Bosch GTM 12 JL Miter Table Combination saw
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CarlsonCarpentry
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- Mar 27, 2019
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As a carpenter sometimes customers ask me to do jobs that are out of my wheelhouse. I often remind them that I am good at what I do and stick to that. It is better to be good at one thing than average at two.
Everything I’ve read about this tool is that it doesn’t perform as you would hope. In the United States you can buy the great Dewalt job site table saw for $250 and a very good Dewalt miter saw for about the same. Both are highly reviewed.
In my life I’ve rarely seen “combo” tools that work well.
Everything I’ve read about this tool is that it doesn’t perform as you would hope. In the United States you can buy the great Dewalt job site table saw for $250 and a very good Dewalt miter saw for about the same. Both are highly reviewed.
In my life I’ve rarely seen “combo” tools that work well.
TwelvebyTwenty
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I've used similar offerings from other manufacturers and they are absolutely fantastic pieces of kit for their intended purpose.
Of course a dedicated table saw will be better when paired with a dedicated mitre saw. But to use that logic is to entirely miss the point. These sort of tools are intended for doing jobs in finished spaces where portability and confined space are a consideration.
You wouldn't want to construct a house with that tool instead two dedicated tools, nor would it be a great choice in a workshop if you had room for both tools. But what if you have a very small home workshop in a corner of a garage and don't have room? Or if you construct retail displays in department stores and have to cart all your tools to the 6th floor and work in a very confined space so to minimally disrupt the rest of the shop? Maybe you fit kitchens or bathrooms in people's homes on the 26th floor of an apartment block...
The key is almost always understanding the difference between a tool you ask too much of vs. a bad tool. Like a Leatherman - infinitely useful, but not as good as having each function as an individual tool - but the fact it's portable and with you makes it invaluable to huge numbers of people.
Bosch are a reputable manufacturer, and provided the end-user understands their own needs, along with the capabilities of the tool, and is also humble enough to realise there may also be a learning curve to getting the maximum out of the tool - I'm sure it is a good option for some people.
Of course a dedicated table saw will be better when paired with a dedicated mitre saw. But to use that logic is to entirely miss the point. These sort of tools are intended for doing jobs in finished spaces where portability and confined space are a consideration.
You wouldn't want to construct a house with that tool instead two dedicated tools, nor would it be a great choice in a workshop if you had room for both tools. But what if you have a very small home workshop in a corner of a garage and don't have room? Or if you construct retail displays in department stores and have to cart all your tools to the 6th floor and work in a very confined space so to minimally disrupt the rest of the shop? Maybe you fit kitchens or bathrooms in people's homes on the 26th floor of an apartment block...
The key is almost always understanding the difference between a tool you ask too much of vs. a bad tool. Like a Leatherman - infinitely useful, but not as good as having each function as an individual tool - but the fact it's portable and with you makes it invaluable to huge numbers of people.
Bosch are a reputable manufacturer, and provided the end-user understands their own needs, along with the capabilities of the tool, and is also humble enough to realise there may also be a learning curve to getting the maximum out of the tool - I'm sure it is a good option for some people.
Jiggy Joiner
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- Dec 25, 2018
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- 1,103
This sort of tool can work well but, with limitations.
Those that remember the Elu flip over saws will bear witness to this. They were mitre saws, and you would lock down the cutting head, flip the base over to access a pretty decent table saw.
I bought one, and happily used it for many years but, the limited cut width, not being a slider, would get frustrating. So I also bought the Elu sliding compound mitre saw. The flip over then, was only used as a table saw.
Back then, all my work was mobile site work, and van space dwindled every time I added such tools. So eventually bought specific tools with a single specific use.
I loved the flip over saw though, it helped me earn good money.
So sometimes hybrid tools do work, especially with today’s design and tech.
This is why I’m attracted to the Mafell Erika, it’s an awesome portable table saw, that is capable of very precise compound mitres.
Very pricey though.
Other than that though, I believe every tool has it’s place. Some buy a plunge saw, and sell their mitre saw etc. I wouldn’t do this as there are times when only a certain specific tool, will do a certain job more easily and efficiently.
Those that remember the Elu flip over saws will bear witness to this. They were mitre saws, and you would lock down the cutting head, flip the base over to access a pretty decent table saw.
I bought one, and happily used it for many years but, the limited cut width, not being a slider, would get frustrating. So I also bought the Elu sliding compound mitre saw. The flip over then, was only used as a table saw.
Back then, all my work was mobile site work, and van space dwindled every time I added such tools. So eventually bought specific tools with a single specific use.
I loved the flip over saw though, it helped me earn good money.
So sometimes hybrid tools do work, especially with today’s design and tech.
This is why I’m attracted to the Mafell Erika, it’s an awesome portable table saw, that is capable of very precise compound mitres.
Very pricey though.
Other than that though, I believe every tool has it’s place. Some buy a plunge saw, and sell their mitre saw etc. I wouldn’t do this as there are times when only a certain specific tool, will do a certain job more easily and efficiently.
Thank you all for your inputs.
[member=73278]TwelvebyTwenty[/member], you drove home the point. Thank you. Clearly having 2 separate tools is the obvious choice, but a combination tool sometimes makes sense in specific scenarios you highlighted. I'm sure there may be some compromises which was the very reason i asked the question.
It was quite unique and that's why i wanted to share this observation with all and ask for a usage opinion. Thanks again all.
[member=73278]TwelvebyTwenty[/member], you drove home the point. Thank you. Clearly having 2 separate tools is the obvious choice, but a combination tool sometimes makes sense in specific scenarios you highlighted. I'm sure there may be some compromises which was the very reason i asked the question.
It was quite unique and that's why i wanted to share this observation with all and ask for a usage opinion. Thanks again all.
Getmaverick
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- Feb 7, 2016
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- 199
This saw would be perfect for a flooring company.
Jiggy Joiner
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- Dec 25, 2018
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- 1,103
It’s nothing new though, other makes have sold them in the past, De Walt and Makita are couple I can think of.
It’s probably suited to a general handyman, or somebody doing light trim work.
The larger types are used in carpentry but, as I mentioned earlier, are limited in cross cut width when using the mitre facility.
It’s probably suited to a general handyman, or somebody doing light trim work.
The larger types are used in carpentry but, as I mentioned earlier, are limited in cross cut width when using the mitre facility.