Thread: Cheap GMC Chop Saw any good for $128

Hey all,

I did a seach but couldn't find reference to it (odd since I think every cheap GMC and Ryobi tool have been discussed here a million times , but Bunnings has the GMC 355mm Chop saw (I thought they were called cut off saws, but anyway) for $128.

Wondering if they are any good - for my purpose will be mainly cutting a fair bit of aluminium flyscreen framing and some aluminium square - however accuracy seems to often be the problem with these cheap ones and I don't want unsquare flyscreen frames!! I assume they come with a dodgy disc and I will need to change it straight away (probably at another $128!??) to cut the aluminium?

Thanks in advance fellas.

These saws aren't really suited for aluminium, the friction cutting disc (which btw are only about $15 or $20) clog up with the shavings from the aluminium.

If you're going to be cutting aluminium, you would be better off buying a mitre saw that's use for timber and putting a aluminium cutting blade in it.

Thanks mate. I didn't know you could do that with the mitre saws. In that case that might be the way to go - one less thing taking up room.

If you buy a Saw it was suggested recently on the site to look at the CMT I think aluminium cutting blade from CarbaTec,something about a negative angle rake on the teeth necessary for aluminium,certainly the way to approach the problem.I have a Makita (chop saw) drop saw and it works for me.Using my blade the recommend was use a wax stick however the CarbaTec recommend is no wax stick.

Hope this helps Peter

just don't buy a saw with a plastic gaurd

Originally Posted by abitfishy

Bunnings has the GMC 355mm Chop saw (I thought they were called cut off saws, but anyway) for $128.

Wondering if they are any good - for my purpose will be mainly cutting a fair bit of aluminium flyscreen framing and some aluminium square -

PLEASE NOTE The GMC has free revs at 3800rpm.

If this is the intention to mount a dedicated aluminium cutting wheel please check the max rpm allowed for whatever saw blade you intend to use .The blade must rate 3800 rpm or better.

If you get the blade speed unsuited to the GMC you well may be picking teeth out of the job ,the walls and possibly yourself.

Take care and be safe

Grahame

Thanks all for your advice. Will take it onboard.