Festool Multi Tool Reviews

[Coen]

prolonged sanding… best done with a corded tool.

And several batteries ! Prolonged sanding..I think most will agree..is done corded and isn’t a problem if you’re using dust collection as you should

Well cordless vacs exist, but it will skyrocket the amount of required batteries  [tongue]. It does make for frequent breaks though.

I don't know if the Festool batteries are too hot to charge when they come out of the 18V vac, but my Bosch 4Ah batteries are. That makes for... 14 minutes per 4 Ah battery... ~14 minutes to cool off, 70 minutes to charge = for continues use I would need 7 batteries and five chargers. Ok, a bit less with a faster charger. The CTLC, even on eco mode, empties 4 Ah batteries even faster.

 

[HighlandMarine]

The main advantage I see is the plunge guide/depth stop attachment "if" that is something you would use. Otherwise it's hard to beat the good ol' Fein Multimaster.
It seems like a simple tool, where they would all be the same... but in my experience, that's not the case. Some of the cheap one vibrate you more than oscillating the blade. Smoothness matters

I did this with my Fein MM500 120vac model, bought the vecturo accessories(plunge, depth stop, vac and attachment ring) kit off eBay NOS, also grabbed the systainer and insert as well so it’s in a stack rather than a bag. I’ll post a picture next time I’m at the work trailer.

 

[gunnyr]

I've used the DeWalt, Chicago Electric, Milwaukee M12, and a Fein.  The Festool one is the best of them all.  It simply transfers more energy to the blade than the others.  To be sure Fein is very similar.  The others are in a whole other, unaffiliated, league IMHO.  If you want to be happy using a multitool, get the Festool.

 

[thudchkr]

I’ve had multiple corded Fein’s over the years and cordless models from Makita and Milwaukee. If I use the corded one primarily for big flooring jobs, sanding jobs or scraping which is another thing it excels at. When Milwaukee introduced their M12 Fuel multitool I picked up one of those. Stronger, quieter, and much less vibration than their previous M12 version.  It also has a toolless blade change function on it not present on the older unit.  I gave the non-fuel M12 to a son as the Fuel tool has become my number one user. I generally set the variable speed at, or near, the bottom of the range where it still cuts great without the obnoxious noise of the cheaper/older units. FWIW, the Bosch Starlock blades are the best I’ve found in terms of cutting speed, and longevity. And the fit on the M12Fuel without any adapters.

 

[jronman]

I’ve had multiple corded Fein’s over the years and cordless models from Makita and Milwaukee. If I use the corded one primarily for big flooring jobs, sanding jobs or scraping which is another thing it excels at. When Milwaukee introduced their M12 Fuel multitool I picked up one of those. Stronger, quieter, and much less vibration than their previous M12 version.  It also has a toolless blade change function on it not present on the older unit.  I gave the non-fuel M12 to a son as the Fuel tool has become my number one user. I generally set the variable speed at, or near, the bottom of the range where it still cuts great without the obnoxious noise of the cheaper/older units. FWIW, the Bosch Starlock blades are the best I’ve found in terms of cutting speed, and longevity. And the fit on the M12Fuel without any adapters.

Yeah I have heard great things about the new Fuel OMTs. Apparently the M18 Fuel is on par or better than the Cordless Vecturo/Fein and the M12 is not far behind.

 

[noahpurdy]

Professional cabinet installer and millwork guy: Just here to say that I've been curious about the Festool cordless machine but I have 0 complaints about the Milwaukee M12 other than the variable speed switch doesn't seem to hold up over time (My first one lasted 3.5 years). In use however it's a great little machine and the blade availability versus the star lock is pretty crucial in day-to-day-use.

Still considering the Festool cordless when this one dies for more battery parity though.

 

[usernumber1]

having starlock is essential to me in "day to day".

also that 78mm blade that i think only comes in starlock. not sure if other mounting systems even have such a long blade

ergonomics, vibration dampening, all good but secondary

 

[tjbnwi]

I bought the corded before the cordless was released. Both are great saws. 9 times out of 10 I’ll grab the cordless.

Tom

 

[rst]

Just for reference sake, I have corded and cordless Fein Supercuts and use the Festool OSC accessories as they fit perfectly

 

[Fourmi]

+1  for the Fein Supercut cordless with all the Festool accessories. It can run on 18v or 12v batteries, I often use it with the 12v 3,0ah battery which makes for a super light and comfortable tool... and then Fein went and ruined it all by going on to the Bosch platform!.. old Fein batteries are now crazy expensive, and the new model doesn't run on 12v batteries. I will probably end up getting the Festool Vecturo if I can sell the Fein, but due to it now being an obsolete model, it is pretty much worthless, as for the price of new batteries that I could do with, I could get a new tool. /rant

 

[PaulMarcel]

and then Fein went and ruined it all by going on to the Bosch platform!.. old Fein batteries are now crazy expensive, and the new model doesn't run on 12v batteries.

