HF Multi function power tool

[tcianci]

I just bought one of those HF multi function power tools. They are a knock off of the Fein Multimaster. The real thing costs 400 bucks and HF had their version for 39 so I bought it. I could not be more impressed! I have used it for about 3 weeks now on various projects and it is sweet. Now it is not without its' flaws...The blades that come with it are stamped out of who-knows-what and they don't last long at all! But the real Fein, Bosch and Dremel blades fit on this thing and it really works well.

 

[Bull]

 

[Bolster]

This thread is going to make me sick. Or angry. Or both. I bought one of those Fein Multimasters about 3 months before their exclusive patent ran out. (Didn't know the patent was about to run out.) Three months later the knockoffs are showing up everywhere and I hear they are good. Meanwhile I'm the schmuck who's out $400 for a top-of-the-line tool I use occasionally.

It's a nice tool...but $400? I was in a bind with several house projects that needed plunge cutting and I didn't feel I had a choice at the time but...looking back...someone kick me.

 

[r6_cannibal]

I couldn't understand why these started popping up all of a sudden. The patent running out explains it. That ***** you got one just before it expired Bolster!

How well do the HF units do sanding?

 

[Bolster]

Thanks for the sympathy!

Read about the patent expiration here

Fein Patent Expires

 

[ImportTuner]

Hey bolster, at least you got a well made tool; saw the same commercial on TV and almost bought; they didn't say on TV how much so I guess it was pretty expensive. Anbody got a picture of the HF model ..

 

[Doug19]

Go to their main page there is a video of it in action.

http://www.harborfreight.com/

 

[FuriousGeorge]

You can use blades from all the other manufacturers? I thought I had read that they all used a proprietary mounting system so you had to buy blades from them. I may just have to pickup the HF version with the next 20% coupon.

 

[Bull]

Go to their main page there is a video of it in action.

http://www.harborfreight.com/

Ah, NOW I know what tool we are talking about. I've never used/seen one of those before. Is this the hottest thing since the Dremel or something?

 

[r6_cannibal]

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa...09_retailc.html&cust=00000000000&keycode=0000

for those that didn't already see this 20% off coupon
I'll probably pick one of these tools up in the next couple days. wife decided she needed antique furniture for me to refinish.

 

[Zorro13]

Ah, NOW I know what tool we are talking about. I've never used/seen one of those before. Is this the hottest thing since the Dremel or something?

The Multimaster is indeed one of the best and most versatile tools you can get. I worked a lot with it in Germany. It makes precise cuts in almost any material. You can use it for car chassis work, drywalls, plumbing, wood and tiles. There is simply no limitation. The infomercial is in this case really right in the 'info'-part, no scam.

Don't know how the copy-cats hold up mechanically with the original but I would expect that at least the Bosch tool should (although I heard its weak spot is battery life).

One of the cheapest way to get hold on Bosch (and other brand) power tools is CPO (http://cpooutlets.com/), especially their 'reconditioned' sites. The reconditioned Bosch Multi-X tool starts there at $139 with free shipping.

 

[Doug19]

I have the dremel one. Only used it once so far to cut a hole in drywall. Worked great and was very convient.

 

[Bolster]

Wow, drywall! How about something REALLY difficult like cutting a cookie in half, or sanding balsa wood?

 

[Doug19]

Wow, drywall! How about something REALLY difficult like cutting a cookie in half, or sanding balsa wood?

Alright wasn't exactly drywall. Plaster with wire mesh in it plus 1/4" plywood attached on the other side.

 

[Bolster]

OK, now I'm impressed. I always have difficulty with wire mesh.

 

[X1 Mike]

Wow, drywall! How about something REALLY difficult like cutting a cookie in half, or sanding balsa wood?

A cookie?..... I didn't know this was a profesional tool...

 

[Joe B.]

I have the Dremel version. It worked better at removing grout than any other method I know of. It is night and by better than a Dremel rotary tool.

Oh, I see that the Craftsman blades are much cheaper then the Dremel blades. I'll have to check them out.

 

[Bolster]

Can someone tell me if anybody makes relatively inexpensive blades for the FEIN? FEIN blades are so danged expensive.

