I want an oscillating cutter, like the fein supercut. It seems to be
the best way of cutting out nailed-down floorboards. Yes I've tried the
other methods. Circular saw gashes the next board, cut-off hacksaw
method is frankly, crap, and does not cut all the way through cleanly,
etc.
The fein mulitmaster has this capability but is a bit feeble, the fein
supercut is more like it but costs over 250 quid.
Now, the basic mechanics is not particularly revolutionary (no pun,
etc). So is there any alternative at a more reasonable cost ?
Simon.

sm_jamieson wrote:
So is there any alternative at a more reasonable cost ?

There's an alternative *way*, dunno about the tool you mention.

Make sure the blade of your jigsaw is as far "out" as it will
go. Then stand the saw on its nose, pointing across the board,
with the tip of the blade touching the floorboard to one side
of the one you want to cut. Start sawing, on slowest speed;
when a "start" has been made, up the speed a little, and plunge
the saw blade into the board, slowly. When you've reached the
desired angle[1], drag the saw across the board, maintaining
angle, 'till you nearly cut into the next board. Stop cutting,
turn the saw around, repeat performance to finish the cut.

Gauge the angle by standing the nose of the saw on something
the same thickness as the board you want to cut first, and
setting the blade to the bottom of the thing.

This works well (except hard up against a wall!) and doesn't
strain your saw, or cut adjacent boards.

I'm surprised you find the multimaster feeble - I use mine for exactly
what you describe, particularly to start/finish cuts across floorboards
(particularly above joists) done with a jigsaw or circular saw. The
downside of the fein tools is the blades are very expensive and easy to
trash on nails - but otherwise the machine itself is superbly tough and
well built - I would say the multimaster is easily up to the job. It's
also one of those tools that once you have one, you find new uses for
it.

wrote:
I'm surprised you find the multimaster feeble - I use mine for exactly
what you describe, particularly to start/finish cuts across floorboards
(particularly above joists) done with a jigsaw or circular saw. The
downside of the fein tools is the blades are very expensive and easy to
trash on nails - but otherwise the machine itself is superbly tough and
well built - I would say the multimaster is easily up to the job. It's
also one of those tools that once you have one, you find new uses for
it.

Sorry, I've never actually used one ! I just looked at the fein tools,
and saw the supercut at 4 times the power of the multimaster, and
presumed ...
What price can you get the multimaster for ?
Simon.

I bought mine at a trade show (you know those stands best avoided -
chap does a superb sales pitch on a crap tool and sucks in the mugs -
but this one really was superb!). If you can get to a trade show where
you can try one (and haggle for some freebies!), that's your best bet
(I guess it is a tool that is hard to sell without a trial/demo).
Otherwise http://www.axminster.co.uk sells them, although I doubt they
are the cheapest.

On Mon, 26 Jun 2006 13:46:42 +0100, wrote
(in article om):

I bought mine at a trade show (you know those stands best avoided -
chap does a superb sales pitch on a crap tool and sucks in the mugs -
but this one really was superb!). If you can get to a trade show where
you can try one (and haggle for some freebies!), that's your best bet
(I guess it is a tool that is hard to sell without a trial/demo).
Otherwise http://www.axminster.co.uk sells them, although I doubt they
are the cheapest.


I'd agree.

The Multimaster is among the best tools I've bought and gets used a great
deal for anything like this, through to profile sanding, scraping, etc. etc.

I've never found any power issues. This is probably because the amount of
movement is very small in comparison with typical devices like saws. A
large amount of oomph can be delivered with a comparatively small motor.
Don't think of this in the same league as a Dremel - it's a long way from
that.

There are different package options available. I bought the "Top" package
because it had a lot of the cutters I wanted plus a metal case at less than
the sum of the pieces. Axminster has this for £169. There's an entry level
pack for £111 and another in between.

Worth every penny, IMO,

In article . com,
sm_jamieson wrote:
I want an oscillating cutter, like the fein supercut. It seems to be
the best way of cutting out nailed-down floorboards. Yes I've tried the
other methods. Circular saw gashes the next board, cut-off hacksaw
method is frankly, crap, and does not cut all the way through cleanly,
etc.

If the broken jigsaw blade doesn't cut all the way through cleanly, you're
not doing it right. I've done hundreds of boards this way. Not that I
wouldn't be interested in a better method that doesn't cost the earth.

--
*Honk if you love peace and quiet.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

sm_jamieson wrote:
[cutting floorboards with a jigsaw]
I must be doing it wrong. Can someone give a detailed description of
how to do it. I know the earlier post gives some info.
I drilled a hole big enought for the blade and tried to cut with the
faceplate flat, and the broken blade would either hit the hoist, or not
cut all the way through.

The reason I don't like the "broken blade" approach is that it can
strain your tool (ooh-er!). I had a Bosh jigsaw that chipped some
gear teeth possibly because of doing this sort of thing. Maybe
grinding the blade to a narrow taper would help.

