who makes the best one? Oscillating tool

[383 240z]

I have a few jobs that would be WAY easier with one. I need to flush cut a bunch of trim, plung cut a few things. Anyway, I have work that needs down, I have a wife that says buy the tool. So the question is what one should I get?? Seems all the big tool companys make one. I've seen Bosch, Fein, Rockwell, Craftsman, hell even HF has one. I'm looking to spend around $100-150 for it and the most needed blades and such. So what say the guys who own them? Links to specific items and part numbers would be VERY helpful. Thanks guys.

Also I will only be using this for a few weeks on a kitchen remodel If the cheap *** HF one is 1/2 decent at 1/4 the price, I may go that route. Or is this one of those tools you never needed until you bought one, and now you never put it down? Keith

 

[vjlobel]

I don't have any model numbers, but my first one was a Tool Shop special I picked up at Menards for ten bucks after rebate...but it zonked out on the third job or so. It exceeded my expectations for 10 bucks, but that's still not saying much. It lasted long enough for me to decide I wanted a "real" one.

That being said, I just picked up a Rockwell SoniCrafter for 30 bucks on clearance at Lowe's...haven't had a chance to use it yet but will let you know what I find out. Have a Dremel one at work that I got reconditioned at Sears Outlet, we've been really happy with that one.

 

[metaleltr]

Like cordless? Interested in Milwaukee M12? They make one that looks pretty good. http://www.toolsnob.com/archives/2011/01/milwaukee_m12_cordless_multi-t.php

 

[Displaced Hokie]

I'm using the HF and love it. My only complaint is that it is super loud. But for $17 I'm happy. I'd love to try one of the nicer ones to see if there is a difference, but I'm not paying to do it.

 

[NitroShark]

I use a Fein, it's the only one i think that has metal gears.... expensive but a quality tool for sure.

Shawn

 

[383 240z]

I was thinking corded as I would think these are power hogs (high torque) However my Makita Li-ion 1/4" impact driver is a work horse!!! I cant kill the first battery before the 2nd one is full charged and ready to go. However I would need to factor the price of a second battery into my budget. Keith

 

[Ocho]

I have the HF one and it works well. As stated above, it is loud. Also, the vibration factor on your hands is pretty high. If you use it for any length of time you need some quality ear protection and a good pair of impact gloves. Maybe someone with one of the pro-grade quality tools will chime in about the noise and vibration on theirs.

My brother in law has the Rockwell one and he says it is great. Don't know if he's ever used it or not, but I do know he spent a lot more than I did.

 

[usa#1]

Amazon has a good price on the cordless makita 18v. From the reviews I've read it has plenty of power and compares with the power of a corded model. It uses the Bosch style blades.

 

[scotstern]

I too have the Harbor Freight version. Yes, it is loud but it does work well. A better question might be about the blades. They are the expense of the tool and the harbor freight ones do not seem to last all that long.

Given the noise, this tool has done a lot for me and I would clearly recommend it for the price. I have bought several of them and given them away as presents and everyone that has received one loves it. It is a tool that once you have one you will wonder how you ever lived without it.

Get it!

 

[Red05GT]

Got the cheap HF model this past spring for a window replacement job. Spent more on
blades than the tool. Definately loud and lots of vibration, but has worked well. Used it
to undercut some trim and other small odd ball jobs.

 

[rharman]

I bought the Craftsman corded one. Harbor Freight looked too chintzy and couldn't justify a Fein. It was about $55 on sale at the time. Seems to work fine for want I need. Got good reviews in one of the woodworking tool shootouts.

 

[dreamingmuscle]

Fien is the best in my book. But I also use the HF model. The only problem I've had with it, is the four small dowel pens that lock the blade ware out if you don't keep the blade tight. It's only a problem if you don't keep the blade tight though.

 

[Doxhog]

Look into the Porter Cable corded tool. I bought a kit with numerous different blades and it was within your price range. I don't have the model number handy but check the Porter Cable website.

 

[Chandos]

I've had the Rockwell for a couple of years. Got a great deal on the kit from eBay or Amazon, can't recall which. It's a robust, powerful tool. I haven't noticed the noise especially, but I generally wear hearing protection. Inexpensive blades are available from HF, but I think that these are a "universal" type. I had the use of a Fein for a couple of months years ago, when it was the only show in town. The Rockwell isn't a Fein by a long shot, but I don't expect to have to replace it anytime soon, and the Feins are still big bucks; they just don't have a monopoly on this tool niche anymore

 

[jake00]

Pretty sure fein pioneered the thing years ago..

