BOSCH GCM 18V-305 GDC | The perfect mitre saw?

In Episode 13, we review the BOSCH GCM 18V-305 GDC mitre saw.
www.vikingdesigns.net
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Shot using the Sony A7iii
Sony 20mm 1.8, Sigma 35mm 1.4
Sony ZV1
Godox SL60
Samsung Note 20 Ultra

[@kanegavel3808]

Love your content man, keep up the awesome work!

[@viking.designs]

Cheers Kane!! 🤙

[@sparx2391]

Great review, I changed all my tools to Bosch about 5 years ago, not one has let me down, I recently got the 18v bi turbo sds plus, it's a real beast 5.1 joules impact energy. I have the smaller bi turbo saw, I love the glide system on the bigger one.

[@viking.designs]

How good! Yeah they are honestly hard to fault. We just need more of them in the range. The glide system is really nice

[@moldyzucchinis3251]

since I started woodworking I have been a big fan of Makita, but trying out Bosch became a rabbit hole. Now have several of their newer tools including miter saw & table saw. The quality is unbelievable.

[@chrisboulton5315]

Thanks for the review. I’ve not long got one myself - unfortunately I’ve had to adjust the ‘0’ on the bevel etc and the laser lines didn’t line up with the blade. For the cost I would have liked not to have to true it up - however doing those adjustments has made me more familiar with the saw. Good info and I think you hit the spot with your assessment. This Kiwi gives you thumbs up.

[@viking.designs]

Cheers Chris! Yeah I would 100% expect it to be spot on! You're the first I've heard from saying it wasn't right out of the box.

[@TheMrjolo14]

Great videos, Man. 👍🏽 Cheers! 🤙🏽

[@viking.designs]

Thanks for checking it out mate! 🤙

[@damon4557]

Man I'm hanging for that glide arm, but I think I'm going to pull the trigger on the GCM 18V-216 DC PROFESSIONAL instead. The weight is the killer as you mentioned. I've also got the new Bosch wall sander arriving in a week or so so that'll be a bit of fun. Great review mate!

[@viking.designs]

Dude! I missed this. How'd you go? You end up getting the 216?? Yeah the glide arm is so damn sweet 😆

[@damon4557]

@@viking.designs Yeah got the 216 DC with all the fancy upgrades, just waiting for it to arrive in store. I just saw you plug your channel in the carpentry group too :D

[@user-qr4nx5li4k]

Hey dude, I just picked up one myself and couldn’t be happier besides one small thing is bugging me, the bevel adjustment knob feels loose/sloppy in the middle position, is yours like that? Or did I get the one dud haha

[@Labraxsquad20]

That 3800gta stand is a beast to, ive got the exact set up plus the corded one.

[@viking.designs]

Couldn't agree more. I used to have the DeWalt stand but that thing fell apart. The corded version is so good too!

[@Labraxsquad20]

@@viking.designs I got the wheel kit and extension leg supports with mine plus 2x of the PTA1000 supports for really long pieces of timber.

[@viking.designs]

Nice one! PTA1000 looks great.

[@Labraxsquad20]

@@viking.designs I've had to much bad experience with Dewalt and Makita

[@DazJeffo]

I completley agree, especially about the duel lazer lines, where I think you're supposed to cut in the centre? I do believe that they can be adjusted, so maybe you could set it so just one of the lazers, is where the blade will cut?

[@viking.designs]

That's definitely something I should look into. Odd decision from Bosch imo

[@maxworx1411]

I adjusted my laser on one side so it just shines on the teeth of the blade, giving the cut side a dashed line. Works great in terms of precision

[@viking.designs]

Not a bad idea Max! Might have to have a tinker 🤙

[@seanconner9407]

Thanks for explaining and showing this, I am thinking about buying it. My doubt is battery or cable😀

[@viking.designs]

Hmmm depends how much you’re moving it about I guess?

[@ThekiBoran]

I'm a finish carp. I tend to cut my miters flat, meaning I'm moving the head left and right all day long. I used a buddy's 12" Bosch glide about 4 years ago. That bevel lock lever seems like it's difficult to loosen. And some recommend not loosening the action of the lever as the head is likely to move when it's at 45. What's your opinion on that?

[@viking.designs]

It is little difficult to loosen up, it's not something I do all day so it isn't much of an issue. I don't find it to be a massive issue however you may have a very different workflow to mine. Would a kapex be a better suit?

[@nathankostelecky419]

Used the corded version doing cabinet install and trim work and didnt really like it. I tuned it but it was never right and cut poorly. Id like to get my hands on a different one to try, maybe the one before was just a lemon but it is heavy!

[@viking.designs]

I've used the corded one too. Was just framing/landscaping so accuracy wasn't of a really high priority.

[@Zozo806]

Its a construction side miter not made for cabinet install. The 18V Version is a beast in Power but like the corded version the dust extraction is horrible but like said before... its made to live in an mobile carpentery shop truck or for cutting 18 cm in hight timers for roofers.. there where nobody cares for dust in 15 or 20 meters of hight in the open

[@Willibabb]

Great video and review! Im in the startground to buy new tools, and im choosing between this one and the 240v. The only thing i'm worried about is how the batteries will work in the cold? Have you noticed anything when you have the saw out in minus degrees? Here in sweden we have -10 degrees and the old 3amp batterys isnt working great!

