Customer Reviews

GMC AMS814LS 10.5 Amp 8-1/4-Inch Compound Miter saw with Laser

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I own many power tools, including a 12" DeWalt miter saw, but I bought this for small jobs when I don't want to haul out the big boy.

When the saw arrived my first impression was that it wasn't all that great, very lightweight, a bit wobbly, not that sturdy. Then I took a look at the manual, it is very well written with clear color pictures illustrating everything you need to know. The manual also gives you step-by-step instructions on how to properly align (calibrate) the saw. After proper alignment and tightening of all bolts and knobs, the saw was much steadier. The more I played with it, the more I liked what I saw (no pun intended).

Bottom-line, you have to keep in mind this is only an 8 1/4 saw and it costs less than $50, it is designed for light use. Then I remembered this is why I bought the saw, for those small projects, or when I only have to make a few small cuts. This would be perfect for picture molding, small door and window trim, weather strip, etc. This is not the tool of choice for doing crown mold, custom cabinetry, stair rail or any other high-end fine detail job. Also, please note that the saw comes with a 24 tooth 8 1/4 carbide blade, a 40 tooth blade would be a better choice, but could cost as much as the saw!

If you have ever bought a plastic miter box with accompanying cheap back saw, you would do yourself a favor to buy this saw, all in all, a very good purchase for less than $50.

Update- Since I purchased this saw, Amazon has added a Denali product line and over the holiday period of 2006 they were offering the Denali 10" Compound miter saw for about same price as this saw, I don't own the Denali, but from reading the reviews and what I can see from the pictures, I wish I would have waited and bought the Denali 10" saw, just seems more rigid, reliable, for similar price. Search Amazon for Denali 10", you will find it.

Wow,just go one of these as I couldnt go past the price - its cheaper than a 71/4" circular saw!! So far found it really handy light to move, enough blade to do things aroung the house, the redeye laser is a real bonus keeps things more accurate then trying to line up with eyes. This is my second GMC tool and I am happy with the value for money I am getting its allowing me to buy more for my money.

This saw arrived early this afternoon and I just finished about 4 hours of use replacing porch trim. I am new at using a miter so take that into account. I have been looking for a 10" slide miter but kept waiting to see if the Hitachi or Makita would come up on a super sale (below $300) and no such luck. I also was considering the GMC 10" slide based on the price. I hesitated though as very little information/reviews on the net for them and I have never seen their products at a local store. But when the small GMC went on sale for $40.44 shipped to my door 2nd day (Amazon Prime) I could not resist. I figured I could get all but one or two pieces I needed for the porch cut with this saw.

The good:
Price for performance, off the scale.
The laser is right on.
The low weight and ability to move easy

The ok but:
Saw miter calibration is off, the 0 indent was more like 3. For what I needed to do today, it did not matter. I was just copying angles of wood that I was replacing, so for me with limited experience, I used the old wood as a template, drew a line, adjusted the miter to match and all came out perfect.

The bad:
The combination of Amazon packing and UPS torture drops had the internal GMC box partially open and contents a little shifted. Maybe this is why the miter angle adjustment is so far off.

Overall:
If you need something to do trim and plain cross cuts that a 8 !/4 will handle, this is your saw! Not something for making cabinets, but I would suspect this does as well if not better that the $150 to $200 second tier saws.

As a handy-woman with little money to spare and a big job ahead of me, this GMC miter saw was a risk gladly taken. Renovating a 1917 house requires lots of compound miter cuts and I am lousy at handling a handsaw and miterbox. The laser and clear adjustments made correct cutting so easy I taught my daughter how to competently measure and miter corners! It may not be a DeWalt but it doesn't have to be one at this price. I would buy this product again without reservation but would add a 40 tooth 8 1/4" blade for fine material.

So for the $40 shipped this really is a great deal if you time isn't extremely valuable and you can adjust the saw. The insturctions include info on how to adjust the alignment of the saw and miter but nothing for the laser which for me was a full 1/8 off but it turns out that a cover snaps off and this too can be adjusted.
Having an miter saw this inaccurate out of the box is sort of pointless so unless you plan on saving the $30 over the saw from the local hardware store by adjusting this saw to be accurate skip it.

I used it for two weeks; cutting 1/4 inch thick wood for use
in some collage art. It made a great deal of noise but cut well.
Yesterday I tried to saw a 1/2 inch thick 12 inch long piece of pinewood in half. The motor Screamed, The studio fuses blew out
and it concluded with smoke. End of saw. We did not
keep the original box and packing so I guess according to Amazon
return policy we are stuck with it. Maybe I can create an
assemblage sculpture with the remains.

Just received my new GMC miter saw and it is great product and even greater price.

It is the only miter saw I own but it works better then all my other saws.

Thanks AMZ for great product and price.

This saw was purchased to do some remodeling in our home.
It couldn't have arrived at a more opertune time. It's a great
addition to the other tools I have. It works great and makes the job much easier. I received this product in much needed time and sooner than I expected. To all who have considerd purchasing this product I give this product 5 stars. It was great doing business with Amazon. Thank you.

I bought this as a "second" miter-saw. It is reasonably accurate (you *must* set it up and tighten it properly!), but due to the very inexpensive construction, it will flex if pressed.

Compared to other, better made products that are close to the price (and when they're on sale, are about the same), it is not as good a deal. If something goes wrong with it, you have no easy service options.

Think of it as very light-duty, potentially (and arbitrarily) disposable, and you won't be disappointed. You won't be thrilled, either, but you will get things done.

I used this to cut casing and base boards. The base boards were about 3 1/2 inches and this saw cut them with no problem. The laser light is extremely helpful. Easy to cut things on an angle. It has a dust bag, but it didn't seem to me that it captured much dust - Most of the dust still ended up on the ground. I'm not an expert by any means just a girl looking to save some money by doing things myself, but this saw met all of my expectations. It was sturdy and worked perfectly - not to mention the price!!