Tht said, I own the hf one, and for the price, it can't be beat

 

[RivennHewn]

I went with the Fein years ago, before the patent ran out and the market flooded with knock-offs.

I'd still buy the Fein today. That's because I'm always using it.

For less frequent use, I'd look at the Rockwell or Bosch. Don't bother with the cordless models.

HF would be my last choice.

 

[slghmmr88]

I've got the dremel version and has served me well for years, cut lots of boxes in the drywall and trimmed door jambs and casings for tile jobs. Still going strong and Bosch makes some of the higher rated blades according to one on the woodworking mags(i forget which one had the article). I have even cut a bunch of PVC and some copper that was hard to get to. The fein is on my wish list.

 

[fury9]

I have the Fein and the Dremel (which I got first) The dremel is good for more delicate work and the fein is a brute and can cut 2x material if needed. The most important thing to remember is to keep good blades on it. I've hit nails with the wood/metal rated dremel blades and it just demolishes the blade. When the blade is burning whatever you're cutting through it's time for a good blade.

 

[Adrien]

The Bosch MX25 is currently on special right now on Amazon for $99.99. If you add another eligible Bosch item of $.01+ you will also qualify for the additional $25 off of $100 on Bosch tools. There's also this Bosch kit for $169 that automatically qualifies for the discount and includes a plastic carrying case as well as some additional accessories.

Adrien

 

[3PedalMINI]

I'm a festool guy so naturally I would purchase the Fein. That being said I would only drop the coin on the Fein if I was using it daily or maybe even weekly. But for a DIY guy the hf tool is more then adequate especially what you plan on doing. I've got two Rockwells and an HF, one of the Rockwells is a total pos, the other two are on my workvan, I find my self reaching for the hf one over the Rockwell, it seems to perform better then the other Rockwell.

I run a home theater company and to be honest they can save your **** when you need to gut through lathe and plaster or paneling but I don't use them much at all, maybe 4-5 times a year.

Highly recommend the hf for odd jobs.if I were a contractor and used it day to day without a question I would buy the Fein! I've used the real Fein and there is no comparison to the knockoffs, but for what your doing save some $$$and go with the HF. Hope this helps!

 

[jweller]

I bought the HF one because I wasn't sure how useful it would be.Turns out it's pretty damn useful. The HF one is LOUD. REALLY LOUD! But for the money, it's fine if you're only going to use it a little bit, just wear hearing protection. The HF blades are garbage, but I bought some bosch blades and those are much better.

 

[hidollartoys]

Fein!!!!!!!!!!!!

One fine tool.

 

[Boomer343]

I have a corded Rockwell, corded Dremel and 2 Milwaukee M12 units. One of the M12 units I use for construction and the other is a demo unit for my side business.

As part of that side business I have 25 of the M12 units currently in use with no issuses other than a few batteries that like to "walk" out but I have found the cure for that and most times it isn't an issue.

I wouldn't buy one that wasn't a variable speed unit. The electric units start around 10 thousand opm's while the battery units start at 5 thousand opm's and all of them end up around 20 thousand opm's. The single speed units are set to 20 thousand.

The Milwaukee has metal components and a 5 year warranty with 2 years on the batteries. Each battery will last 15 to 20 minutes. Milwaukee is introducing a higher amp hour battery in the same size so the runs times will be longer with the newer batteries.

If you are sanding or doing detail work then the slower speeds are required and has been mentioned the attachments are key especially for the saw blades in wood. Drywall it doesn't seem to matter.

First tool I through in the bag along with the other M12 tools I've gotten which have all but replaced my M18 tools.

The Rockwell runs hot if used for extended periods and the Dremel I have is their lightest unit and it winds up like a Banshee.

Both units take their own versions on attachments while the Milwaukee can use different brands either directly or with an adapter.

 

[acer66]

Since the OP was asking who makes the best one, the proper answer would be Fein.

 

[ChargedUp!]

I have both the Craftsman and the Milwaukee previously mentioned. I find myself reaching more towards the Milwaukee but that is really only because I have 2 batteries for it. Works great and a great addition to the tools.

 

[denis4x4]

I have a dremel corded that is a work horse. However, I'd like to be able to find better quality blades. Any sources?

 

[matty d]

I have a Craftsman corded. I like it just fine and dont have anything to compare it to because I havent tried the others. I have used it for sanding and cutting slatwall for my garage.

I read all sorts of mixed things about HF, there being 2 different versions etc. etc. and there are no HFs near my house.

I bought the Craftsman for $48. Black Friday had it at $40. These things get cheaper and cheaper. Looks like its still on sale...

