Multimaster question...

[Donn]

...I just changed my sanding pad today, and was looking at the worn one, and at the used papers. Both the pad and the papers are worn out at the points and edges. The outside 1/4" of each is worn/clogged, and the middle is almost untouched.

Has anyone ever cut off the worn edges and points of the pads and papers, making a smaller triangle?

[Donn]

...I just changed my sanding pad today, and was looking at the worn one, and at the used papers. Both the pad and the papers are worn out at the points and edges. The outside 1/4" of each is worn/clogged, and the middle is almost untouched.

Has anyone ever cut off the worn edges and points of the pads and papers, making a smaller triangle?

[Donn]

...I just changed my sanding pad today, and was looking at the worn one, and at the used papers. Both the pad and the papers are worn out at the points and edges. The outside 1/4" of each is worn/clogged, and the middle is almost untouched.

Has anyone ever cut off the worn edges and points of the pads and papers, making a smaller triangle?

[NormMessinger]

I wouldn't think so but people do the darndest things. I've not tired it because it seems that the rubber base pad would have a tendency to rub on the work, if I understand your question.

Shoot, just throw the sandpaper away. They are only, what, $0.90 each? Or save them for a convex project.

[NormMessinger]

I wouldn't think so but people do the darndest things. I've not tired it because it seems that the rubber base pad would have a tendency to rub on the work, if I understand your question.

Shoot, just throw the sandpaper away. They are only, what, $0.90 each? Or save them for a convex project.

[NormMessinger]

I wouldn't think so but people do the darndest things. I've not tired it because it seems that the rubber base pad would have a tendency to rub on the work, if I understand your question.

Shoot, just throw the sandpaper away. They are only, what, $0.90 each? Or save them for a convex project.

[Ian McColgin]

A friend borrowed mine and all the tips came back worn down. He bore down on the tip and the heat build up melted the velcro stuff. As it happened, I came into a big pile of sticky back sand paper so on that pad I ground the rest of the velcro off and cut the sticky to fit.

And made sure to hide that solution the next time that friend borrowed the unit. He grumbled and hinted that I should pay him back for his having to buy the new pad - everything from FEIN is pricey. I took refuge in the fact that everyone knows I have a hearing problem to not hear him.

I've learned with the Fein to let the tool do the work. The sanding pads are not meant for high pressure.

FEIN makes a variety of diamond studded attachments that are really rough trade. I happen to have the triangular one - like the sanding pad in shape - and a ccircular one that just has abrasive on the rim. These attachments remove amazing amounts of almost anything. They are really the nuts for hitting unsightly drops of epoxy before finish sanding.

If you bear down too hard they leave deep scratches as you can't hold the tool that still and what really happens is the abrasive nubbins rattle around in one trough. If you keep the pressure light, it will rapidly smooth down almost anything.

With the FEIN, light touch is everything.

G'luck

[Ian McColgin]

A friend borrowed mine and all the tips came back worn down. He bore down on the tip and the heat build up melted the velcro stuff. As it happened, I came into a big pile of sticky back sand paper so on that pad I ground the rest of the velcro off and cut the sticky to fit.

And made sure to hide that solution the next time that friend borrowed the unit. He grumbled and hinted that I should pay him back for his having to buy the new pad - everything from FEIN is pricey. I took refuge in the fact that everyone knows I have a hearing problem to not hear him.

I've learned with the Fein to let the tool do the work. The sanding pads are not meant for high pressure.

FEIN makes a variety of diamond studded attachments that are really rough trade. I happen to have the triangular one - like the sanding pad in shape - and a ccircular one that just has abrasive on the rim. These attachments remove amazing amounts of almost anything. They are really the nuts for hitting unsightly drops of epoxy before finish sanding.

If you bear down too hard they leave deep scratches as you can't hold the tool that still and what really happens is the abrasive nubbins rattle around in one trough. If you keep the pressure light, it will rapidly smooth down almost anything.

With the FEIN, light touch is everything.

