Is there a big difference between the 2 harborfreight oscillating tools?

[impactsocket]

Is there a big difference between the 2 harborfreight oscillating tools? I'm only interested in the corded versions. Seems like the only major difference is variable speed.

Is it worth spending the extra money or should I just use the left over money for more oscillating blades?

http://www.harborfreight.com/oscillating-multifunction-power-tool-68861-8493.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/merchandising-promotions/2015/june-2015-pls/variable-speed-multifunction-power-tool-67537.html

 

[DekeT]

Both variable speed and quick change tooling are worth the extra money. But HF pic does not show it with quick change option.

 

[TJx]

Variable speed is a nice feature to have.
If you're going to use it a lot and can afford it go for the gold and buy a Fein or Swiss made Bosch. I have the Bosch, with all the extra accessories and bag you get, it starts to eat away at the price difference. Even comparing the Malaysian and Swiss made a difference.

 

[sk farmer]

i looked at both in the store. the cheaper one does not come with any accessories. by the time you buy one accessory you are nearly at the cost of the second one that has several.

 

[impactsocket]

Has any one tried both versions of the harborfreight oscillating tools?

 

[sberry]

Feel them up, one weighs more.

 

[bcradio]

Variable speed is a nice feature to have.
If you're going to use it a lot and can afford it go for the gold and buy a Fein or Swiss made Bosch. I have the Bosch, with all the extra accessories and bag you get, it starts to eat away at the price difference. Even comparing the Malaysian and Swiss made a difference.

I'm with you here. That Swiss made Bosch is a great tool. I love mine and highly recommend it.

I also have the variable speed HF for doing drywall only and that thing feels terrible compared to the Bosch. However, it does get the job done. If you will be using it to cut different materials and sand then you will want the variable speed version.

 

[pauls_workshop]

Best deals on these if you are in midwest area is Menard's Performax branded variable speed. It is same as HF variable speed but they come with lots of bits, which you pay extra for with the HF. I've had both of these and the variable speed is nice to have. I ended up giving away my earlier non-variable speed to my sister to introduce her to the tool. - Paul

 

[impactsocket]

Is the Genesis GMT15A Multi-Purpose Oscillating Tool a better option at $32.72?

http://www.amazon.com/Genesis-GMT15A-Multi-Purpose-Oscillating-Tool/dp/B003H054RY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1433638360&sr=8-1&keywords=oscillating+tool

 

[Parrothead]

Is the Genesis GMT15A Multi-Purpose Oscillating Tool a better option at $32.72?

http://www.amazon.com/Genesis-GMT15A-Multi-Purpose-Oscillating-Tool/dp/B003H054RY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1433638360&sr=8-1&keywords=oscillating+tool

Yes. I've had mine since they first started making them, and it's been great and still going strong. Highly recommend.

 

[P_856]

I have the black and blue one it works good. Had it for a few years now and no problems with it it does what's it suppose to do.

 

[impactsocket]

Is the harborfreight variable speed oscillating tool the same tool as the Genesis GMT15A oscillating tool? The body of the tools look identical.

 

[Kracin]

I continue to be amazed by these sorts of tool vs price discussions. A $30 tool vs a $14 tool is just about silly enough but with a bunch of suggestions for the OP to buy a $100++ tool....really(?)...borderline ridiculous.

What the OP needs to state is his "buying criteria", the parameters he would use to define the conditions under which he would buy or reject a tool.

How is it reasonable to have a discussion with an OP about price vs tool, who has failed to state a number of important facts?

What is he going to use the tool for?

1. what is the intended term of use: long term vs short term (DIY or professional)
2. what is the intended duty cycle (DIY or professional)
3. what price point is acceptable
4. what available accessories are needed
5. what options are needed
6. what warrantee is needed

lol, i know right, its should i buy a honda, or a toyota. and then everybody goes, buy ferrari or lambo!

