Thread: GMC Scroll Saws on $50.00 at Bunnies

Started using my GMC the other day, yeah, the 5 degree out of plumb! Urk
The GMC blades are horrible. Table sure needs a sand too.

I bought one for $49 in Sydney (North Parramatta) a couple of weeks back. It has the light and blower so maybe the display model you saw was a little the worse for wear.

The table on mine wasn't level out of the box but easily adjusted with the aid of a set square. I've only used it for about half an hour so far but it seems OK - no glaring problems.

There was an almost identical Ryobi on the same shelf at Bunnings for $199. I wouldn't pay that price for one but at $49 its okay for occasional use.

regards
Coldamus

Be nice if you could get the table smooth, they are really rough and a lot of work to smooth out.

I picked up one yesterday from Bunnies for $49.00. I saw it on Thursday night and went back first thing on Friday morning.

The model number is MTR800
16"
405mm scroll area
200W
Table tilt 5deg left 47deg right
On board blade storage
Sawdust blower
Blade Tension Knob
Tool free blade changer
cast iron base
dust extraction
tool setting feature
flat blade adapters
work light
single speed
The ususal 2 year 30 day warranty.
(Guess who hasn't taken it out of the box yet?)

From what I can remember this was the higher of the two GMC scrollsaws available before all that lazer crap ($150-$200).

I really dont have much use for it but at $50 you cant go wrong as an additional tool in the workshop that will only get light use. I had previously considered getting a delta for $300 but it is on the list behind the jointer, planner, table saw, router table, drill press etc so it could be years off.

I strongly feel that GMC have a good place in the market for the weekend woodworker. If I was a dedicated scroller then I wouldn't consider this machine but to have it in the corner when I need to do some light tight cutting $50 is a steal. If it lasts the 5 years until I get the Delta its great value.

It will go along side my other rarely used GMC tools that are still handy to get a quick job every now and then, the metal cutoff saw, the bench grinder, the third string router, the backup drill .....

Just a quick follow up on the last post after taking it out of the box .....

On the front of the manual it states:
Australian and New Zealand users, please note; Flat blade holders are not supplied but can be purchased as an accessory.

Not to worry.

Originally Posted by Sir Stinkalot

Just a quick follow up on the last post after taking it out of the box .....

On the front of the manual it states:
Australian and New Zealand users, please note; Flat blade holders are not supplied but can be purchased as an accessory.

Not to worry.

Yep, cost me 28 bucks for the gmc stirrup type ones.

:eek: More than half the value of the saw :eek:

I have just checked the box again .... there is a sticker stating that the model number is the MTR800 over the model number that is printed on the box. The model on the box is RSS170.

The actual machine is closer to the RS17DL which is on the GMC website.

Perhaps GMC are using Bunnies to clear both the MTR800 and RSS170 selling both for $49. This could explain the first post and the differences in machines. It may be just raw luck which model Bunnies got.

I had a bit of a go on the laser one last year, good that they finallly have variable speed and non-pinned blade holders etc. That damn laser and its fitting gets in the way of you getting the tension just right, as you need to either over tighten or loosen it off a bit because if the tension is right when its half way around (at the sides) then the casing stops you from pushing the clamp thing down to lock it in place.

I was thinking about getting one...when I asked about the blades ..the very helpful staff member at that shop told me on some lines the buyer may not add then to the stock list.. but ... I could try the dogalog store....so rather than spend ..$49 I will keep on using my 40 year old fret saw

I bought one of these a couple of years back, and as I use it very infrequently, its sort of OK.

The problems are:

The table is not flat
The bit where the blower attaches to the bellows broke off after a couple of hours
The insert don't fit properly and leaves a ridge which catches on your work
No probs with replacement blades tho

I made a new insert, I taped up the blower thingy and I put up with the table

Only paid about $50 so I'm content

Best shot for the rough table / insert not fitting problems is to make a false tabletop out of something slick like laminex or lamipanel sheet or similar.


Cheers.....................Sean

Originally Posted by scooter

Best shot for the rough table / insert not fitting problems is to make a false tabletop out of something slick like laminex or lamipanel sheet or similar.

Good call Sean. Plus you can put that top on seperate legs so it just sits proud of the GMC table so new auxilary top and machine dont touch and you will have Zero vibration. I have it that way on my single speed Delta and it makes it a pleasure to use

Post a piccy sometime could you Lig? I heard of that idea on a website somewhere but interested to see how you set it up.


Cheers...................Sean