Thread: What SCMS to get for 2013

I'm looking at the 12" Bosch with the fancy hinged slide mechanism, but then I'm a tool junkie.

bosch gcm 12 gdl..that is all

have been saving for months, will be getting mine shortly. cant wait

I did a search on this topic. Have a look here and here and here

There are other threads but most are several years old, hence I have asked those that have now had the saws for a few years what were there thoughts now pros & cons. I have already read all the old threads I could find. A lot of people were wanting to get the Bosh when it was released. Couldn't find much now that it has been on the market a while.

I also asked if there is anything new coming out in 2013 which obviously wasn't covered in previous threads.

It seems if you want to do controlled depth cuts on the Kapex it is an issue but why you would want to, I think a router or even table saw is better suited, unless you on a jobsite maybe.


Thanks for the references but hopefully we can get some updated info in this thread.

I have the KAPEX. It is super accurate and I don't understand the comment of it being an old Festool design or in any way below Festool's current standards ... it is simply brilliant.

Reason's you wouldn't buy a KAPEX ??

1. Cost
2. Need for larger cut capacity
3. No need for level of accuracy
4. Don't care about dust extraction / mess

....

I have the higher spec KAPEX with the UG cart and extensions - add a Festool dust extractor and you could have purchased multiple SCMS's.

For me the KAPEX setup takes minutes to deploy and to put away. There's minimal clean up and the tool is simply a pleasure to use. It's also significantly quieter than other SCMS's I've experienced.

The only time I don't like Festool is when my credit card is going through the machine!

Comment on Kapex being an older design was in relation to when might Festool bring out an update? This would make the 120 either an even better new model or cheaper price on the current unit. Even if a machine works great sooner or later a new model will surface even if it is just to crate market hype.

My limited experience with the Kapex has been brilliant.




Interesting all those people who were raving about the Bosch GCM 12 SD Professional when it was released and many of them on here havn't chimed in with their post purchase thoughts?? As to wether it lived up to expectation or failed. Does silence indicate buyers remorse??

Just my thoughts on this, I had a Triton Mk 3 and a Superworks SCMS for years , and used them both regularly then i purchased a decent Woodman T/S and as a result of that the SCMS sits idle for long periods sometimes up to a year.
When the SCMS drops a rod i will not replace it because with the Sleds and Jigs you can make for the T/S just about every cut can be covered.
Just my thoughts.
Regards

heard good things about the Kapex and the Bosch gld.

On a siede not. I recently brought a Milwaukee MS216 SB. Its only a 216mm SCMS but it has internal rails (great for tight shops) and from what i have seen so far its a great saw, my only real beef is that it has a 30mm arbor. Although you may be able to get an arbor with a smaller flange (what i mcurrently looking for)

-1 for the Bosch here: https://www.woodworkforums.com/f13/sc...9/#post1612451

Originally Posted by d_jon3s

heard good things about the Kapex and the Bosch gld.

On a siede not. I recently brought a Milwaukee MS216 SB. Its only a 216mm SCMS but it has internal rails (great for tight shops) and from what i have seen so far its a great saw, my only real beef is that it has a 30mm arbor. Although you may be able to get an arbor with a smaller flange (what i mcurrently looking for)

Is that something you could turn up on metal lathe?? I imagine it is fairly basic in design and should be easy enough.

I suppose that the choice here is purely determined by the price you are prepared to pay. Seems like Kapex doesn't have any contenders if we are comparing overall performance. For me price was a deal breaker - I got Bosch gdl just over a year ago, and it was my favorite tool over this year. Yes, it sprays the dust around, but I built a box around it with attached 100mm DC port - this mostly solved the problem. In terms of cutting performance and accuracy - it is excellent. Gliding mechanism is pure pleasure to use.

One question on what ever scms which you have can it cut bevel cuts on 4 pieces and have the join perfectly without the need of any further work? (In regards to fine quality work like furniture where the joints will be scrutinised, not house frames or decks, etc, which don't require the same finish).

Originally Posted by DSEL74

One question on what ever scms which you have can it cut bevel cuts on 4 pieces and have the join perfectly without the need of any further work? (In regards to fine quality work like furniture where the joints will be scrutinised, not house frames or decks, etc, which don't require the same finish).

I guess any of these 'high end' saws will be able to do this. Mine did out of the box, but the adjustments of the scales are quite straightforward.

Originally Posted by Ilya

I guess any of these 'high end' saws will be able to do this. Mine did out of the box, but the adjustments of the scales are quite straightforward.

The link to the other thread I posted above he stated his Bosh had so much play he couldn't get accurate that he returned it. Like all tools they say it's cheaper to buy the best than keep upgrading because your unhappy. Surely there is a point where all the top models should be able to perform……….The Kapex requires a kidney to be able to afford.