Could you get the old battery packs rebuilt? I got something fixed at Batteries Plus and asked if they rebuild Festool packs (as I have 2 that could use it); the guy said they rebuild all those types of packs so I'm sure the old Fein ones could be done. As an aside, the guy also said the Festool packs were a dream to rebuild. I guess some are rat's nests in there

 

[Fourmi]

I probably could get them rebuilt somewhere in Europe, not very cost effective when I see the low price of the new Bosch based Fein tools... it might be a good idea to slim down the at least 12 battery platforms I'm on!.. it is what it is. For anyone who has ever used tools that use 12v or 18v, you'll understand - 12v for low weight and restricted access, 18v for power. I'd be happy if more brands did this.

 

[Cheese]

I probably could get them rebuilt somewhere in Europe, not very cost effective when I see the low price of the new Bosch based Fein tools... it might be a good idea to slim down the at least 12 battery platforms I'm on!.. it is what it is. For anyone who has ever used tools that use 12v or 18v, you'll understand - 12v for low weight and restricted access, 18v for power. I'd be happy if more brands did this..

I stumbled upon these folks a few months ago and they do ship internationally. The small 12V Fein batteries might be reasonable to ship back & forth.  [unsure]
https://www.mtobattery.com/collections/fein-battery-rebuilding-services

 

[Fourmi]

Thanks, I'm getting this message though :

Access denied / Geographical error
This site is not available in your region. Please note that we only ship within the USA.

It's pretty expensive shipping from USA to France, I've kind of given up asking - tools, accessories, musical instruments, you name it - shipping costs are prohibitive.

 

[Cheese]

Ya that's funny because that's the first thing I checked for to make sure they shipped internationally.  [eek]

Here's what their FAQ section looks like.

[attachimg=1]

 

[Coen]

Nah, Fein decided it just isn't worth it to maintain a separate battery platform.

Had Festool been part of the Bosch platform I might have bought their drywall screw gun. And maybe the insulation saw.

 

[Coen]

I probably could get them rebuilt somewhere in Europe, not very cost effective when I see the low price of the new Bosch based Fein tools... it might be a good idea to slim down the at least 12 battery platforms I'm on!.. it is what it is. For anyone who has ever used tools that use 12v or 18v, you'll understand - 12v for low weight and restricted access, 18v for power. I'd be happy if more brands did this.

I have rebuild Festool, Bosch, Metabo and Dewalt packs. All you need is a soldering iron and nickelstrip spotwelder, along with the skills to use them and the knowledge of Lithium batteries, it's specs and dangers..
As long as the PCB isn't boobytrapped it's not hard.

I have also rebuild an eBike battery from pouch cells to 18650's. However, some batteries, like Shimano ones, are boobytrapped by design in the sense that it's not the cells that are broken, but a proprietary circuit board with chip that basically says "computer says no", usually 2 months after warranty...

The Fein 12V battery is incredibly bulky, so I don't agree with your point on that. But it's probably relative since Fein's own 18V batteries are heavyweights too...

Efficiency wise it simply makes no sense for every manufacturer to spend R&D time to make something 100% similar in a slightly different form factor. Metabo has been sharing it's battery and now Bosch does the same. There are also 3rd party tools that use Makita.

 

[semenza]

Professional cabinet installer and millwork guy: Just here to say that I've been curious about the Festool cordless machine but I have 0 complaints about the Milwaukee M12 other than the variable speed switch doesn't seem to hold up over time (My first one lasted 3.5 years). In use however it's a great little machine and the blade availability versus the star lock is pretty crucial in day-to-day-use.

Still considering the Festool cordless when this one dies for more battery parity though.

The plunge base.  I do cabinets and built-ins , odd ball installs etc.  The plunge base is a really great  addition. May not seem so until you have it in use. Being able to place the tool and align it to a mark, turn it on, before the blade touches the work. Really adds to the potential for precise cuts. It also makes the cuts less erattic, less wondering.

Seth

 

[Fourmi]

The Fein 12V battery is incredibly bulky, so I don't agree with your point on that. But it's probably relative since Fein's own 18V batteries are heavyweights too...

The 18v 6,0ahs are bulky, the 12v 3,0ah is tiny

 

[leakyroof]

" it might be a good idea to slim down the at least 12 battery platforms I'm on!.. "

  12 platforms.... [scared] [scared] [scared]
I'm now thrilled to say I have only 3... [wink] [wink]
Festool, Makita 18 volt, and Milwaukee 12 volt.
Granted, my original CXS platform is in a class of obsolescence all by itself...  [embarassed] [embarassed]
  I have two Feins ,  both corded  , old Multimaster around the time Fein introduced the tool-less locking handle for the blades, and a much newer SuperCut, with the Bail Handle, that is killer on cutting out old Caulk due to its larger motor and stroke than the smaller Multimaster.

As for as the Sanding Comments earlier in this Thread, I've never found the Fein's to match the older DX93 Sander or a RO90 with a Delta pad in terms of material removal and dust collection.  I gave it a try a couple of times, but both Festool sanders do the job faster than my Fein, so my sanding attachments and pads gather dust for it.  [scratch chin] [scratch chin]