Jigsaws and other tools

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NJMcK

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Having recently bought a second hand boat I intend to carry out various refitting works. I have some power tools but lack a jigsaw.

I hold Makita tools in fairly high regard, and I'm trying to decide whether the 4350FCT or the 4351FCT would be better. Could knowledgeable forum members please advise?

And whilst we're on the subject, are there other types of power tools I should be considering?
 
What a strange thing to product such close spec. I like the shape of the '51'. Looks easy to hold, spin round etc. But the '50' has 'tool free blade change'. Real pain if the '51' needs a screwdriver etc.

Others? Decent orbital sander probably
 
I have a makita with SDS quick change blades, brilliant tool. A few on E bay for sale. I would also invest in a router and a good orbital sander, like a Rupes with the triangular or "steam iron" type sanding pads, LS90 I think, festool also do one same pads.
 
For jigsaws go for a Bosch proffessional, quick release chuck, a solid and reliable piece of kit. Cheapos cut at angles, have no guts etc, you may buy cheap other tools but that will serve you faithfully. Also, if generated power, at 600w will run off a suitcase gennie.

With regard to the others, I completely re-fitted a 6-berth dutch steel boat, all joinery throughout using: cheap power plane - Wickes/B & Q etc, Machine Mart mini grinder (£19 then, the second cheapest they had 7 years ago and in almost daily use, buy the 1 or 1.5mm Inox discs, they'll cut anything, treat stainless like butter and no clouds of dust and sparks. Power drill - I'd again go for a Wolf, I've had a pistol drill by Kango (later Wolf) for over 20 years, I've seriously abused it, changed the chuck twice, goes on for ever. Look on their web site, likewise Machine Mart. Power saw, 7 1/4" is sufficient, I have a Hitachi, again for over 20 years, but from what I've seen cheapos do the same job. Router - again Wickes or similar cheapo, nothing to be gained by major investment and cheapo's are often copies of something expensive. Mine is same and interchangable most parts with the AEG, yet cost under £30 8 years ago, bits again cheapos, you can buy a boxed set for the same money as one Bosch, how much will you use it afterwards? Sanders - a belt sander, again cheapo is every bit as good as more expensive cousins, mine again in constant use now for last 8 years (I'm a builder).

One much overlooked bit of kit I do reccomend is a power file, Black & Decker make them if you can find one, belts in Homebase, B & Q. You'll wonder how you ever managed without one! Wood, plastic, metal, filler, they happily get into really close corners as well.
 
For your 'other' tool, buy a Fein Multimaster - get the 'Top' kit with the decent box and a load of accessories as it works out cheaper. I was a bit sceptical about the delta sander attachment and the profile sander accessories but they have proved very useful and effective. Wouldn't want to work on a grp boat without one now. Here.
 
I bought a cheap jigsaw some time back. I was always dissapointed in the cutting ability and particularly the blade clamp. Then the blade clamp itself broke. So whole thing went into the bin. I confess it put me off jig saw completely though others seem to use them for all sorts of cuttting. So yes try to get a good one. good luck olewill
 
SRP is spot on, a Fein Multimaster is one of the most useful tools I have EVER owned and used.

One down side is that blades are a stupid price however, first time out of the box this little tool paid for its investment price in time saved.
 
Thank you all. I like the idea of a power file/finger sander, and I'm particularly taken with the Fein Multimaster. Do I need both? I suppose only time and experience will tell.
 
I wore out two cheap jigsaws and then bought the Bosch already mentioned - it keeps going.

Jigsaws are, in my bigoted opinion, inherently nasty tools to be used only when a proper tool can't be brought to bear.
 
Definitely agree that a decent jigsaw is worth the money. I bought an Axminster own brand "White" a few years ago and it was a really poor piece of kit that lasted no time at all. My old (and now knackered) B&D is still going but was never very accurate.
(I also have an Axminster "White" 24 volt cordless drill bought for the big chuck and power. The batteries lasted really no time at all before they wouldn't take a charge properly. So I now have a big drill which has done very little work and it will go to the tip next time I go. My Makita 7.2 volt drill lasted years and years and still does duty connected to 12 volts on the boat. My Hitachi 14.4 is good apart from a poor chuck. The B&D 14.4 which preceded it lasted pretty well and had a good chuck but wouldn't buy one if I were embarking on a major project. etc etc...)
 
I've now ordered a Fein Multimaster and some accessories, from Lawson HIS Ltd. Not yet sure what to do about a jigsaw. I like the look of the Makita 4351 FCT, but there have been some strong recommendations for Bosch on this thread.

Which Bosch model should I consider?
 
My Bosch jigsaw is a model PST 50-E. I don't think they are still made but the nearest seems to be the Bosch PST 650-E, which is more powerful at 600watts.

If I were to buy another I'd probably choose that.
 
I've never owned, or felt the need to own, a power file/sander of the sort you're referring to. I have got an embarrassingly large collection of power tools (mainly because I need them for work). Over the years I have found that it really pays to get the very best quality you can afford - to illustrate with jigsaws, I had an excellent Bosch for years and wore it out recently, replaced it with a cheap Ryobi which lasted a week, returned it and got an AEG (about £100) which is better but not brilliant. I should have spent £200 on a Festool. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
 
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