Thread: Cheap SCMS - What are the other options

Rat,

You could try keeping an eye out on ebay, allclassifieds or the trading post. Also, I believe Fischer discounts have a sale comming up soon ... that may knock about a hundred or so of the prices of most decent SCMS.

Hi Rat

I have a Ryobi SCMS and the only issue I had with it was the blade supplied with it. I fitted a 60 tooth Irwin blade to it and it works fine. Like any tool if it is set up properly it will do the job. Being in the building trade for many years I know the difference between good and bad tools.

I think for the amount that you will use it it would do the job providing you set it up properly.

We would all love to buy the very best but cost is usually a restraint. Certainly the Ryobi is at the bottom of the spectrum but it sure beats a hand saw for cutting cleanly and square.

Just put a good blade in it and it should work.

By the way I own a Makita Mitre saw and even that will cut inaccurately when it is not set up properly.

The reason I bought the Ryobi was I wanted to cut wider boards and could afford an expensive saw and admit I was a bit reluctant to buy the cheap saw but wasn't really disappointed with the Ryobi.

I've got the GMC SCMS and it works fine. Not brilliant, but fine. It does need a new blade though. The other one is crap with a capital K.

There is an Archer SCMS in the carbatec cattledog at the moment - from memory it is about $500 - one big advantage is that it is an induction motor, making it much quieter. I can't vouch for their quality though - I don't know anyone who has one.

Otherwise, can you buy a tablesaw and make a sled for it?

Trav

Trav has hit the nail on the head here. It depends on what other tools/macines you have. As I have posted before, my $100 GMC works fine, is fairly accurate but it's more a convenience thing. I do my final cuts on the table saw for absolute accuracy so a low end GMC suits me just fine.

I've got a GMC one and just love it. OK so it's not perfect on the mitres, but it's just light enough for me to carry, saves the RSI and CTS on the wrists and hands and saves me wasting time handsawing. Oh, and I get to learn about using one before I end up buying a much better quality one. If I kill it within two years, I can get a replacement one at no cost.

It suits what I want to do with it and that's good enough for now.

Good luck with your purchase.

cheers
RufflyRustic

Timbercoms latest supplement shows a Sherwood induction motor 10 inch.SCMS with a 3 year warranty. Looks OK. for $399 Has anyone seen or purchased one?. It would have to be better than their service of late!
Alf

what other tools do you have? I made a sled for the old triton mk3 and it is lots(with a capital L) better than the $399 GMC scms that swmbo bought for me. I cannot make it consistently cut squarely. But if you don't need accuracy buy the cheapest you can for all the above mentioned reasons. A cheapy is still better than MY handsawing.
The bosch is suberb, my son's boss has one.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I just don't like the idea of buying something that is meant to be a precision tool that isn't. Call me a fussy bastard if you wish. One thing I've learn from the past is that if I buy something that is difficult to use you can be sure it will be gathering dust, whereas something that is quality you want to use.

Jim,
A lot of my other tools are Bosch as well and if I can justify it to myself (no woman to worry about, so I'm lucky there) I'll probably go that way. One thing is for sure I wouldnt be replacing it anytime soon. The 2 year warrantys are good, but if it break a day later you have still done your dough.
Simon

Simon,

Just a thought having been down the scms road. I have a Sherwood 10 inch scms which is a copy of a well known quality brand and I have used it for two and a half years without any real dramas. I will add that you really do only get what you pay for when it comes to machinery, buy quality and you will never regret it although this is controlled by your budget so buy the best you can afford. There are quite a few acceptable cheapies on the market, you will have to sift through, apply your budget and be content with your purchase. Have fun sorting it out, spend wisely

Regards Mike

Don't forget that GMC have a 30 day satisfaction guarantee. Buy it, try it, if you're not happy, take it back. That's hard to beat. But don't expect precision from a tool under $100 !

I'm thinking differently, buy quality and if I find im not using it enough, or have finished cutting eveything I want to cut, I could just sell it on ebay or something and only end up paying a few hundred dollars for the use of a good tool.

Simon.
Its not the size of the tool, but how you use it that matters.

Gasweld has the Makita LS1013 (10in SCMS) for $899. I'm really happy with mine.
Makita also make a 7¼in version which may be in your price range.

Ian,
Thanks for that. I'd seen there junkmail before, but couldn't remember what they were called. I'll go check them out tomorrow.

Ok, I've just got the junk mail for Magnet Mart here in Canberra, and as of tomorrow they are selling a ETC 10" SCMS for $165 (normally $229). ETC is made by Spear and Jackson (in China of course). The add reads

All ball bearing construction, spindle lock, 1800w motor. Mitre & Compunds 0-45. Cutting capacity at 90 - 91*305mm, 45 - 91*215mm. 2 year home use warranty.

Has anyone had any experience with this saw?

Simon.