Fein Multimaster experience

[bchee]

Anybody have personal experience with this multimaster? I just saw an infomercial.
https://www.4multimaster.com

 

[Uncle Buck]

Anybody have personal experience with this multimaster? I just saw an infomercial.
https://www.4multimaster.com

I have no experience with it, but after looking at that price I also know I do not want any experience with it!

 

[Moose-LandTran]

$486?

wow.

 

[bchee]

The infomercial said 4 easy payments of $97 something. I seen 'em for $200-$300 'buy it now' on ebay.
Seemed to work pretty good on tv.

 

[Joe B.]

$486?

wow.

My math came up with $389.

"1 Million sold"

$389 * 1 Million = over 1/3 of a Billion $.

I need to invent a new tool.

 

[LoneGunman]

I seen one being used up close on a job, a trim carpenter was cutting holes for my receptacles in a custom oak wall unit. I'm not sure if its the exact one you posted, this acted like a small but super fast reciprocating saw, super clean cuts (much better than any jigsaw Ive seen) and much faster. I want one but cant justify the purchase as much as Id use it.

 

[bchee]

They showed it cutting segments of baseboard out, without having to remove the entire board. I don't know any other tool that can do that.

They showed a lot of cabinetmakers using them, so of course they could justify the cost.

 

[boiler7904]

Every time I hear that someone buys one and uses it for a couple of days, they all wonder why they waited so long to buy one.

Replacement blades are pricey. Fein is cracking down on a couple of guys that are making and selling aftermarket blades because the attachment spindle is a patented.

 

[Lyaec350]

They use a very similar saw in the operating room for doing knee replacements... It has an almost paper thin flat blade with teeth at one end that oscillates back and forth millimeters in each direction. Rips through bone like a hot knife through butter.

 

[bchee]

They use a very similar saw in the operating room for doing knee replacements... It has an almost paper thin flat blade with teeth at one end that oscillates back and forth millimeters in each direction. Rips through bone like a hot knife through butter.

Holy ****! I remember that. I think they were air-powered though. I remember the ortho guys had to wear ventilated space suits when cutting bone.

 

[Northstar9126]

They use a very similar saw in the operating room for doing knee replacements... It has an almost paper thin flat blade with teeth at one end that oscillates back and forth millimeters in each direction. Rips through bone like a hot knife through butter.

I want to puke just imagining it.

 

[bchee]

The bone cutter cuts very well. Of course, bone is easier to cut than steel.

Toolmonger has some good reviews of this tool:
http://toolmonger.com/2007/06/11/hot-or-not-the-fein-multimaster/#comments

I hope it's not inappropriate to refer to toolmonger.

 

[AndrewHR]

I have a Multimaster and they make cuts that no other tool can make in places that no other tool could be used. Yes they are expensive and the price takes them out of the average homeowners budget, but then again they are aimed at the professional market.

 

[Stuey]

It looks good, and be had for less than $400 shipped. I don't think it's suitable for hobbyist use, but for major or frequent home repairs, it might be worthwhile.

 

[bchee]

Yes they are expensive and the price takes them out of the average homeowners budget, but then again they are aimed at the professional market.

are you talking about the multimaster or snap-on tools?

 

[l_bilyk]

I always thought it was a gimmick tool, but apparently they can be pretty handy at times. There's a new model out so the other one can be had a bit cheaper

 

[dps]

I've had the first version of this for about 15 years, when it was "only" $225 and sold as a detail sander with other accessories available. They are very high quality tools, and though perhaps not used often, are perfect for many jobs where nothing else would do the trick. And it is weird to put the blade on your finger with no consequences...

 

[ricleh]

I have 3 of these tools - 2 electric and 1 pneumatic. I got the first one about 15 years ago when they were single speed only, and then bought a variable speed version about 5 years later along with the pneumatic version. They are very useful for a variety of applications including sanding, cutting and polishing. Fein tools are very high quality and pretty expensive compared to USA brand power tools. They are worth the cost IMO. I own 3 of the multimaster type tools, 2 6" RO sanders, a half sheet sander, an electric hack saw, a vacuum (manufactured by WAP), a jig saw, an 8" buffer/polisher, a 4.5" grinder and a few other Fein tools.


Rick

 

[Lyaec350]

Holy ****! I remember that. I think they were air-powered though. I remember the ortho guys had to wear ventilated space suits when cutting bone.

Yep, the space suits **** tho, it gets super hot (even with the little built in fan) and you can't hear anything. The plus side is you don't get drenched with blood.

Yea, usually pneumatic, though some of the k-wire drivers and other saw are electric, at least at the hospitals I've been at.

 

[Major Ramifications]

Wow, I was just searching for you guy's opinions on this product and I came across this thread.
I saw the infomercial yesterday and it looks like something that could really come in handy. But for $400, I can struggle through with what I have for now.

How long do the blades last, and how much are the replacements?
I am talking about cutting soft and hard woods, not metal. Maybe drywall occasionally.

Is there a cheaper alternative on the market?

 

[Chief]

Is there a cheaper alternative on the market?

http://www.rockwelltoolsdirect.com/sonicrafter.php?source=gg-sonicrafter-branded

looks like this may be lacking in the power dept

 

[Bolster]

I bought the Fein because I had to, during a house remodel. Nothing else would do the job(s) without major disassembly. The Fein does these magical plunge cuts and gets the job done for much less $$ than disassembly.

Their patent finally ran out (a couple months after I bought mine) and now this sort of tool is becoming widely available for a fraction of the price, such as the Rockwell model. Doesn't HF have one yet???

I imagine that my Fein is now worth much, much less than when I purchased, due to the new competition. Bad investment...yet it got the job done, so...good investment.

 

[Stuey]

http://www.rockwelltoolsdirect.com/sonicrafter.php?source=gg-sonicrafter-branded

looks like this may be lacking in the power dept

Actually, according to toolsnob.com, the Rockwell is developing a pretty strong following.

 

[G1K]

I've seen the infomercial and thought scam, but apparently it really does work according to some people I know. For the hefty price tag it better..


R

 

[onemoretry]

Dremel has one out now too for about $100. Seems like their bits are a lot cheaper too. I am thinking of getting one myself...
http://www.dremel.com/en-us/Tools/Pages/CategoryProducts.aspx?catid=21

 

[walrus]

Bosch has something also
http://www.boschtools.com/Products/Tools/Pages/BoschProductDetail.aspx?pid=PS50-2A

 

[bchee]

Craftsman has a cordless multitool now:
http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00917438000P

Here is the HF one again:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?itemnumber=65700

 

[GC_Anthony]

I used one when I was a glass guy. We used it to cut quarter and back glass out of cars for body shops. It did the job really well and we used our blades forever.