Which sliding compound mitre saw?

[garywayne]

Hi.
I'm in the market for, you guest it, a sliding compound mitre saw.
Some time ago I saw on TV a review where several saws where tested. I can't remember the full result, but I do remember that Bosch was the most accurate. The test being the making of an octangular frame.

Is there anyone out there who would like to remark on the machines that they are familiar with.

I have my eye on a Bosch GCM 10S 254mm.

All comments gratefully received.

 

[andycorleone]

Space is must for my small workshop, normally SCMS have a lot of dead space in the back. except a few models like the Dewalt dw707 or the fesstol ks120. because of the price I bought a second hand dw707 for £100 which I'm very happy with it and I feel is very accurate maybe the capacity is a bit limited for some people but for me is perfect

 

[wizer]

kapex

 

[Steve Maskery]

It all depends on your budget, I guess. Sure, the Kapex is fantastic, but you really have to want one badly to stomach the price. But if you do, I don't suppose for one moment you will be disappointed.

I have the Bosch and am delighted with it. Yes there is wasted space at the back, and that is a pain, but I have mine on a rolling cabinet - it parks against the wall when I'm not using it and I pull it out when I do need it. It's not an ideal arrangement, but space is the final frontier.

Cheers
Steve

 

[George_N]

All the reports and reviews of Bosch SCMS have been pretty positive. I was looking for one last year and in the end I decided to go for a non-slider. Main reasons were that I could get a better quality saw for my money (DW703 for £169) and it takes up a lot less precious real estate. When I seriously thought about what I wanted the tool for I realised that I would very seldom need the capacity of a big slider. I have a Triton Workcentre that can operate in cross-cut mode with a 400 mm capacity if I really need it. By the way, I'm really pleased with the DW703 so far, though I've not used it a lot yet.

 

[tenpin]

i had an older B&Q Per Power 210 slider that suited me till
newer more precise cutting was needed.
so when it was time to change i looked at the pro's and con's of a slider and with the room i have in my shed i decided to have a fixed and use my tablesaw/bandsaw for any larger cut requirements.

With the deal on the Dewalt DW703 @ £169 it was a no brainer...

suits me down the ground...

 

[garywayne]

Thanks folks for your replies so far.

The wasted space at the rear, (Something I didn't think about.) but I don't think that will be much of a problem.
I still think a SCMS is the way that I would like to go, due to the capacity of overhead cutting.


Any other thoughts on the Bosch GCM 10S, or any other, would be most appreciated.

 

[superunknown]

Had a bad experience with the Bosch saws, they went wrong so often it was beyond a joke. So my recommendation is the Dewalt range Especially Dewalt Dw718

 

[les chicken]

I have the Bosch GCM 10S and it is a very nice piece of kit.

I bought mine at a Bosch promotion and received the stand GTA 3700 professional free of charge, now that was a bargain. The stand is portable rock solid and is far superior to the bucket shop stands.

Les

 

[wizer]

Hi Les, good to hear from you mate.

Axminster are currently offering the GCM 10SD with a stand. My only issue with those stands is, again, they are space wasters. They are great for site work though.

 

[Steve Maskery]

If it's the same stand as I got with mine, it's basic. Not the same as the proper Bosch stand, not by a long chalk.

The stand itself os robust, but the method of attaching the saw to the stand is DIRE. You have these little bent bits of metal which you have to locate, all four at once, by wiggling this flippin' great big heavy thing on a narrow rail... well it's just an accident waiting to happen.

Screw the saw to a piece of ply and drop the ply onto the bed with a few turn-buttons underneath, Better, quicker, easier and safer.

S

 

[chippy1970]

I have been thinking of getting a new one too my old Elu 274E is getting old now

I would love a Kapex but its even dearer now its gone upto £859. ouch

I noticed the Metabo kgs305 the other day

http://www.dm-tools.co.uk/product.php/s ... TKGS305KSU

Anyone got one of those ?

 

[mailee]

I too have the De Walt 718 and can't fault it apart from the dust extraction but that is common of most of them. Tried the Kapex but found the handle non too comfortable for my small hands. 718 is a big heavy beast but is capable of anything I will throw at it and seems very accurate too. :wink:

 

[Aled Dafis]

I bought a Makita LS1214LX about a year ago when doing the interior work on our new house. It has a crosscut capacity of 12" and depth of 4", one of the biggest capacities on the market.

I can honestly say that it's the best saw I've ever used. The quality of cut is second to none, leaving a fantastic finish on oak endgrain that requires no extra work, and it's bloody accurate to.

I believe that the optional laser is well worth the money, even though it only shows one side of the blade - I believe that the laser on the Kapex shows both sides.

Buy one, you will not be disappointed.

 

[OPJ]

I've had the Bosch GCM 12SD (12" model) for a few months now and, with a cutting capacity of 12"x4", I'm delighted with it.

It does take up a phenomenal amount of space behind the saw and, like most other saws, dust extraction could be so much better. My only serious criticism then, is that I find it very easy to knock the lever which holds the vertical setting, when moving the saw around.

But, I plan to build a mobile base/station for this saw very soon, so I won't be lugging it around my workshop after that. Apart from that, I find it to be very solid and dead-accurate.

 

[LarryS.]

I've had the Bosch GCM 12SD (12" model) for a few months now and, with a cutting capacity of 12"x4", I'm delighted with it.

It does take up a phenomenal amount of space behind the saw and, like most other saws, dust extraction could be so much better. My only serious criticism then, is that I find it very easy to knock the lever which holds the vertical setting, when moving the saw around.

But, I plan to build a mobile base/station for this saw very soon, so I won't be lugging it around my workshop after that. Apart from that, I find it to be very solid and dead-accurate.

I also have the Bosch GCM12SD but at the moment its in the garage on the axminster stand which is too big to fit in my workshop. Plan is to make a mobile stand something like this :

...but still think its going to take up a phenominal amount fo space, so if you are tight on cat swinging turf then bear that in mind

 

[richburrow]

I highly recommend the Makita LS1214, it is a fantastic piece of kit!!!!!! My shop would be lost without it.
Mighty G / Why dont you extend the straight edges on the fold down sides, this will give your work even more support, Like the idea loads :lol:

 

[LarryS.]

I highly recommend the Makita LS1214, it is a fantastic piece of kit!!!!!! My shop would be lost without it.
Mighty G / Why dont you extend the straight edges on the fold down sides, this will give your work even more support, Like the idea loads :lol:

good idea, may try that

 

[garywayne]

Well, thank you all so much for your replies.

You have given me a lot to think about.

I can get a Bosch for just over £300. The Makita, Kapex and Dewalts are a bit more than what I would like to pay.

Thanks again for your thoughts. You have all been a big help.

 

[Petiegolfer]

I have the Metabo KGS305 and have been very pleased with it. It is a beast. I have used it for all sorts of things...including chopping up some old pine sleepers...a bit naughty but it did it with ease!

Metabo are based in Southampton, it was a toss up between the 305 and the big makita and thats what swung it for me. I also like the side extensions on the machine they seemed more robust. Big saws are bloody heavy mind!

ebay link

Piers