A three-pack of FEIN blade marked down from $82 to $50 dollars! Woohoo!

 

[Bull]

Wow, drywall! How about something REALLY difficult like cutting a cookie in half, or sanding balsa wood?

This gave me a good laugh.

 

[Zorro13]

Can someone tell me if anybody makes relatively inexpensive blades for the FEIN? FEIN blades are so danged expensive.

A three-pack of FEIN blade marked down from $82 to $50 dollars! Woohoo!

Would be also interesting for me. I know that most of the copy-cats can attach Fein blades. But does this also work vice versa (e.g. Bosch blade on Fein tool?)

 

[Major Ramifications]

I have the Dremel, and it has saved me some time on different projects. I would love to see some conclusive information on blade interchangability between the different brands.

 

[Bolster]

I've been researching this. Still not clear to me. The old Fein hole was just round and blades slipped around, thus it was upgraded to the MM250. The new Fein hole is "8-point starburst." The Bosch PS-50 hole is "center hole and 12 small holes." The Dremel Multi-Max MM500 is "center hole and 9 small holes." The HF Multifunction Power Tool uses "center hole with 4 small holes."

Here's one answer I found on multiblades.com who makes aftermarket blades to fit both:

"Bosch and Dremel just introduced their own blades in the
American market and they come with a round hole that fit
on all Multimaster models."

OK, that's confusing, but it might work like this: the new fein multimasters (with starburst drive) are all downward compatible to their old round hole Fein style. So my guess is that by using the round hole compatible portion of the star drive, you can get off-brand round hole blades to fit. I bet they slip like the old round hole fein blades did. No way can the Fein make use of those auxiliary round holes for stability.

And at www.toologics.com I found this:

"...you can purchase the Fein accessories separately and easily use them on your Bosch PS50...the Dremel Multi-Max...also will work with the Bosch PS50 accessories as well as the Fein Multimaster blades - BUT - you need to purchase the adapter separately."

Over at multiblades.com, you also find two more patterns...a 4-point starburst, and a wavey hole.

 

[tcianci]

As I OP'd I have the HF version of this saw and have had no problems with the Bosch or Dremel blades on it although it is a single hole fitment with a bellview spring washer to provide the grip. If you force it you can make it move but if you let it do its thing, its super.

 

[Danglerb]

Ain't it great to find a new tool you need that you didn't even know existed.

Especially ones with lots of attachments.

 

[Zorro13]

Had a look on the Bosch Multi-X accessories:

On the box they say 'fits Fein 636' which would indicate it fits only to the Multimaster that didn't have the quick-blade-change system introduced with the MM250.

I would assume Fein patented the fixture on the MM250 to protect their accessory business, from which they may make most of the money from (like printer manufactures with their liquid gold)

 

[Bolster]

You're probably right.

Keep this in mind about Fein's new multimaster drive configuration: looking at it from the side it is "stepped." The base of it is the star configuration but the tip of it would accept a blade with a round hole...this was Fein's way of making the new MM backward compatible with the older Fein blades (or so I have read...I don't personally own any of the old style blades).

 

[ImportTuner]

Went down to Harbor Freight today and bought the Mutifuction power tool .. works just like the expensive Fein Multimaster (as seen on TV) but with less attachments and no hard plastic case. It was $39.99 and with the 20% coupon, it came out to $31.99; I also bought an extra set of attachments for $6.99 since I was there (it's 42 miles each way to HF). Not bad for what I paid ..

 

[danc333]

Bought one today as a gift for my dad. I'll post back when we test it out in the next couple days. With a coupon and the 2 year warranty for $9.95 paid about $42. On top of that the customer service was excellent. I have to add when a company offers a reasonable priced extended warranty it makes sense to buy it. Unlike warranties that cost 3/4 of the cost new for 1 year. HFs warranties seem to be a good deal. If I never need it I'm out $10 bucks for 2 years, and if I do it was $10 bucks. The last power tool I purchased from sears the 1 year warranty was almost as much as the tool cost new. $150.00 tool $105. warranty. I said no thanks.

 

[r6_cannibal]

HFs warranties seem to be a good deal.

