Thread: CMS or SCMS ?

Chopstick ....

I have both a SCMS and a CMS ..... to my knowledge there is nothing that I cant do on the SCMS that I can do on the CMS and there are plenty of things I can do on the SCMS that I cant do on the CMS.

The SCMS will be useful if you intend on building a deck or something similar due to the width of cut that you can produce. For the occassional user I would be going for the cheaper range of SCMS over the higher quality CMS.

Stinky.

G'day Chopstick.

What Sir Stink said is correct. If you go back through previous postings you will find comparisons between brands, along with numerous opinions.

For mine, if you want quality, accuracy and one that will last for years go for the Makita LS1013 SCMS. They are currently being offered for around $860--$880.
Jack

A couple of the benefits of a sliding saw:

1. Wider cutting capacity. I can dock up to 300mm x 90mm on my saw (LS1013).
2. Trench cuts. You can lock the depth and do trench cuts with a sliding saw.

I think silent has sumamrised the advantages of the SCMS well, the only advantage of the CMS is the cheaper price and the fact that it takes up a bit less space. If you can find something better to do with the money you save, then the CMS is an option - otherwise a SCMS is a much better product.

Bear in minfd though the significant price difference between the slidnig and non slideing version. The question really, is not what can the sliding version do, but is it worth the extra money?

MY personal feelign is that you can risk going a bit cheaper on a CMS. The bars are often the source of innaccuracy on cheaper SCMS so if you're going to get one you need to get a good brand (Makita Bosch Dewalt etc).

Originally Posted by LineLefty

MY personal feelign is that you can risk going a bit cheaper on a CMS. The bars are often the source of innaccuracy on cheaper SCMS so if you're going to get one you need to get a good brand (Makita Bosch Dewalt etc).

That's a good point, which means the cost difference can be quite high ie it is the difference between a "value" CMS (maybe under $200 for a Ryobi, GMC) and a quality SCMS ($800-$1000 for a Bosch, etc)

Originally Posted by silentC

2. Trench cuts. You can lock the depth and do trench cuts with a sliding saw.

This (trench cutting capability) is worth quite a bit. You can use it for tenons, for example ... even angled tenons, halving joints etc and you arguably have got more control than with a table saw because you have a better view of what you are cutting as you are cutting it.

BUT not all SCMSs allow trench cuts. Make sure that you buy one that does. I have an older Electra Beckum where the sliding bars move up and down with the saw rather than being parallel to the base. The modern Electra Beckum SCMSs are configured like the Makita and do not have this shortcoming, thus they are worthy of consideration. I think you will find they are also quieter then the Makita.

Qw

I just took my GMC back to Bunnings and bought the Carbatec LS1013 copy.

Apart from the Engrish manual, the saw is exceptional. And it has a 100 tooth cabide tipped blade to boot for $400.

Although, there are some niggling issues, but Carbatec has agreed to fix them.

Hey Jimc

I was about to buy the GMC scmc. why did you return yours and what issues didya have with the Carbatec.

We don't have A carbatec up here in NQ (that I can Find) so I would have to get it freighted, with all the attending issues of backup. The Big B still offers that advantage.

Look forward to hearing from you.

John/Marineman,
if you go down to Cairns Hardware toolshop (or Cairns North see Joe the manager) they will order stuff out of the Carbatec catalogue, freight free, same price as in the catalogue. Can't beat that!

Mick

Hi,

The CMS / SCMS decision has been a personal one of mine recently.

Points made earlier in this thread all played their part in the decision. Ie .. Cross cut capacity, trench cutting, space saving etc .

I worked out that approx 80% of the time the CMS would get the job done.
I managed to get a new 10" dewalt at trade price, so for approx 1/2 the price of a 'brand' SCMS, a CMS it was.

I also looked at the LS1013 'copy' at Carbatec and one of the sales guys basically talked my out of it based on the quality of the copy. At the time there were three refurbished 'copies' on the shop floor and also another two out the back waiting to be rebuilt. Easy decision there !!!

Adam

Mate,
I can only offer one small bit of general advise. if you compromise now and buy a low quality or limited function tool, you'll probably end up buying the tool you really wanted in the first place later on. I don't know how many times i've had to learn this lesson. Now i buy what I really want off the bat and save money.
-ryan

(owner of a DeWalt 12" double bevel SCMS)

From what I have seen the cheaper SCMS can flex about a bit. If you are able you would should get a high end SCMS as they are able to do a whole lot more than a saw without the slide. But only if it has a solid set of slide bars. But then there is the cost of course. But I am sure that an ineffective tool is expensive at any price.

Originally Posted by journeyman Mick

John/Marineman,
if you go down to Cairns Hardware toolshop (or Cairns North see Joe the manager) they will order stuff out of the Carbatec catalogue, freight free, same price as in the catalogue. Can't beat that!

Mick

Cheers Mick

I get in my own little zone and forgot about the local guys. I'll go and see what whats available.

there's a couple of tool shops in the area (if I remember) I might just make a morning of it.

catch ya