Thread: gmc

Steve,

Just do a search on here for GMC. There has been heaps of discussion on this already.

Incredibly cheap and 2 year warranty. Of course the warranty applies only to 'non-tradies'. Last time I looked they didn't have that tattood on their heads.

If you are a tradie and want the 2 year warranty then make sure you pay cash and retain the receipt.
If you purchase on your account, quote an invoice, order form or pay with a business cheque you will only get the 90 days warranty.


Regards,


Peter.

I have a gmc 235mm circular saw and have thrashed it mercilessly and it is great. Also have one of their $49 jigsaws and it is a piece of . It's ok if you only want to cut gyprock (but then so is a butter knife). One of my mates has a 100mm angle grinder and it too is ok.Their cordless drills are ok as screwdrivers or for drilling into ice cream containers but for serious drilling forget them.
Cheers and hope this helps.
Jim
I suppose you pays your money and takes your chances.

Thanks for the tip on circular saw, Hovo. How long you been thrashing that thing matey? Think I might get me exactly the same gig soon as I try out the tradie night in Kyneton.
Currently puting up a mates extension out the back (Trentham Vic). The mud is thick so I've got some time to sort the new tools out.
Now listen mate, if you thrash any other toys and they go the distance....let me know will ya?
Cheers Stevox

The 235mm saw seems to be a close copy of the current Dewalt.

I had one of these saws 20 years ago with the Black and Decker badge on it, this machine was called the saw cat back then, and what a mighty saw it was too.

It was a sad day when that went up in smoke, operator abuse of course.

At the Melbourne wood show I bought the GMC R400 router for $35, which will be used for light work, I have an Hatachi for the heavy stuff.

At work I have the GMC biscuit jointer $165 and a GMC scroll saw $55, at these prices you cannot go wrong.



Daniel

Hi Stevo,

I have a GMC 255mm Sliding Compound Mitre saw which I am very pleased with.

Quite a bit of time was taken to align the saw and fence properly. and that the positive stops for the angles were correct.

The only problem I had was considerable amount of arbor float, but I managed to succesfully shim the saw blade shaft. This alone made an amazing difference to the quality of cuts.

If memory serves me correct, I paid about $279 for it. Great Value!!!

I also have the GMC 1/4" Router for light hand held work (Around $99). It's a little screamer, Just great!

Cheers,
Vince

Hey Stevo
I've had that saw in my triton for 3 yrs now and haqve no complaints.
Also have a really old ryobi angle grinder that cannot be killed. My dad's got a newish makita and it has an overload switch that is forever having a heart attack. I bought a supercheap auto brand (super works? ) angle grinder and it is unbelievable for the money.

Cheers
Jim

I have the GMC "Dewalt copy" 235mm saw in my Triton workcentre.
I had some trouble initially - the depth of cut adjustment on the GMC is about the only obvious point of difference and of course it is not as good as the Dewalt. The curved bit with the adjustment slot in it is thinner steel, not quite as rigid. The bolt in the adjustment is just a standard mild steel coach bolt, on the Dewalt it is a special bolt with a coarser thread.
I had a fair bit of trouble with the adjustment when it was new, the slot was roughly made and the standard coach bolt doesn't release as much because it has a finer thread pitch. The result is a very stiff and notchy height adjustment. I contacted GMC, they sent me a new "slotted bit" and bolt in the mail. Good friendly service, didn't mind sending me the part rather than me having to return the saw. (I live some hours drive from the store)
It was a bit better, the slotted bit much better but it still tended not to release enough to get an easy slide up and down.
Next I went to a power tool repair shop, and ordered the bolt and "acorn nut" for the genuine Dewalt saw. It cost about $10 total. Works a treat. Absolutely no flex or slump.
Even with the extra spare part purchase I saved about $140 over buying the genuine article.
When suppied new the blade wasn't square to the base but there are many adjustments to set it up properly, all detailed in the book in mangled Chinese English. If you take the trouble it is magic. I set it once and it has never moved.
Having said that I have recently had trouble with the on/off switch not going off... probably sawdust getting into the switch.
I told GMC about the whole deal, they said they would look into the bolt issue...next time I am at Bunnies I will look at a new one, if the bolt is shiny and a regular coach bolt, nothing has changed. If it is black and has a visibly coarser thread than a similar coach bolt, they have rectified it.

Chris.

Just bought myself the new GMC 14.4V Drill & Torch kit from Bunnies in Tuggeranong. For $89.00 it was too good a bargain to miss. It came with the drill, a torch and 3 (yes three) batteries. I have not bought it to do any heavy work with, small pilot type holes and screwing is this primary reason.

But to get 3 batteries with the kit was unbelievable.

So anyone looking for a good bargain in a light duty drll shoul give this one a serious look

Hi,

There's a lot of purists who wouldn't touch a GMC product at any price but I think they provide good value for money, allbeit some more than others.

I've just bought the GMC 12.5" thicknesser after reading a lot of the relative merits of a lot of brands on these threads and other places, and when I compare the results it gives to the Bunnies price of $359 it just can't be beaten.

The fact of the matter is that a $1500 tool is probably always going to be better than a $150 one. It comes down to, do I buy what I can afford and get the enjoyment now or do I forego my hobby until I can afford the "name brand" tools.

When you consider you've got 30 days to decide whether you're satisfied with your purchase and two years reliable cover if anything goes wrong, GMC is a good option for those on a budget.

Anyway, that's my humble opinion and I fully respect other's to have a totally contradictory one ! PS...I don't work for GMC either.

I've got a GMC scroll saw and bench sander. Both work well. Both are a bit horrible. Both were dirt cheap. Based on those two alone, if you buy GMC expecting it to be less than wonderful and last just long enough to justify buying a big name brand, you'll be pleasantly surprised. I have heard that some of their products are disappointing though.

Richard

I currently have 3 GMC machines.

The lathe which i bought to try out turning and while I havent had much time to get into it the little bit I have done has been fun. At $99.00 it works as advertised and I feel its great for anyone who wants to try out turning for the first time.

The 1000w belt sander is also going well and I have no complaints so far.

Number 3 is the 24lt compressor. IMO there is no better way to get rid of accumulated dust than to open the doors and windows of the garage crank up the comperessor and blow it all out. It will also be used whe I get a nailer or two to "hold it in place with a coupla brads", thats a Norm quote for those who missed it.

I am very happ with my GMC stuff and after reading about vcoens success with the SCMS will be gettin one myself.... hmmmm now how to drop the hint to the Mrs for Christmas.

I have the little GMC sander (the triangular one) works so well that I sometimes use it in preference to the 1/2 sheet one except that the on/off switch is a swine - at first - it is dustproof but is also pretty much finger proof!
I have their small belt and disk sander - noisy but does its job.
I have recently bought the 10" SCMS - the original 2 bar one - its great and have no complaints about it. I would avoid their single bar ones but then I would avoid any manufacturers single bar SCMS.
Cheers

Steve
I like others, have quite a few GMC products (1/4 in router, RO sander etc, etc). Yes they are cheap, but I have had very few problems with them. I have had to use the waranty on occasions and I must say that GMC were very prompt and no questions asked as long as you retain the receipt.

Bruce