Oscillating multi-tools -- what do you actually use it for?

[GeoBruin]

I posted this in another thread but just in case you didn't catch it, the M18 with a 2.0 battery is on sale for $99 at home depot today only.

I have the Dewalt and use it all the time. The ability to "plunge cut" is very useful.

 

[imagineer]

I had to modify a fiberglass truck cap and used an oscillating cutter to do the cutting and help keep the fiberglass dust under control.
I also used it for cutting twin wall polycarbonate sheets while building a greenhouse.

FWIW, mine is a Porter-Cable 20V.

 

[crewchief888]

Bought one used it to do a few plunge cuts for electrical boxes in dry wall. Have also used it to flooring and used the scraper blade alot for various things. It has its place i also just have the harborfrieght cheapie with name brand blades.

i picked up a HF cheapie for 1 job. 5 years later it still works. quality of the blace is key to getting anything done IMO

 

[shoot summ]

Yes, you need one, the are extremely valuable.

I just switched from a corded Porter Cable(on/off) to a cordless Dewalt(VS), I can't believe I waited so long to switch to cordless, and the VS is outstanding.

 

[Max]

I have a M18 and am very happy with it. It is awesome with already installed drywall - straighter cuts and less dust than anything else I have used. I’ve also used it to good effect for things like trimming the bottom of door molding that is getting a new floor.

 

[ipgenie]

I've got a few different ones. I didn't notice anyone mentioning grout removal. Pretty handy tool for a lot of things.

We just call it the "butter knife" because it cuts through things like a hot knife through butter.

 

[ste6168]

I have two Feins and a Rockwell, all corded. The Feins are both part of the business and the Rockwell is a household tool. We use them mainly for cutting holes in fiberglass (boats) for mounting stereos, MFDs, VHFs, etc. My only complaint is the blades are basically disposable, I have tried the expensive ones, and the cheap ones, not much difference in longevity.

I occasionally run into issues working in a storage lot or something where no power is available, and have run the Feins off a 12v deep cycle with inverter. I have a generator, but really try not to use/carry it.

 

[Bockscar]

working at kids place finishing basement use it for cutting drywall and foam insulation, notching and small trimming of some boards, …. We gave up trying to remember the name multi-tool so we named it Bob. Much easier now to say “just use Bob“.

My dad and myself call them sonic boomers

 

[nbpt100]

Once you get one you will see all kinds of things it will do better than other tools. In some cases it is the only tool that can do some tasks. Great for cutting nails with a carbide blade. The one thing I do not like it for is sanding.

I have a cheap HF one. It gets the job done but I am ready to move up to a better quality tool that has easier tool changes, quieter and controls the speed better.

 

[JJ99SS]

Short story. Read the first sentence below. And I'll add that it was fantastic for that job and a few others since. The Makita is fantastic. Smooth, very quiet, and has almost no vibration.

I picked up the new Makita XMT04ZB a few months back for some plumbing work. Our builder installed round toilets (suitable for only children) in 3 out of our 4 bathrooms, so I decided to replace them, only to find his sub did a ****** job (pun intended) of installing our toilet flanges. All ended up being too high due to the pipe in the foundation being 1/8-1/4" too tall and not allowing the flange to sit flush on the floor. This caused at least one toilet to leak and be a bit wobbly. I ended up cutting out the flanges, trimming all the pipes a bit with the Makita, and installing new/better flanges and actually anchoring them properly w/ concrete screws. In went 3 Kohler skirted toilets with nice Fluid Master closet bolts. Solid...

Side note, during the replacement I took a closer look at our supply stop valves. Garbage plastic pull stop type that could likely be pulled right off the copper pipe if you pulled hard enough. I ordered over 20 Dahl 1/4 turn angle valves and spent a few days replacing all the supply stops and supply lines in the house. The Makita did a nice job of making a few small shallow cuts to the valves so I could get a flat head in and twist and break the valve off the pipe. If you live in a two story house, that's cheap insurance. Damn valves were a disaster waiting to happen.

