Best Oscillating Tool?

[Ken Nagrod]

FYI,

Woodcraft gives a quantity discount on Fein blades and occasionally throughout the year they also have a sale on them in addition to getting a quantity discount.  Minimum for the discount is 3.

 

[jmbfestool]

I av used the bosch and it was the plumbers and its rubbish i hate the fact you need a allen key to remove the blade. My fein mm has the quick release and its a big bonus being able to turn the blade quickly when in awkward places and its so quick. I found my fein cut through much faster also when i was using the plumbers i used 3 of his fully charged batteries to finish my cut.  I think these types of tools requires mains power unless you have a larger batterie i think a min 18v 3.0ah i wouldn't consider buying one with a spec less than that cordless.

Their are a lot of companies who are copying fein MM now but non of them have quick release and my opinion it's a must.
1. Quicker
2. Convenience ( don't need to carry the allen key with you)
3. Blade does not come loose ( like the bosch the blade came loose on me)

Jmb 
 

 

[jmbfestool]

Forgot to mention!  I own a makita 10.8 v and a Bosch 10.8 well i was putt off buying any more bosch 10.8v when i bought the small impact drill.  Even though i don't like makita the makita impact has more than double the power than bosch impact. I think Bosch 10.8 range is very weak lake power and i think the osculating tool lacks power.

If any one wants proof i own both drills and have in my garage gathering dust i can do a video driving a 100mm screw in and out with the makita and bosch at the same time showing you the difference in power.

Jmb

 

[chrisrosenb]

Their are a lot of companies who are copying fein MM now but non of them have quick release and my opinion it's a must.
1. Quicker
2. Convenience ( don't need to carry the allen key with you)
3. Blade does not come loose ( like the bosch the blade came loose on me)

Jmb 
 

I agree with you that the quick release is a must. I bought a Fein MM with the bolt on blades over ten years ago. I hated it. The blades would come loose, & it took time to change blades.
The thing set unused for several years. A few months ago I bought a used Fein MM with the quick release blade. I have used it more in the last 2 months than I did the old one in over ten years. I just rewired a 90+ year old house. I cut over 50 outlet boxes though plaster & wood lath.  I used a carbide blade to cut through the plaster, then changed to a bi metal blade to cut the wood lath. It was a lot of blade changes, but it was a breeze with the quick release. 

 

[Neill]

I think I have said this before, but if you are a Festool fan, it seems to me that you are interested in the best tools.

I cannot speak about the other multi-purpose tools since I have not tried them.  I think that it is acknowledged, however,  that MultiMaster is the best in class.

Neill

 

[fshanno]

I have the Chicago Electric (HF)  and I use the Imperial blades.  Bought it because I need one but couldn't decide on which "real" one to get.  Of course it's junk compared to the Fein.  I've had it for about a year I guess and crazy thing is it won't die.  I've got some money in the bank so right now would be a good time.  The Fein has come way down in price.  But the stupid thing keeps on doing everything I ask of it and it won't quit.  Doesn't even show any signs of quiting.  Works as good as the day I took it out of the cardboard box.  I tighten the little bolt down until the thing starts to wiggle but it won't strip out.

Used it yesterday when installing a pocket door.  Cut off a bunch of shims as clean and as fast as you please.  Customer commented on how awesome the little tool was.  Too awesome actually, if it's that easy why isn't he doing this? 

Two weeks ago I used it to cut out 6 aluminum flanged windows.  Broke a couple of blades because I got in situations where I had to flex the blade while cutting.

By the way my dealer did some extensive testing on those blades.  He found that they will cut about %60 percent as many nails as the comparable Fein blade before dulling. 

So I guess the moral may be that if you can't decide then don't decide.  Just get the Harbor Freight and wait a year and see what happens and then decide.  If the thing is still alive when your ready to buy a good one then just dedicate it to drywall or give it to a friend.

 

 

[Wood_Junkie]

Alright people, get off the fence and get it!

FEIN Multi-masters with a $50 rebate, plus $25 gift card from Rockler.
For the MM starter kit that works out to $139!    [eek]

For the MM Top kit, that works out $324
Offer ends 12/27/2010.

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=22514&filter=fein

Free Shipping via code V1912, thru 11/23..... though I know I have a longer lasting code around here somewhere..

 

[mvega]

I have used the Dremel, Ridgid, Craftsman , cordless Bosch and the new quick change Multimaster.  I have owned the older multimaster and the 2.0 Supercut, my current work horse. IMO none of these compare to the Supercut. I do a lot of woodrot repair, windows, flooring and cabinet modifications. The supercut has the power to do everything quickly.  I use mine daily from cutting to finish sanding. I would love to have the new Supercut with the quick change feature. I always seem to be changing the blade position. This makes it easier.
My only compalints are that the blades do slip a lot with the older locking bolt if your using multimaster blades with the adapter. The Fein blades are very over priced and the Supercut blades are not stocked in many retail locations. (only one in my area and they might have one of each style) I'm just glad that competition is starting to produce blades and bringing down the price. Competition has yet to produce a tool as "FINE " as the Supercut or the Multimaster.
I Hope Santa wil bring me a new Quick change Supercut!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Hoover]

See http://www.milwaukeetool.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductId=2426-22&CategoryName=SC%3a+M12+Cordless+System&cm_mmc=ExactTarget-_-HD+New+11.09.10-_-25190417-_-Hero%3a+Learn+More

Iwas tempted to purchase the Bosch variation but was put off by the very short battery life reported by just about every review that I read.  I hope that Milwaukee has done a better job.  If I hear good reports, I will probably purchase one.

