New Tools

stuart888

Hi there

Forum newbie here wanting to pick your collective brains on advice for some tools.

Currantly a plasterer and after spending time working with a property develper at weekends for the past year I'm looking into investing in a few properties of my own with some money ive saved over the years. I have a fair amount of kit already but mostly skewed towards my current needs as a plasterer. Ive a resonable amount of experience in other trades and have the old mans 40 years of experience to help out but hopefully the proper kit will help produce quicker and better quality results with less struggling!

1. cutting: At the moment i have a makita 5704rk witch i envisage has years of use in it. I use it for ripping pyroc/bluclad boards atm so it doesnt get that much use. Also own ryobi 18v circular saw and jigsaw witch are of limited use tbh but came as part of a very cheap set. Have acsess to an old SIP table saw too as well as the usual handsaws of various types. Im considering the merits of a plunge saw (probs makita, dewalt or bosch) although at over 300 quid there not cheap. Should make ripping sheets in the day job a doddle tho! Also after a sliding mitre saw probably a hitachi c8fse and jigsaw probably a cj110mv. so my question is is the plunge saw that much better than a standard circular on general renovation work and do I have any other cutting options I've missed?

2.Lasers: Can anyone explain the differant types. Often use a spit cl30 cross line laser and plumb bob from work witch I believe means vertical and horizontal right? Rotary ones look useful but are pricey. I dont mind spending a good amount on one but not on half a dozen differant types? What are the most versatile+reliable ones on the market. Are tile lasers useful or a gimmick bearing in mind I'm not a pro tiler!

3.Tile cutting: My old man has a pretty good Rubi manual sliding cutter and vitrex electrical tile saw (the table saw type ones) from when he was a pro tiler. I've picked up a manual saw, scribe and pair of pincers recentley so is there anything i could add? Ryobi do an 18v wet tile cutter for 50 quid bare and I already have the batteries. Will this make life any easier? I've got a Ryobi 18v grinder so is it worth picking up a tiling blade?

4.laminate/wood floor: How do you guys cut and would the tools mention above be sufficient? What do you make of the GMC laminate cutters availible on amazon?

Very cheap but with the letters GMC written down the side thats probably why! In fairness I find some cheap tools fine for occasional use, it has mainly good reviews on amazon and argos and its not like I'll use it every day. What about using it on wood and are there similar products you know of? Anyone use the bostich flooring nailer and although its not cheap could it pay for itself on a few jobs?

5. Rewire: Could be looking a rewiring properties? Any tools speed this up besides pliers/cable rods?

6. Earthmoving: Could have to move a lotta soil anything better than shovel and barrow and no I can't afford a digger!

7.Door Hanging: Is there a better way than chisels and mallet? Seen a few products about but not sure how gimmicky they are?

8. Cutting aids/jigs/templates: Anything out there that make cutting and marking easier/quicker especialy awkward bits?

9. Access: I have a pair of trestles and some planks plus one of those brilliant multiladders.

Will probably get a hopup with with built in work tray. Does anyone here use raised floors (milk crates/planks) for wiring/insulating/boarding/plastering ceilings or is it not worth setting up? Have looked at stillts but imagine there more bother working alone across 2 floors!

10. Other tools: I tend to find working with developers a lot of time is spent looking for the lost tape measure/pencil/knife! I've started keeping a bag by my side with a dozen of each so if I can't find them I just grab another and wait for the old one to turn up before throwing back in the bag. Anything I Should add to this bag?

11.Nailguns: Hitachi ones go for about 300 quid and I can see a bit of use for a first fix one however whats the use of second fix ones? Architraves? Skirting boards? Will the only fix to wood so is it use in an old terrace?

12. Plasterboard lifters: Going for a smidge over 100 quid on fleabay? Saves paying a mate 50 quid a day to help out if it 3 days or more? Anyone used them?

13. Bathrooms: Good bathroom fitting tools besides the obvious?

14: Kitchens: Good kitchen fitting tools besides the obvious?