G'luck

[Ian McColgin]

A friend borrowed mine and all the tips came back worn down. He bore down on the tip and the heat build up melted the velcro stuff. As it happened, I came into a big pile of sticky back sand paper so on that pad I ground the rest of the velcro off and cut the sticky to fit.

And made sure to hide that solution the next time that friend borrowed the unit. He grumbled and hinted that I should pay him back for his having to buy the new pad - everything from FEIN is pricey. I took refuge in the fact that everyone knows I have a hearing problem to not hear him.

I've learned with the Fein to let the tool do the work. The sanding pads are not meant for high pressure.

FEIN makes a variety of diamond studded attachments that are really rough trade. I happen to have the triangular one - like the sanding pad in shape - and a ccircular one that just has abrasive on the rim. These attachments remove amazing amounts of almost anything. They are really the nuts for hitting unsightly drops of epoxy before finish sanding.

If you bear down too hard they leave deep scratches as you can't hold the tool that still and what really happens is the abrasive nubbins rattle around in one trough. If you keep the pressure light, it will rapidly smooth down almost anything.

With the FEIN, light touch is everything.

G'luck

[Donn]

Ian...it isn't a question of light or heavy touch in this instance. I'm doing detail sanding, and getting into small places with the pad (it is a detail sander, after all).

I have the triangular carbide rasp as well...dandy attachment.

Norm...I only pay $0.33 per sheet. My plan is to cut the pad down by 1/4" on each edge, including the rubber and aluminum backing.

[Donn]

Ian...it isn't a question of light or heavy touch in this instance. I'm doing detail sanding, and getting into small places with the pad (it is a detail sander, after all).

I have the triangular carbide rasp as well...dandy attachment.

Norm...I only pay $0.33 per sheet. My plan is to cut the pad down by 1/4" on each edge, including the rubber and aluminum backing.

[Donn]

Ian...it isn't a question of light or heavy touch in this instance. I'm doing detail sanding, and getting into small places with the pad (it is a detail sander, after all).

I have the triangular carbide rasp as well...dandy attachment.

Norm...I only pay $0.33 per sheet. My plan is to cut the pad down by 1/4" on each edge, including the rubber and aluminum backing.

[wingnut]

not to hijack this thread, but i was just getting ready to post a question about the multimaster. I am thinking of buying one and would be curious as to the opinons of people that own them. Soooo, what do ya think of them? And would you buy the variable speed or the single speed?
If this is to off topic for this post let me know and i'll delete it and start another one.
thanks,
wingnut

[wingnut]

not to hijack this thread, but i was just getting ready to post a question about the multimaster. I am thinking of buying one and would be curious as to the opinons of people that own them. Soooo, what do ya think of them? And would you buy the variable speed or the single speed?
If this is to off topic for this post let me know and i'll delete it and start another one.
thanks,
wingnut

[wingnut]

not to hijack this thread, but i was just getting ready to post a question about the multimaster. I am thinking of buying one and would be curious as to the opinons of people that own them. Soooo, what do ya think of them? And would you buy the variable speed or the single speed?
If this is to off topic for this post let me know and i'll delete it and start another one.
thanks,
wingnut

[Donn]

It's not a problem, wingnut. I love mine. After the Dremel, it's my most used power tool. In fact, I'll use it to cut down this old sanding pad. My most frequent uses for it are detail sanding and small sawing of both wood and metal. I also use it with scouring pads and buffing pads quite a bit. As Ian said above, the carbide rasp is a very aggressive wood remover, that doesn't clog up. It's great for woodcarving.

I have the variable speed model, and am frequently adjusting speed to the task at hand. Buffing, scouring and some sanding are at higher speeds, as is wood sawing, but metal cutting and most sanding are better done at lower speeds.

What I'd like to hear, is from someone (Margo?) with the dust removal attachment. Is enough of the sanding pad in contact with the work to actually remove much dust? Does the attached hose make the tool more awkward?

