Fein Multimaster

GaryLaroff said:
Nick,

I have four Festool sanders but not the Deltex.  And I have two of the Fein MM.  A major refinishing/sanding job arrived today and I have to sand long 3-4 foot vertical runs that are 2 3/8 inch wide between 1 inch high by 3/4 inch wide dividers.  That is, I need to sand 2 3/8 inch wide strips between walls.  The base wood is veneered plywood and the dividers are solid wood.  The trick is to remove most of the original finish and all the polyurethane junk that seems to be on top of it, preferably not sanding through the veneer.

I hoped the LS-130 with the 90 degree pad would fit in there but it is a bit too wide.  The 88 degree pad just almost fits.  I was thinking I might have to use the Fein MM or trim down the LS-130 pad. Would a Deltex work on such a project?  I have never used one and have little reference to go by.

Gary

Gary,

Why not try the LS 130 with the make it yourself pad.  I have the LS 130 but have not used this pad.  I understand from others it works real well.

I think its $44 for the pad vs. the cost of a Deltex, unless you really want one.

Neill
 
Gary -

Another thought regarding the LS 130 is that the ergonomics of what you want to do would be much better than the Deltex.  With the LS 130, your hand is directly on top of the sanding pad and you can exert as much or as little downward pressure as you would like.  With the Deltex your hand, wrist and arm are perpendicular to the sanding pad.

Neill
 
joiner1970 said:
Yeah thats what she told me but I am sure they were seated properly, she said she has done it herself a couple of times.

What blades do you use most ?

I tried the precision blade and it cut much faster than the universal blade in wood but the teeth ping off easily I noticed.

The only blades I've cracked/messed up the star holes were the HSS segmented blades.

Really the only blades I've used of late are the Bi-metal (universal) types, segmented types, and an after market blade from multiblades.com.  A segmented bade with less of a fine cut would be nice as the HSS segmented blades cut slowly. I noticed that there is a circular saw type blade with depth stop --- anyone use this? 

Justin
 
I have the circular saw blade with depth stop but haven't used it much. So far I was only cutting plywood and it was more burning through the material then cutting it....

My favorite configuration is the mini cut set. I also like the file attachment- perfect for sharpening chisels while on the job site!

 
In case anyone was considering "cheaping out" by trying any of the flood of MM clones that just appeared ...

I brought 'em all, in a fit of pique inspired by the excessive price of fein's blades I decided that if any viable alternative existed I would switch and Fein could stuff their overpriced damn blades....

So (briefly) I owned each and every clone I could find.

Don't bother, I'm back to paying Fein's prices for blades. The dremel is a nice detail tool and for a while I was tempted to keep that one, but somehow the control of the MM just works for me, I can carve cut-outs for plumbing, square holes for electrical boxes, shorten plastic pipes for sink plumbing, even cut the end panel off an overlarge cabinet without damaging the finish, nothing else comes close.

On an install job, I "just don't leave home without it"
 
I ordered the Bosch ps50 as soon as it was available. ( I am already a fan of their 10.8/ 12 v line. ) I have used the saw almost every day on the job since.  I love it.  Keep in mind that I don't use it as a sander, just as a saw for outlet cutouts, trimming in cabinets, trimming installed base,etc.  I have used it with Fein's blades, as well as the aftermarket blades mentioned above.  No noticable difference in performance.  I find it to be a great alternative to the original at about 1/2 the price, and no cord to wrestle with!!

Dan
 
I am no longer involved with construction other than occasional repairs in my own house.
I do have a WW shop in my cellar loaded with Festool toys, including the Deltex 93 sander.
About two or three years ago, I had to get into a very tight series of corners too tight for the Deltex.
When I was looking at the Deltex, a few people advised that I get the Fein MM as it had more uses.
I ultimately went with the Deltex as I was more interrested in the quality of sanding and dust collection.
I was not disappointed but eventually found a need for the smaller pads and multi uses I could put to use with such as the Fein MM.

Even tho it cannot compete with my ancient Sawzall for very rough cutting or the Deltex 93 for fine sanding into corners, or dust collection, I have, upon occasion found the MM to be irreplacable.  About one every six months, or so, I have to dig it out as the only tool in my shop that will suffice for the specific job at hand.

Does anybody here have the old MM.  Does the toothed washer, mentioned in one of above posts, really help in retaining the position of the old style blades in the old style MM.  The occasional twisting around of blades is my only complaint concerning the MM (The lack of DC I knew about from the git go, so that does not bother me. I just figure ways to get around that problem)
Tinker
 
The "toothed washer" is basically round.  It has grit on the back of the flat round side that goes against the machine with the other side showing a raised "star" that engages the newer blade type.  The purpose of this washer is to enable the old style MM to use the newer star cutout blades.  The star on the washer isn't as sharp as one would like, but it works.  The grit on the back keeps the washer from turning and thus mimicks the star shaped drive of the newer MM.

