Oscillating Multi-Tool

[scratchedup]

I am about to purchase one of these. Is it necessary to get the 3 Amp unit vs the 2.5 Amp one?

Currently, I have the Bosch cordless one and is borderline useless its so UNDER powered.
Thanks

 

[Conductor562]

There isn't going to be a whole lot of difference between them. I'd get the 3 amp only if the price difference is minimal.

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

I just bought the 2.5 amp Bosch one at Amazon on their lightning deal right now for $85, but I have yet to actually use one.

 

[scratchedup]

I just bought the 2.5 amp Bosch one at Amazon on their lightning deal right now for $85, but I have yet to actually use one.

this is what I'm looking at.

 

[buening]

I have the 3.0A one and really laid into it and it never bogged or slowed down a bit. For $85 you can't go wrong with the 2.5A one. I paid $200 for my 3.0A one at lowes, granted it came with a bonus kit of blades.

 

[signcrafter]

I have a dremel I bought reconditioned for around 55 bucks a couple years back and it is pretty powerful so the 2.5 or 3 amp should be fine. It's done everything I've asked it to. But from my experience it isn't a saw that needs a ton of power for what it's intended to cut. I don't use it as my "go to" saw, it's just another tool for the tricky cuts. If I need power I go with a circular saw or sawzall or whatever is needed. Unlike what they advertise it's not a good saw for cutting everything.

 

[scratchedup]

I need it to cut the occasional house frame nail in a wall at the bottom of the base/sill(?) plate. My 12v Bosch is just not up to this task.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

You won't regret if you spend the money for a Fein Multimaster. They are the original and best by far. I'm NOT a "tool snob" but I've seen, handled, and used most of them and the Fein is so far above the rest there is no comparison.

 

[cheechi]

my 12v cman & 12v milwaukee (essentially the exact same tool, m12 has speed adjustment) cut very well. What are you cutting that the Bosch has no power?

Generally, the corded ones are better, but I haven't found much that the 12v couldn't get through, they just take more time & batteries.

If you get a 2.5 or 3A Bosch you're getting a good tool. If you get a Fein you're getting a good tool. My Fein sits in the same box as my HF oscillator, and it's also a good tool.

 

[ranger302]

I have the Horror Freight air one and it is OK. Did my entire downstairs, silplates undercuts and quarter round with it. Plus it was like $20, for as little as i use it, it is great.

 

[Major Ramifications]

You won't regret if you spend the money for a Fein Multimaster. They are the original and best by far. I'm NOT a "tool snob" but I've seen, handled, and used most of them and the Fein is so far above the rest there is no comparison.

I picked up a Fein at a pawn shop last week, and while being very impressed with it's quality, I was shocked at how freakin' heavy the darn thing is.
This is not one of those tools that you would want to be heavy.

 

[coolreed]

I purchased the Harbor Frieght unit because it was inexpensive, worked pretty good and I really do not use the tool that much. I used an original Fein and liked it a few years ago but the price was prohibitive. The HF unit works almost as well. be sure and pay ten bucks more and get the variable speed unit.

 

[scratchedup]

You won't regret if you spend the money for a Fein Multimaster. They are the original and best by far. I'm NOT a "tool snob" but I've seen, handled, and used most of them and the Fein is so far above the rest there is no comparison.

Are the blades for the Fein readily available?....does one have to use Fien blades?

 

[scratchedup]

my 12v cman & 12v milwaukee (essentially the exact same tool, m12 has speed adjustment) cut very well. What are you cutting that the Bosch has no power?

Any metal or wood and it easily pops its internal CB....other then that its good for very light stuff...sheet rock, foam....

 

[thebeekeeper1]

Are the blades for the Fein readily available?....does one have to use Fien blades?

They are readily available (all over Ebay) but you can use Harbor Freight blades. I haven't used any, so I'm not sure about the quality of the HF ones. I looked at the packages at HF just last week and they specifically say they will fit the Multimaster unit.

 

[bcradio]

I have a dremel I bought reconditioned for around 55 bucks a couple years back and it is pretty powerful so the 2.5 or 3 amp should be fine. It's done everything I've asked it to. But from my experience it isn't a saw that needs a ton of power for what it's intended to cut. I don't use it as my "go to" saw, it's just another tool for the tricky cuts. If I need power I go with a circular saw or sawzall or whatever is needed. Unlike what they advertise it's not a good saw for cutting everything.

