Thread: mini power tools - good or not

Found this listing on ebay
Has anybody had experience with tools like this
The seller seems to have some other tools like this as well.
It may be ok for cutting out scales - not sure about the cutting length limits though

LATEST MINIATURE DROP SAW FOR HOBBY/ MODELMAKERS 240V GREAT FOR ALL HOBBIES

Man! That is cool! Take note! 240 volt! Just a little chop-saw. Cut any length in the world!

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Man! That is cool! Take note! 240 volt! Just a little chop-saw. Cut any length in the world!

Should have mentioned the 240 volt is suitable for Australian power points. I am sure other makers are around making similar tools suitable for other countries

I see that now! So, you guys run 240. We have it too, just not to every room! We call it 220, but it measures 238 on average here in my locale. Looks a dandy tool. I suppose it uses 3 inch blades? Cannot tell from the listing.

Originally Posted by sharptonn

I see that now! So, you guys run 240. We have it too, just not to every room! We call it 220, but it measures 238 on average here in my locale. Looks a dandy tool. I suppose it uses 3 inch blades? Cannot tell from the listing.

When you click on the link and it opens up - look for the link to the sellers other items. There are some other cool looking mini tools there too.
With regard to the 220 volt plug used in the US you may need to change the Australian plug to the US version as the Australian plug has a different arrangement of the pins on it. US mostly has 2 vertical pins on their plug and Australia has either 2 or 3 pin plugs - with the 2 upper pins set at a 45 degree angle

Originally Posted by sharptonn

I see that now! So, you guys run 240. We have it too, just not to every room! We call it 220, but it measures 238 on average here in my locale. Looks a dandy tool. I suppose it uses 3 inch blades? Cannot tell from the listing.

I think your 220V pertains to a 3 phase setup; our 240V is single phase, i.e. the voltage between an active wire and the neutral wire. Our 3 phase (active to active) is 415V. Not many folks have that at home

I'd think it not useful for cutting out scales. A chop saw is really only good for quick square cuts on long thin stock. Think of it as a simplified miter saw; cuts 90° only, has no traverse (blade moves up and down), and you can't cut anything parallel to the blade. If there were some sort of band saw, that would be useful.

I spoke to this guy "Bill" last year when looking at one of his miniature buffers. He convinced me NOT to buy it.
He's really honest, so contact him before buying and he will give you a straight answer on your requirements.
I think in your case, an electric scroll saw would be the best, albeit a more expensive option.

Originally Posted by Maladroit

I think your 220V pertains to a 3 phase setup; our 240V is single phase, i.e. the voltage between an active wire and the neutral wire. Our 3 phase (active to active) is 415V. Not many folks have that at home

Homes here typically have 220 single phase for driers, stoves, heater and A/C, rest is 110. 3 phase on the line is 220 and 440. mostly used commercially. 110 plugs are standard while many different configurations of 220 single phase plugs for different amperage usage.

What are you planning on using it for?

Not familiar with that particular saw, but I would think a small band saw or jig saw might be more versatile, then hand tools for finish work.

A chop saw is for cutting long thin boards to length.

There is not much a band saw will not do. Saws really are not meant for finish work, they are for dimensioning wood and hand tools, hand planes, chisels, scrapers and sanders are for finish work.

Though with the advent of routers and CNC type machines, hand tools seem to have taken a back seat. If space is an issue, you may want to look at hand tools, old is new again.