 

[sberry]

Best deals on these if you are in midwest area is Menard's Performax branded variable speed. It is same as HF variable speed but they come with lots of bits, which you pay extra for with the HF. I've had both of these and the variable speed is nice to have. I ended up giving away my earlier non-variable speed to my sister to introduce her to the tool. - Paul

I think this is worthy of a point. I took a few minutes to look thru these too and I think this is an all star pick, don't know about the Genisis but suspect its the,, or could be the same unit in a different box.
Yes, there is ahuge difference in the 14$ one and the 40 kit at Menards, I suspect that is the same tool in the 100$ brand jacket without the options in the kit. I think the only tool better is a proprietary one from a premium, between 40$ and to 100+ they are all the same.

 

[taumac]

I have the top one. I got it in a hurry after in middle of a job my craftsman variable speed died. IMO variable speed and quick change is worth it extra money no matter what price point to get. I did notice the oscillating head got real hot with long use. No matter what you but it's the blades that make the difference. I wouldn't go cheap at all. I have old blades from old one and those worn out ones worked better that the new one out of box. I've tried HF blades and consumables and found the work in a pinch but don't expect too much life out of them

 

[impactsocket]

I will be using the oscillating tool for light home remodeling, not day to day. I have never used a oscillating tool so I am trying to get recommendations.

What brand of oscillating tool blades are best to buy for durability and will not cost a fortune?

 

[djjsr]

I have both of the HF tools. They both work well but I prefer the variable speed. It seems like it's a little easier to control accuracy when using a slower speed. I buy blades on ebay.

 

[sberry]

I will be using the oscillating tool for light home remodeling, not day to day. I have never used a oscillating tool so I am trying to get recommendations.

What brand of oscillating tool blades are best to buy for durability and will not cost a fortune?

I recently bought one. I own a general shop, made it a long time before that and used it a couple times now for some minor work and it sits most of its life in a secluded box. Buy the thing and use the bits that come with it, then get new as needed.
If you do use it a lot you can get more and at 40$ there isn't much downside and very little parked money if you don't. While you are at it take a few dollars and get the BD 7750 4 1/2 grinder if you don't have one. Its one of the most universal tools they ever invented.

 

[taumac]

I just get brand name ones from Home Depot or Lowes. I don't buy the ones at HF. I guess you can get off internet but I just run down the block to the store.

 

[sberry]

The brand name one at HD is the same one in a different jacket as the house brand in the case of the Performax. Open the boxes sometime in the store, that sucker has the same casting, same everything as the DeWalt or the Ridgid same weight, different color in off brand box with some goodies tossed in. 60$ difference.

 

[sberry]

I just get brand name ones from Home Depot or Lowes.

This is how modern branding works. Its why they go to the effort. 60$ juice in here. We can buy it retail for 40 means Ridgid can get it cheaper, shove it thru a branded box store and over 2x the money for the effort. They cant only make a few cents savings on mfg cost, even a couple dollars for hard work but put it in a different box is where the real money is at.

 

[sberry]

Like the water heater, same tank, different warranty. The DeWalt 402 grinder, cost 100 and is a pos compared to its cheap cousin at 30. Wa;mart does not want to be a tool warranty return center and now they got people in Asia shopping for the best at the right price. A lot of the uber super cheap stuff has went by the block. There is not much market for a 3$ adju7stable wrench when at 4 you can buy one world class ansi all of it, beautiful finish to boot in some cases. The one ATD sells is one of the best in the world and as a bonus can be had 4 pc set on sale for around 20$

 

[sberry]

I havnt looked at low cost battery tools but suspect for many that is just fine. I used one a minute a while back, some light BD 20v and it ran a 3 inch deck screw. We use 28 and the weight for light work is getting old, was considering a couple drills and maybe work lights but we could really use a lower end unit here possibly. Running a few screws mostly.

 

[taumac]

This is how modern branding works. Its why they go to the effort. 60$ juice in here. We can buy it retail for 40 means Ridgid can get it cheaper, shove it thru a branded box store and over 2x the money for the effort. They cant only make a few cents savings on mfg cost, even a couple dollars for hard work but put it in a different box is where the real money is at.

I was refering to the blades not the unit itself.

 

[taumac]

What brand of oscillating tool blades are best to buy for durability and will not cost a fortune?

SBERRY, This was the question I was answering.