Exactly. I have the Bosch 12v version and its got plenty of power for what its intended for.

 

[cheechi]

Any metal or wood and it easily pops its internal CB....other then that its good for very light stuff...sheet rock, foam....

I have cut through pressure treated 4x4 posts, flashing, old oak framing with my 12v (I think all of these were the cman) and PVC with both. You could just look at the blade and if you can see the teeth instead of a blur, you're pushing too hard. I just let the tool do the work.

The brands I mentioned, Bosch, Cman, Milwaukee, Fein all use the same kind of blades. Both HF corded, the cordless, & the air powered one (I have one of those too, forgot to mention) use the same blades. Imperial & Bosch are pricy but I find them more cost effective than Fein, but you can get as low quality as HF blades to do several cuts and when you look at cost per cut, Bosch or HF is what I usually get the best use out of.

The Fein is the heaviest of the ones I own, the air powered probably very close to the 12v tied for the lightest. I find this doesn't make much of a difference for cutting, can be a little awkward for scraping, and actually helps a LOT for sanding. I like to set my blade sticking out the side so it's easier to hold the tool as a handle like you would a football in 'half tuck' so it rests on your forearm/wrist area. It's awkward at first and it doesn't work for every angle but once I got used to it, the Fein is so much easier to use.

 

[Conductor562]

Any metal or wood and it easily pops its internal CB....other then that its good for very light stuff...sheet rock, foam....

I've had the M12 Milwaukee for about a year and a half. I've used it mostly for door jambs and on many types of wood and thin metal. I've been very satisfied with the cutting ability and have very rarely tripped the overload protection. Run time leaves something to be desired as it averages about 7-8 minutes under load. That's the classic downfall of any cordless tool though.

 

[cheechi]

Conductor, this holiday HD has been giving away M12 batteries with tools. I assume they're clearing out the 1.3's to make way for bigger. Anyway so far I've got the M12 oscillator, rotary, hackzall, imact driver, & hammer drill, 3 chargers, and 7 batteries for under $400. Most recently I used the M12 to cut through plastic & wood to break stuff up enough for the trash, at about half speed I got about 12 mins on each batt. I went through 3 batts doing it all and probably wouldn't have 'lost' time if I had set it even slower to conserve batt life even more. Try it with lighter materials next time see how it goes for you. Besides the M12 platform it's the main reason I upgraded from the cman.

With my cman I get about the same time you do but no speed adjust. I have 5 batts for it but haven't had to use the fast charge button to get through stuff with it.

 

[itguy08]

I've got the M12 version and maybe you can get 15 minutes out of the stock batteries. We used it extensively with a scraper blade to remove construction adhesive from studs in our basement. It worked good for that as well as cutting the bottom of the drywall up 1/2" to get it off the floor. The nice thing about the M12 is that you can get the extra capacity battery which will work with it and give you 2x the runtime. It also came with an adapter to use everyone's blades depending on how you orient it.

 

[djjsr]

When they first hit the market, I got one from HF figuring it was cheap enough that I'd at least get to try it out before it burst into flames. I was doing some flooring and had to cut the bottom of a few door frames. I was amazed at how well it did the job.

Well, it's been a few years, I've used it a lot and it's still works great.

When I first got it, it ran pretty hot so I figured it would die quickly but it hasn't. A few days ago I was using it to cut some holes in plywood and noticed it doesn't even run very hot anymore.

I would not consider it a dependable tool for a pro but it works for me and I can't justify spending a lot more money for another brand that does the same thing.

 

[Conductor562]

Conductor, this holiday HD has been giving away M12 batteries with tools. I assume they're clearing out the 1.3's to make way for bigger. Anyway so far I've got the M12 oscillator, rotary, hackzall, imact driver, & hammer drill, 3 chargers, and 7 batteries for under $400. Most recently I used the M12 to cut through plastic & wood to break stuff up enough for the trash, at about half speed I got about 12 mins on each batt. I went through 3 batts doing it all and probably wouldn't have 'lost' time if I had set it even slower to conserve batt life even more. Try it with lighter materials next time see how it goes for you. Besides the M12 platform it's the main reason I upgraded from the cman.

With my cman I get about the same time you do but no speed adjust. I have 5 batts for it but haven't had to use the fast charge button to get through stuff with it.