[Donn]

It's not a problem, wingnut. I love mine. After the Dremel, it's my most used power tool. In fact, I'll use it to cut down this old sanding pad. My most frequent uses for it are detail sanding and small sawing of both wood and metal. I also use it with scouring pads and buffing pads quite a bit. As Ian said above, the carbide rasp is a very aggressive wood remover, that doesn't clog up. It's great for woodcarving.

I have the variable speed model, and am frequently adjusting speed to the task at hand. Buffing, scouring and some sanding are at higher speeds, as is wood sawing, but metal cutting and most sanding are better done at lower speeds.

What I'd like to hear, is from someone (Margo?) with the dust removal attachment. Is enough of the sanding pad in contact with the work to actually remove much dust? Does the attached hose make the tool more awkward?

[Donn]

It's not a problem, wingnut. I love mine. After the Dremel, it's my most used power tool. In fact, I'll use it to cut down this old sanding pad. My most frequent uses for it are detail sanding and small sawing of both wood and metal. I also use it with scouring pads and buffing pads quite a bit. As Ian said above, the carbide rasp is a very aggressive wood remover, that doesn't clog up. It's great for woodcarving.

I have the variable speed model, and am frequently adjusting speed to the task at hand. Buffing, scouring and some sanding are at higher speeds, as is wood sawing, but metal cutting and most sanding are better done at lower speeds.

What I'd like to hear, is from someone (Margo?) with the dust removal attachment. Is enough of the sanding pad in contact with the work to actually remove much dust? Does the attached hose make the tool more awkward?

[wingnut]

Don,
thanks for the input. I actually saw one about two weeks ago while i was buying a new jig saw and darn near bought the multimaster instead (didn't have enough $ to acquire both tools at once, and needed the jigsaw for the project at hand). I was fasinated with this little tool and all the cool things it will do! Thanks for the help and i'll probably end up picking up the variable speed on friday.
wingnut

[wingnut]

Don,
thanks for the input. I actually saw one about two weeks ago while i was buying a new jig saw and darn near bought the multimaster instead (didn't have enough $ to acquire both tools at once, and needed the jigsaw for the project at hand). I was fasinated with this little tool and all the cool things it will do! Thanks for the help and i'll probably end up picking up the variable speed on friday.
wingnut

[wingnut]

Don,
thanks for the input. I actually saw one about two weeks ago while i was buying a new jig saw and darn near bought the multimaster instead (didn't have enough $ to acquire both tools at once, and needed the jigsaw for the project at hand). I was fasinated with this little tool and all the cool things it will do! Thanks for the help and i'll probably end up picking up the variable speed on friday.
wingnut

[JimConlin]

... and if your some dollars short, don't be tempted to get the detal sanders from Bosch, Porter-Cable or Ryobi. They are not useful tools.

[JimConlin]

... and if your some dollars short, don't be tempted to get the detal sanders from Bosch, Porter-Cable or Ryobi. They are not useful tools.

[JimConlin]

... and if your some dollars short, don't be tempted to get the detal sanders from Bosch, Porter-Cable or Ryobi. They are not useful tools.

[Donn]

I'm pleased to report that the operation is a success. I traced a new triangle on the velcro side of the worn out sanding pad, cut the velcro and rubber with an xacto knife, and cut the aluminum backer with the multimaster mini E-cut 3.4" metal cutting blade. I now have a perfect sanding pad, with no melted velcro, that's about 2 1/4" on each side. This saves me from throwing out a $6 sanding pad, dozens of .33 sheets of paper, and I can sand in even tighter spaces. :cool:

By comparison, Fein sells a 'finger' sanding pad and appropriate sized hook and loop sheets. The finger pad is $8, and the sheets are $9.50/20.

