I used a friends skill, got frustrated, and grabbed my sawsall. Maybe i wasn't used to it, or i was pushing what it can do. I keepd seeing them for sale, kinda want one...but Im with OP, not sold. Guess I might need one to keep around until I find more uses...
Oscillating Multi Tools - Worth Owning?
- Thread starter Spudland_Dave
- Start date
TattooedGunner
Member
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2014
- Messages
- 6
I picked up a makita 18v one on clearance at Home Depot for about $50 a few months ago. I bought just because it was on sale and fit my batteries I already have but I have used it a lot since getting it. The metal blades are expensive and wear out quick.
I have the dewalt 20v version its great for cutting in outlest especially in cabinets where a jigsaw or other tool would splinter the wood unless scored with a razor blade first. For me cutting in a outlet her and there the cordless version was the only way to go. Who wants to run an extension cord for one box. It eats batteries pretty fast even being brushless but it has every bit of the power of a corded version.
BioNerd
Well-known member
I would love to hear your first hand distasteful experience, I can't think of a time that I've had to put down the m12 to go get the corded fein. I guess because there is always a charged battery I don't have problems and in terms of power and precision they are the same.
I'm truly curious to know the application where corded vs cordless showed advantage.
In my opinion, after using both a lot, the need for a multitool comes when cutting flush, or clean plunges. Sometimes cutting thru nails but there is quicker ways to deal with nails so we favor those.
I strongly believe that multitools should be cordless and precise. They are usually not going to be used for an long time, therefore needing to set up for a power source can be avoided.
spike99250
Well-known member
Great for cutting in sinks in an already installed countertop. Not the whole area, but along the backslash in the back, if jig or circular will not fit.
I just used mine last week to cut in an Electronic strike on a wood framed door. Made quick work of what would have been a pain.
I just used mine last week to cut in an Electronic strike on a wood framed door. Made quick work of what would have been a pain.
What I meant was, let's say average joe has a cordless kit with 2 slim back batteries. Gets the tool, uses his batteries, and thinks 'this is neat but kind of limited' which is exactly what you'd expect. Same exact thing with a cordless dremel.
The most obvious answer where corded is better is runtime. Some people use them for sanding so there's that. I have used mine for sanding in tight corners but it's not a regular thing. I will say though the finger sander that HF makes, if you don't mind regluing the velcro on it from time to time (same as I've had to do with every brand of sander backer) is pretty sweet considering.
Cutting grout is the easiest example I can think of. Granted this was back when I had only 8 M12 batteries but I had to do 'a whole kitchen floor' in the sense I need to make precise cuts for removing a few broken tiles, then replacing them. I guess I could have made many trips to and from the charger but it was easier to get the corded one out.
Generally these tools you don't really rely on power so much as the motion of the blade. But faster movement eats up batteries a lot. Some things I do like breaking down scrap etc I can do at lower speeds; doesn't take much real work to go through cardboard and many plastics.
So generally I use mine for flush cutting wood, cutting various plastics, and (dont laugh) as a kind of scribe with ply & boards most of the time. Sometimes mine have been used as a scraper, with the grout blade, sander, as a carpet cutter, although none of these regularly. I would say unless I need to be portable, or it's overhead such as moulding work, I do not use the cordless one 9 of 10 times. In fact, the last time I did use the cordless was just so I don't have to swap the blades back and forth.
thebeekeeper1
Well-known member
I have the Fein and wouldn't trade it for a good hound. It will do MANY things no other tool will do. Worth the price of admission.
BioNerd
Well-known member
Interesting, thanks for answering.
I guess we choose that tool for different uses. I use it often, never for a long time and all the time the batteries are more than enough, quick to reach and use from my caddy.
I carry it around with me.
They are the best tool I can think of for yard sprinkler system work. Cutting PVC is great but where it really shines is chipping away at large tree roots that have pushed up underground lines and caused them to break. Used to have to do it with a hammer and wood chisel. Chiseling a tree root in a dirt hole is not good for wood chisels.
ajchien
Well-known member
Nice application. I've used a bushcraft knife for tree roots. Tried a reciprocating saw once, and wound up splattering mud all over the place.
Sk8Crash69
Well-known member
Absolutely worth it, I have a Fein Corded and Bosch Cordless. For certain projects they can be worth their weight in gold.
the gypsy
Well-known member
I would like to put in my $.02. I have the Fein and love it, I have the dremel and am dissapointed because it gets hot too fast and has not lasted long. Although I like it because it takes the Mastercraft blades which I buy on sale. And I have the King oscillating tool which I guess is similar to your HF, and must admit I use for all the dirty jobs. I keep the Fein for the more delicate jobs just because I had bought it when they first came out and paid a pretty penny. Protecting my investment.
WilltheEngineer
Well-known member
I'm looking at the Fein, Porter Cable (3A), and Dewalt DWE315 (3A).....
