How much do you use your Multi-master?

[cflansbaum]

A couple of months ago I purchased a Fein Multi-master kit + the dust extraction accessory.  I've used it for some sanding and 1-2 other tasks.  However I have to say that I'm underwhelmed by it.  I've considered putting it up on craigslist and/or ebay, but with the new model now out and the fact that they don't seem to have a good resale value, I'm wondering if I should keep it.

Perhaps I just haven't had a task that makes me appreciate it (or perhaps I just want to use the returned funds for more festool...)  So I thought I'd throw out the above question to see what you guys think.

Thanks

Carl

 

[daveg]

I guess my question back to you would be what kind of projects did you think you would being doing with it? In my case, I knew I had a big flooring project. I used it for a couple of tasks: cutting out old carpeting (much quicker than a carpet/utility knife), undercutting door jambs. It excels at those. For me, that alone was worth the price. I've also used it in the shop for some close quarters cutting. My wife also used it for sanding prep work on some exterior door trim prior to painting. It also does the grout/tile removal stuff, but we haven't used it for that, yet. However, unless your into construction/rehabbing houses, it's not the type of tool you'd being using every day. I know there will be times in the future when it will come in handy, so I plan to keep mine.

 

[Dave Rudy]

Agree with DaveG.  It is a fantastic tool for cutting in all sorts of strange places with very close working space tolerances.  It is great for scraping.  Use it for floors, doorjambs, tile (I have used it to remove grout and it works great).  As a sander, it is just not up to the Deltex.

One thing I learned is that you can buy one of the new retainer rings (don't know what to call them) with a star-shaped eccentric flange.  These seat on the new saw and scraper blades so that they dont spin if they vibrate loose.  This major improvement is available by just upgrading one part on your old model.

As Dave said, it is a tool that you don't use every day but is perfect for the job when you need it.

I would keep it (and have).

HTH

Dave

 

[cflansbaum]

yeah, I think I agree with both of you - it's more a home renovation (which I do my fair share of) tool than a detail sander (which I keep trying to make it).

appreciate the info about the upgrade!

I'm going to keep it -- thanks for the feedback!

Carl

 

[ccmviking]

It's one of those tools that saves me hours of time and aggravation on occasion.  It's definately worth having around but only gets used once every 1-2 weeks.  I come across an issue, yank it out of the trailer and quickly I'm on to something else.  Have never used it for sanding.  I usually need it to precisely cut something, and it hasn't let me down.  No other tool will do what it can do when I need it.  I agree that it's not used often or for very long at a time but it has payed for itself over and over.  I have the RS and the new Top kit.  I'll sell the RS at some point, but no hurry.  The top kit was ~$400 and the RS's can be had for about half that now.  Not really any difference in the tools.  Get one with variable speed but the tool less change is so hard for most people to use (my wife can't throw the lever because it's very tight) that you might as well stick with their allen wrench.  Not worth running out to upgrade in my opinion (Do as I say not as I do)....

Chris...

 

[Qwas]

I used mine to notch a bunch of 2x6 rafters running across a 2x6 beam (this was for my adding a metal roof to my deck/porch). Notches were cut faster than with a jigsaw. I notched halfway through the rafter and halfway through the beam where they joined. On the same job, I had some boards with compound angles that met but didn't come out flush to other boards. Rather than lots of sanding, a quick hit with the Multimaster and my boards were flush. And steps that were a hair too wide were easily trimmed on location. And how about a shelf or countertop that you cut square but discovered the walls were never square? The Multimaster makes for a great trim saw.

Think of jobs that you want to use a jigsaw, but the jigsaw just can't get there. Cutting flush to another board, or flush cuts against other boards are good examples. Think of a door jam that sticks out a quarter inch from the wall. A jigsaw could scrape the wall and do damage. With the Multimaster, you can cut from the wall side and end up with a nice flush cut. And what better tool is there to cut out the bottom quarter inch of an existing door jamb to make the carpet install look great.

I have even used it to make a mortise joint.

The bimetal blade cuts metal also and makes for a quick hacksaw.

And the scraper is excellent at removing window putty and regular caulk. I had to replace some wooden frame boards on a large sign. The sign had been caulked to the frame. I was able to scrape the caulk moving from the sign towards the frame and save the paint job on the sign.

The Multimaster is not an every day tool but one time you will find a need for the tool and it will pay for itself right then.

Steve Adams

I have no connection to Fein, just a hobbyist/handyman that believes in great tools.

 

[Eli]

No other tool can cut out a stud as well.

 

[Trevor H]

I use mine to remove grout, undercut door jambs when i lay wood or tile floors. I use sometimes as a detail sander if it's a small job and i dont have my LS 130 or deltex. I use it all the time to plunge cut flush face wooden vents into older wood floors.  And sometimes i even use the scraper blade to remove gunk off the sub-floor if i don't want to sand the subfloor with my edger.

The multi-master rocks.

