Fein Sander Questions

[Bill Grumbine]

Good afternoon all

With the impending woodworking show this weekend, I am looking to boost the economy as much as possible, even beyond and above my Minimax purchases. I am looking at Fein sanders, or more accurately, the Multimaster. Lately I have been getting into some turning situations that require sanding off the lathe of a flat surface intersecting a round surface. Below is an example. Not only is it serious drudgery sanding these surfaces by hand, my big fat fingers don't always do a good job of getting into where they need to get. So I am looking at this Fein tool, and I have some questions:

<img src="http://www.enter.net/~ultradad/cherryburlbowl01.jpg">

<img src="http://www.enter.net/~ultradad/cherryburlbowl02.jpg">

First, does it really work as advertised? Years ago, I, along with other wishful thinkers, bought the Ryobi sex toy version that did nothing but vibrate, make noise, and take up space in the drawer. I do not want to do that again, especially at these prices.

Second, if this thing does work, is the variable speed really worth it? I have a tendency to think not, but please correct me if I am mistaken. I know this thing has other attachments available. I have variable speed on a number of sanders and other tools. While that feature gets used on the lathe and the jigsaw, I cannot think of any time I ever used variable speed on a sander except to see if it works.

Third, is there an alternative I should be considering? Keep in mind I am doing this off the lathe, and I need to hold the piece in one hand as I work. These pieces are combinations of round and flat, but there are often no regular edges, hence no way to clamp them down for a cabinet scraper, etc.

Thanks.

Bill

[John Miliunas]

Bill, take this FWIW, as I have not used mine as you intend to do (though that IS a thought! :) ). I largely based my purchase of it DUE to, not in spite of the variable speed and available cutting accessories. I purchased the kit version at Woodcraft ($199.00) with the case. I made if VERY clear that, if I didn't like it, I would be returning the unit within the 30-day policy. No need! I was skeptical, at first, but this thing flat out rocks! Relatively light, powerful and works as advertised! Yes, the accessories for it are expensive, though some of the cutting blades (if needed) are available through a vendor or two outside of Fein. This unit is NOT a vibrator! I've used the cutting blade on it, as well as the scraper and both do *exactly* what they're designed to do, do it well and do it fast! I found the variable speed to be useful in controlling the amount of material being "attacked". :) IMHO, if you have a dealer nearby, who can give you the $$$-back guarantee, I'd most definitely take it for a spin and see if it will do what is required for you! :cool:

[Gary Max]

I know nothing about the sander-----that bowl is awesome.
I gots to try that out of Cedar.
Pics will follow as soon as I get it made
Thanks for the post

[Jim Becker]

http://a248.e.akamai.net/f/248/5462/2h/Festool.safeshopper.com/images/4111sea.jpg

You also asked about alternatives...talk to Uncle Bob about the Deltex...:D

[John Miliunas]

http://a248.e.akamai.net/f/248/5462/2h/Festool.safeshopper.com/images/4111sea.jpg

You also asked about alternatives...talk to Uncle Bob about the Deltex...:D

Bill, ditto to what Jim says about the Fes! Had it not been for my need of the cutting abilities, it would surely have been Uncle Bob to the rescue! :) :cool:

[Michael Ballent]

I have the VS Multi Master from Fein and it just rocks. Very little vibration and the cutting attachment (although pricey) works very well. I used it to cut the bottoms of every door jam in my house for the laminate flooring project LOML wanted me to do. I still have to use it for sanding, but the variable speed does indeed work very well.

Never used the Festool, but there is nothing out there like the Fein. It's my third tool from them (Vac, MultiMaster, Router) and I am very happy with the build and quality of tools :D

[Bill Grumbine]

Thanks guys. What a problem to deal with! I already know the quality and am happy with my Festool tools, but it is a whole lot more money without the extra attachments. Of course, I am buying it for sanding, but then I got to thinking about all those windows I need to fix - 25 windows, either nine over six or six over six, plus three doors, and that is just the house! I don't even count some of the outbuildings that need window work! I guess I need to do some more thinking.

