GMC

Had a friend in the Hardware retail business. He told me that the cheap range of battery powered drills are referred to as '9 minute units'. Apparently the industry worked out that the average homeowner used a hand held drill for and average of about 9 minutes over a 5 year period. That's about the life of the drill/battery combo. Like someone else said, 'go figure it out'.

I bought a $99 kit with Drill, Sabre saw and Circular Saw on the basis that if out lasts through the bathroom renovation and then I throw themaway it'll be money well spent.

The drill switch failed immediately so Bunnings replaced the single-speed basic drill with a 2-speed drill ! Whoohoo.

The sabre saw was a tremendous and in some places I though "this has to finish the cut, even if it does in the process". It survived the rough treatment and is still an incredibly powerfull battery tool.

The Circular Saw is small, limited in power and chews through batteries quickly - especially when ripping.

After two years the batteries wouldn't hold their charge and I was about to chuck them out. Then I decided to cycle the batteries three times - discharge at 0.1amp and charge at 0.1 amp. The batteries now have plenty of capacity and hold their charge for months - woohoo.

So I'm happy with that GMC purchase, but I agree, it may give no indication of the quality of other GMC appliances or the service you will get.

I agree 100 % Footy.
I paid $99 for my GMC 750 W unit 3 & a bit years ago. Longest run it has had was to supply lights & TV during a blackout for 6 hrs. Never missed a beat except when it ran out of juice.
Having said that. You do get what you paid for, but if it is not a Life Saving device. who cares if you don't have 240 volt lights when your sitting on the banks of the Cooper.
Vince