Multi tool v jigsaw ...?

[MYStargazer]

I've gots lots of sawing to do - much of it through 8mm ply.

I've got an old jigsaw and a collection of knackered blades.

Can a multi tool really replace a jigsaw, or are they as useless as they look?!

 

[vyv_cox]

Two completely different tools. Multitool is superb at what it does best, which includes sawing wood in very inaccessible places. For cutting lots of 8 mm ply a jigsaw would be far better, unless the cuts are straight in which case a hand saw is best.

 

[sailorman]

I've gots lots of sawing to do - much of it through 8mm ply.

I've got an old jigsaw and a collection of knackered blades.

Can a multi tool really replace a jigsaw, or are they as useless as they look?!

No
each is for a different job

I was in Maplins yesterday & they have a multi tool on at the mo with a good selection of tools in the kit for £25

 

[prv]

For cutting lots of 8 mm ply a jigsaw would be far better, unless the cuts are straight in which case a hand saw is best.

For cutting straight lines in lots of ply, I'd use a circular saw rather than a hand saw.

Pete

 

[MYStargazer]

Thanks for your thoughts, chaps, and thanks for the Maplin heads-up (I had no idea they sold power tools at all - thought it was all transistors and acne!).

 

[PCUK]

I would recommend an 'Exact Saw' as seen on TV! They actually do what they claim and cut far more accurately than a jigsaw when making long cuts. I bought one with a great deal of scepticism and was very pleasantly surprised at how good they are.

 

[gjgm]

Multitool is highly questionable in most uses.. its a bit like a kitchen gadget.. great for that once a decade job, useless at almost everything else.
A jig saw is for cutting curves.. a very very expensive one might manage a not very accurate pencil line over any length with a top quality blade. If you want to cut straight lines, even in 8mm, you need a circular saw, and then with a fine, quality blade. And all the above I am talking at professional tools, never mind the DIY stuff .

 

[ksutton]

Multitool is highly questionable in most uses.. its a bit like a kitchen gadget.. great for that once a decade job, useless at almost everything else.
A jig saw is for cutting curves.. a very very expensive one might manage a not very accurate pencil line over any length with a top quality blade. If you want to cut straight lines, even in 8mm, you need a circular saw, and then with a fine, quality blade. And all the above I am talking at professional tools, never mind the DIY stuff .

Disagree its not a questionable tool at all. Try cutting into a piece of wood "blind" when you cannot see the underside of the wood, ( a jig saw?, don't thick so). Try trimming off 10 mm of skirting board at floor level to create a neat clearance gap before installing solid wood floors, (with a jig saw, don't think so). Try cutting down into the grouting of a floor or wall ceramic tile to get it out without breaking it. You can try a grout file but the multitool will be done before you even get the file in hand.

 

[vyv_cox]

Disagree its not a questionable tool at all. Try cutting into a piece of wood "blind" when you cannot see the underside of the wood, ( a jig saw?, don't thick so). Try trimming off 10 mm of skirting board at floor level to create a neat clearance gap before installing solid wood floors, (with a jig saw, don't think so). Try cutting down into the grouting of a floor or wall ceramic tile to get it out without breaking it. You can try a grout file but the multitool will be done before you even get the file in hand.

+1. My Multitool has done jobs for me that would have taken a great deal of ingenuity using anything else, including both powered and hand tools. Plus of course, the tool used for cutting off fracture plaster works on the same principle. If a Multitool saw is inadvertently touched when working in a confined space, for which it is ideally suited, it will not cut the skin.

But of course a professional would never make this fundamental mistake!

 

[ksutton]

+1. My Multitool has done jobs for me that would have taken a great deal of ingenuity using anything else, including both powered and hand tools. Plus of course, the tool used for cutting off fracture plaster works on the same principle. If a Multitool saw is inadvertently touched when working in a confined space, for which it is ideally suited, it will not cut the skin.

But of course a professional would never make this fundamental mistake!

Yes many people are converted already, lets see if we can convert a few more. Here is a Fein commercial video using the multitool on yachts. I bet this gets a discussion going.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj-y_Gnbzmk

 

[David2452]

But of course a professional would never make this fundamental mistake!

You'd think so! but you can actually guide the blade in with your finger for precision. I have both mains and battery models now and the time (cost to customer) it saves on jobs is quite notable, makes otherwise difficult stressful jobs a doddle and both have more than earned their keep unlike some tools I initially thought would be a boon. Only thin is you do need to invest in attachments and the cheap ones don't last long so if you are doing any real quantity of work get the Swiss made ones.

 

[Topcat47]

Horses for courses....I've a Drill, a Dremel, a multitool, a circular saw and a jigsaw. There are some jobs that only one will do. I like the versatility of the multitool but when I was renewing the gas system on Snark, only the Dremel would do. I'd not like to have to do a lot of sawing with either.

 

[Scomber]

Yes many people are converted already, lets see if we can convert a few more. Here is a Fein commercial video using the multitool on yachts. I bet this gets a discussion going.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj-y_Gnbzmk

had a good jigsaw for years but when we converted part of house recently a professional model multi tool is invaluable and does loads of things a jigsaw never could-cutting inaccessible copper pipe-splitting t and g floorboards-etc
mate had one for boat and said it was great for the awkward corners-he was right !!
but---
get a good one

 

[prv]

a professional model multi tool is invaluable
[...]
but---
get a good one

For leisure boat use (and occasional domestic tasks as well) I've been more than happy with my Aldi one, so I wouldn't say it's necessary to go for an expensive tool. The only downside of mine is that it's very noisy (ok with ear defenders) but I don't know if the expensive ones are any better on that score.

I will, however, echo David's point that the cheap blades go blunt very very quickly. I would spend the money there rather than on the tool itself.

Pete

 

[MYStargazer]

I'd completely overlooked just using a big, flat handsaw to get long, straight edges!

 

[maxi77]

A router is also good on lighter ply and usually leaves a better edge for later cleaning up.

 

[MYStargazer]

Glad to hear that - a router's on my shopping list.

 

[Danbury]

Thanks for your thoughts, chaps, and thanks for the Maplin heads-up (I had no idea they sold power tools at all - thought it was all transistors and acne!).

It's mainly toys and acne these days... oh ! and flashing lights...

 

[Jim@sea]

I'd completely overlooked just using a big, flat handsaw to get long, straight edges!

I was surprised at how straight I could cut a long piece of wood by using a flat handsaw.
Anyway I bought one of these Aldi Multitools and I never tried it until I was trying to take a wood panel off my boat and the only way it would come off is in sections and the saw would have to go between switches and gauges.
The Multitool is brilliant, made 3 cuts and in less than a minute the panel came apart.
For around £30 they are great value for money.

PS. They also do/did a small circular saw where although the blade only cuts One and a quarter inches it is ideal for small jobs, decking, floorboards etc.

 

[gjgm]

Disagree its not a questionable tool at all. Try cutting into a piece of wood "blind" when you cannot see the underside of the wood, ( a jig saw?, don't thick so). Try trimming off 10 mm of skirting board at floor level to create a neat clearance gap before installing solid wood floors, (with a jig saw, don't think so). Try cutting down into the grouting of a floor or wall ceramic tile to get it out without breaking it. You can try a grout file but the multitool will be done before you even get the file in hand.

Right.. all odd uses..just how often do you regrout? I think we were discussing sawing .. a multitool is indeed good at some odd type jobs, but I would hardly get it out to saw anything.It is a bit like to rotocutter, or whatever it is called. It is great when you need it; you just dont need it very often.
Each to his own.. I can only say that of the probably 20+ powertools I have, the multitool has been the least effectual.