[Donn]

I'm pleased to report that the operation is a success. I traced a new triangle on the velcro side of the worn out sanding pad, cut the velcro and rubber with an xacto knife, and cut the aluminum backer with the multimaster mini E-cut 3.4" metal cutting blade. I now have a perfect sanding pad, with no melted velcro, that's about 2 1/4" on each side. This saves me from throwing out a $6 sanding pad, dozens of .33 sheets of paper, and I can sand in even tighter spaces. :cool:

By comparison, Fein sells a 'finger' sanding pad and appropriate sized hook and loop sheets. The finger pad is $8, and the sheets are $9.50/20.

[Donn]

I'm pleased to report that the operation is a success. I traced a new triangle on the velcro side of the worn out sanding pad, cut the velcro and rubber with an xacto knife, and cut the aluminum backer with the multimaster mini E-cut 3.4" metal cutting blade. I now have a perfect sanding pad, with no melted velcro, that's about 2 1/4" on each side. This saves me from throwing out a $6 sanding pad, dozens of .33 sheets of paper, and I can sand in even tighter spaces. :cool:

By comparison, Fein sells a 'finger' sanding pad and appropriate sized hook and loop sheets. The finger pad is $8, and the sheets are $9.50/20.

[wingnut]

Don,
that's good to hear. Glad you were able to make it work.
Jim,
Actually the sander was just an added feature. What really inerested me when i was looking at the multimaster were the cutting blades and the scraper blade. The sander was just another added bonus. What got me thinking is while my boat is flipped over i crawled underneath and was doing some epoxy filets. I noticed that i had some epoxy that had been squeezed out while i had put 3/4"x3/4" strips down for the rails. The epoxy has hardened of course and i've had a heck of a time trying to get any tool in there to get rid of the excess thickend epoxy. That's why the multimaster was attractive to me. I can get this tool into the space and make short work of a tedious project. I also started thinking of recent household projects that it would have been very handy for.
thanks for the helpful insight.
wingnut

[wingnut]

Don,
that's good to hear. Glad you were able to make it work.
Jim,
Actually the sander was just an added feature. What really inerested me when i was looking at the multimaster were the cutting blades and the scraper blade. The sander was just another added bonus. What got me thinking is while my boat is flipped over i crawled underneath and was doing some epoxy filets. I noticed that i had some epoxy that had been squeezed out while i had put 3/4"x3/4" strips down for the rails. The epoxy has hardened of course and i've had a heck of a time trying to get any tool in there to get rid of the excess thickend epoxy. That's why the multimaster was attractive to me. I can get this tool into the space and make short work of a tedious project. I also started thinking of recent household projects that it would have been very handy for.
thanks for the helpful insight.
wingnut

[wingnut]

Don,
that's good to hear. Glad you were able to make it work.
Jim,
Actually the sander was just an added feature. What really inerested me when i was looking at the multimaster were the cutting blades and the scraper blade. The sander was just another added bonus. What got me thinking is while my boat is flipped over i crawled underneath and was doing some epoxy filets. I noticed that i had some epoxy that had been squeezed out while i had put 3/4"x3/4" strips down for the rails. The epoxy has hardened of course and i've had a heck of a time trying to get any tool in there to get rid of the excess thickend epoxy. That's why the multimaster was attractive to me. I can get this tool into the space and make short work of a tedious project. I also started thinking of recent household projects that it would have been very handy for.
thanks for the helpful insight.
wingnut

[NormMessinger]

I got along without one for years and thought I was being really extravagant getting one just to do a few corners now and then. It is really handy sander. More powerful than that little pad would suggest. I find it is more agressive if I keep it moving.

Truth be told, Donn, I have no idea what I pay for sanding pads. Too much to toss the hated sticky backed stuff and convert to much loved hook and loop and the gall dern things last so long I may have a life time supply.

[NormMessinger]

I got along without one for years and thought I was being really extravagant getting one just to do a few corners now and then. It is really handy sander. More powerful than that little pad would suggest. I find it is more agressive if I keep it moving.

Truth be told, Donn, I have no idea what I pay for sanding pads. Too much to toss the hated sticky backed stuff and convert to much loved hook and loop and the gall dern things last so long I may have a life time supply.