Milwaukee has a newer version of their 12v batteries that they are putting in their tools called red lithium.  It's suppose to give the tool (drill, multi tool, etc. ) more power, better run time, etc.  The multi tool is in the stores now, I saw one at home depot the other day and they have the newer battery.  Milwaukee also has a high capacity battery that will get you much more battery life.  http://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-48-11-2402-M12-Battery-Pack/dp/B002ZM6R12/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1291343772&sr=8-16  That doesn't come with any of the tools so it's extra.

The cordless multi tools have a good use for cutting shims, cutting baseboard or other things here and there.  Where you really see the battery life being an issue is for sanding or scaping, etc.  The battery drains quickly with the continuous use.

In regards to the bosch corded version not yet released.  One of the best contributors on the JLC boards was given one to write up a review.  He said it was a very good tool and had more power than the Fein.  He liked it a lot.  He said the release on that in the US (I imagine CAN too.) will probably be within the next month or two.

 

[jmbfestool]

See http://www.milwaukeetool.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductId=2426-22&CategoryName=SC%3a+M12+Cordless+System&cm_mmc=ExactTarget-_-HD+New+11.09.10-_-25190417-_-Hero%3a+Learn+More

Iwas tempted to purchase the Bosch variation but was put off by the very short battery life reported by just about every review that I read.  I hope that Milwaukee has done a better job.  If I hear good reports, I will probably purchase one.

Milwaukee has a newer version of their 12v batteries that they are putting in their tools called red lithium.  It's suppose to give the tool (drill, multi tool, etc. ) more power, better run time, etc.   The multi tool is in the stores now, I saw one at home depot the other day and they have the newer battery.  Milwaukee also has a high capacity battery that will get you much more battery life.  http://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-48-11-2402-M12-Battery-Pack/dp/B002ZM6R12/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1291343772&sr=8-16  That doesn't come with any of the tools so it's extra.

The cordless multi tools have a good use for cutting shims, cutting baseboard or other things here and there.  Where you really see the battery life being an issue is for sanding or scaping, etc.   The battery drains quickly with the continuous use.

In regards to the bosch corded version not yet released.  One of the best contributors on the JLC boards was given one to write up a review.  He said it was a very good tool and had more power than the Fein.  He liked it a lot.  He said the release on that in the US (I imagine CAN too.) will probably be within the next month or two.

Has the new corded bosch got quick release?!  If not its no good no mater how much more power it has compared to the Fein.

JMB

 

[chrisrosenb]

Fein is the only one with quick blade release.
I am sure this has to do with patents. The patents expired on the tool but is still in effect on the quick release.

 

[Michael_MA]

Kevin,

The Fein Supercut is not a professional version of the Multimaster.  The two are made for different uses.  The Supercut is larger and heavier and specifically made for flooring installers, while the Multimaster, like the name says, handles a wide variety of tasks.  This information was given to me by their engineers when I originally was in the market for one pondering over which model to choose.

Here are the main differences - the facts:   

Supercut:
Weight:                          1,4 Kg
Oscillation:                    11.000 - 18.000 (1/min)
Oscillation Angle:          +/- 2.0 degree (1/360)
Power Consumption:    400 W
Power Output:              220W

MultiCut:
Weight:                          1.45 Kg
Oscillation:                    10.000 - 20.000 (1/min)
Oscillation Angle:          +/- 1.5 degree (1/360)
Power Consumption:    250 W
Power Output:              160 W

I've had both units in my hands, and they are mostly the same, except the the Supercut is more slick and Quick mount is different - so the Supercut cant use the cheaper MultiCut blades  [wink]
The SuperCut has much more Power, where i like the grip of the Multimaster much more..
I have the newer Multimaster, which suits my needs, but to be honest i'm using it only occasionally..
For sombody doing loads of Drywall, i would suggest to get the SuperCut, as it has more capabilities - time is money..

kind regards, Mike

 

[MacMitch]

Bought my Fein MultiMaster Top at WoodCraft yesterday and got the same $50 coupon and a $25 WoodCraft coupon. They had all the imperial blades too.

Used it for a plumbing job and it worked great.

 

[festoolsnob]

I have to give a bit of credit to my Dremel Multimax.

It cuts trim and door jambs, drywall and other small odd pieces of wood very well. It gets hot fairly quickly, which leads me to conclude it is not heavy duty for sure.

When i know i am going to use it a lot, I use my CT44 vacuum at low speed to pull air through the machine while it is resting to cool it off quicker.

Being the Festool snob, I have strong religious objections about stuff, and tools in particular that are made in CHINA.

The Dremel is made in MEXICO, ( Hey it's North America at least) Home Depot sells the machine with case and blades for $99.99 or even less sometimes, and they stock the blades etc.

I give it great marks for being an amazingly useful tool for small odd jobs where you just can't get in with a real heavy duty saw. At less than $100 excellent value for money, not made in CHINA.

 

[MacMitch]

When I was at WoodCraft the other day getting my Fein MultiMaster I noticed they had a large stack of Dremel multitools for sale. Closer inspection revealed that they were "reconditioned by Dremel". They wanted about $50 for them.

 

[festoolsnob]

When I was at WoodCraft the other day getting my Fein MultiMaster I noticed they had a large stack of Dremel multitools for sale. Closer inspection revealed that they were "reconditioned by Dremel". They wanted about $50 for them.

Now that is a bargain. The blades and sanding pads that come with the tool will retail for $50. The Fein is the undisputed leader, but if you only want to spend $50, that is a deal to go for.