Festool version of Multimaster
- Thread starter Billnut
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score0matic
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Bonetto's Carpentry said:
Oh ye of LITTLE Faith. [wink]
Craig
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There are no plans, and I don't envision there ever being plans, for Festool to make a MultiMaster-type tool. We are innovators, not duplicators. Fein has a, well, fine product. [smile] Unless we could make it significantly better, we would not be interested in pursuing it. And, I think Fein has done a remarkable job.
There's a quote in the beginning of our catalog from one of the engineers that designs new products. It says basically "If we cannot improve a power tool, we will not make it at all."
There's a quote in the beginning of our catalog from one of the engineers that designs new products. It says basically "If we cannot improve a power tool, we will not make it at all."
Wood_Junkie
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Shane Holland said:
ADD A LAAAAASER! Green laser line projection showing the cutting kerf. ;-0)
It would be awesome if Festool would debut the anti-matter cutting system. One-molecule cutting kerf with no dust. I'd buy that! [tongue]
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After penguins and such, it might not be too far out...
Tom
Tom
WarnerConstCo.
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Didn't I hear of a marriage involving the fein family and the festool family over there in germany?
Could be gossip.....
Could be gossip.....
James Watriss
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Well, we have a head-swapping drill. Now we need a head-swapping sander. Random orbit, rotex, multi-master.
Forrest Anderson
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James Watriss said:
Well, the new Rotex RO90 has interchangeable pads, giving four modes:
Delta sander mode (using existing 93mm Deltex DX93 pads and abrasives)
Rotary Eccentric mode (using a new 90mm diameter pad and abrasives)
Random Orbital mode
Polishing mode
No sawing mode though!
Forrest
AlexThePalex
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EcoFurniture
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The Multimaster works just fine... I don't think there is a need to improve it...
jonny round boy
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+1 on the Fein Multimaster. I have one of the "Top" models and I agree with Andreas - the Fein works just fine. [smile] It's a solidly-built tool that does a great job on those odd tasks that pop up.
The latest Fein (the one I have) has a quick-release head with a notched connector for blades and attachments. I believe that this quick-release head is under a new patent. The patent on the old models (for round-hole attachments) has expired, allowing competitors like Harbor Freight to leap in with me-to products. This leaves Festool with two options:
1) Come up with a brand new attachment design, or
2) Create a copy-cat tool and compete with Harbor Freight.
IMO, these options are neither reasonable nor profitable for Festool. OTOH...
The new RO90 looks like a better sander and polisher. FYI - I found this long YouTube video of the RO90: Презентация Rotex RO90 в Краснодаре 01 апреля 2010 года
The video is in Russian I believe.
I would not buy a Festool Multimaster clone. However, the RO90 (along with the new C12 and Carvex) is on my short-list of tools to buy.
Regards,
Dan.
The latest Fein (the one I have) has a quick-release head with a notched connector for blades and attachments. I believe that this quick-release head is under a new patent. The patent on the old models (for round-hole attachments) has expired, allowing competitors like Harbor Freight to leap in with me-to products. This leaves Festool with two options:
1) Come up with a brand new attachment design, or
2) Create a copy-cat tool and compete with Harbor Freight.
IMO, these options are neither reasonable nor profitable for Festool. OTOH...
The new RO90 looks like a better sander and polisher. FYI - I found this long YouTube video of the RO90: Презентация Rotex RO90 в Краснодаре 01 апреля 2010 года
The video is in Russian I believe.
I would not buy a Festool Multimaster clone. However, the RO90 (along with the new C12 and Carvex) is on my short-list of tools to buy.
Regards,
Dan.
jonny round boy
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That RO90 is an awsome machine! [eek]
AlexThePalex
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Dan Clark said:
Well, I would. I mean, I have nothing against the Fein, except for it's ridiculously overpriced accessoiries, but I wouldn't object to other companies making their own versions, opening up the market and let the wonder of capitalism do it work, instead of the much frowned upon monopoly by one company.
I also find it a rather ridiculous notion that Festool "wouldn't bring a machine to market unless they could make it better". This idea is not supported by past actions of Festool, or any other company. Companies are constantly copying each other on all fields, so why should this all of a sudden be different with the MM.
