What multitool

[tenohfive]

I'm a complete amateur at anything DIY but have started to discover that the right tools can make most jobs easier, and a multitool seems like one of those things that I could end up using quite a bit in the near future cutting out boxes in plasterboard, trimming down fitted wardrobes and for a long line of other odd jobs around the house I've got lined up.

I could be wrong but having read through some reviews and a fairly lengthy thread on here it seems that the higher end ones just add either cordless features or less vibration for a bit more comfort over prolonged use. If that's fair then I don't want to stretch my budget too far - I'm looking £30-60 range at the moment. I'm okay with corded but if there's a good cordless one in budget there is definitely some convenience there.

I've heard the Aldi one mentioned, and I've seen that Screwfix do the Titan one for £50 (given how a few people raved about their Titan SDS I thought that'd be worth a look.) But I've seen stuff like the Bosch PMF220CE in B&Q/Amazon etc for £60 too - it seems there are plenty of options.
Does anyone have any recommendations for anything specific?

And bonus points for any recommended blades to go with so I'll have the right ones when I need it - I've seen Saxton well recommended as a supplier but don't know one blade from another.

[tenohfive]

I found myself in Aldi and had a look at their cordless multitool. I've picked one up and am charging it now. Fingers crossed it'll do what I need. If I get fairly handy with it I'll consider an upgrade in the future. Can't see myself ever shelling out for a Fein one though - I'm only ever going to be short and basic jobs with it.

[tenohfive]

Well the Aldi £30 cordless has passed the first test - a previous occupier installed a fitted unit partially blocking a plug socket. Once I'd worked out that the long stretch was better served with a round blade, with the straight blade to finish off top and bottom it was gone. One less job on the list.

I can see why anyone using one for prolonged periods would opt for something that minimises vibration. But I had about 10mm spare between wall, cutter and unit - so I was contorting myself to even make it fit, which probably didn't help.

[tenohfive]

Quick question that doesn't seem worth of it's own thread:

AC/stud wall detectors. I'm planning on wall mounting a TV and whilst I can find a simple (magnet based) stud detector, but with wall mounted lights every few metres in the room concerned I'm wary of drilling into cable. There are tonnes of cheap stud detectors that claim AC detection but most have mixed reviews. Do I need to pay silly money for one or is there a cheaper alternative (in terms of equipment or technique)?

[tenohfive]

From a quick knuckle rap test the walls seem pretty thin sounding.

[tenohfive]

JimM169 said:

Suspect it depends on wall type, depth cable is buried etc but one of these worked surprisingly well for me

https://tinyurl.com/ycph93gy

I've ordered this, will give it a go - thanks.

Jonesy23 said:

I have a blue Bosch and a big box of bits to go with it.

The bimetallic blades are OK but if you're cutting many screws or nails the carbide blades are much much better.

Any in particular you'd recommend - are you talking about the Bosch or Saxton ones (or something else?)

I'm quite keen to order a mixture of blades now so that when I need them I've got something that should do the job - rather than work out that I haven't got the right one nearer the time. Metal cutting is on the agenda so a carbide blade or two is probably sensible. Anything else I should consider?