Anything you care to add much appreciated. Long post but I'm sure you can help me more knowing my whole situation. Cheers

john.h

stuart888 wrote: »

Hi there

Forum newbie here wanting to pick your collective brains on advice for some tools.

Currantly a plasterer and after spending time working with a property develper at weekends for the past year I'm looking into investing in a few properties of my own with some money ive saved over the years. I have a fair amount of kit already but mostly skewed towards my current needs as a plasterer. Ive a resonable amount of experience in other trades and have the old mans 40 years of experience to help out but hopefully the proper kit will help produce quicker and better quality results with less struggling!

1. cutting: At the moment i have a makita 5704rk witch i envisage has years of use in it. I use it for ripping pyroc/bluclad boards atm so it doesnt get that much use. Also own ryobi 18v circular saw and jigsaw witch are of limited use tbh but came as part of a very cheap set. Have acsess to an old SIP table saw too as well as the usual handsaws of various types. Im considering the merits of a plunge saw (probs makita, dewalt or bosch) although at over 300 quid there not cheap. Should make ripping sheets in the day job a doddle tho! Also after a sliding mitre saw probably a hitachi c8fse and jigsaw probably a cj110mv. so my question is is the plunge saw that much better than a standard circular on general renovation work and do I have any other cutting options I've missed?

2.Lasers: Can anyone explain the differant types. Often use a spit cl30 cross line laser and plumb bob from work witch I believe means vertical and horizontal right? Rotary ones look useful but are pricey. I dont mind spending a good amount on one but not on half a dozen differant types? What are the most versatile+reliable ones on the market. Are tile lasers useful or a gimmick bearing in mind I'm not a pro tiler!

3.Tile cutting: My old man has a pretty good Rubi manual sliding cutter and vitrex electrical tile saw (the table saw type ones) from when he was a pro tiler. I've picked up a manual saw, scribe and pair of pincers recentley so is there anything i could add? Ryobi do an 18v wet tile cutter for 50 quid bare and I already have the batteries. Will this make life any easier? I've got a Ryobi 18v grinder so is it worth picking up a tiling blade?

4.laminate/wood floor: How do you guys cut and would the tools mention above be sufficient? What do you make of the GMC laminate cutters availible on amazon?

Very cheap but with the letters GMC written down the side thats probably why! In fairness I find some cheap tools fine for occasional use, it has mainly good reviews on amazon and argos and its not like I'll use it every day. What about using it on wood and are there similar products you know of? Anyone use the bostich flooring nailer and although its not cheap could it pay for itself on a few jobs?

5. Rewire: Could be looking a rewiring properties? Any tools speed this up besides pliers/cable rods?

6. Earthmoving: Could have to move a lotta soil anything better than shovel and barrow and no I can't afford a digger!

7.Door Hanging: Is there a better way than chisels and mallet? Seen a few products about but not sure how gimmicky they are?

8. Cutting aids/jigs/templates: Anything out there that make cutting and marking easier/quicker especialy awkward bits?

9. Access: I have a pair of trestles and some planks plus one of those brilliant multiladders.

Will probably get a hopup with with built in work tray. Does anyone here use raised floors (milk crates/planks) for wiring/insulating/boarding/plastering ceilings or is it not worth setting up? Have looked at stillts but imagine there more bother working alone across 2 floors!

10. Other tools: I tend to find working with developers a lot of time is spent looking for the lost tape measure/pencil/knife! I've started keeping a bag by my side with a dozen of each so if I can't find them I just grab another and wait for the old one to turn up before throwing back in the bag. Anything I Should add to this bag?

11.Nailguns: Hitachi ones go for about 300 quid and I can see a bit of use for a first fix one however whats the use of second fix ones? Architraves? Skirting boards? Will the only fix to wood so is it use in an old terrace?

12. Plasterboard lifters: Going for a smidge over 100 quid on fleabay? Saves paying a mate 50 quid a day to help out if it 3 days or more? Anyone used them?

13. Bathrooms: Good bathroom fitting tools besides the obvious?

14: Kitchens: Good kitchen fitting tools besides the obvious?

