Makita 3-Amp Corded Multi-Tool Kit

[rpearlberg]

Is this a good deal at $99? Or am I better off with a Dremel Multi-Max ($129), or the Ridgid system ($79)?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-3-Amp-Corded-Multi-Tool-Kit-TM3000CX5/203271382

 

[Richard Cranium]

I am a Dremel fan.

 

[Modern Jess]

Though I own the Multi-Max, the Makita is probably fine. The most important part about one of these tools is what kind of blade standard it uses, and the relative distribution of those blades. Dremel has distribution in virtually every big-box and hardware store in the country, so that's a safe bet. Other tools use different standards, but some of them interchange.

I'm off to google to find an answer on that...

 

[rpearlberg]

I have no preference for either, just saw this for $99. I actually have the Dremel Multi Max, this Makita, and the Ridgid starter set at the house, but don't know which one to keep...

 

[Modern Jess]

There's a compatibility chart in this article, but Makita isn't mentioned:

http://www.woodmagazine.com/woodworking-tools/reviews/more/oscillating-multi-tools/?page=4

 

[Modern Jess]

Definitive answer: Makita and Bosch both use the OIS standard for oscillating blades, so they should interchange. That's good news.

 

[rpearlberg]

Thanks. So Dremel only works with Dremel, right?

 

[Modern Jess]

Thanks. So Dremel only works with Dremel, right?

I think that's correct, though their blades are widely available. I've also seen multi-fit blades that claim to work with a variety of different tools. Also, there are some adapters out there that allow one model to use another model's blades.

Here's the adapter for the Multi-Max to allow it to use other blades:

http://www.dremel.com/en-us/Tools/Pages/ToolDetail.aspx?pid=MM300#.U0LH2JEhN1E

 

[rpearlberg]

Hmm. Thanks! Decisions, decisions...I need to return the ones I don't want at some point this week...

 

[Modern Jess]

Gah! No, that's backwards. That adapter allows Dremel blades to be used on other saws. Same idea, though.

 

[Modern Jess]

Here's the adapter that lets you use OIS blades on everything else:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004KW15PS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Modern Jess]

Hmm. Thanks! Decisions, decisions...I need to return the ones I don't want at some point this week...

If I were in your shoes, I would go to the stores around me, see what kind of selection of blades they have, and make my decision based on that (barring some egregious flaw in one of the tools).