Bill

[Chris Padilla]

Bill,

Fein or Festool...I don't think you can go wrong with either. If it starts with an F and is from Europe, you are in good shape...but out a fair amount of cash.

[George Tokarev]

It looks as if you've a little radius there. Have you tried the flex edge disks like these at Packard?

http://www.packardwoodworks.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=snding-adiscs-flex
They'll roll up into a fairly tight curl. I've used 'em in angles cut with a 1/4" pointed gouge. Useful elsewhere, too.

[Michael Stafford]

Bill, the bowl is beautiful. I have nothing to add to the conversation about the sanders but the bowl is beautiful...

[Frank Pellow]

Great bowl Bill!

Sorry that I can't help you with the sander question. I do have the Festool Deltex on order but have not taken delivery yet.

[Charles McKinley]

Hi Bill,

I love my Fien Multimaster. I bought it originally to cut those fiberglass panels in bathrooms. I worked wonderfully. A small amount of dust drifted to the floor compared to almost killing my self trying to cut it with a curcular saw. The sander works well and the pad has a slight radius to to that will allow you to get into the edge you want. I have seen that they now offer dust collection. I think they offer a felt pad that would allow it to take the radius of the bowl better.

If you are going to re-do windows the Multmaster will save you a ton of time. Work them at the show for a really good deal.

[John Miliunas]

Thanks guys. What a problem to deal with! I already know the quality and am happy with my Festool tools, but it is a whole lot more money without the extra attachments. Of course, I am buying it for sanding, but then I got to thinking about all those windows I need to fix - 25 windows, either nine over six or six over six, plus three doors, and that is just the house! I don't even count some of the outbuildings that need window work! I guess I need to do some more thinking.

Bill

Bill, if you need something more than just a sander (as in window work), then the Fein is the way to fly! Windows is the PRIMARY reason I bought it, on the suggestion of the main installer at the local lumber yard. The scraper (which is included with the kit) is simply awesome for that! I bought mine directly from the Mgr. at Woodcraft and he concurred, saying that he has a couple window installer outfits regularly buying replacement scrapers for their units. I guess one of them buys them a 1/2 doz. or more at a time, because ALL of his crews are outfitted with the Fein. :) I can, in all sincerity say, that I'm as impressed with this piece as I am with all my Festool pieces! :) :cool:

[Greg Mann]

Bill,

Fein or Festool...I don't think you can go wrong with either. If it starts with an F and is from Europe, you are in good shape...but out a fair amount of cash.
Hey Chris,

Ferrari, sure / Fiat, ?

[Greg Mann]

Bill, if you need something more than just a sander (as in window work), then the Fein is the way to fly! Windows is the PRIMARY reason I bought it, on the suggestion of the main installer at the local lumber yard. The scraper (which is included with the kit) is simply awesome for that! I bought mine directly from the Mgr. at Woodcraft and he concurred, saying that he has a couple window installer outfits regularly buying replacement scrapers for their units. I guess one of them buys them a 1/2 doz. or more at a time, because ALL of his crews are outfitted with the Fein. :) I can, in all sincerity say, that I'm as impressed with this piece as I am with all my Festool pieces! :) :cool:
Bill,

I have the Fein and also like it very well. I needed to break through old latex caulk between my walls and kitchen cabinets so that I could remove them. It was the easiest and fastest way I can see to do work like that. I also needed to remove some old linoloeum and in that case my Festool Linear with the scraper attachment worked much better than the Fein. Neither of those apps are anything like what you are contemplating but are typical of the type of work you would be reaching for these tools to do. I suspect for de-glazing windows the Fein would be better. For sanding, I might lean toward the Deltex. I expect to have a Deltex in my hands in a few days (not mine :( ) so I might be able to compare it to the Fein for sanding purposes only. I will try to post accordingly if you would like. Since I already have the Fien it is unlikely I would consider buying the Deltex for myself but, then again, it is a Festool. At this point in time, it appears there are more attachments for the Fein, and Chris is certainly right; they are both well-made units.

Greg

[Steve Cox]

One issue with the Fein as a sander is that it has a back and forth oscillation motion as opposed to a random orbit motion. It has a tendency to leave cross grain scratches on a surface. As a cutter, the motion is great. As a sander....?

