Brick lights in timber

[Davisss]

Hi there. I am just about to start a job that entails installing a load of brick style lights into railway sleepers. Any thoughts on the best way to cut the hole out? I was thinking of drilling a load of holes with a wooden spade bit inside the shape of the hole then chiselling any corners out. Does anyone have a better idea???!
Thanks,
Dave.

 

[ruston]

I use a corded Clarke one from machine mart. Does the job and was about £45. There are a few other brands at that price too.

Battery units of any brand will be a lot more expensive, apart from the aldi ones.

I bought a £20 one from Aldi in a case the other week , I could not resist it.
I used it a few times and must say it is mint. 300w and variable speed it's a bargain.

The only thing is the blade base , it has prongs and is tightened down by an Allan key boss and has come loose , but prob because I was frightened I had over tightened it.
It is cheap enough to leave in the vehicle and have to hand for those unexpected uses.

 

[Farmelectrics]

Yes Ruston pm me if you could will have a look thanks

 

[ruston]

Yes Ruston pm me if you could will have a look thanks

Sent that to you.
I think it is a good buy.

 

[Davisss]

Thanks for the much appreciated input guys! Just an update. They are big slabs of oak, so not to bad to drill through. Although i did stock up on some spade bits! I decided to use a spade bit for around the edges and then used a reciprocating saw to cut through the rest. It took about half an hour to cut the opening so not too bad. Although very intensive on the batteries!

Cheers again!

 

[NDG Elecs]

As a few others have said 100% use a router. Would take a chippy no time at all to do once a ply jig is made. You would end up getting vibration white finger (or whatever it's called) if you did a load with a multi cutter.

Routers are easy enough to use, you could hire one.

 

[ruston]

As a few others have said 100% use a router. Would take a chippy no time at all to do once a ply jig is made. You would end up getting vibration white finger (or whatever it's called) if you did a load with a multi cutter.

Routers are easy enough to use, you could hire one.

I haven't got a router , how deep a cut can you get with them.

 

[NDG Elecs]

I haven't got a router , how deep a cut can you get with them.

Not sure on that. I have cutters that can go approx 50-60mm deep. If the cutter was not inserted fully could probably go to 75mm. I usually use it for kitchen worktops, so rarely go past 40mm. They take a lil while to set up but are a good bit of kit to have.

 

[ruston]

Not sure on that. I have cutters that can go approx 50-60mm deep. If the cutter was not inserted fully could probably go to 75mm. I usually use it for kitchen worktops, so rarely go past 40mm. They take a lil while to set up but are a good bit of kit to have.

Thanks for that. It's mainly kitchens I've seen them used on.
I often fancied getting one .

 

[NDG Elecs]

I do 70% elecs and 30% joinery. Never found much for use it for electrical work tbh. I did route out a channel for a telephone cable once but that's the only time I can recall. There's quite an art in getting a decent masons mitre on worktops. It's also good for letter plate holes in front doors.

 

[ruston]

Yes , I thought about the uses, I'm not great with woodwork, and my cuts are mainly access,so i haven't bothered.

 

[telectrix]

I bought a £20 one from Aldi in a case the other week , I could not resist it.
I used it a few times and must say it is mint. 300w and variable speed it's a bargain.

The only thing is the blade base , it has prongs and is tightened down by an Allan key boss and has come loose , but prob because I was frightened I had over tightened it.
It is cheap enough to leave in the vehicle and have to hand for those unexpected uses.

i got the aldi 10.8V and the 240V. both good bits of kit, but the cordless, i burnt the speed control out. just bridged it out so it goes full speed all the time.

 

[ruston]

i got the aldi 10.8V and the 240V. both good bits of kit, but the cordless, i burnt the speed control out. just bridged it out so it goes full speed all the time.

To be honest I was surprised, I have a Dewalt 350w too, but I don't leave it in the vehicle. With the exception of the blade fitting the Aldi one does the job just as good, and I leave it in the vehicle overnight for those days you don't think you will need one.

PS ,based on your recommendation I will get a cordless the next time they have them in.
I bought the headlamp you recommended .