Bosch GDM 12-34 Marble Cutter

The following article is a review of the Bosch GDM 12-34 Marble Cutter and is intended to be an info page with further description, photographs and technical specifications as provided by the manufacturer.

I bought the Bosch GDM 12-34 Marble Cutter when I first moved in to my new home, solely for the purpose of cutting to shape a piece of tile to fit next to a floor trap, in an attempt to correct a plumber’s inferior work.

I initially planned on buying this marble cutter for cutting just one tile, and yes I know, it seems unreasonable to spend money on one power tool for just one quick job, but that’s just the way I am. I don’t believe in renting or borrowing, and always presume that there will be future use for any power tool I buy.

True enough, the Bosch GDM 12-34 had then gone on to cut channels in my concrete walls to embed conduits and cables, and make light of wood saw work. While this is usually done with a proper circular saw, a marble cutter with the right attachment works just as well.

A marble cutter is quite a specialist tool, and I probably would not have bought one if it weren’t for that single piece of tile. But it’s there when I need one, and doubles as a concrete cutter or a wood circular saw when it is required again.

Recently, I had the privilege of helping a friend out with his DIY floor tile laying work, and some corner pieces could not be cut with his conventional tile cutter, which could cut only in straight lines. He was definitely glad that the Bosch GDM 12-34 Marble Cutter came in handy, which cut all the corner pieces out accurately to fit the room floor.

The Bosch GDM 12-34 Marble Cutter works flawlessly, and eats tile and other hard substances like hot knife on butter. It comes with a silicone hose and related accessories for water to be directed to the workpiece for cooling and dust reduction.

Working a power tool with water, it is very important that the Residual Current Device (RCD) at the jobsite be in proper working condition. If such a device is not in place, either refrain from using water, or a dedicated RCD may be attached to the power tool directly, though this is sold separately.

The Bosch Marble Cutter is very powerful, and one of the few power tools that require me to put on the most safety protection devices – goggles, earplugs, and dust mask – for eye, ear and lung protection.

In use, the grinding action of a diamond-coated wheel against a mineral hard substance can produce noise exceeding 85 dBA. Prolonged exposure to such noise levels may result in hearing damage.

The blade will also kick up a lot of fine dust, and a dust mask is critically important, as is a pair of goggles for obvious reasons. It will cut very clean straight lines that an angle grinder cannot possibly do, and I would consider such a power tool to be a necessary addition to the DIY enthusiast’s arsenal of machineries.

SEE ALSO:

• Bosch PSB 400-2 Hammer Drill
• Bosch GSB 500 RE Professional Hammer Drill
• Bosch GBH 2-20 DRE Professional Rotary Hammer
• Bosch GDR 10,8-LI Professional Cordless Impact Driver
• Bosch GWS 8-100 CE Professional Variable Speed Angle Grinder
• Bosch GLM 80 Professional Laser Rangefinder