Bosch is a company with a reputation for producing some of the best models of portable and standard saws on the market. Their wide range of products has allowed pros and amateurs to exclusively depend on their product line and enjoy dependable, appliances, tools and power tools at a lower price. Their model, the Bosch 4100-09 10-Inch Worksite Portable Table Saw has a reputation for powerful performance, great design features and portability and can be used by both hobbyists and professional woodworkers or carpenters.
Let’s jump straight into this review and see what makes this model unique and so well-reviewed.
Table of Contents
Features & Characteristics
Typically, Bosch tools are well known for their quality and durability. This table saw is currently a top seller. One of the best things about this model is its safety features. The saw comes with a modular smart guard system, which is made to enhance user protection while also providing unparalleled visibility that will reduce the risk of accidents.
Product Rating:
- Easily portable
- Good value for your money
- Very sturdy
- Good cutting surface area
- Very precise cutting
- Durable construction
Power
The power here comes from a 15-amp 4.0 HP (max) motor that comes with a lot of safety and operational features to it. There is a soft-start feature that ensures your saw gets up to operating speeds without the possibility of a tripped circuit breaker. On top of that there is a “Constant Response” circuitry that maintains the speed constant while you are cutting and putting the saw under heavy load.
The saw also has anti-kickback pawls that will protect you when a kickback happens. Still, using a blade saw is always something we’d recommend you use while working on any saw.
Capacity
This saw can handle stock which is up to around 25 inches in width. It is also one of the portable table saws with the largest table surface out there. It is certainly bigger than other Bosch models such as the Bosch GTS1031 Portable Table Saw.
Precision
In terms of precision, the 4100-09 table saw by Bosch is a class-leader. Thanks to multiple little details such as the rip fence scale, miter gauge, and the precise elevation wheel you can cut with the utmost precision with this model. The 4 HP 3650 RPM motor also helps with that, although it still struggles with larger and longer pieces of hardwood.
Portability
The table features a gravity-rise system which allows you to collapse the table’s legs without much effort and also adjust the height to your preference. At the bottom of the table there are 8 inch wheels that make this saw very portable even when deployed.
Even with the gravity rise stand, you may need additional support as you work on larger projects. Having someone to assist you and hand you material as it comes out of the saw can prevent dangerous situations and help keep the weight distribution even.
While having a friend assist you as you work is probably the best option when you’re handling large workpieces, at times you may have to work alone. The gravity rise stand can quickly extend the reach of the saw’s table. Make sure the rollers are set at the correct height. They should be perpendicular to the blade of the saw.
Construction & Durability
This table saw is made from precision machined aluminum for longevity and rugged durability. The rip fence is designed to enhance precision, allowing the user to experience maximum precision with every cut. The innovative rip fence will glide across the table easily for a one-handed operation. Additionally, it will lock in place, allowing the user to make continual cuts.
If you want to check out other top models, head over to our full Buyer’s Guide where you will find lots of information on some of the best portable table saws today.
Portable Table Saw Tips from Bosch
If the project you’re working on is too big for the table, you can make your own. Use a couple of sheets of particleboard and a few sawhorses. This can work great when you’re cutting thin sheets such as wainscot or paneling. You’ll need to be careful that you don’t block the access to the saw’s emergency shutoff switch as you cut.
Trying to cut up material that’s too dense, heavy or thick may be asking too much of your saw’s motor. Portable table saws feature comparatively low power motors. Just because the blade is able to extend a few inches over the table doesn’t mean that the motor is able to handle cutting up a few inches of hard lumber. This is especially true if the cut is long, considering long rip cuts tend to heat the blade up and clog it, while short crosscuts are much quicker.
Experts recommend raising the blade slightly while making multiple passes. The blade should be raised a little with each pass for best results. Be sure that the saw is able to handle the cutting depth.
The saw will have to work much harder to evacuate waste material whenever the blade is buried in lumber. Basically, just because the saw can rip through dense lumber in a single pass doesn’t mean it’s capable of continuing to do so for an extended period of time. Keeping an eye on the saw’s performance is crucial in order to prevent overheating or clogs. Going easy on your saw will ensure that it’s safer to use and will last much longer.
This model has a couple of holes that allow you to securely fasten the saw to any type of stable work surface. So if you need to use a larger table for a big project, be sure to use them. These holes will make sure that the saw doesn’t move or vibrate during operating. This means your work will be more accurate, safer and easier. Securing your saw will only take a few minutes and it’s pretty fast and simple to reverse once you’re finished for the day.
Included Accessories
When you purchase this table saw you will get quite the list of accessories from Bosch. Those are the gravity rise table stand, the 10 inch 40-tooth saw, a standard throat plate table insert, the smart guard system, a rip fence, and a miter gauge. You also get a few wrenches that will help you fix any potential issues.
Now, let’s check out some of the most notable pros and cons of this model.
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- This powerful model produces a max of 4 HP, and 3650RPM for cleaner cuts
- Another impressive feature is the gravity rise stand, which can be effortlessly and quickly deployed. It’s also incredibly easy to make it vertical or horizontal.
- Portability is very important when you’re trying the find a model that’s right for you. The stand’s pneumatic wheels are able to manage even the roughest terrain effortlessly, and the foldaway design will reduce the requirements for storage space.
- The stand weighs in at just less than forty pounds and is built to last. This saw can be easily secured to other types of work surfaces, in the event you need more space to cut bigger material.
Cons
- Some consumers had complaints regarding the saw’s fence. This complaint revolved around the fact that the fence can become locked in a non-parallel position if you aren’t careful.
- The saw isn’t great when it comes to cutting long and thick pieces of wood
If you want to learn more about table saw safety, click here to go to our dedicated article on the topic.
Conclusion and Rating
Product Rating:
There have been several positive consumer reviews for this model. Some consumers said that the saw worked as expected and provided them with consistent precision cuts with each use. The saw’s blade guard system and riving knife worked great. Both were simple to take off or put on as needed. The saw’s stand also worked well and was easy to set up or collapse.
We gave this model five out of five stars for ease of use, portability and durability, included gravity table, reasonable pricing and overall versatility. Intended for beginners and not recommended for everyday use, this saw is perfect for at home DIY projects.