I don't have any info on the Festool but I was wondering has anyone looked at Bosch's version of this? I have seen pictures, Bosch says it has a random orbit motion, but in looking I can't find sandpaper anywhere.

[Christian Aufreiter]

Bill,

I have the Fein and also like it very well. I needed to break through old latex caulk between my walls and kitchen cabinets so that I could remove them. It was the easiest and fastest way I can see to do work like that. I also needed to remove some old linoloeum and in that case my Festool Linear with the scraper attachment worked much better than the Fein. Neither of those apps are anything like what you are contemplating but are typical of the type of work you would be reaching for these tools to do. I suspect for de-glazing windows the Fein would be better. For sanding, I might lean toward the Deltex. I expect to have a Deltex in my hands in a few days (not mine :( ) so I might be able to compare it to the Fein for sanding purposes only. I will try to post accordingly if you would like. Since I already have the Fien it is unlikely I would consider buying the Deltex for myself but, then again, it is a Festool. At this point in time, it appears there are more attachments for the Fein, and Chris is certainly right; they are both well-made units.

Greg


Sorry that I can't help you with the sander question. I do have the Feslool Deltex on order but have not taken delivery yet.

Greg, Frank,

please let me know how you like the Deltex and how it compares to the Fein. I'm contemplating the Fein for X-Mas and as I like it's versatility I think it would be my choice.

Frank, did you also order the TDK?
Did you get my email about the shop dimensions?

Regards,

Christian

[Frank Pellow]

Greg, Frank,

please let me know how you like the Deltex and how it compares to the Fein. I'm contemplating the Fein for X-Mas and as I like it's versatility I think it would be my choice.

Frank, did you also order the TDK?
Did you get my email about the shop dimensions?

Regards,

Christian
It will be a while before I get to use my Deltex and to report on it.

Yes, I ordered the 12 volt TDK (the extra chuck package) and I recieved the shop dimension email -thanks.

[Bill Grumbine]

Good morning all

I appreciate all the response I have gotten here regarding my question. I sort of need this thing in a hurry, as my present application has a deadline. I took all the info I got and it pretty much came down to the fact that the Fein is a fine tool, but it is not the sanding capabilities that make it shine (sorry, lots of coffee this morning). The Festool is a better sander, but it is only a sander. I discussed this with SWMBO, telling her I was at a loss as to what to do. I started out looking for a sander, but with all the other stuff the Fein does, it might be a better buy, as we have LOTS to do on our very old house.

Her response? She said to me this morning, "You are at the point in your life where you are buying single purpose tools. Buy the Festool, and if we want the Fein later on, we'll get it too." So, since I want to keep her happy, I know what I have to do.

Thanks again to all who took time to respond.

Bill

[Frank Pellow]

Good morning all
...
Her response? She said to me this morning, "You are at the point in your life where you are buying single purpose tools. Buy the Festool, and if we want the Fein later on, we'll get it too."
...
Bill
Good for your wife!

I am happy to be able to say that my wife has the same attitude. It's great, isn't it.

[Greg Heppeard]

OK, here's my $.05 (inflation). I met with the Fein rep yesterday and got my hands on one of those sanders. I own the PC version, so I did have something to compare it to. Fein won. It's more quiet and less vibration. I did find that the variable speed helped in certain applications...sometimes the profile sander wanted to jump around a little, slowing the speed helped a lot. I also found out a few things about the Fein company vs Festool. Both companies are located in the same town in Germany. Both have excellent products. Fein makes their own motors, Festool doesn't. I don't know if that's good or bad, you make the call. I was told by the Fein rep, that at the next Central States BBQ, I have to bring the Fein system to demo and see how it rates to any Festool that anyone else would be willing to demo. :eek:

[Bob Marino]

