Deltex 93 vs Fein Multimaster?

H

Hotwheels

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Joined
Jan 23, 2007
Messages
237
I am taking a wood finishing class. I am refinishing a small (cherry?) chest that was apparently used by a tool and dye maker. I tried to use a Fein multimaster to do some of the final stripping of finish and then some of the detail work. I was disappointed in the ergonomics and the functionality of the tool. In the past I thought I had the small and odd places to sand base covered by the multimaster, but right now I would rather cut and hang crown molding than use the multimaster (long story). I am thinking the Deltex 93 might be an upgrade to the multimaster? Any experiences of folks who have both machines?
Thanks,
John
 
Hi John,

I've owned the Fein Multimaster literally since it 1st came out.  It was only available as a single speed at that time.  I have also owned a Bosch & a PC detail sander. 

If you want to flush cut a door jamb... buy the Multimaster.  If you want the best detail sander for fast but smooth material removal...  buy the DX 93.  When it comes to sanding the Multimaster leaves a fuzzy surface that is not even close to the smooth/fast finish of the DX 93.

However when it comes to contours... the LS 130 is excellent sander but expensive when you add all the profiles...  the LS 130 will do tasks that no other sander can do...  except by hand.

jim
 
I agree with Jim. I don't own the Mutlimaster, but have used ones that belonged to people on jobsites quite a bit. For what it is designed to do, the Deltex is a much better tool. The Fein is a nice tool in that it does so many things, but it doesn't even come close to the DX-93 for sanding.
 
John Russell said:
I am taking a wood finishing class. I am refinishing a small (cherry?) chest that was apparently used by a tool and dye maker. I tried to use a Fein multimaster to do some of the final stripping of finish and then some of the detail work. I was disappointed in the ergonomics and the functionality of the tool. In the past I thought I had the small and odd places to sand base covered by the multimaster, but right now I would rather cut and hang crown molding than use the multimaster (long story). I am thinking the Deltex 93 might be an upgrade to the multimaster? Any experiences of folks who have both machines?
Thanks,
John
Click to expand...
I have both tools. (Deltex 93 and the Multi master)  I have read both jim's and lou's replies and agree 100%.  I use the 93 anytime I want the job to be the best i can do.  The Multi. i got for some specific operations that can only be done by that, or hand tools.  Patching in flooring, rough sanding over some rough spots where i knew I would be meeting up with nais, patching in trim with a flush cut (The MM does this better than i can do with hand tools) against a ceiling or corner of a wall, smoothing a corner of metal projection and a lot of other unusual projects.  for those, i don't think i can beat the MM.  When i need a nice finish into a corner, or over a narrow surface where I can't use my larger sanders (several other Festools) due to space limitations, i will always grab the 93.  A big problem i have with the MM, after being spoiled with the systainers of Festool, is the agravation of trying to pack it back into that very tight fitting MM container.  It is a real day thumper to try to pack that cord back into that container.  It just does not want to go, and stay put long enough to close the lid.  With the 93, it is grab and go, put back and off to the next operation.  A joy to work with.  The bonus is the superior finish over what is possible with the MM.  The only other advantage for the MM is that can get into a slightly smaller tight spot than the 93, but when it gets that tight, a wood scrap and paper wrapped around it using finger power is just as quick when you consider the packaging problem.
Tinker
 
John,

I owned both. I am in total agreement with Jim, Lou and Tinker. Simply, the Fein MM is the more versatile tool, the Festool Deltex a better sander.

Bob
 
Thanks! I use the MM for flush cutting jambs and such, but yesterday was the first time I tried to use it as a sander and maybe it was just the end of the day slump, but I was ready for an alternative after my short sanding job. Sounds as if the 93 and/or the 130 is now on the list!
 
I just wanted to say thanks for this thread and the post you guys have made.  I was real close to buying the Fein for a sanding device that I would use for tight spots.  Now I think I have changed my mind.  Even though I could use the MM for jobs around the house which is what it seems to excel at, I was wanting it more for sanding right now.  Glad I looked here.
 
Tinker said:
...A big problem i have with the MM, after being spoiled with the systainers of Festool, is the agravation of trying to pack it back into that very tight fitting MM container.  It is a real day thumper to try to pack that cord back into that container.  It just does not want to go, and stay put long enough to close the lid. 
Click to expand...

How about getting the Fein MM its own Systainer?  In fact, see if it will fit in the DX93 insert.  If it does get the Fein a Systainer and an insert. 

If you want to make sure the cord's easy to pack, get the next size Systainer.  I swear Festool has an engineer dedicated to figuring out to fit a tool in its Systainer.  Suggestions about taking a photo of the inside of your new Festool's Systainer, before you remove anything, aren't a joke.

