Oscillating saws

This topic has 14 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 14 March 2017 at 20:14 by Colin Heseltine.

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11 March 2017 at 11:34 #288265
Ady1
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@ady1
I had cut a few big slots with the handsaw yesterday and it jigged my back so I thought that was it on this job until Monday at least

but no…. !

This new toy really can do the lot, and even better, my work is more accurate because it's so good at making woodwork for numpties easier

So this weak pathetic old geezer has been romping along with a knackered back

Got to stop now but I was wondering if anyone in here uses them for cutting steel metal and thin metal plate?

They are miles easier to handle than a jigsaw and I notice quite a few fancy cutters on a well known auction site which seem to be aimed at the metal market

Edited By Ady1 on 11/03/2017 11:36:52
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11 March 2017 at 11:34 #8611
Ady1
Participant
@ady1
rather useful…
11 March 2017 at 13:06 #288274
neville rigg 2
Participant
@nevillerigg2
Hi Ady,

Had one of those for couple of years, well worth the money, not done a lot of metalwork, cut rusty nails etc. with a diamond cutter/

regards neville
11 March 2017 at 13:08 #288275
HOWARDT
Participant
@howardt
I have cut all sorts of materials and thickness with mine. The no name blades are the proverbial c***. Always buy names brand others are soft and don't last even in wood.
11 March 2017 at 15:03 #288297
Robbo
Participant
@robbo
I can do a bit of willy-waving and say I have one of the originals of this sort of tool, the FEIN Multimaster. Cost an arm and a leg but well worth it. Have used it for all sorts of cutting – yesterday to shorten some standing fence posts. (and get a square cut)

Cheap copies were not available in those days.

As Howard says, blade quality is important, especially for metal. You can get away with cheapos in softwood, but you need the best for metal

Edited By Robbo on 11/03/2017 15:04:43
11 March 2017 at 15:28 #288306
Clive Foster
Participant
@clivefoster55965
Main point when it comes to blade life is not to overheat them. Running too fast in a deep cut kills blades in short order. Especially in wood. Short "stroke" and fine teeth means you have to take care to clear the blade frequently. Its tempting just to push in but, as I found out, thats not the way to get long blade life. Effective at making smoke tho'.

Mine is a Makita which seems good. About £100 delivered, with case, from Lawson HIS at the moment.

Clive.

Edited By Clive Foster on 11/03/2017 15:29:32
11 March 2017 at 22:31 #288370
capnahab
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@capnahab
13 March 2017 at 15:01 #288643
Ady1
Participant
@ady1
I have found you can speed a job up considerably by drilling holes to give the saw less work and prolong the life of the blade at the same time

It's also great for shaving down close fits and can file away 0.5mm at a time from a tight joint until it fits right
13 March 2017 at 16:38 #288652
steamdave
Participant
@steamdave
Being the ignoramus that I am, I'd never even heard of an oscillating saw. Had to do a bit of Google searching for what they were and did. Seems like a useful bit of kit.

Dave
The Emerald Isle
13 March 2017 at 21:37 #288714
Ady1
Participant
@ady1
Mine was 30 bananas at Lidl and gives you the basic box of bits and a 310 Watt cutter

I was a bit reticent about parting with 30 quid for an unknown but it's turned a total non-woodworker (I hate wood stuff) into a happy jobbing woodworker because it makes all the chore cutting work involved in a wood project so much simpler, and in my case, definitely more accurate
13 March 2017 at 21:46 #288716
Michael Gilligan
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@michaelgilligan61133
Posted by steamdave on 13/03/2017 16:38:11:

Being the ignoramus that I am, I'd never even heard of an oscillating saw. Had to do a bit of Google searching for what they were and did. Seems like a useful bit of kit.

Dave
The Emerald Isle

.

Dave,

Open your search to include Plaster Cast Cutter, and you will find the name Stryker

Patent here: **LINK**

https://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/originalDocument?CC=US&NR=2427580A&KC=A&FT=D&ND=&date=19470916&DB=&locale=

I've not checked, but I presume that's where Fein got the idea for the MultiMaster.

MichaelG.

.

That was easy: https://fein.com/en_uk/oscillators/history/

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 13/03/2017 21:48:54
13 March 2017 at 23:51 #288734
Clive Foster
Participant
@clivefoster55965
Ady

As another non woodworker except in extremis I entirely agree with how useful those saws are.

The Japanese style handsaws from Lidl are worth a punt too. Cut on the pull rather than push stroke and are very controllable for finer work. Razor sharp too.

Been putting off making some micrometer boxes for years but between those, the oscillating saw and the big Startrite bandsaw I indulged in a couple or three years back I might just get round to it.

Clive.
14 March 2017 at 09:28 #288753
Nigel McBurney 1
Participant
@nigelmcburney1
I first saw one on a TV building renovation programme,where someone cut off an internal door post which was set in the screed,it so easily cut the post absolutely flush with the screed,seemed a good idea so I waited until Screwfix had an offer then bought one,though over a couple of years I have only used it a few times,one of those tools that I find that you don't use too often but when there is a job that no other saw can reach its ideal,though its got an awful high pitched whine.
14 March 2017 at 09:53 #288755
Martin 100
Participant
@martin100
I've had a Fein Multimaster for about 12 years now, the early type that uses a socket headed bolt for fixing the blades. For removing floorboards and leaving almost no evidence of them ever been lifted they are fantastc. They are also the best way of cutting plasterboard for sockets and lights switches. For cutting copper or waste pipes in situ with very restricted access they cannot be beat. All that plus a passable sander too for tight corners.

Must have been around £200 to buy and maybe another £100 in blades over the years. Money very well spent.
14 March 2017 at 20:14 #288828
Colin Heseltine
Participant
@colinheseltine48622
I've had the Bosch version for a few years now. I bought it primarily for cutting holes in plasterboard for fixing back boxes for data cabling. Can get a nice square cut, nicely on size. Brilliant bit of kit.

Colin
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