I've got several M12 tools and they've all impressed me. The M12 Jig saw is my favorite. For smaller detail oriented jobs it's unbeatable. I'll take a look at the deal on the new 2.0 ah batteries, thanks

 

[scratchedup]

I tend to think Milwaukee makes the best tools generally followed by PC. Maybe I got a defective 12v Bosch....its is just very wimpy

 

[Conductor562]

The new Porter-Cable is a shadow of what it once was. It's now owned by Stanley/B&D and has been reduced to a "mid-grade" role. They still make some OK stuff, but nothing like what it used to be

 

[diggerrick]

My wife and I have been using the HF one in spurts for about five years. Our only complaint is the cheap *** HF cutters that only last a few minutes on anything but drywall. There are better ones out there that fit and are worth the money. HF does have better cutters available now, but we haven't tried them yet. For the money they can't be beat unless you are a contractor or someone who really beats on your tools.

 

[wood02]

http://www.menards.com/main/tools-h...ce-oscillating-tool-kit/p-1865117-c-12869.htm

This comes with several blades and is 2.3 amp.

 

[scratchedup]

http://www.menards.com/main/tools-h...ce-oscillating-tool-kit/p-1865117-c-12869.htm

This comes with several blades and is 2.3 amp.

Thanks .....leaning towards this model-
http://www.amazon.com/Rockwell-RK5140K-Sonicrafter-Hyperlock-Oscillating/dp/B008N3R9QE/ref=dp_ob_title_hi

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

I don't what model it was, but I saw a shelf of sonicrafters at the sears outlet for like $70.

 

[woodrail]

I need some new blades for my Harbor Frieght tool. ANybody had luck finding them anywhere else other than HF? My closest store is a little far away.

Thanks

 

[Monte]

btw. blades....:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Lx7w38kohpA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[shoturtle]

Your 12v bosch is really meant for light duty stuff. For heavy duty stuff, corded is the way to go. Fein are great. Bosch corded are good as well. For heavy work cordless, bosch 18v would be the way to go.

 

[neophyte]

btw. blades....:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Lx7w38kohpA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Those Bosch blades look great, but I just checked Google and all that's coming up is the video. Have the blades actually been released yet?

 

[rlitman]

btw. blades....:

Interesting video, but I'd like to see a closeup of the teeth on those blades before passing judgement. Something seems fishy.

 

[neophyte]

Interesting video, but I'd like to see a closeup of the teeth on those blades before passing judgement. Something seems fishy.

Something might be fishy, however Bosch is one of the worlds leading manufacturers of jigsaw blades. The experience with jigsaw blade manufacture and design might have given them an edge in the manufacture of blades for oscillating tools.

 

[Average_Joe]

I have the HF one. I use it for work all the time and it has been great. I have also used a fein and didn't notice any difference worth talking about (or spending $$hundreds more).

The HF blades are different than what was initially available and I was pleasantly surprised to find that they are worlds better. I actually intentionally cut through some nails, when fixing a rotten door jamb, and the wood/metal blade did not seem to be dulled at all! The old ones were done if you hit a nail.

 

[neophyte]

Does anybody know what happened with the video clip Monte posted. It showed a Bosch blade for the oscillating tool kicking the butts of three competitors. When I tried looking the blade model # up all I could find was a website contest giveaway for some of the blades. Now the video has been taken down. Does anybody recall the model # of the blades?

 

[Monte]

here is it again:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/H88jtDnBSaQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
before it disappears again
Bosch OSC114F
Fein E-Cut 152
Imperial 10MMT340
Rockwell RW9122




and the new Fein "Long Life" blades which are supposed to last 3x longer:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Aa785inVdy4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[eric87]

I have the ridgid 12 volt one. It is junk.

 

[jackfork]

I have the Bosch 3 amp tool. Great tool. As good as any of the Fein tools and better than the original, because it has tool-less blade changes. In comparing blades I have found that Bosch's blades are indeed the best, but have not found the huge difference that the video indicates. I use Imperial blades that I get at a local store that caters to cabinet shops. They last about 80% as long as a comparable Bosch blade, and cut almost as fast, at about 65% of the cost. They are also made in the USA. I have also used Fritz's blades which are cheap and not worth the cost even at that, and Oshlun which compare somewhat to the Imperial blades.

 

[Jeeper]

I just bought the Milwaukee m12 multi tool to help cut some trim as I installed a door. Its a great tool. Don't know how I ever lived without it when doing odd projects around the house. The Milwaukee feels like a solid robust tool. Highly recommend.