OK, here's my $.05 (inflation). I met with the Fein rep yesterday and got my hands on one of those sanders. I own the PC version, so I did have something to compare it to. Fein won. It's more quiet and less vibration. I did find that the variable speed helped in certain applications...sometimes the profile sander wanted to jump around a little, slowing the speed helped a lot. I also found out a few things about the Fein company vs Festool. Both companies are located in the same town in Germany. Both have excellent products. Fein makes their own motors, Festool doesn't. I don't know if that's good or bad, you make the call. I was told by the Fein rep, that at the next Central States BBQ, I have to bring the Fein system to demo and see how it rates to any Festool that anyone else would be willing to demo. :eek:

Hi Greg,

For whatever reason, the Fein rep gave you some misinformation. The Festool factory is in Neidlingen and the Festool headquarters are in a town called Wendlingen, both in Germany. Fein is in Stuttgart. But more importantly, Festool makes all their own motors, actually, I was their at the factory about a year and a half ago and watched as they put the windings on the jigsaw motors. From the design to the finished product, it's all Festool.

Bob

[Greg Heppeard]

Hi Greg,

For whatever reason, the Fein rep gave you some misinformation. The Festool factory is in Neidlingen and the Festool headquarters are in a town called Wendlingen, both in Germany. Fein is in Stuttgart. But more importantly, Festool makes all their own motors, actually, I was their at the factory about a year and a half ago and watched as they put the windings on the jigsaw motors. From the design to the finished product, it's all Festool.

Bob


Thanks Bob,
I thought you would read this and set me straight...It helps to hear both sides of the story. I know that Festool is a quality product and I believe that Fein is also. It's like putting a DeWalt up against a PC before the combination of companies (not that the DW and PC are up to the quality of Festool and Fein). :o

[Jim Becker]

Her response? She said to me this morning, "You are at the point in your life where you are buying single purpose tools. Buy the Festool, and if we want the Fein later on, we'll get it too." So, since I want to keep her happy, I know what I have to do.
She has trained you well... :D :p

[Greg Mann]

Good morning all

I appreciate all the response I have gotten here regarding my question. I sort of need this thing in a hurry, as my present application has a deadline. I took all the info I got and it pretty much came down to the fact that the Fein is a fine tool, but it is not the sanding capabilities that make it shine (sorry, lots of coffee this morning). The Festool is a better sander, but it is only a sander. I discussed this with SWMBO, telling her I was at a loss as to what to do. I started out looking for a sander, but with all the other stuff the Fein does, it might be a better buy, as we have LOTS to do on our very old house.

Her response? She said to me this morning, "You are at the point in your life where you are buying single purpose tools. Buy the Festool, and if we want the Fein later on, we'll get it too." So, since I want to keep her happy, I know what I have to do.

Thanks again to all who took time to respond.

Bill
I guess keeping the wife happy will just have to be your burden to bear. :D

[Cameron Reddy]

Good morning all

I appreciate all the response I have gotten here regarding my question. I sort of need this thing in a hurry, as my present application has a deadline. I took all the info I got and it pretty much came down to the fact that the Fein is a fine tool, but it is not the sanding capabilities that make it shine (sorry, lots of coffee this morning). The Festool is a better sander, but it is only a sander. I discussed this with SWMBO, telling her I was at a loss as to what to do. I started out looking for a sander, but with all the other stuff the Fein does, it might be a better buy, as we have LOTS to do on our very old house.

Her response? She said to me this morning, "You are at the point in your life where you are buying single purpose tools. Buy the Festool, and if we want the Fein later on, we'll get it too." So, since I want to keep her happy, I know what I have to do.

Thanks again to all who took time to respond.

Bill

I have a few questions. No. 1 below is, of course, tongue in cheek. No. 2 is serious.

1. Are all you guys such pantywaists? Be a Man and TELL her how it is! What's this "if WE want" business? :rolleyes:

2. Any additional or revised comments on which is the better device?

[Bill Hanlon]

I sand all day and i use the fein (multimaster) sander all the time. The only hurdle i found was that paper was hard to remove and place back on as it seems that the leading edge gets burned out and the rest hardly used.
I just drilled a 1/2" hold in the center so that I could use the allen rench and more the head around without removing the sand paper. It lasts longer, is more versitle and sure helps with the vibration problem that sanders always cause. The verible speed helps me with any type of possible scratches that i am afraid may happen.
If ya ask me it is worth the money!

Bill Hanlon