Bosch recently introduced the Bosch Deep Cut Band Saw GCB10-5 designed for cutting in rebar, conduit, copper pipe, steel track, threaded rod, and more. This corded saw weighs in at 14.5 pounds and features a 10-amp motor, six speeds from 100 to 380 surface feet per minute, cutting depth of up to 4-3/4-inch, a saw hook, and a LED worklight.
“The Bosch GCB10-5 Deep Cut Band Saw offers the light weight and compactness that users demand on the jobsite. For most applications in electrical, mechanical, plumbing or construction trades, 4-3/4-inch depth more than gets the job done. It’s a great tool – versatile enough for dozens of tasks on the jobsite.” – Mike Iezzi, product manager, Robert Bosch Tool Corporation
Our Take
Like just about everything else, opinions abound about cutting tools for metal such as rebar, conduit, pipe, steel track, and threaded rod. Some guys prefer a reciprocating saw, some a grinder with a cutoff wheel, and still others the portable band saw. Much of it depends on whether the cut should be rough or finished, whether there’s space behind the material for the blade’s path, and whether it matters if there are a lot of sparks flying around or not. For smooth, low-burr cuts with a minimum of sparks and a lot of control over the tool, it’s tough to beat the portable band saw. And so Bosch is introducing the GCB10-5 as a contender in this category. It’s curious that Bosch has introduced this as a corded tool while everyone else seems to be going cordless. So while that might make us scratch our heads at first, let’s think about why Bosch has resisted the peer pressure from Milwaukee and DeWalt. We know that battery technology is excellent these days and in many cases eliminates the need for a cord. Still, for making lots of cuts, the cord will eventually outwork the battery. And batteries are heavy. The Milwaukee Fuel Deep Cut Band Saw weighs in at 15 pounds as a bare tool – half a pound heavier that the Bosch without the battery. For a lot of overhead applications, your arms and shoulders will thank you for the weight savings. If you’ll be working predominately on jobsites with easy access to AC power, then it might really tip the balance.
Check out our Milwaukee M18 Fuel Deep Cut Band Saw Review
10 amps are, well, ample power with which to get through metal easily as is the 4-3/4-inch cut depth. We love the ability to adjust the speed in six ways for the job and a work light is always handy. And then there’s the price: the Bosch comes in about $50 cheaper than other brands’ comparable models and that’s bound to get your attention. Once you add on additional batteries or more amp-hours to the Bosch’s competitors, the divergence in price really becomes stark. So, of course, there are pros and cons to each path, but a few questions about cut quality, cut control, work area, and budget surely will help you make a decision.
Bosch Deep Cut Band Saw Features
- Ergonomically designed handle
- Saw hook
- LED worklight
- Carry handle
Bosch Deep Cut Band Saw Specifications
- Model Number: GCB10-5
- Voltage: 120V
- Speeds: 6
- Weight: 14.5 pounds
- Blade Length: 44.8 inches
- Motor: 10 amps
- Price: $248.18