[NormMessinger]

I got along without one for years and thought I was being really extravagant getting one just to do a few corners now and then. It is really handy sander. More powerful than that little pad would suggest. I find it is more agressive if I keep it moving.

Truth be told, Donn, I have no idea what I pay for sanding pads. Too much to toss the hated sticky backed stuff and convert to much loved hook and loop and the gall dern things last so long I may have a life time supply.

[Donn]

I just noticed that Coastal Tool (Scott Rosen's neighborhood toy store) raised their prices on many of the Multimaster accessories, including the sanding sheets. They used to be the cheapest, but now Klingspor is cheaper on papers. It doesn't say if they're the real thing, but says "Fein Triangle Sander Replacement Discs. Aluminum Oxide open coat F weight hook and loop triangle no holes." $13.95/50 compared to $16.50/50 at Coastal.

[Donn]

I just noticed that Coastal Tool (Scott Rosen's neighborhood toy store) raised their prices on many of the Multimaster accessories, including the sanding sheets. They used to be the cheapest, but now Klingspor is cheaper on papers. It doesn't say if they're the real thing, but says "Fein Triangle Sander Replacement Discs. Aluminum Oxide open coat F weight hook and loop triangle no holes." $13.95/50 compared to $16.50/50 at Coastal.

[Donn]

I just noticed that Coastal Tool (Scott Rosen's neighborhood toy store) raised their prices on many of the Multimaster accessories, including the sanding sheets. They used to be the cheapest, but now Klingspor is cheaper on papers. It doesn't say if they're the real thing, but says "Fein Triangle Sander Replacement Discs. Aluminum Oxide open coat F weight hook and loop triangle no holes." $13.95/50 compared to $16.50/50 at Coastal.

[Bob Perkins]

Wingnut,

The scraper blade works really well - I needed it to fix a screwup - which essentially meant cutting through epoxy *drips*. I can see the scraper working for many tasks.

Also - the multimaster is the only powertool (that I know of) that you can sand flush up against an edge without destroying it. ex: panel area in a door up against a rail or style.

The prices are probably going up because the dollor is falling in value against the Euro. But they were very expensive even before the exchange rate move. I have a friend who just got an italian bandsaw and just beat a price increase that was caused only by exchange rate issues.

Take Care,
Bob

[Bob Perkins]

Wingnut,

The scraper blade works really well - I needed it to fix a screwup - which essentially meant cutting through epoxy *drips*. I can see the scraper working for many tasks.

Also - the multimaster is the only powertool (that I know of) that you can sand flush up against an edge without destroying it. ex: panel area in a door up against a rail or style.

The prices are probably going up because the dollor is falling in value against the Euro. But they were very expensive even before the exchange rate move. I have a friend who just got an italian bandsaw and just beat a price increase that was caused only by exchange rate issues.

Take Care,
Bob

[Bob Perkins]

Wingnut,

The scraper blade works really well - I needed it to fix a screwup - which essentially meant cutting through epoxy *drips*. I can see the scraper working for many tasks.

Also - the multimaster is the only powertool (that I know of) that you can sand flush up against an edge without destroying it. ex: panel area in a door up against a rail or style.

The prices are probably going up because the dollor is falling in value against the Euro. But they were very expensive even before the exchange rate move. I have a friend who just got an italian bandsaw and just beat a price increase that was caused only by exchange rate issues.

Take Care,
Bob

[Scott Rosen]

The dust attachment works great. It removes about 90% of the dust and it doesn’t get in the way. It’s well worth the price if you are doing a lot of sanding with the full-sized triangle discs. Unfortunately, I don’t think you can use it with any of the other attachments.

By the way, the disks last much longer if you use the dust attachment.

Donn, I’ve noticed that even with my 5” RO sander, the edges of the paper sometimes get worn and clogged faster than the middle.

[Scott Rosen]

The dust attachment works great. It removes about 90% of the dust and it doesn’t get in the way. It’s well worth the price if you are doing a lot of sanding with the full-sized triangle discs. Unfortunately, I don’t think you can use it with any of the other attachments.

