AN OPERATOR’S REVIEW OF THE GMC REDEYE® 405mm VARIABLE SPEED SCROLL SAWWITH LASER LINE GENERATORby Antonio Alan O. Lopez*

The GMC LSSCR 16-inch Variable Speed Scroll Saw by the Global Machinery Company of Australia is offered at a low budget price but has an impressive stance with all of the worthwhile features one could wish for in a power tool of its class, and then some.

SOLIDLY BUILT

Like many other popular product brands, GMC has tapped the low manufacturing costs China (and its immense labor force) has to offer, including the production of its LSSCR Scroll Saw. Although some skeptics may doubt the output of such a venture, a careful inspection of the GMC unit would attest to a rather satisfactory manufacturing and assembly process made to exacting GMC quality standards.

The adequately sized and reinforced cast iron table, which tilts both ways, has an oversized lock knob up front and has large, easy to read bevel markings with detent stops for a spring loaded metal ball at the 15, 30 and 45 degree scales. Proper calibration (should it be required) is easily done by loosening two screws which hold the magnified scale pointer and adjusting accordingly.

The heavy base, which houses and protects the variable speed motor, is also of cast iron construction and has four stable footings equipped with large mounting holes for securing the saw to a workbench or a suitable stand with 8mm machine bolts.

A dust extraction port is mounted on the right side for easy connection to a dust collection system while a storage compartment with built-in racks for spare blades and an adjusting key tool could be found on the left of the base.

CONVENIENT CONTROLS

Pulling on the conveniently located, top mounted, yellow colored, plastic control knob instantly powers the saw, while turning the same clockwise increases the blade stroke speed from 400 – 1600, as indicated by printed white numbers along its collar. Immediately below it are the two membrane buttons for enabling the articulated arm mounted, white LED Work Light for better illumination and the REDEYE® Laser Line Generator, which projects a strong, bright red laser line on the workpiece to indicate the blade’s cutting path.

Another yellow plastic knob, mounted on the forward end of the upper arm housing, is used for

adjusting laser alignment. The blade tension lever is also located up front, within easy reach, and is quite simple to operate. Flipping the wide, black lever up releases blade tension while rotating it adjusts blade tension accordingly.

The workpiece hold-down keeps the workpiece from lifting during operation and is adjusted by a clamp with an oversized black and yellow lock knob on the left side of the upper arm housing. The generously sized metal hold-down “foot,” which also serves to protect the operator’s fingers from the reciprocating saw blade, could be angled for beveled cutting by means of an Allen wrench, which is supplied by GMC with the saw as standard.

For improved work visibility, a fully articulated (‘knuckled’) and easily adjusted air hose promptly keeps the cutting line and its immediate vicinity clear of sawdust generated by the cutting of wood, with just enough force that the sawdust is not sent flying onto the air.

The ‘free swinging’ blade holders accept standard 127 mm (5 in.) pinned and plain-end type scroll saw blades using convenient finger operated clamps without the need for tools, nor is there a need for adapters or any other adjustments, when switching between the two blade types.

PERFORMANCE

Equipped with a rather hefty 200 watt 230-240 volt AC variable speed, electronically controlled, electric motor and a very simple, counter-balanced, power drive link assembly clamped to the lower arm, the saw handles all types of cutting styles it was designed for with ease, even when cornering at tight radius turns and cutting hardwoods up to 2 inches thick.

Vibration, though, was a bit of an issue at higher blade stroke speeds, considering the fact that the unit was operated freely perched (with no mounting bolts nor clamps) atop a concrete patio floor, with only a thin piece of corrugated cardboard box material placed in between the saw base and the floor to reduce shaking and prevent unnecessary movement.

Working on the saw was moderately pleasant, although mounting the same on a properly designed stand or heavy workbench is expected to substantially reduce vibrations and improve tool handling.

Changing blades takes less than half a minute and is a simple matter of flipping up the top mounted blade tension release lever and twisting loose the yellow, plastic finger operated upper and lower blade clamps to release the blades from its holders.

Removing the large plastic table insert with a push of a finger from beneath provides you with a wide, clear view of the lower blade clamp while more room could be had,

if desired, to access the latter by tilting the worktable to the right, an added feature often offered by worktables that tilt both ways.

The generously sized hold-down “foot,” while keeping the workpiece from lifting with the blade, provides for a good, clear view of the blade and cutting line when in use but tends to get in the way when working with very small workpieces and while threading the blade through pilot holes for interior scroll cuts.

Unlike many others who opted to remove the material hold-downs on their machines for various reasons, I preferred to retain mine and make the most out of it, but I must admit that I have also been guilty of ‘swinging out’ and locking the material hold-down fully to the side (and completely out of the way) of the workpiece at a time or another.

Everything said, it is of my own humble opinion that the GMC LSSCR Scroll Saw, while having a good number of desirable features and impressively admirable looks (surprisingly identical to the Clarke BT1016B unit being sold by USA Tools in the United States and by Boss Tools of Canada), still has some room for improvement, more particularly in the area of vibration reduction and dampening, but is definitely excellent value for its offered price.

*Not so long ago, a specialty magazine about woodcrafts sparked the interest of A. Lo (antonioalanlopez@yahoo.com) on scrolling and finally began exploring the craft after acquiring the GMC LSSCR Scroll Saw being offered at a warehouse sale last August, 2008. A native of the Philippines, a small developing nation of 7,107 islands in Southeast Asia, A. Lo is currently a Creative Imaging Specialist who does graphics, layout, and legal documentation work.