Anyone use the Dewalt?...of all things, I like the little light...yes, I'm laughing at myself, but little lights are nice..
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DQH1K2Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Anyone use the Dewalt?...of all things, I like the little light...yes, I'm laughing at myself, but little lights are nice..
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DQH1K2Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20
ishiboo
Well-known member
I have a cheap Performax corded and a Bosch cordless... love them. I haven't grabbed the corded one in probably 2+ years though.
wild cowboy
Banned
do you have the part number on which one is Swiss made? - mine is the 2.5 amp actually and it is made in Malaysia!
OP
Spudland_Dave
Well-known member
Wow...3 pages of responses and its pretty much all good. Think I'll keep my eye open for a deal on the M12 version...
brianh
Well-known member
I have the Fien and a harbor freight, the Fein I bought 15 years ago it still runs great, got the HF one for installs on job sites where tools sometimes walk away overall I am impressed a lot more than I thought I would be with it.
Whatever kind you buy look at the oscillation rating. the ones that only get up to 11,000 are slow and buzzy, 20,000 is a nice speed.
My Fein is variable speed for what I use it for I run it full blast 99 percent of the time.
Whatever kind you buy look at the oscillation rating. the ones that only get up to 11,000 are slow and buzzy, 20,000 is a nice speed.
My Fein is variable speed for what I use it for I run it full blast 99 percent of the time.
Beemer533
Well-known member
I don't have the corded version, but the 20v version is fine. I have been using it frequently for quite some time with no issues.. I had the Ridgid Job max version previously that worked well, but the batteries were awful, so i stopped using it...
The LED is great, just be aware that as you can clock the blade from center, the farther away you get, the less useful the light is. Basically if you install the blade perpendicular to the body, the LED continues to shine straight ahead... When the blade is close to straight, or parallel with the tool, the LED is very useful.
I've not had any issues with battery longevity, especially with the 3ah battery, but I don't run the tool for hours on end either way...
I will say that prior to using one of these, I thought they were kind of gimmicky as well, but now that I have it, I seem to find all the jobs that there is no other way it could be done!!
As mentioned previously, cutting in outlet boxes into plaster/lathe was previously a very risky, not to mention messy job...
Biggest issue is the blade life could be better, even in wood, but for the utility, I am willing to live with it!
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NewShockerGuy
Well-known member
I never saw a need to get one honestly... didn't think they were worth it. That was until I used it to cut all the door trim and any wood trim that I needed to do for the wood flooring so that the trim pieces were flush with the top of the floor. For that it was worth it's weight for sure! I haven't used it since but I also didn't spend major bucks on one... the blades are what went the fastest..hahaha
Pretty neat tool though!
-Nigel
Pretty neat tool though!
-Nigel
sberry
Banned
I mis quoted the name, the Performax is the one from Menards. It feels identical to all the big brand names and looks like the case came from the same mold.
Qualitytools
Well-known member
I have the Fein 250Q and recently picked up a Bosch MX30 Made in Switzerland, both corded and Love them, only thing is blades are pricy
DonPowers
Well-known member
Dave
I have the Fine, its an older model but its a great tool. The newer ones have a star shape arbor rather than just round so the tools don't slip. You are welcome to come over and check mine out, just PM me and I'll give you directions.
I have the Fine, its an older model but its a great tool. The newer ones have a star shape arbor rather than just round so the tools don't slip. You are welcome to come over and check mine out, just PM me and I'll give you directions.
I have the 20V Max series from P&C and decided to pick up the MultiTool for a window replacement project.
All I can say is the tool is great. From using the saw to do come undercuts and blasting though paint on parting stops to remove them from the frames. This tool is a huge time saver.
Biggest thing was after I foamed the gaps in the windows I used the tool with the saw blade to trim the foam versus using a utility knife. It was like slicing bread, everything was flush and neat. The scraping blade was huge as well, when it was to remove old caulk and paint from the casings and trim. It just peeled everything right off.
All I can say is the tool is great. From using the saw to do come undercuts and blasting though paint on parting stops to remove them from the frames. This tool is a huge time saver.
Biggest thing was after I foamed the gaps in the windows I used the tool with the saw blade to trim the foam versus using a utility knife. It was like slicing bread, everything was flush and neat. The scraping blade was huge as well, when it was to remove old caulk and paint from the casings and trim. It just peeled everything right off.
wafrederick
Well-known member
I have the Fein 250Q also and like it.I will never sell mine
63spyder
Well-known member
I've had a cheap HF tool for years, I thought it was a joke tool until a friend let me use his. I can't tell you how many blades I've worn out since. Its one of those tools that's not worth using if you can get it done with a saws all or another power tool. That being said their are so many uses that you find that it makes your life easier. Any detail cuts on little pieces that you have to hold in your hand and worry about cutting yourself this tool shines. I've cut a lot of plastic pieces and it works great. Sheetrock repairs are so easy ,for small holes you just cut the holes out ,45 degree the edges , cut the patch piece with the same beveled edge slather a little mud on the edges and push it in place. The hardest part I still find is remembering its capabilitys when I'm doing repairs , and still doing it the old way. Lol
AndyCBR
Well-known member
I have the dremel version and I use it every once in a while. But when you need it for that application it is the only tool that will do what you need.