On 26 Jun 2006 06:31:10 -0700, "sm_jamieson"
wrote:


Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article . com,
sm_jamieson wrote:
I want an oscillating cutter, like the fein supercut. It seems to be
the best way of cutting out nailed-down floorboards. Yes I've tried the
other methods. Circular saw gashes the next board, cut-off hacksaw
method is frankly, crap, and does not cut all the way through cleanly,
etc.

If the broken jigsaw blade doesn't cut all the way through cleanly, you're
not doing it right. I've done hundreds of boards this way. Not that I
wouldn't be interested in a better method that doesn't cost the earth.

I must be doing it wrong. Can someone give a detailed description of
how to do it. I know the earlier post gives some info.
I drilled a hole big enought for the blade and tried to cut with the
faceplate flat, and the broken blade would either hit the hoist, or not
cut all the way through.
Simon.

Hi,

I just blip the trigger so the blade stops on the max downstroke, then
mark on the blade the depth of the board from the soleplate of the
saw.

I then cut the blade flush with this point with a grinder, and grind
the back of the blade so it has a 45° point.

It helps to have the saw on pendulum when cutting too, worth
practising on scrap to get the right setting and techique.

Alternatively a rotozip should be able to cut a board OK, though the
cut is 1/8" wide.

cheers,
Pete.

In article . com,
sm_jamieson wrote:
If the broken jigsaw blade doesn't cut all the way through cleanly,
you're not doing it right. I've done hundreds of boards this way. Not
that I wouldn't be interested in a better method that doesn't cost the
earth.

I must be doing it wrong. Can someone give a detailed description of
how to do it. I know the earlier post gives some info.
I drilled a hole big enought for the blade and tried to cut with the
faceplate flat, and the broken blade would either hit the hoist, or not
cut all the way through.

With the blade fitted to the jigsaw, pull it out (down) as far as it will
go. Place the jigsaw on the edge of a board you've already lifted with the
blade 'hanging' down the side and mark the blade to the thickness of the
board. Remove the blade and snap off the waste in a vice - or with a
couple of pairs of pliers, etc.

You don't need to make a hole in the board. Most jigsaws have a curved
face on the bed plate. Start the jigsaw with the shortened blade near
horizontal and *gradually* but firmly pivot the saw down so the blade
starts to cut - you can do this anywhere on the cut line. Don't be scared
of it - it won't bite. Cut to the end of the line and if necessary turn
the saw round and go to the other edge. Keep firm downward pressure at all
times - and saw round any nails. ;-)

Of course if you have stripped floors this doesn't produce as nice a cut
as you might want - but it's fine for boards which are to be covered up.

--
*Why are a wise man and a wise guy opposites?

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Andy Hall wrote:

I've never found any power issues. This is probably because the amount of
movement is very small in comparison with typical devices like saws. A
large amount of oomph can be delivered with a comparatively small motor.
Don't think of this in the same league as a Dremel - it's a long way from
that.

I would have to agree here, I also bought a Top package a while ago, and
power really is a non issue here. It seems to have plenty for anything I
have tried with it.

the sum of the pieces. Axminster has this for £169. There's an entry level
pack for £111 and another in between.

I did look about, and would have been able to get one for perhaps £7
less on ebay, but decided this is one of those cases I would rather have
the peace of mind getting it from Axminster.

--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On 26 Jun 2006 05:21:12 -0700, "sm_jamieson"
wrote:

What price can you get the multimaster for ?

Same price everywhere, IMHE. The Multimaster Top kit (160 something) is
the best deal, as the basic machine isn't as expensive as the blades are
and the kit is a good saving.

Chris Bacon wrote:
sm_jamieson wrote:
So is there any alternative at a more reasonable cost ?

There's an alternative *way*, dunno about the tool you mention.

Make sure the blade of your jigsaw is as far "out" as it will
go. Then stand the saw on its nose, pointing across the board,
with the tip of the blade touching the floorboard to one side
of the one you want to cut. Start sawing, on slowest speed;
when a "start" has been made, up the speed a little, and plunge
the saw blade into the board, slowly. When you've reached the
desired angle[1], drag the saw across the board, maintaining
angle, 'till you nearly cut into the next board. Stop cutting,
turn the saw around, repeat performance to finish the cut.

Gauge the angle by standing the nose of the saw on something
the same thickness as the board you want to cut first, and
setting the blade to the bottom of the thing.

This works well (except hard up against a wall!) and doesn't
strain your saw, or cut adjacent boards.

Actually its easier to use a small circular saw in the plank center to
start the cut, then the jigsaw to each extremity...

.. Yes I've tried the
other methods. Circular saw gashes the next board, cut-off hacksaw
method is frankly, crap, and does not cut all the way through cleanly,
etc.


I find it difficult to break-off a blade at exactly the right length. I find
it easier to put some packing underneath the saw soleplate, to raise the
blade to just the right height. Never had any problem doing it this way.