I'm thinking of laying wooden type laminate flooring in the kitchen and wil l also need to cut a couple of pieces of kitchen worktop just the compresse d wood ones with the formica type tops, so I'm thinking of buying a new ji gsaw, my B&Q I got for just a £10 7 years ago is a bit past it's best .
So any advice, I wont be doing much more with it there seems to be a few fr om £50 to £100 don't want to pay much more.
Either 240V or cordless.
any favourites makes/models from B&Q, screwfix, argos, ITS or aldi are all close to me
Though I've done worktops with a jigsaw, it's not the ideal tool, shallow blade can wander easily, and can get flex so the bottom of the cut isn't inline with the top.
Having a 1/2" router I'd use that, but without one I think I'd drop back to a circ saw, rather than jigsaw.
with either a circ saw, or a jigsaw if you stick with plan A, think about tooth cutting direction on the melamine surface, and flip/rotate worktop accordingly, apply masking tape too.
For jigsaws you can get down-stroke blades or special laminate blades BUT make sure that blade length/depth of cut is adequate for a worktop.
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I used the latter type blades when fitting my worktop and they worked well cutting from the laminate side after first taping the surface. They fit a variety of jigsaw makes but check which blades you can get for the jigsaw you buy.
As stated, with a jig saw the bottom of the cut may not be inline with the top but it possibly doesn't matter that much if this cut is going to be against a wall. In this case its probably better to cut from the top as this is the edge surface that will be seen. It's not two much of a problem when cutting holes for sinks or hobs as the cut edge will be totally hidden.
I used a jigsaw on my worktop but both ends abutted a wall. I wouldn't use a jigsaw if the cut edge will be seen.
Also if the jig saw orbital action can be disabled - do so. A quick explanation.
Have you any other cordless devices which might share batteries? You might find a cordless more convenient for the flooring.
As another poster said, jigsaw is the wrong tool for worktop (unless you
*have* to make a curved cut). Sort of assuming you don't have a router.
Worth checking Aldi/Lidl for jigsaws, either mains or cordless.
Worth having pendulum/orbital motion.
Here's a reasonably cheap cordless with what looks like a decent battery
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I always used to think a jigsaw was something that it was worth paying a bit more for a known brand. But TBH I've been impressed by the improving quality of no-name Chinese stuff.
I have a Makita 4351, I like its unconventional shape in the hand, when using it on 15mm oak flooring, you'd swear the edge has been planed, not cut with a jigsaw - a very different tool from the knockabout B&Q one it replaced.
How is "orbital" motion different to pendulum? Does it really move the axis in an orbit rather than just tilt it back and forward? Is this why it gives such a good cut?
I love Makita kit, but this is probably a bit expensive for the OP's needs.
Do be sure your laminate flooring is suitable for a kitchen, for a start. And must admit to finding a chop saw more use for laminate flooring than a jigsaw, since it gives accurate cuts. But realise you may not have space (or much other uses) for one.
I have a mains Bosch which is ages old but still good. But since it's not a tool I used a vast amount the cordless one I got from Lidl has mainly replaced it. Important to have easy to change blades IMHO.
ill also need to cut a couple of pieces of kitchen worktop just the compres sed wood ones with the formica type tops, so I'm thinking of buying a new jigsaw, my B&Q I got for just a £10 7 years ago is a bit past it's be st.
from £50 to £100 don't want to pay much more.
l close to me
As said a jigsaw is the wrong saw for the job - and for nearly all jobs. A circular saw is way more useful.
If you had to do the jobs with just one saw, best saw for laminate is going to be a mitre saw. And for a worktop a router - you could get by with a ci rcular if necessary.
will also need to cut a couple of pieces of kitchen worktop just the compr essed wood ones with the formica type tops, so I'm thinking of buying a ne w jigsaw, my B&Q I got for just a £10 7 years ago is a bit past it's best.
w from £50 to £100 don't want to pay much more.
all close to me
A circular saw is way more useful.
What I really need to do with the worktop is cut or drill a few holes in it so the heat from the fridge & freezer can escape from the back. I was thin king of the castle battlement shape at the back, or a few triangles which w ould avoid the obvious cutting problem.
ng to be a mitre saw. And for a worktop a router - you could get by with a circular if necessary.
I managed to cut the width of 3 work surface tops and do the laminate floor in my bathroom with the £10 jigsaw I got from B&Q, for the worktops i t took a few too many teabreaks per cut but I got there in the end :-D, jus t thought a better jigsaw would be the best option. I haven't a workshop and all cutting was done in the kitchen, using two old chairs and a few G-clamps as a workmate.
I've never seen a worktop cut up with a router and only seen the bench ciru clar saws cut kitchen worktops.
will also need to cut a couple of pieces of kitchen worktop just the compr essed wood ones with the formica type tops, so I'm thinking of buying a ne w jigsaw, my B&Q I got for just a £10 7 years ago is a bit past it's best.
Well my existing one was lent to a friend who returned it after using it to cut marine ply, it came back with the box wet, soaked in oil and canal wat er (if I'm lucky) and the actual jigsaw smelt funny although it seemed to w ork when powered on from a distance.
I'll check to see what model number it is, but on checking my records I st arted doing my kitchen in may 2006, I still have the same fridge & freezer too, which need replacing So I think I can treat myself to a new toy as I've decided I really don't n eed a iMac Pro at the moment.
Things will fall down, unless you make an upstand in front of the holes. If you are going to do that, the holes won't be visible, so it doesn't matter what shape they are. :)
n it so the heat from the fridge & freezer can escape from the back. I was thinking of the castle battlement shape at the back, or a few triangles whi ch would avoid the obvious cutting problem.
Nah I sorted that out at my parents place, after I cut the mark/space I stu ck some plastic type 'chicken wire' (5mm holes) level with the work surface . The only thing that got through that was some stray peas.
I'd really like hexagonal holes similar in shape and size that bees make fo r honey.
My rule of thumb is you tend to get rather better power tools for the money from Lidl/Aldi than the shed own brands. But you may not be able to get what you want immediately.
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