By the way, the disks last much longer if you use the dust attachment.

Donn, I’ve noticed that even with my 5” RO sander, the edges of the paper sometimes get worn and clogged faster than the middle.

[Scott Rosen]

The dust attachment works great. It removes about 90% of the dust and it doesn’t get in the way. It’s well worth the price if you are doing a lot of sanding with the full-sized triangle discs. Unfortunately, I don’t think you can use it with any of the other attachments.

By the way, the disks last much longer if you use the dust attachment.

Donn, I’ve noticed that even with my 5” RO sander, the edges of the paper sometimes get worn and clogged faster than the middle.

[Donn]

Same with my 6" disks, Scott. I cut triangles out of the middle for the Fein. I may just have to have that dust attachment. Let's see...how much longer would it have to make the triangles last, to pay for itself? :D

[Donn]

Same with my 6" disks, Scott. I cut triangles out of the middle for the Fein. I may just have to have that dust attachment. Let's see...how much longer would it have to make the triangles last, to pay for itself? :D

[Donn]

Same with my 6" disks, Scott. I cut triangles out of the middle for the Fein. I may just have to have that dust attachment. Let's see...how much longer would it have to make the triangles last, to pay for itself? :D

[wingnut]

bob,
thanks for the insight. That's pretty much what i had in mind for the scraper.
don, good tip on the reuse of the sandpaper. I knew there was a reason i was saveing all those half used sanding disks. :D
wingnut

[wingnut]

bob,
thanks for the insight. That's pretty much what i had in mind for the scraper.
don, good tip on the reuse of the sandpaper. I knew there was a reason i was saveing all those half used sanding disks. :D
wingnut

[wingnut]

bob,
thanks for the insight. That's pretty much what i had in mind for the scraper.
don, good tip on the reuse of the sandpaper. I knew there was a reason i was saveing all those half used sanding disks. :D
wingnut

[Concordia..41]

Sorry so slow - spent all day working for the "dark side" to support my wooden boat habit. ;) Made out with a pocket full of stainless screws (anything in the bilge is finders keepers) and told their director of whatever that I'd much prefer they use silicon bronze in the future. :D

On the dust collection subject I liked the dust attachment for the Multimaster so much I went out and bought the 6" random orbit dustless system :D :D tongue.gif (BTW - It ROCKS!)

Yes, the hose is a bit cumbersome, but the dust collection far outweighs the disadvantage. Working on something in front of me on the bench is no problem. Kindof the difference in a corded drill and a cordless.

Shlepping the Multimaster, box of paper, and ShopVac up forward to sand the overhead was a pretty big pain, but the overhead is a miserable job any way you cut it. At least with the dust collection, there's not a mess to clean up afterwards.

Cheers!
- M

[Concordia..41]

Sorry so slow - spent all day working for the "dark side" to support my wooden boat habit. ;) Made out with a pocket full of stainless screws (anything in the bilge is finders keepers) and told their director of whatever that I'd much prefer they use silicon bronze in the future. :D

On the dust collection subject I liked the dust attachment for the Multimaster so much I went out and bought the 6" random orbit dustless system :D :D tongue.gif (BTW - It ROCKS!)

Yes, the hose is a bit cumbersome, but the dust collection far outweighs the disadvantage. Working on something in front of me on the bench is no problem. Kindof the difference in a corded drill and a cordless.

Shlepping the Multimaster, box of paper, and ShopVac up forward to sand the overhead was a pretty big pain, but the overhead is a miserable job any way you cut it. At least with the dust collection, there's not a mess to clean up afterwards.

Cheers!
- M

[Concordia..41]

Sorry so slow - spent all day working for the "dark side" to support my wooden boat habit. ;) Made out with a pocket full of stainless screws (anything in the bilge is finders keepers) and told their director of whatever that I'd much prefer they use silicon bronze in the future. :D

On the dust collection subject I liked the dust attachment for the Multimaster so much I went out and bought the 6" random orbit dustless system :D :D tongue.gif (BTW - It ROCKS!)

