Period power tools

[Gervase]

It just makes cutting easier, as the edge of the lower piece of ply is exactly where the blade cuts. You can, of course, just use a straight edge, but all the faffing about measuring the precise width of the sole plate and making allowances for the kerf is done away with using the guide; just plonk it on your ruled line, allow for the blade thickness, clamp and rip.

 

[Feltwell]

Good point - the faffing about with the soleplate width to get an accurate cut is a pain. Thanks Gervase.

I might even have a go at making my own two-sided channel guide, hmmmmmmm...... :idea:

 

[LadyArowana]

What do you mean, patronising????? Needless to say they didn't sell and were quickly discontinued.

A German DIY chain (part of the same group) produced a great advert one time. The shot was of two men showing each other their wallets in turn, each nodding approvingly and smiling at the other. The camera then pans round so you can see that each wallet, rather than containing a picture of their family, contained a picture of a drill.

There is a fundamental misunderstanding by many retailers of boy toys in relation to marketing to girls. The product needs to be exactly the same as the boy version function wise, a little cosmetic tweak is lovely, but not at the expense of performance. My absolute all time favorite car is one I spotted some time ago, a seriously grunty Porsche in a matt pink finish Fierce and cute.

 

[worms]

Not much to add to the above but i think if I was in your shoes I might look for the Stihl/Husqvarna stuff second hand rather than new. Never had a Fein Multitmaster but having recently got a Dremel kit, I'm not sure how I managed all these years without one and it would be definitely be on my list for replacement if it was stolen.

 

[Feltwell]

What do you use the Dremel for Worms?

I've had one for years - it was a free sample I acquired - but I've never quite known what to do with it. The little cutting wheel has been useful on several occasions to cut things like seized hose clips on cars, it's very accurate. I engraved the house address in the top of the wheelie bins (as I got fed up of them going missing on bin day and having to traipse round the neighbours asking if they'd unexpectedly acquired an extra bin) with the Dremel, but that's about it.

 

[worms]

Well, maybe it is just the indispensible nature of the latest toy!

I would agree that the cutting wheel has seen the greatest use and it has probably paid for itself in the time and cost saved by using the cutting wheel to re-slot screws in various tight locations for removal. I've also cut back wooden molding in a tight corner where the only alternative would have been to strip it back along a whole length of wall, cut and replace. Also cut a couple of bolts in situ in a badly rusted letterbox where I would have probably done a lot of damage to the door to remove it any other way.

I've played with the polishing tool and have a couple of jobs for that when I find the time. I've sanded some tight corners to a better 90 angle where I'd otherwise have accepted a slightly poorer finish. Also reckon the micro-routing ability might come in handy, but yet to try it out.

Ok, perhaps not utterly vital stuff, although I still can't see how I would have got the dishwasher fixed if I hadn't managed to get those screws out!

 

[Feltwell]

Yes, I've used the cutting wheel to re-slot screws and cut rusted ones out before - it's very useful for that. Much like the Fein or CEL or similar oscillating multitools, I guess it's one of those that you only use occasionally but when you do, it's damn useful and nothing else would have done the job instead as easily.

I'd recommend treating yourself to one of these plus a blade set - they fall into the same category. Other brands are available etc etc. Personally I find the cutting function much more use than the sanding function. They do a cordless version but for the number of times I use it, the battery would probably be flat when I got it out - plus eventually the battery will give up the ghost - so I reckon a mains version is better.

http://www.cel-uk.com/work/multi-tool-accessories/mt3

 

[Johnboy]

Does anyone know if these multi-tools share a common drive? All the accessory sets I've seen look the same but vary greatly in price. Why I am asking is I bought a new Wolf multi-tool from a car boot sale but it didn't have any of the extra bits and bobs shown in the leaflet just a cranked flat saw blade (metal cutting by the look of the teeth).