Ned
 
Hah! I brag to people that I have a Master's degree in repackaging from the Japanese Boxing Institute (years of putting consumer electronics back in their boxes) but I still cannot fathom how all my OF1400 accessories fit back into that Systainer! Makes me crazy. ???

GB
 
Greg

The old site has pictures of the OF1400 in the systainer.I do not have a clue as how to bring them over. Maybe some one will.

James Metcalf
 
Bob Marino said:
John,

I owned both. I am in total agreement with Jim, Lou and Tinker. Simply, the Fein MM is the more versatile tool, the Festool Deltex a better sander.

Bob
Click to expand...

Ditto for me.  The DX 93 is very handy for removing the old finish of installed woodwork and trim.  I use it and my RO125 more than any of my many other sanders for refinishing house trim, and I have an LS 130, too.  If you need to get into really tight places and need more delicate control, consider a Proxon oscillatory-type sander with a triangular pad.  It is essentially a miniature of the Multi-Master.  I turn to the Proxon when the DX 93 won't fit into a tight work space.  Klingspor carries Proxon and sanding triangles for it.  The Proxon has no dust collection, so I hold a vacuum hose near its pad.
 
Oh yeah, dust collection was another advantage of the 93, and all FT sanders, over the MM.  I don't use the MM very often, but when i do, it is the onlytool to use for the application.  I always, if using it in the house, keep the vac going close by. I can only capture dust after it has had the chance to fly around a little, no matter how close I set the vac hose. With the 93, the dust pickup is thru the tool.  I don't even need a mask while working and there is no residue of dust from it anywhere in the house.  This is tru with al of my FT sanders.  I have a PC 333 that my FT hoses fit and even with direct hookup, there still will be some noticable dust around.
Tinker
 
Tinker said:
...
  A big problem i have with the MM, after being spoiled with the systainers of Festool, is the agravation of trying to pack it back into that very tight fitting MM container.  It is a real day thumper to try to pack that cord back into that container.  It just does not want to go, and stay put long enough to close the lid.  With the 93, it is grab and go, put back and off to the next operation.  A joy to work with.  The bonus is the superior finish over what is possible with the MM.  The only other advantage for the MM is that can get into a slightly smaller tight spot than the 93, but when it gets that tight, a wood scrap and paper wrapped around it using finger power is just as quick when you consider the packaging problem.
Tinker
Click to expand...
Why don't you just buy an empty systainer and make an insert (out of wood) to hold the Fein.  I have dont that for some of my non-Festool stuff.
 
Greg B said:
Hah! I brag to people that I have a Master's degree in repackaging from the Japanese Boxing Institute (years of putting consumer electronics back in their boxes) but I still cannot fathom how all my OF1400 accessories fit back into that Systainer! Makes me crazy. ???

GB
Click to expand...
If you ever do figure it out, please take a picture and post it here.  Then, I will be able to put mine back properly as well.  I have tried to get it repacked coorectly several time but have now pretty well given up.  Festool should have a picture of the properly packed systainer for the contained tool on the inside top of all their systainers.
 
If you ever do figure it out, please take a picture and post it here.  Then, I will be able to put mine back properly as well.  I have tried to get it repacked coorectly several time but have now pretty well given up.  Festool should have a picture of the properly packed systainer for the contained tool on the inside top of all their systainers.
[/quote]

Frank,

I think I have figured out how to get all the OF 1400 accessories back into the Systainer, but as Dan Clark knows all too well, I am PC challenged!!  (I think I killed my Dell desktop over this past weekend by installing the MS recommended security updates.  If I get that figured out and the cheapie digital camera that my wife handed to me this past weekend, I'll try a couple of photos.)  The key is to understand that many of the OF 1400 accessories including the edge guide and rods go into the base of the Systainer insert, then the auto-rotating dust catcher, then the router, then the other clear plastic dust collector nozzles.  I have all 4 sizes of collets with my 1400, and a few bits, depth gauge blocks, manual and plug-it cord with some room to spare.  As I write this from my office, I cannot exactly remember in what order the PC adapter ring needs to be placed in the Systainer.  My biggest gripes (very small ones) are 1) that you often have to take out items you don't want or need to use in order to access items you must use and 2) the molded sytrofoam top cushion and instruction sheet fastened to the top of the Systainer often falls off the top.  I have tried securing these with some bits of 3M blue masking tape, but only with limited success.

I
 
2) the molded sytrofoam top cushion and instruction sheet fastened to the top of the Systainer often falls off the top.  I have tried securing these with some bits of 3M blue masking tape, but only with limited success.

Dave,

I use construction adhesive to hold the syrofoam top cushions to the systainers, at first I used silicone but it only held for a short time, because it will not stick well to the systainer. The liquid nail brand is good, and is perminent.

Mirko
 
Mirko

Thank for that tip , silicone did not work for me either.

Best Regards                                                                                                                    James Metcalf
 
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