I see the RO90 as a detail sander, so I'm not sure if it's necessary to have that functionality on a 150. I have the RO150. Great sander. I use it for a lot of things, but detail sanding isn't one of them.GPowers said:
I use the RTS400 and LS130 for detail sanding now, but an RO90 would be great to get into tight spots. And of course, an ETS150/3 for fine finish sanding and a RAS115 for the really rough stuff. (It's a sickness, I tell ya! [eek])
Of all the sanders, I have or want to buy, I think the RO90 would be one of the most used.
Regards,
Dan.
Festool has a specific business model to provide high quality tools and a high level of customer service. If Festool copies a tool that you can easily buy from another company at one-half to one-fifth the price, why buy from Festool? Why should they invest in the machining, marketing, and customer support costs when their is little incremental benefit for them?Alex said:
In any case, the RO90 looks like a much better sanding tool than a MultiMaster. The current DX93 is reported by folks who have both to be better at sanding than the MultiMaster. It's reasonable to expect the same performance from the RO90.
So what kind of tool could Festool create? It could not have a quick release like the new MultiMaster because they would violate the MultiMaster patent. Which leaves Festool with cloning the inferior blade connection mechanism of the old MultiMaster. That's NOT a good option.
Consider this though... It may not be cost effective, but Festool could create a new "pad" for the RO90 that would accept blade inserts. That would achieve the same result at much lower cost and risk to them.
While there are lots of tools that we would like to see Festool build, it doesn't make good business sense to create me-too tools that you can get elsewhere cheaper. Take the old Festool Jigsaw for example...
Festool jigsaws are very nice (I have the D-handle), but the Bosch 1590 series is rated as good or better than the Festool jigsaw at 1/2 the price. The Festool jigsaw has dust collection, but it doesn't work that well and isn't all that necessary on a jigsaw. So why buy a Festool jigsaw? What is unique? Other than its inherent quality, where's the added value? I like mine and think it's great, but a lot of people will buy Bosch instead.
Now look at the new Carvex. I'm sure it will be very pricey, but it looks to be head and shoulders above any other jigsaw out there - LiIon battery-powered models, large-tube dust collection, quick adjust dust shield, quick-disconnect custom feet for angled cuts and guide rails, etc. That is uniqueness. That is added value. It's on my short list.
Regards,
Dan.
Dan Clark said:
Unless you get one like I did with a bad speed control module where you had to keep turning it off and on, and recently I've had 3 of the expesive 1 5/8" E cut blades come apart at the spot weld. That's pretty much the only thing I use out of the whole package. Never used it to sand and tried it for grout/thinset removal, but you'd have to be on dope to wanna spend that much time doing such a small amount of work. It's good for what it does in some cases (for me that's cutting stuff in tight places) but I don't see it as very versatile. I had a tile guy tile in a pocket door.... The multi-master saved me by being able to pull the door out and cut off a few inches at a time until I got the door rolling again....
Chris...
Wood_Junkie
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The FEIN MM is a tricky pony. It can, literally, do any job. But it's not very fast at most jobs. And it's maybe not the most logical for others. When I got one it always made me think of my Dremel. Another tool that you *can* use for just about anything. I even (tried) to use the Dremel door shaving kit... wow... "planed" off about 1/8" over a 18" stretch... after about 30 minutes. (later got a Ryobi 18v planer... but that has been completely superceded by the TS55 and rails... which is probably the most precise and efficient way ever to trim a door).
Using a Dremel to sharpen a lawnmower blade.. yesss.. slow. Shaving 1mm off the inside edge of door catch plate. Only tool that can do it
Anyway, despite my high desires when I got the MM, I only ever use it for flush cutting.. baseboards and what-not.. or getting something "stuck" out of the smaller opening... slicing nails inside the wall... trimming shims, hehe.
Using a Dremel to sharpen a lawnmower blade.. yesss.. slow. Shaving 1mm off the inside edge of door catch plate. Only tool that can do it
Anyway, despite my high desires when I got the MM, I only ever use it for flush cutting.. baseboards and what-not.. or getting something "stuck" out of the smaller opening... slicing nails inside the wall... trimming shims, hehe.
