Basic diy question

smartpicture

I'm just getting into diy, so please be patient! I want to cut some some lengths of wood into shorter pieces for a project I'm doing, and I want to buy something to hold the planks firmly so I can saw them, even quite small pieces. What do I need to buy, and how much should it cost? I looked round B&Q yesterday and was overwhelmed with rows of options and too scared to buy anything unless it was the wrong thing.

wallbash

Most diy 'ers have the B/D workmate. Its a good basic staple of DIY

This would hold most things in its jaws. But a pair of clamps ( G or crab etc) all help.
Depends on your budget

Broadsword

The really cheap option is to get someone to hold it firmly, protect a suitable surface such as a table and cut close to the table edge. Most of the workmate etc devices have their own issues and only really suitable if you are doing lots of DIY. The choice of saw is more vital than what holds the plank in place

webwalker

smartpicture wrote: »

I'm just getting into diy, so please be patient! I want to cut some some lengths of wood into shorter pieces for a project I'm doing, and I want to buy something to hold the planks firmly so I can saw them, even quite small pieces. What do I need to buy, and how much should it cost? I looked round B&Q yesterday and was overwhelmed with rows of options and too scared to buy anything unless it was the wrong thing.

Yep a workmate is the answer, practise on some waste wood until you get the hang of it then you will learn the best way for you to use it.

There are many different types of workmates now but if you treat them right they will make a good long term investment so go for the best you can afford, same rule applies to all tools.

dougk_2

If you are near a screfix (https://www.screwfix.com) they do a basic workbench for just £12.99.

Its well worth the investment as you will use it time and time again.

smartpicture

I don't have anyone to help. I did have it on the table held down with some heavy books, but ended up nearly chopping my finger off at one point as it got smaller. So a Black & Decker Workmate is what I need? I thought it was but wasn't sure.

How do I choose a saw? I've got an old one of my dads, it seems sharp enough, but the teeth are quite big and kept catching so I found it hard to start cutting, it was fine once I got going.

latecomer

Sounds like an accident waiting to happen.

I would recommend getting a work bench if you dont have any way of supporting the wood. also get yourself a new fine tooth saw as it will make the cutting far smoother although it will take slightly longer.

wallbash

I've got an old one of my dads,

Get a new one of your own :rolleyes:

Might be an idea to give us some more info , i.e. size of wood etc

smartpicture

So far I've found its best if I can borrow the tools I need first so I can try them out and get a feel for what things are important to me before actually buying one - at least with the more expensive items. There's nothing worse than buying something then wishing you'd bought the next model up or a different model altogether once you've used it once or twice. But I take your point!

So far I've just been cutting planks of wood into smaller pieces, ie already planed pine wood from focus. However, I'm trying to think long-term as I have a house that needs a lot of doing up and I'm hoping to try and do some of it myself. I've enjoyed what I've done so far, and although it probably takes 3 times as long as anyone else I've been quite pelased with the results! So I don't really know what else I might want to cut once I get going, to answer your question!

wallbash

There's nothing worse than buying something then wishing you'd bought the next model up or a different model altogether once you've used it once or twice.

Could not agree more. But a basic saw ( new ) will only cost a few pounds, will never be a waste of money.

Good luck with any new projects, post any problems... always willing to put in my ideas ( good/ bad/ wrong or wild!)

Thrifty_2

Purchase a Handsaw for cutting through thick or large sheets of timber. ( Not a tennon saw this is for small timber) use a workmate bench and invest in at least 2 G clamps.