 

[Llap Goch]

If you scratch the orange finish of your Multimaster I swear you will almost see black and green and the faint outline of Fes....

Apart from the Leigh D4 jig, it is the only tool in my shed that I speak of in the same breath as Festool.

Quality with a Capital Q.

 

[Mike_Chrest]

It's great for cutting into drywall when there might be a pipe or wire behind the surface (put some tape 1/2" from the edge of the blade for a depth stop). Produces very small amount of dust, or hold a vac nozzle near the blade for dustless cutting. Great when you have to put in a new electric outlet or switch.

 

[Eli]

only tool in my shed that I speak of in the same breath as Festool.

It's the only power tool I'd buy a systainer insert for, which is the same thing said different. Hey, if any of you Euro-spenders over there see one, I'm on the lookout for it.

 

[cflansbaum]

excellent ideas all -- thanks guys!!!

carl

 

[John Langevin]

As others have stated so well, it is not necessarily an everyday tool but it sometimes the only tool that will do the job easily and accurately. I used it to trim screws and bolts to length on a recent restoration of a 1950 boat trailer. It saved me $ by allowing me to buy fasteners of the same length in bulk and it saved me the time of running back and forth to the hardware store. Unlike several of the previous responders, I have used it extensively as a sander. I don't have a Deltex but can tell you that this little puppy can make some sawdust! I would like to ask the other users their opinion of the dust collection attachment. It seems that if you tighten the pad screw as you normally would you are restricting the oscillating motion of the pad. One complaint I have is the segment saw blade which doesn't seem to cut that well and doesn't hold up well either. I find that the E-Cut blades work very well. I have also removed grout, tile and flooring with good success. I would think that someone doing kitchen/bath remodeling would benefit from having both the original Multi-Master and the new larger version.

 

[Ned]

It's the only power tool I'd buy a systainer insert for, which is the same thing said different. Hey, if any of you Euro-spenders over there see one, I'm on the lookout for it.

Check how it fits in a Deltex insert.  That might be available from Festool Australia.

Or try it with a Sortainer/4.  Tool in the big drawer, cutters and such in the little ones.

Ned

 

[daveg]

One complaint I have is the segment saw blade which doesn't seem to cut that well and doesn't hold up well either. I find that the E-Cut blades work very well. I have also removed grout, tile and flooring with good success. I would think that someone doing kitchen/bath remodeling would benefit from having both the original Multi-Master and the new larger version.

I broke a segment saw blade (a free one from a rep who was giving them away at a demo... hmmm, maybe that's why it was free?). I haven't broken anymore, but now, I'm more careful to let the tool do the cutting rather than trying to force it. The E-cut blades do seem better for cutting and durability, but I don't think they work in all the situations that the segment blades will work. The new version does seem larger and a bit heavier than the original.

 

[Mike_Chrest]

Check out this seller on ebay. I use the "wide metal" blades for everything (always manage to find the hidden nail). Price is amazing. Great quality.
http://stores.ebay.com/besserklinge_W0QQssPageNameZstrkQ3amefsQ3amesstQQtZkm

Mike

 

[Trevor H]

do these knock offs really work as good as the real blades? some of the pics show blades without the proper head. How well do they connect to the saw without the proper notching. And do these blades work with the new model?

 

[Mike_Chrest]

I have the old style Multitool with out the notches so I can't comment. I think this guy sells some blades for the new style machine(search his ebay store). I have ruined a "real " Japanese tooth style Fein blade in a few minutes on some old oak trim (didn't find any nails this time) and since they cost a bizzilion dollars I was not happy. The small tooth metal cutting blades work fine in wood (little slower) but the teeth don't break off.
Mike

 

[Trevor H]

thanks. I go through blades like crazy trying to plunge cut vents. Might be worth a try. I like there return policy.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Fein blades are expensive and do not last as long as you would hope for. Yes, they do what they are supposed to but if you happen to run into a nail hidden in an old door/frame while renovating, those Precision blades are done for. 

But - there is now a Fein MM - from Bosch! The new multisaw/sander from Bosch is compatible with the old MM mount (round, and can of course be used on the new MM and the Supercut!) and some people here in Sweden have already trimmed the mount to fit the "star" mount. The Bosch blades are a fraction of the Fein blades in price and the circular blade is a 1/3rd of the price and cuts better in wood than the Fein blade does.
The standard Bosch saw blade looks serious too but I have yet to try it.

The bigger Fein HSS circular blades are top notch but I try and save them for when I really need them - they are very expensive!

I have both the Multimaster and the Supercut, the MM does hold its own in most cases: as of now I am renovating an old gigantic doorway making numerous cut outs in oak, replacing damaged parts. As others have pointed out you are better off letting the MM do the plunge-cutting in its own pace, not forcing it. And yes, the MM can be a real time saver! 

Also it is a great sander with virtually zero vibration (when used right) and I use the Finger sanders with great success.

Also the quick release on the new MM won me over - great stuff. A window restorers must have, for sure!