[@viking.designs]

Hey William! Here in Australia, the coldest it gets is maybe 5° and that is very rare 😅. I have used the 240v version too and it is really great.

[@Willibabb]

@@viking.designs Haha, didnt think about that you live in Australia 😁 You havet read/heard anything about how they work in the cold? Well, its only winter in sweden between November to March so...🙄 But I would love to have the gcm 18v-305!

[@viking.designs]

🤣 Generally stinking hot over here! Unfortunately not mate. Sorry. You might be able to ask The Carpenters Talk group on Facebook? They have a lot of guys there that deal with colder conditions than I.

[@Heman33]

I wonder about the 10 inch cordless. Will it be a good buy for crown molding and not so heavy intense cutting. Like to know what you think?

[@viking.designs]

The 305mm is honestly overkill for many applications. They make a 216 and 254mm (8 and 10") and from what I've heard, they're great. I haven't used them personally.

[@markjarman7819]

Great honest real world review. How have you found the accuracy of the beds? I have seen some saying the centre of the bed is raised giving a seesaw affect on the bed!! I have the festool kapex and although it’s an awesome saw does have its limitations on cut depth.

[@viking.designs]

Hey Mark. I have heard of issues however I'm yet to experience any first hand. Been a really solid saw. Just a pain to move about.

[@markjarman7819]

@@viking.designsgreat hearing that. We have a big tool show here in the uk around October so I’ll be paying some attention there. Great review mate👍

[@XBuilt4314]

Great stuff Dan. How would you compare this saw with the Makita ls1219 if you've used it?

[@viking.designs]

Cheers Tony! I haven't personally used that one. I do have a mate that owns one. He isn't a massive fan. Apparently it is really heavy, almost 30kg!

[@XBuilt4314]

Yeah that's heavy. How is the Bosch saw going so far?

[@viking.designs]

@@XBuilt4314 I am a massive fan of it! It is very hard to fault. I'm actually using the speed selection quite a bit as we're doing a lot of composite decks and I think it's extending the life of the blade too which is nice.

[@XBuilt4314]

@@viking.designs That's awesome! Looks like I've made my decision. Keep up mate 👌

[@viking.designs]

Thanks Tony!! 🤙

[@chrises245]

You said ask you in a year or two, i am thinking of buying this saw, should i?

[@viking.designs]

I still love this saw. Very happy with my purchase. I don't think you'll regret it. It's still a pain to move, but that's the only negative.

[@chrises245]

@@viking.designs i couldnt get past the glide arm, i ended up with hikoki 255 36v which i was always wanting to buy. Im very very happy with it, its good to know it didnt lose job respect after the video. Thank you.

[@SnikB]

I got the smaller bi turbo mitre saw as a substitute for one job. 2× 12ah and it is outstanding. Previous saw was a kapex 120eb

[@willkeoghan6685]

Hey Dan, quick question. I'm interested in buying one of these, but not sure if I have space in my truck on top of my draws. Any chance you could give me the height dimension of the saw when its packed up for transport? I only have 525mm headspace to clear under my canopy door, so hoping it gets small enough. Cheers, Will

[@viking.designs]

Hey Will. I'll go measure it now mate. Give me 10. 👍

[@viking.designs]

The skin only, measures about 480mm but once you fit a drop saw stand bracket, it's closer to 560mm. I've got the Bosch stand, not sure if DeWalt or other brands aren't as high.

[@willkeoghan6685]

@@viking.designs Cheers mate. I have had a powered Dewalt 305 in, but had to drop the mitre to get it a bit lower. I have more space over the back its just the entrance that is low. Thanks for the speedy reply and for checking for me though mate appreciate that. ill take a look at the stands etc as well. good thought as I didn't even think of that haha

[@viking.designs]

No dramas at all mate. Yeah mine fits with about 30mm to spare on the top. Bit of a tight squeeze

[@willkeoghan6685]

@@viking.designs Cheers mate. Looks like a great saw though! hopefully i can squeeze it in!

[@mattroberts131]

Hey mate. Great video! Are you still using this saw? Just picked one up for a great price!

[@viking.designs]

Hey Matt. Sure am mate. I’m about to set it up in my garage and use a smaller 216 for site work. Still rate this saw though. It’s great.

[@destino2portugal]

Great video dude, i use a Kapex KS120 and i need a choppy for my Portugal adventure, this looks like it might be just perfect, oh goody, another battery platform :/

[@viking.designs]

Thanks mate! Yeah not a fan of multiple battery platforms either. At least you'll get new tools to play with 😁

[@destino2portugal]

@@viking.designs new tools are the best fun!

[@destino2portugal]

@@viking.designs arrives Monday on your recommendation. Bosch is big here in Portugal so lets see how deep this rabbit hole goes, lols.

[@viking.designs]

Is that right?! Well if you're in the market for a track saw, their 18v one is 👌😆

[@destino2portugal]

@@viking.designs i have the mafell 18v dude

[@jurgen951]

Bought the smaller 18V mitre saw because of mobility. Works great, but the precision of both the angle and laser needs continuous adjustment from what I've seen. The dust extraction is pretty shit so I'm looking at 3D-printing some covers. The fasteners on the sides for material is also pretty bad. But overall as a first batterypowered mitre saw, decent value.

[@viking.designs]

Looks like a great little saw. Nice and easy to move around. Would like to give a go someday

[@pahamakarov7185]

👍👍👍