraction. It’s a big, heavy beast, but will it perform as good as it looks? I’m going to put it to the test to find out. To find the best mitre saw I needed to put them up against each other, head-to-head. The main job of a saw like this is to make accurate and repeatable cuts at a variety of different angles, so I did just that. Using standard CLS timber, I cut at both 0° and 45°, and used the angle adjustment to make some compound cuts as well. In terms of its physical characteristics, the Bosch GCM 8 SJL weighs 17300 g, which may be considered relatively heavy compared to other saws on the market. It has dimensions of 910 mm in depth, 410 mm in height, and 460 mm in width, allowing for easy maneuverability and storage.

It’s clear from the first glance that the Bosch Professional GCM8SJL is a solid and well-engineered mitre saw. The machining marks on the table, fence, and other components let you know that straight away. Bosch haven’t used as many cheap die-cast components on this saw. It’s stronger, straighter, and more reliable that way. Turn on the laser using the switch. The laser should align with the cutting line on the workpiece along its entire length, even when the tool arm is guided downwards. Even the best chop saw on my list comes with a long list of safety precautions to take before it’s good to use. Following the guidelines in the weighty instruction manual are essential to help avoid injury, and I’m glad they’re well laid out and studded with helpful diagrams. The mitre angles that can be set on this saw are a step up from the PCM 8 S, allowing a 52 degree angle on the left setting and a whopping 60 degree angle on the right setting. This will allow some very tight angles to be cut. The motor will also give your saw plenty of reserve power for stubborn materials that might leave a less powerful motor struggling. Bosch integrated soft-start module provides smooth start-up and reduces chance of blowing circuit fuse at start-up and when used on long extension cables or transformers.Credit subject to status and affordability. Terms and conditions apply. Axminster Tool Centre Ltd trading as Axminster Tools is a credit broker and is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Credit is provided by Novuna Personal Finance, a trading style of Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Financial Services Register no. 704348. As the ability of the saw to work in commercial settings goes up so do the safety features. While we’re reviewing this for a domestic setting, it’s a model that is very popular with professionals too. A saw that is in constant use needs to be robust for the user and needs to assist with keeping the working environment a safe place. Laser class 2 -Laser class for measuring tools - For speed and accuracy when repetitive cuts are made there is an intergrated highly visibile laser showing the cut line