Thread: GMC 250MM SCMS with LASER

Originally Posted by damienhazo

The tears are cloggin' up me keyboard... If it wasn't for the beer (which is simply second to none) I would have slit me wrists long ago.

Damien

The beer's nice..and so are those kinky leather shorts with the matching braces.

Originally Posted by damienhazo

I'm with Zed... Now hubby has a cheap hi-reving powertool running crap bits that he hasn't tightened properly as he pushes the machine in the wrong direction while trying to remove way too much stock on the first pass.

It's a recipe for bloody disaster!

Sorry Damo, I was about to rip into you, but I feel sorry for you now! At least you'll be able to watch the soccer at a normal hour!

Back to the tools though - but I'm with Eagle. Seriously - if you've got a novice who is using crappy bits and is using a tool unsafely, it won't make a difference if he's using a GMC or a Festo.

The bottom line is I would do heaps less ww, and have a quarter as many tools, if it wasn't for the "bargain" brands that are now available.

My builder cousin was telling me a story about his work. The boss would buy dewalt drills for the site, but they would all "mysteriously" disappear after a few months, and he'd have to keep replacing them. So one day he just went and bought about 20 ozito 18v drills. Not only did they collectively cost less than a few dewalts, but they no longer mysteriously disappeared. And if they packed it in, the overall cost was still less than the dewalts. But significantly, all the tradies were impressed by their grunt. So are they as good as the dewalts? Of course not. But are they good enough for what the dopey husband needs? Of course they are.

Originally Posted by John G

if you've got a novice who is using crappy bits and is using a tool unsafely, it won't make a difference if he's using a GMC or a Festo.

Mmmm... I think you've just backed up what I was saying. Very few novices can afford a Festool. There are of course those who will go with the recommendation of a mate and buy a Makita (or similar) after getting a bit of practice on a good machine.

Originally Posted by John G

So one day he just went and bought about 20 ozito 18v drills. Not only did they collectively cost less than a few dewalts, but they no longer mysteriously disappeared.

I think there's a big difference between a router whizzing at 28,000 rpm and a battery drill churning along at around a 1,000. That said, the question isn't should I buy a cheap dropsaw for the building site 'cause me good ones keep getting pinched? It's basically, should I buy crap now or wait till I can afford better?

I know it's a bit general but I still say, find a mate with the good stuff and he'll tell ya to bite the bullet and cough up the dough if it's a tool you're going to use more often.

On the other hand, you can find a mate with a cheapy and after using it, you'll soon see that you get what you pay for.

Damien
PS. When I pick up anything 2nd hand on ebay (especially anything hi-reving) the first thing I do is pull it down. If the bearings spin too easy or if I can feel any kind of stepping in them, I'm online ordering the replacements. I also pull the gearboxes down and clean off every bit of old grease before putting them back together. Nothing's going to get between me and my dream of a guitar duel with Mark Knopfler! I want to know what I've got spinning in my hands...

Damien

Originally Posted by kiwigeo

The beer's nice..and so are those kinky leather shorts with the matching braces.

Attachment 24180

Too bloody right. And my father-in-law has a place right on the Theresienwiese (Oktoberfest) so I don't have to catch a train home afterwards.... (Buuuuurpp! Prost!)

Hi there...
Well I got one abt 3 months ago - didn't cut square. the rotary table clicks into "0" when it's supposed to be square...
turns out the back fence is out by abt 2 degrees..
I tried fiddling - loosened off the four allen bolts and tried to readjust the fence but that didn't work... might work if I re-drill the holes larger...
the laser lights seem to converge... I presume the beams are meant to be parallel to each side of the saw cut... I think they're adjustable too...
I'll have to spend a sat morning on just setting it up...
Just my 300 ruppee's worth. . .
Jedo

I have had GMC gear for 6 years and apart from 2 tools I have had no problems. When I was a Tradesman (Plumber) I used the best power tools that I could get but now I am strictly DIY and GMC has been good to me. The routers I have used have been fine as I am not an expert and they do the job that I require. Their garden tools are pretty good, especially the new lawn mower I have that has a Briggs and Stratton engine on it. The 3G Cordless drill and the 18V Platinum drill have served me well. The Platinum drill is 6 years old and still going strong - no sign of battery degradation yet!

All up at the end of the day - each to their own and good luck to you!

Eagle

I wouldnt buy a gmc slider if you require accurate cuts. I have had one of their non-slider models and it took about 3 hours of filing, sanding and fiddling to get the damn thing to cut at 90 degrees. The fence was not only not flat but also twisted :eek:. Trying to get a spot on bevel impossible.

I have used this saw to rough cut timber and then used a shooting board to get perfect results for 90 degree joints when I was making some doors. It is fiddly and it does work if you havent got the space or money for a decent slider.

I have played with the gmc sliders in bunnings I cannot see how these you give repeatable cuts, too much movement and the position of the saw once clicked in varies :confused: . These saws could be ok if all you need them for is fencing, but for woodworking they're more frustration than they are worth. This would be particularly true for someone who has little patience or experience in tuning tools.

I have had a lot of gmc tools which have done the job in the past (mind you, I have slowly sold most of them as I have upgraded).

Their routers are ok, their large platinum circular saw is very good, and their thicknesser at $199 is unbeatable value... but I would not recommend their mitre saws.

regards

Marios

PS Can't believe I am saying this but I agree with the monkey... sorry Zed, I meant chimp