Thread: Best sliding compound mitre saw

Originally Posted by Mini

I have searched and can't find this saw on the Bosch Oz site. Now for a story, I was told a while ago that there had been a retailer privately importing a certain model of Makita SCMS and Makita was not impressed and would not honour the warranty on them. I could not find any mitre saws until I looked under bench mounted tools, silly me I expected to find them under saws. I then put the model number in and got no result. Perhaps someone could confirm that for me as I would like to be proven wrong because I want to buy one.

Messy mitre saw? try this..Dust collection system

From Sydney Tools Website:

100% Genuine Bosch Australia Product.

Authorized Australian Reseller.

Full Manufacturers Warranty.

Is this what you were after?

SG

Thanks Scribbly but I will ring Bosch as I can't find it on their site at all. It may just be as simple as the site not being updated and I hope it is.

It's on this page at the bottom:
SYDNEY TOOLS - Bosch Table Top

Cheers
SG

there is another piece of news regarding the bosch.
Bosch Blue Launches New Mitre Saw | Hub360

Update: just went to sydney tools, and they do have a GCM12 SDL sitting there. Impressive arm movement that goes right back to the wall. The price was about 10% sweeter than advertised $1299 and the bonus blade is a generic brand chinese made blade.

I asked about if the scms is a new release and the guy there said ST just got it a week ago, so I would say it is just bosch-pt website being too lazy to update.

A while ago I got a 12" Bosch from Sydney tools and was very happy with the price and the shipping cost. They threw in a free stand (though the in/outfeed roller alignment is pretty poor). The spare blade was a B. as well but both had slight dishing.

Just bought a Bosch Glide Saw to replace my Kapex. I paid $1099.

So far, couldn't be happier, although I've only used it for a few test cuts.

I realise this is an old thread, however as it's been "renewed" I thought I'd post anyway.

I haven't really used the Kapex much since it was new, as it has a few fatal design flaws:

(a) the handle is aligned incorrectly (vertically), which means it's difficult to grip and manipulate safely, esp. with dusty or sweaty fingers.

(b) the clearance insert has swollen up and distorted from a few weeks of being new, compromising accuracy.

(c) the saw guard won't always return to safely cover the blade some 20% of the time. Being intermittent, this fault makes the saw too dangerous to use.

(d) they don't last. I've been hearing some dreadful stories from the local TAFE college of a 100% failure rate!

The Kapex, while offering some serious innovations such as excellent accuracy and dust extraction, has always struck me as a brilliant idea very poorly executed. It just looks to have been rushed to market without having any serious R&D money being spent on it.

Given that such a small company is competing against relative giants in this marketplace, it's probably not surprising.

Personally, I think Festool would do better concentrating on what they do best: Circular Saws and Sanders.

The Kapex is an overpriced Lemon!

Having said that, would I recommend the Bosch Glide Saw?

Only with reservations. Given that it's 2 biggest competitors: Makita's and DeWalt's SCMS have such a long and enviable reputation as superb, reliable and relatively accurate site saws, in literally tens of thousands of worksites not only countrywide but also globally, not to mention an excellent network of service and repair workshops, as a contractor or somebody dependent on the saw for their livelihood I think you'd be mad to purchase an alternative.

But I'm not. I just adore the tech that's evident in the Bosch saw.

I also love the fact that, as a charitable foundation some of my Bosch purchase dollars will go to help those less fortunate than myself.

As for whether the Bosch was a wise purchase...the jury's still out on that one. Only time will tell.

Originally Posted by Ratbag

Just bought a Bosch Glide Saw to replace my Kapex.

What happended to your kapex??

I have seen them only in photos, but am dreaming of the Bosch 'Glide' saw. The idea of being able to disregard the need for working space behind the saw seems to me to be a remarkable advance in design. It only remains to check out the reality when they become available here.

Originally Posted by groeneaj

What happended to your kapex??

Sitting forlornly at home, in a corner under a dust sheet, where it's remained for the past 2 years. Just too dangerous to use.

Total usage? Less than 2 hours! Did I mention it's an overpriced lemon?

Originally Posted by Ratbag

Sitting forlornly at home, in a corner under a dust sheet, where it's remained for the past 2 years. Just too dangerous to use.

Total usage? Less than 2 hours! Did I mention it's an overpriced lemon?

i had a look at kapex 120 and the bosch 12 GDL the other day when I was in ST. Can't be happier that I went with the bosch.

Originally Posted by Ratbag

I haven't really used the Kapex much since it was new, as it has a few fatal design flaws:

(a) the handle is aligned incorrectly (vertically), which means it's difficult to grip and manipulate safely, esp. with dusty or sweaty fingers.

(b) the clearance insert has swollen up and distorted from a few weeks of being new, compromising accuracy.

(c) the saw guard won't always return to safely cover the blade some 20% of the time. Being intermittent, this fault makes the saw too dangerous to use.

(d) they don't last. I've been hearing some dreadful stories from the local TAFE college of a 100% failure rate!

Ok, I'll bite

a) I think you'll find that this was a design decision to reduce inaccuracy caused by the operater torque-ing the handle. Like any machine the operator should choose carefully and use as designed in a safe manner. (like, with dry and clean hands, although I'm at a loss how dust might impact grip on a kapex)

b) If the clearance insert swells up on a new machine, this is a warranty issue that would be handled by Festool. If you don't ask for service, then its hardly the machine of Festool's fault that you have a machine you are dissatisfied with to the point that you don't use it at all. Also, if you search the web, plenty of kapex owners have made their own clearance inserts to finer tolerances than the factory part.

c) As above, warranty service from Festool required. If they were unable to resolve the situation then it's a money-back situation either through Festool or the small claims court.

d) Whilst this hearsay may or may not be fact, Tafe machines do get a hammering. Like all high use machinery, the resolution is in regular inspections and preventative maintenance.

Just for the record, I've had a kapex for the better part of a year and have seen none of the problems you have identified. Its an expensive saw, yes, but also a very accurate and fine cutting bit of kit. A pleasure to use and own.

woodbe.

Originally Posted by mspil

I have seen them only in photos, but am dreaming of the Bosch 'Glide' saw. The idea of being able to disregard the need for working space behind the saw seems to me to be a remarkable advance in design. It only remains to check out the reality when they become available here.

The Hitachi can be pushed up against the wall. You have the option to have the rails locked forward with the saw sliding or the saw locked to the rails with the rails sliding. I picked one up from Glenfords for $855 a couple of weeks ago.

Originally Posted by Ratbag

Sitting forlornly at home, in a corner under a dust sheet, where it's remained for the past 2 years. Just too dangerous to use.

Total usage? Less than 2 hours! Did I mention it's an overpriced lemon?

This is the reason i cant take what you posted serious.

I have never had a problem, and its by far the most accurate SCMS i have ever used. The twin lasers are the best their is.

And on the TAFE bit, these machines arnt made for that kind of abuse. Its their fault for getting this machine for a bunch of abusive kids in the first place.

And the handle issue, 85% of scms have that style handle, 100% of portable circular saws, even my hand saws and spray gun have it. Its a natural position for your hand to operate. I cant really see what your issue is.

2 hours use?