 

[Feltwell]

They vary, but some tools are designed to fit other manufacturer's blades as well as their own - I think my CEL will take Fein blades with an adaptor. Not sure about Wolf - does the blade fixing look like the CEL one?

http://www.cel-uk.com/work/multi-tool-accessories/mt1-ac12

 

[Johnboy]

Thanks for the reply Feltwell, it is different to that one, it has 4 drive pegs with a 3/8" approx hole in the middle. I have managed to find a universal pack on e-bay that do look similar. I have messaged the guy for dimensions.

 

[Pford75]

Thanks for all the posts.

On the subject of the break-in itself, I wanted to pass on some hopefully useful information to PPUK'ers in Norfolk & Suffolk (and perhaps even Lincolnshire). The police are aware of a gang targeting outbuildings of larger (which generally means older) properties in the Norfolk and Suffolk area. They are not put off by close proximity to houses (those who have been to Pford residence will know that our outbuildings are close by). They are also targeting properties when people are obviously at home.

Police believe that there are 8-10 of them working together in 3 vehicles...one of them is a white Subaru Impreza with a very throaty exhaust. Norfolk Police have had to abandon chases in the area recently due to the high speed of the getaway. Decent locks appear to be no deterrent as they are using plumbers freeze spray to feeze locks and then smashing them. (our padlocks and hasps were good quality, but smashed easily).

At the very least, it might be sensible to photograph garden machinery and power tools (they ignored mountain bikes etc in favour of these). It can be challenging to prove possession of items once they have been stolen :-(

The gang is believed to be from the Peterborough area and is travelling down to Norfolk/Suffolk and hitting 10-15 properties in a single night. Not wishing to scare anyone, but do not challenge/disturb them in progress (a local man did this and was chased up the street from his own house!)

Police believe that the items are being sold direct on building sites and by knocking door to door on local estates where vans are outside (indicating someone in a trade).

 

[AMc]

I'm in the area but haven't got any tools stored in the coachhouse that I'd really care about, all my "good" tools are stored inside They can have the half hearted flymo and hedge trimmer but I doubt they'd want it
I guess it's worth marking tools so the police can trace them and prove theft if they catch these people, take pictures and of course ensure you're insured. My contents policy has very little cover for items stored in outbuildings.

 

[NT]

Re tool security, a photo including date and serial number is pretty much a must. If you also dip some part of them in some tasteless and thus uncommon colour of gloss paint, so much the better. Engraving them ditto. If wanting to be more effective, its not too hard to rig up a metal tool box that triggers a flashgun when opened, preferably with 2 hidden cameras.

Die grinders (by dremel etc) are worth having, but like someone said, I dont use mine often, but when I do nothing else will do. I'd only buy a mains one, batteries make no sense for a little used tool. They cut things in awkward places, albeit slowly. They derust well. I even used one as an extra drill with a 1/8" bit on one job, for pilot holes. They're good at drilling & grinding plastics without breaking them, stripping and derusting old tools, polishing, engraving, and various odd jobs nothing else will do.

Re NiMH/NiCd versus LiIon, lithium gives better capacity and faster charge, so best if you use the tool lots. If you only use it now & then you'll get more life from nicd/nimh, as lithiums deteriorate when unused, the older nickels dont.

Reciprocating saws I dislike. if you can possibly use a non-recip type its normally going to be better. Jigsaws need a roller guide for the blade, or you'll waste more wood than the saw cost.

Lots has been said about tools brands, but I will add one point. Budget cordless brands are much lighter than dewalt et al, due to plastic gears, smaller motor etc, so if you tend to work until too tired, they do give you longer working time.

Cordless tools are always going to die, and too often aren't worth recelling. Mains stuff often lasts many decades. So I go for mains where there's little advantage to batteries. You'll always get more power from mains kit.


NT

 

[NT]

ps spending a little bit of the budget on period tools can be a good plan. Some old kit works a lot better than it looks, and can be had for peanuts. Some of course are just dangerous, so either know what youre getting or get advice afterwards.

NT