JerseyJim
Well-known member
I checked a number of posts including that super long one that talks about hundreds of HF tools... But I didn't see any mention of the variable speed multi-function tool that HF came out with at the end of 2009. I've never had this type of tool before. So I really have nothing to compare it too.
I had to cut some electrical boxes into a wall that is finished in 3/4 inch thick tongue and groove knotty pine. For some reason, the pine was spaced about a half an inch away from the underlying sheetrock. I wanted to be careful how I cut into this because I really didn't know what was behind it if anything. So I decided that this was a good enough excuse to go buy a new tool. My local HF had the variable speed model on sale for $40. I printed a 20% coupon and used that. So it became a heckuva deal.
This thing cut through that soft pine like butter. One interesting thing is that when you turn it on, it comes up to speed slowly. Very easy to control. Not too much vibration. I've read about problems tightening the blade on their early models. No problems here. They have four small studs that position the blade and prevent rotation. This model comes in a plastic case that holds the tool and accessories very nicely.
I've read about the fact that the HF blades don't last very long. I could believe that. The small straight wood cutting blade that I used certainly doesn't appear to be tempered. Multiblades says that their Supercut-Chicago blades fit this model. But at $17 a piece, this is a pricey solution. For as much as I will use this, I might be better off buying a couple HF blades.
Great tool for the money. Time will tell just how durable it proves to be.
I had to cut some electrical boxes into a wall that is finished in 3/4 inch thick tongue and groove knotty pine. For some reason, the pine was spaced about a half an inch away from the underlying sheetrock. I wanted to be careful how I cut into this because I really didn't know what was behind it if anything. So I decided that this was a good enough excuse to go buy a new tool. My local HF had the variable speed model on sale for $40. I printed a 20% coupon and used that. So it became a heckuva deal.
This thing cut through that soft pine like butter. One interesting thing is that when you turn it on, it comes up to speed slowly. Very easy to control. Not too much vibration. I've read about problems tightening the blade on their early models. No problems here. They have four small studs that position the blade and prevent rotation. This model comes in a plastic case that holds the tool and accessories very nicely.
I've read about the fact that the HF blades don't last very long. I could believe that. The small straight wood cutting blade that I used certainly doesn't appear to be tempered. Multiblades says that their Supercut-Chicago blades fit this model. But at $17 a piece, this is a pricey solution. For as much as I will use this, I might be better off buying a couple HF blades.
Great tool for the money. Time will tell just how durable it proves to be.