Oscillating Mulit-Tool

[Tom Scott]

I am currently looking at getting one of those oscillating multi-tools. I've never felt the need before, but am about to install some engineered wood flooring and would like something to undercut the base boards. I see that Porter-Cable, Bosch, Dremel, Fein and more have them. Are there opinions on which is best or are they all about the same?

Thanks,
Tom

[Greg Hines, MD]

I have a Porter Cable unit, and it works well, though I do not use it very often. I had gotten it from Woodcraft with some kind of discount or I probably would not have gotten, it, but I have found a couple of times to need it so far. It seems reliable.

[David Hawxhurst]

fein seems to be the one top but it does come with big price tag. others will work well also. i would think that any of the other would work for most unless you'll be making a living with it.

[Mike Henderson]

If you don't need to do a lot of work with it, get the Harbor Freight unit. I bought one and it works fine. I only use it a few times a year.

Mike

[Bruce Page]

My son has the Rockwell version and likes it.

[Dave Zellers]

I'm glad I bought the Fein- there are times when I really have to push it and I doubt the others would be up to the task.

But for light duty work I'm sure they are all capable.

[Andrew Kertesz]

I agree with Mike. The Harbor Freight unit this time of year is on sale a lot, throw a 20% coupon on top of it and it is a great price. Make sure you look at the pro version.

[Craig McCormick]

Any of the oscillating tools will work fine. Including HF. A good SHARP hand saw will cut jambs as fast or faster than any oscillating tool. HF also sells a jamb cutting saw that will far out perform either for that task. I own a Fein and a Bosch cordless. The Bosch is my go to in my remodeling business. Bosch blades were rated #1 by one of the WW mags.

AZCRAIG

[ian maybury]

I bought a Fein last year, but can't compare it to other models other than that the Eastern model I saw was a bulky and crude looking item in comparison. It's been rock solid reliable and more to the point it's been amazing how often it's got me out an awkward situation while ducting, heating and plumbing the workshop. Especially the plunge cutting chisel format metal and wood blade. More to the point how many jobs my friends have found for it too once they figured out what it could do.

Some significant considerations are probably (a) battery or mains model, (b) ability to use a good quality after market blade like these: http://imperialblades.com/ The OEM blades (from Fein anyway) are very expensive; the related (c) metal cutting as well as wood, and (d) how frequently is it likely to get used?

ian

[Tom Scott]

Thanks all for the suggestions and comments. I don't know how much I'll end up using this once I have it, but the only thing I know for sure is that I need the flush cutting ability for the base boards. I don't normally go cheap on tools, but think I may give the HF tool a go since I don't anticipate giving it a lot of use.

Tom

[Floyd Mah]

The HF tool works fine and is cheap. As little as $19 with a coupon from ads found everywhere. There are two other factors which you should consider when buying one of these tools. The costs of the blades. Variable speed. The HF tool used to come with a bunch of blades and accessories. Their blades are typically very inexpensive. Years ago I considered buying the Fein multitool (when it was the only one) and then quickly decided against it when I discovered that an ordinary replacement blade could cost as much as $69. I don't know what the current price is, but it's a serious consideration. The other important consideration is variable speed. The basic HF model oscillates at a very high speed, probably the same as other makes. This can cause the wood to burn. Their pro model, about twice as expensive, has a slow start and you can slow the speed. This is good if you don't care for the smell of burnt wood.

[Mark Ashmeade]

I have the Bosch. It's a fine all rounder, mine's the cordless one. The 12V Li batteries are magnifico. Got it on Black Friday last year, it's earned its keep in between, along with the drill driver that came in the set. I have a strong suspicion Santa might bring me another couple Bosch 12V Li tools this year.

[Matt Meiser]

I have the Rockwell. If I were to buy today I'd probably think about the new lower priced Fein or the Bosch with a cord neither of which were available then. Nothing wrong with the Rockwell but the other two are just more established.

[Myk Rian]

I use my HF one all the time. Bought our son one for Xmas this year.
Accessories are cheap and good quality. It's one of their gem tools.

[raul segura]

H.P. I'm sure not as good quality, but Ive eaten two deck nails with and still hungry. Ive used it for repairing rotted : siding, door trim,base trim for flooring and very hard to reach decking boards all repair. Still humming along. If kept my mind on it Id us it more. May want to hold out for the variable speed. At the price you could get four and still end up ahead, for home use any way. The scraper blade works really well for glued carpet and linoleum on cement floor to Ive also used it somewhat like a chisel.

[Rich Engelhardt]

Thanks all for the suggestions and comments. I don't know how much I'll end up using this once I have it, but the only thing I know for sure is that I need the flush cutting ability for the base boards. I don't normally go cheap on tools, but think I may give the HF tool a go since I don't anticipate giving it a lot of use.

