Anyone use a Multitool in the Woodshop?

[Bill Dindner]

Certainly, a Multi tool like the Fein Multimaster is great for home repair/remodeling. But I recently started using mine around the shop. I can't figure out what took me so long.

Just used it the flush trim a few plugs in a doll crib that I'm making for my daughters. Wow was that fast, and so much easier than a Saw.

What do do you guys use them for?

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[Mike Henderson]

I've never used mine in the shop - never felt I had a situation that called for it. I have used it for millwork applications.

I know you can get detail sander attachments for them and maybe that would be a place I could use it.

Mike

[John K Jordan]

Certainly, a Multi tool like the Fein Multimaster is great for home repair/remodeling. But I recently started using mine around the shop. I can't figure out what took me so long.
Just used it the flush trim a few plugs in a doll crib that I'm making for my daughters. Wow was that fast, and so much easier than a Saw.
What do do you guys use them for?


I have a Fein and use it in the shop and used it when I built the shop.

I can't answer the poll because I'm not sure what Fine Woodworking is.

JKJ

[Jay Jolliffe]

Last time I used my multi-tool I cut the key less chuck off my Makita drill.

[Bill Berklich]

Have one, bought it for a specific job and haven't used it since so this, for me, is an interesting thread. Curious to know how people use them.

[Nick Decker]

Have one, bought it for a specific job and haven't used it since so this, for me, is an interesting thread. Curious to know how people use them.

Same here, except that I don't own one. I am, though, enough of a tool nerd to think that I might want one. Thing is, I'm afraid that the "multi" part might refer to the multiple times I wouldn't use it.

[Bill Dindner]

I have a Fein and use it in the shop and used it when I built the shop.

I can't answer the poll because I'm not sure what Fine Woodworking is.

JKJ


What was Intended was to differentiate from the conventional uses of a Multitool, notching molding, cutting a hole in Sheetrock, grinding grout. basically making nice things in the shop, like furniture, toys, boxes etc...

[Robert Parent]

I bought mine when they first appeared on the market. I use it all the time both in and out of the shop. This week cutting CNC router profiles from the backing stock. Last week for cutting molding while installing new flooring, and the previous week for sanding window sills.

I think a single speed model would be rather useless but I really like the variable speed model.

Robert

[Curt Harms]

A multitool is one of those machines that you don't need very often but when you need it, there is no substitute. I've used mine most often doing construction type stuff - cutting holes in dry wall and such - but if I needed a piercing cut like cutting a square hole in the back of a cabinet to fit over an electrical outlet, I don't know of anything better.

[Sam Murdoch]

On the recommendations of quite a few Creekers I bought the very inexpensive variable speed version from Harbor Frieight. It has been one of my most used tools. Has replaced my heavy Makita sawsall as a must have on remodeling projects and has allowed me to do jobs that would otherwise have been nearly impossible to do well. I love having it.

BUT - to answer the opening question - It has not been a shop tool with the exception of some metal work - none of which qualifies as "Fine Woodworking".

If you do remodeling do yourself a favor and GET ONE. Otherwise if you are a shop body I don't see the need. BTW - I only use it as a cutting tool, never as a sander. Maybe the Fein can be used as a detail sander but my Chicago Electric is a sanding dog - not even in an emergency :rolleyes:. I have a Festal RO90 for that purpose.

[roger wiegand]

I use mine (Bosch) a lot in remodeling work, in the shop it seems that I always have a better (more controlled) way to make a given cut. I don't use my Sawzall in the shop either, for the same reason.

[Cary Falk]

I used the detail sander attachment on my Bosch not too long ago.

[Charles P. Wright]

I sometimes use it as a detail sander to get into corners.

[andy bessette]

For trimming plugs I use a few swipes with a sharp chisel. My Fein Multimaster is used much more often on boats than in the shop.

[Doug Garson]

I use my Rockwell Sonicrafter as a detail sander for sanding router bowls.

[Kyle Iwamoto]

I answered no, but maybe I should start using that for corner sanding......... Have not used that attachment yet.

But for those aforementioned jobs, there is no alternative...

[Adam Herman]

We got one to restore some old dining room chairs. who's abrasives do you all use? the HF ones are predictably bad.

[Jamie Buxton]

I don't use it in the shop. I do use it for one task, and it is invaluable. That is cutting already-existing baseboard in place when I'm installing built-in cabinets. That's worth the price of the saw for me. But I haven't found much else for it.

[Wade Lippman]

I have used it for flush cutting plugs and as a detail sander. It is not particularly good for either.

It is one of those things I regret buying, but buying it was pretty inevitable because it looks like it should be so​ useful.

[Bruce Mack]

Yes. I am building a wood model of a Russian house, 32 x 25 x 58" tall. The sheathing is resawn pine ~1/12" thick. After I build, I cut windows with the Fein which does a rough cut which I further trim with a shop knife and chisel. The cross grain wood buckles and resists hand tools when I use them (alone) to make an opening. The windows are no larger than 2 1/2" x 1 1/2", often smaller, so I broach the pine with small drill holes at each corner to permit oblique entry of the saw blade. It works!

[andy bessette]

...The sheathing is resawn pine ~1/12" thick...

Never heard of anyone measuring wood in twelfths of an inch. :)

[Brian Henderson]

I've used it in the past, would probably use it more if I actually remembered to. I probably use it about as much as I use my Dremel, for the same reason, it isn't sitting out where I remember I've got it most of the time.

[Evan Stewart]

I use mine during installation probably more than any other saw. It's absolutely essential for cutting into existing baseboards, crown molding etc. In the shop I use it rarely as a saw but it is awesome for detail sanding. I just used it today to sand some brick molding and baseboard that I milled up. Way faster than hand sanding on profiles that a palm sander cant do.

[johnny means]

Ten letters

[Mark Wooden]

I have a Fein that I've had for about 16 yrs. I use it frequently on site and shop. I made some custom fingers with aluminum plate and cork and use PSA paper for sanding in tight places and corners- very handy but you've to be careful about the oscillation scratches and use fine grit paper

[Osvaldo Cristo]

Although I had not read this particular thread previously, today I purchased a Makita TM3000C.

I burned more than (the equivalent) to USD 200 for the multitool and an interesting assortment of blades... I considered that the price for peace of mind as I considered to purchase that tool a thousand of times in the last years and always I rationalized I did not need it as I could replace its functionality with other power or hand tools easily for occasional use.

From all I had read and listened it looks easier to find real application for multitool around the home when you is a DIYer (my case), but I had some hope to use it also in structural woodworking to create better (and easier) joints as well to sand in difficult places as I have no dedicated triangular sander.

This thread created some hope to find some actual return in the purchase of my toy... perhaps it can turn in an actual tool for me after your inputs... :p

Thanks guys to share your experience.

[johnny means]

I answered no, but of course I occasionally do use a multi tool for finished work. I said no, because the multi tool is never part of the original plan.

[Bill Berklich]

This thread created some hope to find some actual return in the purchase of my toy... perhaps it can turn in an actual tool for me after your inputs... :p

Thanks guys to share your experience.



My hope too!! Jury is still out though.