Re: Which oscillating multi-function tool to buy?

On Jun 18, 7:35*pm, blueman <NOS...@nospam.com> wrote:
> I know that the Fein Multimaster is supposed to be the gold standard
> but at $200+ for even the base model (and $400 for the Top with quick
> change, case, and attachments), the tool seems quite overpriced. Plus,
> they charge a fortune for blades at about $15 a pop.
>
> At the other extreme, Harbor Freight (yes, I know all the "bad" about
> Chinese made/plastic/knock-offs etc.) offers a Multi-Function power
> tool that seems to be perpetually on sale for about $39. Perhaps even
> more importantly, the blades are $6 for a set of 3!!!
>
> In the middle perhaps is the Dremmel Multi-Max Oscillating kit for
> $100 with blades going for about $10 a piece.
>
> Has anybody had experience with these or other oscillating
> multi-function tools? If so do you have any perspectives on the
> cost/benefit ratios of these different models?
>
> i.e., Is it worth paying almost 10X for the Fein and its blades? Do
> the blades really last 10 times longer? Is the tool itself
> significantly more powerful or durable or comfortable to use or quiet,
> etc.?
>
> Now again please spare me the general rantings about Harbor Freight. I
> am asking *specifically* about this tool. In fact, I usually subscribe
> to the principle of buying high quality tools and "paying and crying
> only once" but the difference here seems to be so substantial and
> because of the high price of Fein blades the pain and crying is not
> just a one-time thing. Also, I have in general had good experiences
> with Harbor Freight for buying occassional use tools that I otherwise
> couldn't either afford -- and if it's a tool that I find I really
> like, then I consider the $20-50 spent as the cost of a home trial
> and don't mind upgrading to a name brand. On the other hand, I
> wouldn't trust Harbor Freight for heavy duty precision power tools
> such as a sliding compound miter saw.

I bought my HF multi tool about a month ago and it already has many
hours of heavy duty use on a rehab project. Compared to the hours of
use other tools get in comparison to the HF, it seems silly to spend
any more than $40 or so on any multi tool. One thing about them, they
are SLOW! For digging up old linoleum and tile they are very
effective, but for trimming wood in a saw mode, if anything else will
do the job, forget the multitool. I anticipate using it for electrical
box cutouts in drywall where it should be better than a RotoZip.
Regardless, used within its limits, the multitool is fairly handy. You
just won't be needing it for many hours a day on a construction site
or major project.

Joe