Yes, the hose is a bit cumbersome, but the dust collection far outweighs the disadvantage. Working on something in front of me on the bench is no problem. Kindof the difference in a corded drill and a cordless.

Shlepping the Multimaster, box of paper, and ShopVac up forward to sand the overhead was a pretty big pain, but the overhead is a miserable job any way you cut it. At least with the dust collection, there's not a mess to clean up afterwards.

Cheers!
- M

[wingnut]

well,
i went and bought the multimaster at lunch today and promptly took it home and tried it out on the intended project. It worked like a champ! I tried the different attachments that came with it and am pleased with all of them. Thanks for the advice.
wingnut

[wingnut]

well,
i went and bought the multimaster at lunch today and promptly took it home and tried it out on the intended project. It worked like a champ! I tried the different attachments that came with it and am pleased with all of them. Thanks for the advice.
wingnut

[wingnut]

well,
i went and bought the multimaster at lunch today and promptly took it home and tried it out on the intended project. It worked like a champ! I tried the different attachments that came with it and am pleased with all of them. Thanks for the advice.
wingnut

[Ed Harrow]

Well, as usual, a day late and a dollar short...

I don't use my MM all that much, but when I do it is to do jobs that I can't imagine could be done in any other reasonable way. It is an imazing tool. (I did attempt to convince SWMBOjr that I could take her cast of with it, to no avail, LOL.)

I have only one complaint with respect to FEIN stuff, and you all know what it is. What bit do they have so done up in patents that there are few sources for any of the little bits, but FEIN themselves. Maybe they have such a little bit of the market not many others can be bothered tooling up.

Don't misinterpret, it (along with the vac) is a great tool.

[Ed Harrow]

Well, as usual, a day late and a dollar short...

I don't use my MM all that much, but when I do it is to do jobs that I can't imagine could be done in any other reasonable way. It is an imazing tool. (I did attempt to convince SWMBOjr that I could take her cast of with it, to no avail, LOL.)

I have only one complaint with respect to FEIN stuff, and you all know what it is. What bit do they have so done up in patents that there are few sources for any of the little bits, but FEIN themselves. Maybe they have such a little bit of the market not many others can be bothered tooling up.

Don't misinterpret, it (along with the vac) is a great tool.

[Ed Harrow]

Well, as usual, a day late and a dollar short...

I don't use my MM all that much, but when I do it is to do jobs that I can't imagine could be done in any other reasonable way. It is an imazing tool. (I did attempt to convince SWMBOjr that I could take her cast of with it, to no avail, LOL.)

I have only one complaint with respect to FEIN stuff, and you all know what it is. What bit do they have so done up in patents that there are few sources for any of the little bits, but FEIN themselves. Maybe they have such a little bit of the market not many others can be bothered tooling up.

Don't misinterpret, it (along with the vac) is a great tool.

[On Vacation]

I save most of my random pads, stick it soft pad discs and even the velcro pads, and use them on blocks if wood, for radius edges, and mouldings, since the middle are almost never used as much. The stick-it backs work well on pvc pipe for fillet sandings, on the occasions of needing to sand fairing fillets. Oh course you knew that, too. ;)

When we use eight inch soft pads, and the edges get worn down, we make the back of the pad at six inche points, then we take a screw driver, and turn on the sander or grinders and cut them down to make them six inche, instead of buying a new and expensive 3m soft pad for six inche disc.

[On Vacation]

I save most of my random pads, stick it soft pad discs and even the velcro pads, and use them on blocks if wood, for radius edges, and mouldings, since the middle are almost never used as much. The stick-it backs work well on pvc pipe for fillet sandings, on the occasions of needing to sand fairing fillets. Oh course you knew that, too. ;)

When we use eight inch soft pads, and the edges get worn down, we make the back of the pad at six inche points, then we take a screw driver, and turn on the sander or grinders and cut them down to make them six inche, instead of buying a new and expensive 3m soft pad for six inche disc.

