The industry standard here in Canada for a framing saw is the 14amp wormdrive, left-side blade SkilSaw,or a few others just like it. Without it many of us carpenters would be handicapped.It is rigged up for 120volts. I am researching moving my business to Britain and have discovered a few things; firstly the saw or style(left-sided blade) is not available other than a rechargeable cordless saw with a 5.5inch blade,secondly the diamond knock outs in our blades are not used as the saws there call for a round fit,upon further investigation I did learn that large jobsites take thestandard country wide 240volt system and knock it down to 120volts…So if i was to change the plug on my saw would it be usable there on the adjusted 120volts? And furthermore would I be able to use a transformer (available for about $200) to use the saw at the regular 240volt outlets found everywhere else ? Now that the U.K. has announced (july2003) 120 000 homes to be built before 2016 some of you others may consider migration to the wet counrty as I am, but be forewarned tools across the never frozen pond are almost three times the cost aswell as hardware such as nails eg…here in Toronto we pay about $27(=11lbs.) for a box of strip-nails while overseas the same box costs 30lbs.(=$72). While an Italian made 7.25inch blade with 20 teeth costs me here about $18(=7.5lbs)and the same brand with a round drive hole costs 20lbs(=$48)in Britain. Your replies and enquiries are most welcome.
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I found it
You're gonna burn uo any tool U bring across.
My wife burned up many simple appliances like hair dryers and curling irons .....
I'd never consider trying to "translate" a heavy draw item like my favorite saw!
Get there and buy what's local ....
it'll last much longer in the long run.
BTW ... that big migration might be much like ours here in the States in the "Carolina's" ...... from what I've heard .. sounds like 3 or 4 guys actually made a buck on it....... the rest of the late comers got screwed and went back home!
Put what ya already own in cold storage for when ya return after finding their economy is much deeper in the dump than ours!
Jeff
Buck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
don't know about hairdriers and curling irons but i've been using Us tools with a transformer for ages with no problems.
my problem is that we are moving to the US (MA) next year and i don't know if i can bring my 240V tools.
i understand that houses are wired for 220V (is that right??) but will a 50htz induction motor work on 60 htz???
anyone any ideas??
i did post this at tool talk last week but i don't thinmk it gets much traffic.
aleks
Site voltage in UK is 110 v and 50 Hz. You will find that transformers are readily available.No problems with a skilsaw but you may well have problems with electronic speed controls on other tools.Single speed brush motors give no trouble in my experience.Find out about occupational health and safety on big sites as you may find some tools inadequately guarded for their liking.Uk seems to have gone nuts on safety since joining the EU
your saws will be fine!!!
i've been using 120v us tools with a site transformer for over 5 years now.
the worst bit is lugging the transformer around.
the selection of trade tools in the uk is not a vast as in the US/canada.
definatley worth getting anything you need before you come.
aleks?
why you coming and when???
"tools across the never frozen pond are almost three times the cost"
ClericD,
As well as nearly everything else, and typically pay isn't, people seem to just make do with a lot less. Ever see the typical modern Euro kitchen? The pantries in most U.S. kitchens are bigger.
One of my sisters lives in the UK and was (still is) married to a Brit a year before moving over 5 years ago. Laws there would not allow here to get a job. She could not even do any kind of voluteer work. They have strict labor laws there apparently. So how are you planning on getting around them? Or are you already a British national?
Jon
"Laws there would not allow here to get a job. She could not even do any kind of voluteer work."
That's very strange, Jon. My wife was able to arrive in the country some twelve years ago and seek and hold a job immediately. We'd done the paperwork before she arrived here in the UK. She has a nice big stamp in her American passport issued by the British government that says she's a permanent British resident entitled to work in the country, and live wherever she likes without restriction.
Whilst it's true that after some time in the UK together we moved to the US several years ago, we are in the process of moving back to the UK again. I'm already here working at my new job, and once my wife sorts out our affairs in TX., she'll follow. She still has that stamp in her passport though, and as far as I can tell her resident alien status remains the same.
Perhaps your sister could check her alien status, find out what it is, and if necessary get it changed? It should be easy enough as she's married to a Briton, which is the same relationship that exists between me and my 'nagging queen,' ha, ha. Slainte.Website
word of waring.
my wife has got permanant leave to remain, which states that if she leaves the uk for a period of more than 2 years she may have to reapply for residancy.
its worth checking thew fine print as i'm sure you know what the people at lunar house(???) in croydon are like.
aleks
I'll look into it aleks. I don't see a major problem being likely to arise. If reapplication for my wifes status in the US in Washington is what's required, we'll deal with it. Thanks.
As to the original question about differences in voltages/hertz, etc., a step down transformer should do the trick for most US type power tools, although I can't say regarding Canuck tools as I don't know their juice needs.
My plan is to continue using my US configured tools until they burn out or become inoperable and replace with 240V/50Hz. as needed, not that I'm any kind of electrical guru or anything, ha, ha. Slainte.Website
i don't think you'll have any problems using your US tools with a transformer.
i've got tools that i've been doing it with for years
aleks
"We'd done the paperwork before she arrived here in the UK. "
Sqian,
Yes, that was key, she hadn't. Had to wait almost a year.
She got so bored sitting around, she went to the local animal shelter to see if they needed volunteers, and they said "yes," but was turned away for lack of "papers."
Similar situation with my older brother's wife, who is Japanese. Was a student (with a student visa), graduated and married him, but if she left the country (the U.S.) she would not be allowed back in until the paperwork was processed, which took years.
Jon
Will check that out, Jon. See my note to kostello/aleks. Slainte.Website
Depends where you're from. Anyone in the Commonwealth between 17-27 can get a 2-year working holiday visa (UK only) http://www.bugeurope.com/work/workuk.html and if a parent or grandparent was born in Britain, then you can get a full 4-year visa (which means EU work permit) http://www.britainincanada.com/Visa/uk_ancestry.htm . Those of us who are old enough and have British roots (born before 1951 and parent was British) can apply for British citizenship and a full EU work permit. There are also many fast-path "skilled trade" visas available, even for Americans.
.
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario