Im the only carpenter left in the world without a Multi tool

[bobbys]

.





Was ready to pull the trigger{pun intended} but I stopped at Home depot and there were so many my little head went into a dizzy, I need one even though i have exsisted on the planet without one as a carpenter since 1972.

Still dreams of flush cutting trim and sugar fairy's danced threw me head.

I welcome all recommendations, However a desire is availability of blades and power...

Any thoughts of corded vs cordless/east coast/west coast?

Saw this one today.
.

ttp://www.protoolreviews.com/reviews/power-tools/corded/specialty/dremel-mm40-01-multi-max

[David G]

It was important to me to have a cordless oscillating multi-tool. Therefore, I went with the Milwaukee. I'm quite happy with the tool, but your REALLY need a mess of batteries if you expect to use it somewhere remote, with no access to your charger. After much research, this seems to me to be the best of the bunch - as far as cordless.

If I were to want a corded version... I'm not sure what I'd do. The Fein is clearly head and shoulders above the competition. It's smooth and feels bulletproof. I love the cordless tool change feature. But the barrel is simply Too Fat to fit my hand comfortably If I were using it where I knew I'd have power... I'd definitely want the corded version. I'd have to dig deeper into which one, though.

Also... I don't think I'd bother to own one if I did mostly framing and roofing. They'd be hugely handy for a remodeler, I suspect.

[wizbang 13]

I do not have one either,yet, so I will be watching this.
It will be for aboard the boat, so I recon cordless.

[Figment]

Temper your enthusiasm.
I got a Fein about 10 years ago. I can't clearly remember what the task was that prompted the purchase.
I used it again last weekend. In between, I doubt it's been used for 20 minutes total. I've contemplated selling it several times.

There are applications in which it TRULY excels, but in all other applications it's really not so great at all.
As you said.... you've worked this long without one.

[Bob Cleek]

Figment's right. I got my Fein corded maybe ten years ago. Had long lusted after one. There's no question it is a very high quality tool and it does a lot of stuff nothing else does (or did then) and (still now) much better. But it ain't cheap. The "old" Fein with the "round hole" blade mount will drive most all of the after-market/other brand blades and accessories at a tenth the price. (if you get the "star hole" mount, they sell an adaptor that doesn't cost much.) Fein's blades are good, but eggregiously overpriced. (They must figure that once you spring for the price of the tool, you'll have not choice but to over pay for the attachments!) I've looked at all the other knockoffs that have come out. If you really just want one to fool with or use occasionally, you can now get Harbor Freight's knockoff for less than $50. (I buy their blades. The cheapest around. Almost as good as Fein's.) That said, there is no comparison whatsoever between the Fein and anybody else's, except perhaps Milwaukee... I haven't played with the Milwaukee as yet. (Milwaukee used to be really great, but it looks like they are going the way of Skil and DeWalt... somebody buys the pro-grade label and starts putting out cheap crap for the home hobbyists.) If you are a professional carpenter, you certainly must know enough not to buy anything made by Dremel (except maybe a mototool from grinding your dog's toenails!) As for batteries... everybody knows corded is more powerful, more reliable, and a heck of a lot cheaper. (Sure, there are those few applications were batteries are really convenient, but they aren't frequent enough to justify the whole cost/charging/low power equation.)

In summary, if you want the quality professional grade tool, Fein is about the only way to go. If not, you might as well spend as little as possible (Horror Fright) and plan on bringing it back when it craps out and exchanging it for a new one, or just tossing it in the trash can.

[Mrleft8]

My father bought one for some reason several years ago..... It has remained untouched for all but about 3 minutes, in which time I determined that a dull butter knife with a piece of sandpaper wrapped around the blade would do the job faster..... And I have absolutely no idea what that job was at this point..... It sits in it's box covered in dust on a shelf with other things that don't get used, but are too valuable to discard.....

[SMARTINSEN]

1. Cannot be beat for sanding into a corner.

2. East Coast.

[Mrleft8]

1. Cannot be beat for sanding into a corner.

2. East Coast.

That was it! That was the job!..... My father decided to refinish a cabinet with flat panel doors, and wanted something that would sand right into the corner of the panel......
Didn't work so well..... Just put deep scratch marks in a random elliptical pattern all over the corners of the panel, which then had to be scraped with a card scraper to make them right again.....

[CundysHarbor]

I have one.......not very useful. The 5inch festool thats useful.
Dave

[jtb]

I have a Bosch, I like it when I use it.

[jackster]

The boat shop I worked in (mostly 2 to occasionally 4 people.) went through two Fein tools in about 8 years.
They were used quite a lot and the sanding attachment worked very well if you used the proper grit paper and changed them often.
Not as durable as some have said. The first one was sent back twice to repair (free) the oscillating feature and the sanding pads wore out regularly. Blades and paper were charged to the customer.
No other tool had the same capabilities until the knock-offs came out.
But, as has been said, if you don't have the need, it is a big investment. If you need it, nothing else works as well.

[Leatherneck]

Just FYI, Amazon has the Bosch tool on special TODAY ONLY for like $115. Gets good reviews for human factors like grip, balance, ergonomics.

TC

[SMARTINSEN]

That was it! That was the job!..... My father decided to refinish a cabinet with flat panel doors, and wanted something that would sand right into the corner of the panel......
Didn't work so well..... Just put deep scratch marks in a random elliptical pattern all over the corners of the panel, which then had to be scraped with a card scraper to make them right again.....

Yes, I would agree, paint grade, rather than varnish grade sanding. And I do not know about the others, but the Fein is not random orbit, but rather, oscillating.

[kenjamin]

A while back when my central air was replaced I asked the guys what would it take to make the master bedroom the coldest room in the house and they recommended we add another register (air outlet) on the bedroom ceiling. They were using all the old pre-existing holes on the ceilings for the registers but we needed to cut a new hole for the second master bedroom one. My house was built in 1925 and has board and lathe ceilings and walls. I already knew what a jig saw or a circular saw does when it gets into those lathe boards. It vibrates it wildly and causes plaster to fly off anywhere near where you are sawing. Seeing this a good excuse for a new tool and since I live only a few blocks from the home center, I bopped down there and bought the corded Bosch Multi. It vibrated so fast that the lathe board didn't seem to have enough time to react to any one cycle of the tool and it did a beautiful job. I've used it a couple of times since then and I'm very happy with what it can do but it can be painfully slow sometimes but it does give you great control in its operation.

[Chip Chester]

I use mine mostly for plunge cutting into wood. It's a Fein, earlier round-hole variable speed tool. Does a great job in a very predictable manner. Most comparisons I've read put the Fein at or near the top, but I use the cheaper HF blades regularly for "dangerous" procedures. (Dangerous to the blade, that is!) Chip

[David G]

It took ME a very long time to finally pull the trigger - largely because none of the cordless versions impressed me until the Milwaukee. Now that I have it, I find I use it regularly, and it is quite handy for some tasks that was require a bunch of fussing or setup with other tools. I'm quite happy I made the purchase. I use it primarily for boat repair, boatbuilding, and furniture repair/refinishing.

The comment about Milwaukee quality going downhill is just the opposite to what I'm currently seeing. Their parent company also owns Rigid and Ryobi. They are positioning Ryobi as the cheapo, home handyman tool. Rigid is the decent quality tradesman tool. Milwaukee is the premium brand, and they are putting the best engineering and innovation into that brand. I'm quite impressed with how they've kept the quality on their benchmark tools (hole-hawg, sawzall, etc.) - while coming out with some very nifty cordless tools.

[TerryLL]

I've got three multi-tools, all cordless. A Leatherman, a Gerber, and a Swiss Army Cyber Tool 34 (my fave). I was not aware there was a corded version. Will investigate further.

[David G]

I've got three multi-tools, all cordless. A Leatherman, a Gerber, and a Swiss Army Cyber Tool 34 (my fave). I was not aware there was a corded version. Will investigate further.

I would regard the corded versions of your tools to be highly experimental... and would stay far away until they improve on the shocking safety record.

[Paul Girouard]

I agree with Lefty , most time people need to use one is due to not thinking about the process , or they don't know what a sharp chisel or scraper can do. The blades are very expensive , the tools , even the "mighty" Fien as noisy. We have two at work , I've never felt they where worth the trouble to go get out of the trailer.
But if you lack skill and fore thought , sure maybe you should buy one.

[Bob Smalser]

My father bought one for some reason several years ago..... It has remained untouched for all but about 3 minutes, in which time I determined that a dull butter knife with a piece of sandpaper wrapped around the blade would do the job faster..... And I have absolutely no idea what that job was at this point..... It sits in it's box covered in dust on a shelf with other things that don't get used, but are too valuable to discard.....

I don't have one, either. No need. In new work there are plenty of work-arounds and in repairs I can generally work faster by hand.

But for those who need one, Dremel is now making one that's getting decent reviews:

http://www.amazon.com/Dremel-6300-01.../dp/B001FORC9C

[Ted Hoppe]

It took nearly 20 years before the patent was over for Fein's mulitool.

I have had one for nearly 15 years. Take it as part of my mobile tool kit. I found Fein quite useful in scarfing plunge cuts (for repairing wooden masts and the like) and other smaller scarfing hull work. Cutting out hard to access areas in fiberglass where a Zaw saw would destroy the areas around it. The sanding feature does a nice job where delicate work is required. The scraping blade is good too when moving thick paint, carpet and linoleum. The sand paper on the fein is overly pricey. When i have used other manufactures paper, the pads on the fein are wrecked after the second sheet. I second the use of harbor freight blades if used sparingingly and treated as disposable. The dremel blades are 2/3s as good as the feins. Feins replacements seem to work best but at three times the cost of the other off brands.

[Stiletto]

I bought a $61.00 cheapie with a two year warranty from our ebay equivalent to try out as I hadnt used one before. I am surprised at how well it works for those awkward jobs like cutting scotia in situ so a rangehood duct can reach the ceiling.
Decent replacement blades are expensive so I buy off brand ones when they are on special.

I'm not a tool snob, if it works I use it. If it eventually breaks down I will buy a name brand one to replace it now that I have found how useful it can be.

[Lew Barrett]

I have a Bosch, I like it when I use it.

Want another one? I didn't even like it when I used it, much less just sitting there!

[michigangeorge]

I purchased a Fein shortly after they were first introduced. Used it only occasionally for those odd sanding jobs but always resented paying the outrageous price of accessories such as the various blades. Now that blades are available cheaper I've been adding and trying new ones, finding many more uses for the tool. Just recently purchased a new Fein (after dropping my old one 8' onto the hard concrete) and find it to be an even better tool! Even the more costly Fein accessories are worth it in time saved. I just cleaned out hundreds of feet of caulking seams using the carbide grout tool and used the flush cutting blade to let in some dutchmen. I like the long cord and doubt a cordless would be justified with this type of tool.
Good sharp hand tools will do the same job so it's really a matter of how you like to work and spend your $$$.

[botebum]

We have a fairly cheap one at work. I used it once to sand a tight corner on a corbel. It was slow and aggravating. I went back to my chisel and shaved the corner right in 1/4 the time.

I used to want one for my own shop but between good sharp chisels and a few card scrapers I don't have a need for one.

Doug

[Chip Chester]

Sanding is one of the least "special" things it can do, to be sure. To me, it's the kind of tool that never gets used during construction from the ground up, on a house, boat, or whatever. But it often gets used when remodeling/revising existing work. Current land-based project is replacement windows for the house, and it gets used often while fitting outside fiberglas-like trim. Two places on each window, I trim the window structure by 1/8" or so, and I actually cut behind the trim that's already in-place, because the cutline is defined by how the trim lays, not by specific measurements. (90 year old brick house). Hard to describe, but I'll be at it again in a week or two, and I'll post a pic then. In any event, it changed the task from "How the heck..." to "Oh, that was easy." Not that there's no other possible way to do it, but it's a very appropriate solution to use while up on a ladder with potentially-splintery, 6-week-leadtime parts located in a recessed corner.

Chip

[Redeye]

My friend was given one, a Fein, by his boss when we started the boat. we used it on the first day to sand something. And he used it a little while later to wreck something. Hasn't been touched since. for cutting blind holes I use a drill and a chisel. or a router. the Fein is now just an expensive sander that we don't use.

I can see it would have uses to cut things like fibreglass and reinforced plaster board in situ etc, but for most wood work a sharp chisel does a great job.

[David G]

Interesting that so many folks have found little use for an oscillating multi-tool once they owned it. I have found the opposite.

For years I'd find myself thinking - If I had one of those right now, it'd save me a bunch of aggravation and time. When the cordless versions finally reached the stage where battery life was kinda, almost, very close to reasonable (the Milwaukee 12v cordless) I finally bought one. I find I use it more than I expected. I keep it handy in a cubby next to my workbench and assembly table in the shop. When it needs to go with me to a remote location, it travels in its own zippered soft case with enough room for a mess of accessories.

When I am working on a boat and trying not to destroy adjacent work... it's a godsend. When I'm down below, contorting into a space where I can barely fit, and certainly can't bring both hands to bear with any leverage, and don't have the space to swing a hammer or angle a chisel so as to use hand tools... it's a godsend. The fact that you can mount the saw blades & such at a variety of angles to the body of the tool makes it rare that I can't stretch into some nook or cranny and use the tool to cut out a rot pocket, or cut off a hopelessly rusted fastener, or somesuch.

As for sanding - when I was restoring this old skiff, it was a big timesaver. From the foto below, you'll see that few of the spaces that needed sanding were big enough for a 5" random orbit, or a 3X21 belt sander (my smallest power sanders). If I hadn't had the Milwaukee, I'd have been left hand-sanding all those little nooks and crannies. I'd probably still be working on it.



It's also true that I find I use it very little for new fabrication.

[Chip Chester]

OT -- is that a SnowCo trailer? Chip

[schlaboatnic]

I use mine (Fein) all the time, mostly in remodelling and other non-boat jobs. What does irk me is hitting a blind nail an knowing that I just ruined another $25 blade

[Hal Forsen]

I bought a Fein a couple years after they started selling 'em and have used it countless times. Remodelers best friend.

[rregge]

I have had the Fein for 5 years and am always reaching for it....not for boatbuilding , but for around the house. Re-did ceramic floors in the bathroom and wood floors in the kitchen....always had it by my side. When you need a flush cut, or a cut in a hard to reach space...it is my first choice.

We had to rip up a layer of plywood in the kitchen that was installed under the kitchen cabnets...all around all the cabinets I need a flush cut....the Fein did it without a pause.

Just this weekend we had a hose leak under the kitchen sink...needed to cut the 1/2" copper pipe that was less than 1/2" from the back of the cabnet. Got out the Fein and put on a metal cutting blade...2 minutes later it was done.

Yes it is expensive....however I have learned that the most expensive tool is the one that doent work when you reach it.

Needed a couple of woodworking blades on a Sunday...Ace had the Craftsman brand that fit...now it had been 20 years since I bought anthing except hand tools with that logo. Much to my surprise...they worked pretty well....not as well as my Feins.....but at 1/2 the price I went back and bought more.

Russell

[bob winter]

I have thought about getting one of these things but I don't really have enough need to justify the expense required to get a good one. I can certainly see the benefit in some circumstances.

[coopercdrkey]

I have a Harbor Freight knock-off that is actually a pretty good piece of gear. (And only $40. or so..... If it breaks, so what?)

Invaluable when installing new flooring, wood or tile, over an existing sub floor. Nothing else undercuts the door jamb trim as well.

(Sure makes my Cocker Spaniel howl when it's on....)

[Boater14]

CPO has the corded Bosch for $89.00. If you buy an extra blade and get to $100.00 free shipping. Reconditioned but looks new. I have the cordless and like it, use it a lot for boat and around the house. Cutting rot out from under the eves on a ladder. Try that with your Disston D 12. Wish I'd waited for the corded as it does run the batteries down. I guess it's against the rules for someone with a Fein that's just sitting in the box for ten years to Pm me. I got a crisp Franklin burning a hole in my pocket.

[bobbys]

Thanks everybody, Im going to borrow my friends Porta cable one and try it.

Had to cut a corner board last week to slide flashing behind it and wished i had one, Lucky i could pull it back off the wall and use a handsaw.

Think i want to find one that can use all the blades or most of them.

[Durnik]

Thanks everybody, Im going to borrow my friends Porta cable one and try it.

Had to cut a corner board last week to slide flashing behind it and wished i had one, Lucky i could pull it back off the wall and use a handsaw.

Think i want to find one that can use all the blades or most of them.

I bought the porter cable cordless. Handy tool, don't use it a lot, but where it works, it's perfect. Plunge cutting existing trim on a remodel never was easier. I have noticed the LI batteries work full power till done.. & then they are _done_. Still, I do enough work away from power the cordless seemed worth it.

Good luck!

enjoy
bobby

[David G]

One of the things I appreciate about the Milwaukee cordless is that it has a 'gas gauge' (really just 5 led's). One can tell - any time one pulls the trigger - how much juice is left.

[Boater14]

The Bosch has an adapter that accommodates other blades. I think others do to.

[esingleman]

I tried the Dremel version because it was $99 and though it would be a rarely used item. I didn't like the build quality, so I took it back and bought the Bosch version, which I like a lot. These tools tend to run the batteries down quickly, however I purchased a Bosch 12V cordless drill that uses the same batteries, so now I have five of these batteries available.

[dredbob]

I bought one of the Dremel ones when I needed to cut a deck board on top of the joist to replace a rotted end of a longer board. It didn't cut as fast as I thought it would, and didn't like cutting the nails at all. I've been looking for saw blades for this thing that are actually meant to cut steel and stainless fasteners, not just soft metals like copper and brass. Where do you find them? I think that if I can just find the right blades, this thing will be useful for cutting hard to otherwise reach things. What are some sources for good blades?

Bob

[ILikeRust]

I resisted for a long time, thinking it was yet another new fad tool that every kid on the block felt they needed. Then I was doing a job on my old 1968 Pearson sailboat and someone mentioned that one of those plunge-cutting oscillating saw tool thingies would probably do the job. I finally grit my teeth and bought the Porter-Cable from Lowe's.

It's now become one of those few tools I wondered how I did without before. There are certain types of cutting it's perfect for - mostly renovating old work. I don't think I'd see much of a need for it in building new from scratch, but for plunge-cutting, it's great. I've not only used it on my boat, but also for several finish carpentry projects inside and outside my house. We installed solid oak hardwood flooring throughout our second floor, and this tool was perfect for trimming the door casings nice and flush with the new flooring. I also neatly excised some rotted wood from around some exterior window sills and casings and also pilasters around the front door, and made angled scarfs. I fit new pieces so neatly, it's hard to tell the wood has been patched until you get up close and look right at it.

Is it an absolutely necessary tool? Nah. But it sure does make certain jobs a whole lot quicker and easier. My only complaint is that the blades are expensive dollar-wise, but seem kinda cheap material-wise. They burn up and get dull too quickly.

[CharlieCobra]

I started with the Rockwells. Made the mistake of buying a gutless Dremel version. Have recently bought two Fiens. I like the Fiens better, less vibration, noise and fatigue. I use the blades from Imperial. Great quality and price. We use the crap outta these tools.

[Stiletto]

Generic blades from the big box stores seem to be ok. The last ones I bought (Ozito) needed the centre hole overbored a little before they would fit my multitool. $NZ25.00 for three.

I have sharpened a chisel edge for scraping onto a few worn out cutter blades, a small but meaningful saving to the Scottish side of my makeup.

[wizbang 13]

DANG! I just spent 3 GD hours , hand sanding the inside corners of my Kutters' coaming and cabina. My fingers tips are floating around Gig Harbor.
Horror fright is 5 miles away.
what an idgit.

[McMike]

I agree with Lefty , most time people need to use one is due to not thinking about the process , or they don't know what a sharp chisel or scraper can do. The blades are very expensive , the tools , even the "mighty" Fien as noisy. We have two at work , I've never felt they where worth the trouble to go get out of the trailer.
But if you lack skill and fore thought , sure maybe you should buy one.

Wow! You win the old fart of the year award with this one.

I have the Black and Decker, model. I use it on almost every repair project I do around the house. It's handy as all get out if you're inclined to think and not simply do the same thing you have been doing for the past 80 years.

[Chip Chester]

Efficiency in executing projects you have to do leaves more time to handcraft the projects you want to do.

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

Chip

[GARRBOSR]

dido that, I have had a Fein for many years, but had gotten a Ridgid cordless because the Fein blades are ridiculous. The Ridgid sucks for longevity, Eveery time I use it I swear Im going to get the Milwaukee. There awesome tools, a wood workers must have. no doubt. Just get one of each. My friend got a real cheap power one and swears its the best tool he ever got. They all make blades now and u can find a guy on ebay who has a new paton on a double ended type blade that come with 10 or so blades for like 20 bucks

[Bob Cleek]

dido that, I have had a Fein for many years, but had gotten a Ridgid cordless because the Fein blades are ridiculous. The Ridgid sucks for longevity, Eveery time I use it I swear Im going to get the Milwaukee. There awesome tools, a wood workers must have. no doubt. Just get one of each. My friend got a real cheap power one and swears its the best tool he ever got. They all make blades now and u can find a guy on ebay who has a new paton on a double ended type blade that come with 10 or so blades for like 20 bucks

Save your money on the Milwaukee and start using your old Fein again. Blades for most all of the other makes will now fit the Fein. (Horror Fright's work great on the old style Fein "round hole" mount, and there are adaptors made for the newer Fein "star mount" blades that will permit round hole blades to be mounted.) We Fein owners are no longer held hostage to Fein's outrageous blade prices.

[GARRBOSR]

ya, you also gota love the quick release on the fein, I hate the rigid screw, ive lost 2, the adapter broke once, the batteries dont last bla bla. but as the type of tool, I love it, Ive used it for unbelievable applications a thousand times but I have to have a cordless too