Thread: "Good" and "Cheap" CMS ? - Yes!

Thanks for that Grandad-5. That re-enforces my thoughts on Bosch. I have a mixture of Makita & Bosch tools. However my last 3 purchases were all Bosch. A sander and 2 routers.

I usually buy from Bunnings so am not buying the heavy duty tradie stuff, but the Bosch products seem to pack more power for the same price. (IMHO).

TT

Originally Posted by Twisted Tenon

That re-enforces my thoughts on Bosch.

I've only ever owned two Bosch tools. My relatively new SCMS and a jigsaw I bought about 30 yrs ago and is still going strong.
If a $350 CMS looks like quality goods, I wonder if Bosch is one of the few brands still around that you can trust?

I know I used to be a Makita man. Time was, it didn't matter what you bought, if it had the Makita label on it, it was going to work ok.
Now...They still make some good stuff, but they also have some rubbish...ooops, I should have said "Handyman" stuff.

Does anyone know if Bosch is the same now? Or can you generally still trust the brand?

Cheers
Jim

Thanks Grandad-5, I'm also looking to buy a cms, and already have 6 Bosch tools.

My 1970's Bosch 2-speed drill has done heaps of work, including as a disc sander, grinder, wood lathe and currently with a jig saw attachment, and still going strong. The most recent purchase is the Multi tool saw/sander which has handled some hard work O.K. The only Bosch tool I wasn't happy with was the 14Volt cordless drill (Circa 2005), because the chuck would not hold drill bits securely - they would slip in the chuck.

The Bosch PCM1800-SD grabbed my attention at Bunnies. This is the sliding version with laser guide, for $400. I had a slight doubt about the locking bolt for the blade tilt (Bevel?). It seemed to be chewing into the alloy castings, but it could have already been tried by hundreds of other customers. Does this seem O.K. on yours?

There is also the Makita SCMS 1430Watt model, which doesn't have the laser, but is the best seller at $500, according to the salesman at Total Tools.

My big decision is whether to go for the sliding type, with trenching capability, or just the drop-saw type which can sit against the wall in my very small shed. Any thoughts?

Rob

Originally Posted by robgran

It seemed to be chewing into the alloy castings, but it could have already been tried by hundreds of other customers. Does this seem O.K. on yours?

So far, yes. Of course, I probably should have mentioned that the real test of any power tool only comes with time. This remains to be seen in this case.
I can see where Bosch has saved a $ here and there when compared to my bigger model.
The clamp is a screw down thing, rather awkward to use compared to the lever action one on mine.
The handle doesn't rotate like mine does. These are minor and forgivable shortcuts IMHO

My big decision is whether to go for the sliding type, with trenching capability, or just the drop-saw type which can sit against the wall in my very small shed. Any thoughts?

Personal choice Rob.
Not something I can offer advice on.
I have the larger sliding model because I needed the extra crosscut capacity and the ability to do some trenching fitted in with my needs at the time.
My daughter however, has no such need. The biggest thing she'll be cutting is 90x45 studs.
Should she ever need more capacity, she knows she can come here and use mine.
The sliding mechanism does take up a lot of space. I've had issues in 3 different sheds trying to accomodate this need.

Heres a pic of how its set up this time around.
Attachment 185445

Cheers
Jim

ETA. One thing I like about the sliding model, is the ability to drop the blade in front of a piece of timber and push the blade back into it.
I find it cleaner and a better cut than plunging or pulling the blade through.

Thanks Jim, -nice custom made bench. I will have to work out whether a scaled down version could fit my shed.

Rob

I hate to tell you this, but Bunnings are selling the PCM1800 for $298.00.

250mm 1800W BOSCH PCM1800 Compound Mitre Saw - Bunnings Warehouse

Don't tell my daughter.
Fortunately, she hangs out at the renovators forum.

Originally Posted by robgran

My big decision is whether to go for the sliding type, with trenching capability, or just the drop-saw type which can sit against the wall in my very small shed. Any thoughts?

Rob

Rob

You may be able to get the best of both worlds with Bosch's new SCMS. Have a look on this thread. Post #80 has a link to a U-tube video of the saw workings. Looks like it is worth considering, although at the top end of the market.

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f13/be...13/index6.html

Regards
Paul

Originally Posted by Grandad-5

Time was, it didn't matter what you bought, if it had the Makita label on it, it was going to work ok.
Now...They still make some good stuff, but they also have some rubbish...ooops, I should have said "Handyman" stuff.

Does anyone know if Bosch is the same now? Or can you generally still trust the brand?

Cheers
Jim

Jim

I have a number of Bosch tools including the older style traditional SCMS, drills, cicular saw and jig saw and generally have been very pleased with their quality and performance.

In the hand held ranges, the green models are the handyman range while the blue tools are the trade types. The only Bosch tool to have failed for me was an orbital sander, which was a green one. My fault as I work them a bit too hard for the handyman range.

Regards
Paul

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

In the hand held ranges, the green models are the handyman range while the blue tools are the trade types.

Ok, good to know. At least they colour code them so you can tell the difference right off.
Thanks for that.
Lets see now.....grass is green Sky is blue. Blue is higher than green.
Yup, I can remember that. The Blue ones are the good ones

Hi Jim,

Nice bench indeed. Even have a tape measure built in, good move. I think your daughter will enjoy the saw, I have the Makita equivalent and like the relatively light weight and small compact-ness of it. Easy to move about, room to room if need be. With the right blade kept sharp am sure much happy renovating will be done.

Cheers
Pops

Originally Posted by Pops

Nice bench indeed. Even have a tape measure built in, good move.

If I had it to do again, I wouldn't have spent so much time getting the fence exactly lined up with the saw fence. When a board is slightly bowed, its a pain. If anyone is thinking of duplicating this, I'd suggest having the saw fence a half inch or so proud of the bench fence.

I really must paint it one day

--- relatively light weight and small compact-ness of it. Easy to move about, room to room if need be.

That's the one thing I don't like about my SCMS.
I have to put it away every night and its B$%&Y heavy. I popped a disk last Christmas. Its all good now but I have to be real careful about lifting anything.
That saw is a right pain in that regard.

Paul,

Thanks for the suggestion, this concept with vertical and horizontal pivot axes seems a leap ahead from the dual sliding design. The best price I've seen so far is over $1100, so I would need to do plenty of renovating to justify it!

Rob

Originally Posted by Ekim

I hate to tell you this, but Bunnings are selling the PCM1800 for $298.00.

250mm 1800W BOSCH PCM1800 Compound Mitre Saw - Bunnings Warehouse

Currently $276... I've been looking for a light saw to do the odd frame with (when I don't want to carry my big one..) - I think I'll go get one today...

Ian