You'll probably use it a lot more than you ever dreamed possible.
I have two or three of the HF ones. We have a rental 50 plus miles away & there's always something that needs cut co I keep one in the van and one in the car and 1 in the shop.
A Dremel << ---avoid the Dremel.
A Menards cordless (Promax or Peformax or something like that) - I love the cordless. It's my usual "go to". I picked it up for about $20.00 all told after rebates & sale price.


Ive also used it somewhat like a chisel.
Ding, ding, ding!!! We have a winner!
I discovered the hidden worth of these tools is that they can be used like a "power chisel".

[Mike Cruz]

Tom, from my experience and from what others have said, Fein makes the best one...hands down. That said, it is expensive, and the attachments are, too. If you don't plan to use this for more than one job, others might be just fine for your needs...

[Bob Deroeck]

After reading reviews of the Bosch cordless OMT having short battery life, I bought a Bosch corded OMT (MX25) about 6 months ago. I've found that it performs similar to the Fein tool, if the same blades are used. The Bosch comes with a blade adaptor device that allows it to use Fein blades, Bosch blades and No-Name blades. Both the Bosch MX25 and the Fein have motors around 2.5 amps and are variable speed. The Bosch is about $135 and the Fein about $195, both including a few basic blades and the sanding pad. In the medium to long run the cost of the blades will be much higher than the cost of the tool. If I were to buy another OMT, I would buy the Bosch MX25 again. I don't consider it a downgrade from the Fein.

Blades are a separate story. I'm still trying out Fein, Bosch and No-Name blades to determine the most cost effective option. My initial impressions are that the Fein and Bosch are similar in performance and similarly priced (high). The No-Name blades perform just about as well for a short period of time, don't last as long, but cost less. For infrequent use the No-Name blades should be fine. I've still not decided if they are more cost effective than the Branded blades for more intensive use. My current thinking is they are not, but more cutting time is needed to reach a more definitive conclusion. Stay tuned.

Bob

[Will Rowland]

Occasionally, Amazon will have factory-reman Fein 250Qs for $199, which is the deal I would look for. I have the 250Q (bought the kit new from the local Rockler, though they honored a 20% coupon), and I find myself constantly reaching for it. For remodel work on old houses, it is invaluable.

You can buy the real Fein blades pretty cheap through Amazon, and with the "Prime" shipping I usually have them the next day. As long as you don't hit a nail, the blades will last quite a long time. However, if you plunge into a nail, the blade is toast.

[Bill Huber]

A little late on this but I have the Milwaukee cordless and love it. I also have the Milwaukee impact driver and drill so the battery is not a big deal, they do not last all that long on charge but it is nice not having to use the cord.
I use mine most of the time for sanding, it does a great job getting into corners and hard to get places. I have used it to cut bolts, nails, plastic pipe, steel pipe and wood, does a great job on it all.

Here is a post I made awhile back.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?173114-Multi-tool-to-the-rescue&highlight=multi+tools

[Bruce Wrenn]

The HF blades are basically junk as compared to the ones from Northern Tool which are priced about the same. I have two HF's and a Fein.

[michael veach]

I have the Rockwell corded and the Bosch cordless. Both grate tools. As for the battery life, it is not a problem. It is a 10.8 volt in a small package. What can you expect.

[Tom Scott]

Thanks again all for the information. I may also give the bi-metal blades a shot to see how they hold up. And you're probably right that I will find other uses once I have it. The scraper function may come in handy if the carpet I'm pulling up was glued down. I can also see the detail sander being useful.

[Dan Rude]

I picked up the Craftsman about a year ago and love it. The Menard's MasterForce looks the same but doesn't have the LED light which I like, but is has a 3yr warranty. The only problem I have had is the bolt wearing out and a cheap hex wrench. I'm using my good 5mm on it now only, my local Sear's store made good on it though and had 2 new ones shipped to me free. As for cordless I picked up the Milwaukee M12 one. I picked it up from the Home Depot as part of the Hammer Drill and Impact set for $199 http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware-Power-Tools-Combo-Kits/h_d1/N-5yc1vZar5v/R-202993983/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053. I would say I'm reaching for it to use on ladders and such. I solved the battery issue with picking up the M12 XC battery was only $39 http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware-Power-Tools-Combo-Kits/h_d1/N-5yc1vZar5v/R-202993983/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053 and besides it stands up then. I'll see how it survives with the drywall dust.

[ed vitanovec]

I have the harbor freight variable speed and its okay for occasional work. I just bought the Porter Cable and really like it alot, blade changes are a breeze. The fein is a top notch tool if the budget allows, its a heavy duty tool. There is about 8 competitors to the Fein and all are quite a bit cheaper than the entry level Fein kit. I think its important to be able to buy the blades locally, I have not seen the Fein blades at the stores locally to where I live. I know Bosch had an adapter available to use their blades with other brand of tools. Some brands share the same style of hole patterns for the blade mount.

[Lee Schierer]

I'm considering one as well after using a Dremel multi-tool, I liked what the Dremel did, but didn't care for how uncomfortably hot it got on a small cutting job. If I get one it will be a Bosch corded model.