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-2.0-amp-compact-a-c-multi-tool/p-00923465000P

 

[NitroShark]

Remember the Quote from John Ruskin


“There is hardly anything in the world that someone cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price alone are that person’s lawful prey.

It’s unwise to pay too much, but it’s worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money — that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do.

The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot — it can’t be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run, and if you do that you will have enough to pay for something better.”

John Ruskin

..............................

This Quote above is always in the back of my mind when I purchase tools... But I am a Tool guy that likes the best Quality I can afford....

Get the Fein, if you can.

Shawn

 

[mjozefow]

I have burnt up two Dremel Multi tools doing what I feel is moderate work. I finally bought a Fein and realized that the Dremels are junk in comparison. Buy the Fein and don't look back. I use mine almost daily. The Fein sanding attachments are great too.

 

[Holt]

I have a Milwaukee M12 version. Personally I love it. I bought it for doing work on my outside trim up on a ladder so the cordless was perfect. They only issue is the battery does not last long. Maybe about 10 minutes of actual usage. If you are doing inside work where power is readily available I would suggest a corded one. If you are dead set on cordless the Milwaukee is a good one but I would suggest getting the xl battery. On a side note even though I have a Milky version every time I hear Oscillating tool I instantly think of Fein.

 

[383 240z]

I had some time to go to the Home Depot this weekend, they had a nice display with many versions of this tool powered up and ready to use. Don't think I'm gonna buy any of them. They were nice, but for what I'm doing I think a Japanese blade flush saw, and a drywall jab saw will work just as well and be faster over this job. Thanks guys. Keith

 

[c7fx]

Remember the Quote from John Ruskin


“There is hardly anything in the world that someone cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price alone are that person’s lawful prey.

It’s unwise to pay too much, but it’s worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money — that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do.

The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot — it can’t be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run, and if you do that you will have enough to pay for something better.”

John Ruskin

..............................

This Quote above is always in the back of my mind when I purchase tools... But I am a Tool guy that likes the best Quality I can afford....

Get the Fein, if you can.

Shawn

I totally agree with this and wonder why HF even comes up on this forum. The ONLY time I have ever bought something from HF is when I know its a one time use tool. I even get scared buying something too cheap that its a Chinese knock-off.

 

[Toomanytools?]

I went with the Fein Multimaster, but I am a General contractor (Trim, cabinets, Millwork) it is a very nice tool, sometimes wonder how I did without it. In passing at Lowe's have seen the Bosch looks good have no real info on it though other than I own several Bosch tools and all have been great. Check out CPO they have some deals at times very good place.
http://www.cpofein.com/fein-multimaster/fein-multimaster,default,sc.html Oh I have bought "open Box" stuff and it is fine you save some coin and get the same thing.

 

[FLgarageDreamer]

Just bought the Craftsman one today (picking it up tomorrow when I go into work). Paid $30.00 with a 37 piece kit. I'm going to try and use it this weekend. I'll let you know.

 

[mikefromme]

I have two feins. One is 10 years old the other might be 15. As a remodeling contractor they get used for a cutor two on most jobs. Not all day every day but a fair amount compared to a diy'er.

I had the opportunity to demo one of the clones (a decent name brand) and it was a complete pos compared to the decade old feins. I quit using it halfway through one cut. Vibrated more, louder and was not cutting nearly as cleanly.

 

[rslaback]

I bought mine as a part of the Ridgid JobMax system and I would do it again. It is an interchangeable system that has 4 power module types (12v lithium, corded, pneumatic and soon to be released 18v) and multiple job ends (auto hammer, oscillating tool, ratchet, 90 degree impact, 90 degree drill, jig saw, recip saw). I would buy it again but I would go corded instead of the 12v as the jig saw is a power hog. I plan on getting the 18v module when it is released Dec. 18th as I have 18v Ridgid tools anyway.

Link: http://www.ridgid.com/jobmax/

That said, I have also heard a lot of positive reviews for the HF Pro model.

 

[saceone]

Gc here and fein is what we use

Envoyé depuis mon SGH-I747M avec Tapatalk

 

[Kent J]

I have the cordless Rigid Jobmax. It's good but when pushed has a tendency to overload. I love the interchangeable heads. I just bought the corded handset and got the sawzall head, all for $99.00. Rigid has a lifetime service warranty.

 

[JC23]

Add me to the Fein camp. Started out buying a HF model and it burnt up on the second cut. Took it back and called Fein to never look back.

I find myself reaching for the Fein in place of my Ryobi 18V circ saw many times. As for precision, it can't be beat!

 

[Markgyver]

I have a rigid my dad has a fein needless to say I barrow the fein more than i use the rigid