I haven't tried using the star washer with old style blades, but it might be too thick for the screw to attach the blade. The washer would have to go outside the blade instead of inside with star blades.  It wasn't designed to support your application and I keep forgetting to see if it could work.  Until I finally try it, how about making two small disks with holes in the them out of PSA backed 150 grit sandpaper and attaching it to the blade.  That might give it enough friction to stop turning.

Gary
 
Steve Jones said:
In case anyone was considering "cheaping out" by trying any of the flood of MM clones that just appeared ...

I brought 'em all, in a fit of pique inspired by the excessive price of fein's blades I decided that if any viable alternative existed I would switch and Fein could stuff their overpriced damn blades....

So (briefly) I owned each and every clone I could find.

Don't bother, I'm back to paying Fein's prices for blades. The dremel is a nice detail tool and for a while I was tempted to keep that one, but somehow the control of the MM just works for me, I can carve cut-outs for plumbing, square holes for electrical boxes, shorten plastic pipes for sink plumbing, even cut the end panel off an overlarge cabinet without damaging the finish, nothing else comes close.

On an install job, I "just don't leave home without it"
The much cheaper Dremel blades fit on my older style Multimaster and so far work pretty good.
 
i've had the multimaster for 3-4 years, it gets a lot of abuse

i use it only as a saw and i cant kill it

the super cut doesnt cut quicker than the multimaster
 
FYI - a Fein rep told me at a woodworking show this weekend that Fein is lowering the prices of their cutting blades due to the new competition from Bosch and Dremel.  He said February 1st prices will be adjusted.  He noted that the machines themselves will not go down.
 
I thought the blades would fit both the MM and the Supercut.  Why oh why, Fein??!

Well, I have both machines and the MM is the one with the quick release. The Supercut IS more powerful and for window restoring and rot repair the MM doesn't cut it. It struggles where the Supercut does not.

I was going to ditch the Multimaster but then there are all those small fixes where you need to cut jus a lil piece off, then sand down the edge and this is where the MM shines, I love the quick release. For both machines I have plenty of spare blades (at the moment) and I was going to hold on to the MM until I ran out of blades but the versatility has won me over - it stays.

The Supercut goes to work with me and someone else is paying the blades. The MM stays at home for small stuff and does a great job. When the cord driven blue Bosch comes out I will take a long hard look at it as the blades are way cheaper than Fein blades and unless Fein slash the blade prices by 50% (I am not kidding) I will probably switch to the Blue Bosch.

I feel a bit side stepped by Fein when they decided to make two proprietary hole patterns for the machines that are not interchangeable.
 
Hello

Fein is working on a new version of the Supercut called 'Fein FSC 2.0 QI' where QI stands for 'Quick-in'. This means that you can change the blade without using tools. The motor and cooling system has been improved as well. Apparently Denmark has been selected as a "test market" for one year before the tool makes it to the national market (if so). The price tag at the moment is the same as the regular Supercut.

- Kristian
 
Kristian: det ?r dejligt att h?ra!

That is nice... ...is the new Supercut taking Multimaster blades or Supercut blades? I mean, is it the same quick in as the Multimaster or are they using the older Supercut mount?
That is actually good news, now let's just hope they bring the blade prices down a bit more. The blades are super expensive over here.
 
For me it's a good thing the new one uses the oldstyle supercutblades, I just got a 25 pack of the bimetal blades.

I replaced the powercord of my supercut with a plug-it pigtail last week, because the cord kept breaking as a result of the tight turns it has to make to be stored in the case. I can't really recommend it though, it's less pleasant to use with the pigtail dangling at the end (but it's a trade off, because it's easier to put back in the case)

I tried the bosch cordless a while back, I don't like it, it passes too many vibrations to my hands ( a LOT more than the supercut does)
 
FrankJan, great minds think alike huh?
I pigtailed all of my gear, except for the MM as I might offload it to a friend further on and he wouldn't mind the standard cord.

I find it extremely nice to only have to bring one cord for three/four machines.

KGam: I had a look at the new Fein SC with QI and it sure is the standard blades, which I too have a few of so it works fine for me. I will not be replacing the Supercut just yet but I am thinking of selling the Supercut and the Multimaster, keep some of the nifty add ons and get the new Supercut when it hits the shelves over here.
Tack for lenken min gode Dansk. 
 
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