For example:
1) Added a corner cabinet in the kitchen and carefully laid out the opening and plunge cut the base and shoe molding so I didn't have to do any paintwork on the existing base/shoe.
2) Taking out a door frame and plunge cut the nails holding the frame in. Wasn't clearance for a sawzall.
3) Had to shim out some mounting rails for a suspended closet shelving system. Used the tool to plunge cut the extra shim material hanging out. Old way would have been a wood chisel and utility knife and been more time consuming and maybe damaged the walls.
They are hard on blades but since you don't use it all day every day I don't see this as a big downside.
I have the original Fein bought maybe 1987. One great use is trimming big toe nails. The sanding action is mild, and no chance of over cutting or cracking the toe nail and getting an ingrown toenail. My big toes have a problem with the ingrowing.
UncleJoe
Well-known member
What ever you do, DON"T buy the Harbor freight. I had to put in a hardwood floor and needed one for that job. I bought the Harbor Freight thinking I would only ever use it for this one job and if I liked the tool I would buy a good one when the HF tool died.
5 years later I am still waiting for the damn tool to die. I can't kill it. I have used it a lot for all the jobs people have posted here and the thing just keep working. Yes it vibrates a lot and I can only assume it vibrates more then the "good" tools but it is not a tool you use all day long so the vibration is not too bad.
So my advice is if you are going to get one don't buy a HF to test just bite the bullet and get a good one because I don't think this tool will ever die. I am not the only one that has had this experience. I know of a professional that had to buy one when his " good name brand" died in the middle of a job. That was 3 years ago and he uses his on the job every day not as a hobby like I do.
I will let someone with experience tell you which is best but your question was are these tools any good and the answer is for some jobs there just is no tool that will do the job better.
5 years later I am still waiting for the damn tool to die. I can't kill it. I have used it a lot for all the jobs people have posted here and the thing just keep working. Yes it vibrates a lot and I can only assume it vibrates more then the "good" tools but it is not a tool you use all day long so the vibration is not too bad.
So my advice is if you are going to get one don't buy a HF to test just bite the bullet and get a good one because I don't think this tool will ever die. I am not the only one that has had this experience. I know of a professional that had to buy one when his " good name brand" died in the middle of a job. That was 3 years ago and he uses his on the job every day not as a hobby like I do.
I will let someone with experience tell you which is best but your question was are these tools any good and the answer is for some jobs there just is no tool that will do the job better.
leadfoot415
Well-known member
I've been thinking about purchasing one of these:
http://www.sears.com/fein-multimast...sellerId=SEARS&prdNo=8&blockNo=8&blockType=G8
I know this is the older model, but are there any major changes from this and the FMM350?
Through numerous discounts and playing the SYWR game, I can get this for $94 plus tax, and then get $17 back in SYWR back, effectively making it 77$.
Is this a good deal?
http://www.sears.com/fein-multimast...sellerId=SEARS&prdNo=8&blockNo=8&blockType=G8
I know this is the older model, but are there any major changes from this and the FMM350?
Through numerous discounts and playing the SYWR game, I can get this for $94 plus tax, and then get $17 back in SYWR back, effectively making it 77$.
Is this a good deal?
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acer66
Well-known member
I have a Bosch with quick blade change and really like it, I use it for all sorts of things.
Two things I do not like, sounds like you are at the dentist but that I guess goes for all of them and that it has no led's.
Two things I do not like, sounds like you are at the dentist but that I guess goes for all of them and that it has no led's.
acer66
Well-known member
Not sure what the differences are but for $77 I would buy that in a heart beat.
choffmann
Member
The tools are very handy, I would recommend them to anyone thinking about owning one. They have helped me out many of times
fm2176
Well-known member
I bought both of mine within the span of a week or so. Found an 18v PC and grabbed it, then got a Sonicrafter that was on clearance the following week. Haven't used the corded one, but I've used the cordless more than I thought I would:
-Cutting corners after making most of the cut with a circular saw.
-trimming boards to fit into tight places
-in lieu of a jigsaw for cutting a hole in a cabinet
-light sanding duty
Put me in the camp of those who couldn't care less until they owned one and who now wouldn't live without one.
-Cutting corners after making most of the cut with a circular saw.
-trimming boards to fit into tight places
-in lieu of a jigsaw for cutting a hole in a cabinet
-light sanding duty
Put me in the camp of those who couldn't care less until they owned one and who now wouldn't live without one.