DTS 400 vs Fein MultiMaster for corner sanding

[Steve-Rice]

I could use a sander that can get into tight corners and the Festool DTS 400 naturally comes to mind.  The DTS 400 is $260, but I noticed that I can get the Fein Multimaster FMM 350Q Systainer Edition for $295. For an extra $35, the Fein certainly offers a good deal more functionality, but the real question is: how effective is it as a sander?  I'm not looking to sand entire surfaces, I have my ETS EC 150/3 for that, I just need to get into the tight corners the ETS can't reach.

So I’m hoping some Foggers who have experience with the Fein Multimaster would be kind enough to weigh in here and let me know how that machine performs as a delta head sander.  Any comparisons to the DTS 400 would also be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[G3Trim]

The Fein multi master is a nice tool for cutting but it's lacking in the sanding quality in my opinion. It works fine for painted surface's but I wouldn't use it on any stained projects. Your better off with the dts400 or the ro90 with delta pad for a quality sand job. Well hope this helps.

 

[ear3]

Agreed, and keep in mind dust collection on the Fein when sanding is miserable, despite there being a dust port you can add when sanding.  I will occasionally use the Fein nowadays to sand a profile that is too delicate for the LS130, but otherwise it stays in the box with a cutting tool attached.

RO90 for corner and at-the-edge-of-butt-joint sanding is great (don't have DTS so can't compare), but one thing you can do with the DTS that you might not do with the RO90 is sanding board edges.  The longer body of the RO90 also means that it can't always fit into tight spaces.

 

[Shane Holland]

The sanding action on the MM is like a windshield wiper motion, not a true orbital motion.

Another vote for the DTS here. I love that little sander. Aside from my Rotex, probably my favorite.

 

[leakyroof]

Another vote for the DTS400. I own a Fein MM, and have tried sanding with it, plus I even have the Clip-On Dust Collection tube assembly for it from Fein. As Shane and others have noted, no comparison  between the two tools for sanding. DTS will win hands down for speed, material removal, finish level of your surface and dust collection. If the space is a bit tight for the DTS400, then I grab my DX 93 sander, or my RO90. I would only use my MM if I already had it out for something and the finish level didn't matter on what I was working on.  And I wasn't pressed for time...... [wink]

 

[Steve-Rice]

Thanks, gents, I genuinely appreciate the feedback. 

I actually already have an off brand oscillating tool which cuts just fine, so I really don't need the multi master. Ed brought up a great point about the dust collection, I forgot about that. Shane's comment about the sanding motion finalized the decision for me. Leakyroof's comments were the icing on the cake...

Besides, didn't really want an orange systainer anyway... [big grin] [big grin] [big grin]

 

[ScotF]

I have both and use both. The new MM 350Q is awesome -- the vibration and noise is so greatly reduced from the original it is a joy to use. For quick tight spots they will both do the job. I get great results with each one as long as you go up through all the grits. I have found the DC on the MM to be OK -- not as good as the DTS, but no clouds of dust either. Sanding is about uniform scratch patterns and eliminating the scratches from the previous grit - each machine leaves scratch patterns so you have to remove the previous ones with the next finer grit and you can get a good finish with either tool.

With that said, for an all around sander, the DTS is a hidden gem. It gets into corners and it allows easy sanding of larger areas like edges. The curved shape of the pad also allows you to sand right next to an adjacent edge and the sander will not bounce around, which is nice. It would be my choice for any larger work and wood working projects.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I have the DTS400 and the older MM 250Q. The MM is great for cutting, but does not come close to the DTS as sander. The DTS is my most used sander, it can do almost everything. It is also the go to sander for most professional painters over here.

 

[ear3]

BTW [member=5277]Alex[/member] since you broke it's neck, did you get your DTS repaired, or purchase a new one?

I have the DTS400 and the older MM 250Q. The MM is great for cutting, but does not come close to the DTS as sander. The DTS is my most used sander, it can do almost everything. It is also the go to sander for most professional painters over here.

 

[RKA]

To add to what Shane says, the outside edge of the multi tool does most of the work, the closer you get toward the center, the less movement you have. The DTS has the entire surface working for you.

The multitool is tricky to handle, with a long body and tiny pad it's harder to keep the pad flat. Not the end of the world, but you have to pay attention.

I've also had issues with latex paint gumming up the paper on the multi master. Even turning the speed down isn't sufficient, the lack of dust collection means the residue isn't being removed unless I'm moving the pad around a lot and clearing the debris myself.

Maybe it's me, but I did not enjoy the experience with the multi master. If nothing else is available, it might be faster than doing it by hand. Otherwise, if you have a choice, the DTS is miles better and faster at a task that only brings me joy when it's done!

 

[matte]

First i had the multimaster because i wanted 1 tools for more tasks , butt after a time of sanding i noticed that the long shaped body was not fine for long time sanding, so i bought myself a dts 400. And i can say that i first had to buy the dts instead of the multimaster. Its light, sands better.  So 1 vote for the dts

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[AlexThePalex]

BTW [member=5277]Alex[/member] since you broke it's neck, did you get your DTS repaired, or purchase a new one?

I have the DTS400 and the older MM 250Q. The MM is great for cutting, but does not come close to the DTS as sander. The DTS is my most used sander, it can do almost everything. It is also the go to sander for most professional painters over here.

That was the DS400, not my DTS400. I have both. Funny you ask now, because I ordered the spare parts today. It's an easy fix that costs around €30. I just have to replace the rubber skirt. I held it together with duct tape for a while, and it held surprisingly well. Only after prolonged use did the glue soften due to heat.