Anything you care to add much appreciated. Long post but I'm sure you can help me more knowing my whole situation. Cheers

Jesus, a lot of questions

1. Plunge saws are far better than standard circular saws if you want a nice clean straight cut.. Cutting melamine, doors, worktops etc.. Out of the 3 you chose i would pick the Bosch..
2. Lasers i have a Leica cross line, the plumb bob type i cant see the point.. the rotary ones are great if you are fitting suspended ceilings all day.
3.I dont think you need anything else.
4.Laminate floors all you need is a hand saw and maybe a jigsaw..
5.
6,
7.You can use a router and hinge jig.
8 For what?
9.
10 I could fill a bag 10x over
11 Yes 2nd fix will only fix to timber.. Skirting to stud walls or fixing architrave etc.
12.
13.
14.Kitchens.. Punge saw, router and a good blade for a chop saw, then the obvious things..

John...

leveller2911

stuart888 wrote: »

Hi there


Currantly a plasterer and after spending time working with a property develper at weekends for the past year I'm looking into investing in a few properties of my own with some money ive saved over the years.


Jeez John h, I think we have been in the wrong trade m8....:rotfl::D

Russe11

been told plasteres rates have hit the bottom, but that just going on what you hear.

don't go spending out loads of money and invest loads of time in high quality finish, the extra return you will gain will not cover the investment.

property - leveraging into the rental market?

DON'T DO IT, well unless your happy with no growth for a decade or two.

john.h

leveller2911 wrote: »

stuart888 wrote: »

Hi there


Currantly a plasterer and after spending time working with a property develper at weekends for the past year I'm looking into investing in a few properties of my own with some money ive saved over the years.


Jeez John h, I think we have been in the wrong trade m8....:rotfl::D

Noooo , i sold all my property and got my private jet, helicopter and my yacht

john....

keystone

He's got £20k to fund all this. Either a serious case of Walter Mitty or a WUM.

Cheers

stuart888

O Thanks john

Most plasterers rates have plummeted but mainly boarders and skimmers. My work is mostly external insulated rendering so more specialised. Not monumental money but I've spent the past few years living with my parents working 6-7 days a week plus private jobs in the evening so have a fair bit stashed away. I can't work like this forever so am looking to invest the money into some properties.

Russe11, I'm not betting on the market to rise rather making improvements in the underlying value.

stuart888

Keystone- why do say I'm deluded? Your profile says your in London where 20k won't buy you a bacon sandwich, it goes a lot further in Nottingham. Also living with my parents means ill have 30k in 12 months so I do have a workable amount to invest with in my local area.

keystone

You've been given all sorts of reasons why you can't / won't get a BTL mortgage on the gifted portion of your parents property whilst they are still living in it elsewhere on this board. Even if you did £ 30k isn't going to get you past first base on buying a property and doing it up wherever you are then moving onto the next. London, Nottingham or Timbuctoo doesn't make any difference TBH.

Where did I say you were deluded BTW?

Cheers

stuart888

My getting a btl mortgage isn't dependant on my parents house however. I have a big enough deposit to buy a small terrace to renovate locally based on most btl mortgage criteria so why do you think this is unrealistic?

And location makes a huge differance, the price differances between Nottingham and London are huge!

Walter mitty references a delusional daydreamer if I'm not mistaken. I admit I had to google it so pleasr enlighten me if I'm wrong.

keystone

no just a vivid imagination. Fantasies and delusion are not the same thing.

I know that prices differences between Nottingham and London are different. So they are between Nottingham and Timbuctoo as well. Thats not the point. Your £20k or £30k or whatever is going to vanish before you've even had the opportunity to take breath wherever you are. Over the past year property prices in Nottingham have fallen by nearly 5% All the tools in the world aren't going to help you and by the way you wrote the lead post on this board you have a learning cliff to overcome. If you are comfortable with financing your proposed project then so be it but your posts thus far don't inspire confidence that you ain't going to fall flat on your bum. Thats the message that peeps are really trying to get over.

Cheers