[On Vacation]

I save most of my random pads, stick it soft pad discs and even the velcro pads, and use them on blocks if wood, for radius edges, and mouldings, since the middle are almost never used as much. The stick-it backs work well on pvc pipe for fillet sandings, on the occasions of needing to sand fairing fillets. Oh course you knew that, too. ;)

When we use eight inch soft pads, and the edges get worn down, we make the back of the pad at six inche points, then we take a screw driver, and turn on the sander or grinders and cut them down to make them six inche, instead of buying a new and expensive 3m soft pad for six inche disc.

[Donn]

I agree that the Fein Multimaster bits are really high priced, but I think many of them can be fabricated at home, much more affordably.

If the rigid scraper blade ever wears out, it's easily replaced with a rigid putty knife blade, drilled to fit the spindle. Likewise the flexible scraper, and the knife blades.

I have 1 of the HSS 3 1/8" blades, which go for about $40 :eek: . But, I've been using it for 2 years, and less than a quarter of the edge shows any sign of use. Only a small portion of the circumference of the blade gets used, and it's pretty easy to watch what part of the edge you use, to preserve the teeth. Here again, it seems that it would be pretty simple to cut a steady supply of saw blades out of a larger (and cheaper) circular (or other) saw blade.

I've successfully mounted a 2" length of hacksaw blade and a 3" length of wood rasp to the Multimaster.

Edited to add...I just looked at the ProPrep scraper blades, and there's no reason why any of them couldn't be drilled to mount on the Multimaster. They're better scrapers than the $21 Fein blade, and come in a variety of shapes, for $7 each.

[ 01-17-2004, 01:22 PM: Message edited by: Donn ]

[Donn]

I agree that the Fein Multimaster bits are really high priced, but I think many of them can be fabricated at home, much more affordably.

If the rigid scraper blade ever wears out, it's easily replaced with a rigid putty knife blade, drilled to fit the spindle. Likewise the flexible scraper, and the knife blades.

I have 1 of the HSS 3 1/8" blades, which go for about $40 :eek: . But, I've been using it for 2 years, and less than a quarter of the edge shows any sign of use. Only a small portion of the circumference of the blade gets used, and it's pretty easy to watch what part of the edge you use, to preserve the teeth. Here again, it seems that it would be pretty simple to cut a steady supply of saw blades out of a larger (and cheaper) circular (or other) saw blade.

I've successfully mounted a 2" length of hacksaw blade and a 3" length of wood rasp to the Multimaster.

Edited to add...I just looked at the ProPrep scraper blades, and there's no reason why any of them couldn't be drilled to mount on the Multimaster. They're better scrapers than the $21 Fein blade, and come in a variety of shapes, for $7 each.

[ 01-17-2004, 01:22 PM: Message edited by: Donn ]

[Donn]

I agree that the Fein Multimaster bits are really high priced, but I think many of them can be fabricated at home, much more affordably.

If the rigid scraper blade ever wears out, it's easily replaced with a rigid putty knife blade, drilled to fit the spindle. Likewise the flexible scraper, and the knife blades.

I have 1 of the HSS 3 1/8" blades, which go for about $40 :eek: . But, I've been using it for 2 years, and less than a quarter of the edge shows any sign of use. Only a small portion of the circumference of the blade gets used, and it's pretty easy to watch what part of the edge you use, to preserve the teeth. Here again, it seems that it would be pretty simple to cut a steady supply of saw blades out of a larger (and cheaper) circular (or other) saw blade.

I've successfully mounted a 2" length of hacksaw blade and a 3" length of wood rasp to the Multimaster.

Edited to add...I just looked at the ProPrep scraper blades, and there's no reason why any of them couldn't be drilled to mount on the Multimaster. They're better scrapers than the $21 Fein blade, and come in a variety of shapes, for $7 each.

[ 01-17-2004, 01:22 PM: Message edited by: Donn ]