 

[dcg9381]

I have a Makita. Love it. Use it all the time for OSB when I was cutting in electrical outlets. Use it for base trim modification. Anything where you need to start a cut from the surface and can't remove it to get it on a saw. They cut PVC too.. Useful with 3"+ stuff.

 

[jd_1138]

Short story. Read the first sentence below. And I'll add that it was fantastic for that job and a few others since. The Makita is fantastic. Smooth, very quiet, and has almost no vibration.

I picked up the new Makita XMT04ZB a few months back for some plumbing work. Our builder installed round toilets (suitable for only children) in 3 out of our 4 bathrooms, so I decided to replace them, only to find his sub did a ****** job (pun intended) of installing our toilet flanges. All ended up being too high due to the pipe in the foundation being 1/8-1/4" too tall and not allowing the flange to sit flush on the floor. This caused at least one toilet to leak and be a bit wobbly. I ended up cutting out the flanges, trimming all the pipes a bit with the Makita, and installing new/better flanges and actually anchoring them properly w/ concrete screws. In went 3 Kohler skirted toilets with nice Fluid Master closet bolts. Solid...

Side note, during the replacement I took a closer look at our supply stop valves. Garbage plastic pull stop type that could likely be pulled right off the copper pipe if you pulled hard enough. I ordered over 20 Dahl 1/4 turn angle valves and spent a few days replacing all the supply stops and supply lines in the house. The Makita did a nice job of making a few small shallow cuts to the valves so I could get a flat head in and twist and break the valve off the pipe. If you live in a two story house, that's cheap insurance. Damn valves were a disaster waiting to happen.

It's amazing the shortcuts subs take when they don't give a fook, get jobs based on quoting low prices, just want to go home ASAP, etc..

This is when the GC has f----d up to let that slop get through. Zero fooks given. I guess they have so many customers who aren't knowledgeable about quality building practices that it doesn't matter to them. Zero morals/ethics.

Larry Haun -- a quality home builder

Back on topic, a multi-tool is great to have in your arsenal. Even if you don't want a fancy one in the brand your cordless tools are in, I'd at least pick up something like a corded Ryobi, Porter-Cable, etc. one for about $40. Cordless Ryobi one is about $50 I think. I have a corded Ryobi that I've used 20-25 times over the last 5 years. It's sped up a lot of projects/repairs and paid for itself 25 times over.

If you're doing your own projects, you're saving tons of money -- kinda makes the cost for a multi-tool seem like a pittance. I use it for things like shed overhauls for myself and others, gate repairs, flooring, etc.. Makes precise cuts, also use it for light sanding over small areas.

 

[JJ99SS]

It's amazing the shortcuts subs take when they don't give a fook, get jobs based on quoting low prices, just want to go home ASAP, etc..

This is when the GC has f----d up to let that slop get through. Zero fooks given. I guess they have so many customers who aren't knowledgeable about quality building practices that it doesn't matter to them. Zero morals/ethics.

Larry Haun -- a quality home builder

Don't get me started. When I moved in I found that a lot of the light fixtures had no bulbs in them. I called my contact and was pissed. I said if you bought a Ferrari and it had no headlights would you be happy? He said, "Well, since you closed already, we can't come in and put them in, but we can leave a box of bulbs by the door." I said, "I can let you in. I live here now." I found a box of bulbs by the door the next day. ************. I ended up replacing them all over the next year w/ LED bulbs but still...

Also I've found some really shoddy stuff in here like a 1/2" open air gap right above my pantry door. I can look thru the wall above the door frame and into the pantry. Door is 8' tall so you can't see it... unless it's dark in the kitchen and the pantry light is on and shines through. I want to fix it sooo bad, but outta sight outta mind.

Sorry to highjack the thread for a second... I'm done.