They are probably just covering the production cost of a "replacement" tool

Can't wait to get my hands on one soon!

 

[64merc]

I'm really thinking about buying one. I could have used one this weekend. I'm still not sure since I don't want to spend big money on attachments or anything. I may have to pay a visit to HF soon.

 

[Monte]

Bosch corded version

 

[danc333]

Update:
I gave my dad his gift today, and he put it to work right away. removing a tile in the kitchen. Aside from in my opinion being a little loud the thing works great. I would recommend better blades if you plan on using it alot but overall a really good value. I will be buying on for myself as soon as the next coupon comes.

 

[64merc]

Ok, I just bought one of these HF multi tools today. I haven't used it on a project yet, but I tested it out on some scrap wood. I have to say, for the money I think it's great!! I wish I would have had one of these to help me with past projects.

I only tried the saw blades so far but they worked well. Like others have said, I don't expect them to last long, but they are cheap to replace. My only real complaint is that the unit vibrates a bit too much, and it is loud. For $32 I can't complain though. My $.02

 

[tsbrewers]

Over at multiblades.com, you also find two more patterns...a 4-point starburst, and a wavey hole.

I have the fein and probably bought it the same day you did. But i am happy I spent the money on the real thing. I have tried the others and even though they all pretty much do what the fein does, none are near as nice.

The multiblades are very nice, probably better than the factory blades, and much cheaper. his first blades had the same star pattern as the real fein blades, but they told him he better change them or they would sue (even though it is an off the shelf pattern that has been around for decades). So he did, and that is what he came up with. I held off buying the fein for years due to the cost of the blades. When he started to make them I took the plunge.

Brew

 

[tcianci]

I'm glad to see others have thought the HF unit works well! I guess you have to do the math. A real MM costs 400 bucks, the HF is 40, you can go through 10 of 'em before you break even. Maybe it is a little noisier, don't know haven't used the Fein machine myself although my brother has one. I called him up and told him I got the HF unit. He asked me how well it worked...I said "Fein"!

 

[ImportTuner]

The last few issues of AutoWeek has a 20% off coupon on a single item and a coupon for the Multifuction Power Tool for $29.99 ..

 

[Ed ke6bnl]

I just picked up one for $39.99 less the 20% and it works great on wood and seems like a will built tool.my question is can any of these blade work on other materials like aluminum, copper, steel, when I see the advert for the $Fein(SP) it show them cutting a variety of material. I like that they give you extra brushes also. They sure don't have the quick blade change system but it seems secure and rigid. thank hate to just blow a blade if some has the knowledge of the use of the blades, ps they work great on all the plastics I tested it on. and purchased a diamond blade separately. Ed

 

[W_KY]

I bought one this weekend as well with the 20% coupon. Like others, I just tested it on a scrap piece of wood and I thought it went through pretty slick. I did use the sanding portion and thought it did pretty good. Lowe's carries additional sandpaper for it. A assorted pack of 6 was $6 I think.

 

[64merc]

I just picked up one for $39.99 less the 20% and it works great on wood and seems like a will built tool.my question is can any of these blade work on other materials like aluminum, copper, steel, when I see the advert for the $Fein(SP) it show them cutting a variety of material. I like that they give you extra brushes also. They sure don't have the quick blade change system but it seems secure and rigid. thank hate to just blow a blade if some has the knowledge of the use of the blades, ps they work great on all the plastics I tested it on. and purchased a diamond blade separately. Ed

I don't know, the video on the HF website shows it cutting copper pipe, so I'm sure it would work ok on aluminum and copper. Personally, I wouldn't dare try the HF blades on steel, or nails for that matter. My guess is that, if you are using HF blades, you better stick to wood, plastic, and drywall. This is just a guess though.

 

[Ed ke6bnl]

I just went over the a recommend site http://multiblades.com/originalfein.html and that gave me the idea of taking the cheapo HF scraper blade and tig or silver soldering on a hack saw blade to it and it will be my metal cutting blade. I have over a dozen projects pending but will eventually get it done, just had time to fire up the new HF tool and test So if you beat me to it and do it let me know ED