Multi-tool reveiw - Woodworking Talk

Handyman · 04-21-2009, 11:19 PM

Ok I know have said many many time how Harbor Freight power tools are junk. Well after pricing out the Mult-tool that fein makes and Dremel as well, I was picking up a paint gun and saw HF has a multi-tool for $39.00. For that price I bought it. Used the halfmoon blade to cut the sheetrock out were we are building a shower. My $39.00 investment was well worth the chance I tool buying it. It cut through the 1/2 sheetrock almost as fast as my recip-saw with hardly any dust. Then I change the blade to the scraper blade and pealed up two layers of vinyle flooring. It wasn't as fast as they show the fein doing it on tv but it did the job. It cames with 4 different attachments, one was a 3" triangle sanding pad, two for sawing and one for scraping. It has a 1/4 hp motor with a 6ft power cord.
I only have one negitive thing to say about it. The shape and size of the body is a little hard to hold. Too fat for my hand. Other than that I would give it a 8 out of 10. As for how long it will last, We will see. But for what it saved me in time and clean up, It paid for it's self on this last job.

scribbles · 04-22-2009, 12:00 AM

Great to hear, I was looking at the Fein tool for ever but could never justify the price. When I saw the Dremel version I bought it without hesitation. $89 on sale used mine on a couple dozen jobs in the last few months. I love it. I will be picking up a HF one for my guys to beat up; they keep steeling my Dremel multi, lol...

firefighteremt153 · 04-22-2009, 06:01 AM

I rencently saw that tool at HF and wondered how well it would perform. Thanks for the info.

firehawkmph · 04-22-2009, 11:13 PM

Handy,
My brother in law has the HF tool. He likes it. I bought the dremel not too long ago and have a few chances to use it on the last few jobs I have done. I have been cutting trim in place that has to have say a 1/2" taken off. Draw a line and follow the line, works great. I used it to cut holes for electrical boxes in the backs of cabinets. It is kind of amazing how it cuts through wood. Very fun to use.
Mike Hawkins

Allthumbs27 · 05-22-2009, 01:42 AM

Just got one as a birthday present from my little brother. I actually was gonna take it back and exchange it with something else. I was at work and needed to cut a corner out that was in a pretty tight spot. So I broke it out and tried it out. I was stunned at how well it was built and how well it functions. The sanding pads were pretty much junk though.
Does HF or Fein or Dremel use the same attachments?

peerawit · 05-22-2009, 10:31 AM

I think fein mm is too exp

.. so i choose the dremel ...

wrc.six.eight · 05-24-2009, 02:28 AM

After reading this thread I visited the closest HF, and bought one, with a couple replacement blades.

The blades themselves have 4 holes in a + sign configuration around the center allen key bolt. There are no corresponding pins to hold the blade firmly in place. In my experiments, the cutting saw blade would spin off center, and the bolt loosened with the vibration.

So I centered it again and really torqued the bolt down again. It still loosened up and the blade rotated.

So I wound up drilling a small hole in the base of the tool, and screwing in a little machine screw and grinding off the head.
Problem solved.

But I didn't account for the fact that the tool doesn't stop perfectly centered and thus my machine screw is not perfectly centered and the blade slightly offset.

But it does work pretty well. It cut through the corner of a 2x4 about 5/8 inch deep in around 5 seconds.

WarnerConstInc. · 05-24-2009, 09:00 PM

Buy one Fein MM and never have to replace it for the rest of your life.

It only takes a few of those cheap ones to add up to the price of the MM.

peerawit · 05-26-2009, 01:23 AM

How long can you use fein mm?

nelcatjar · 06-03-2009, 11:27 AM

I started this thread about the same type of tool.
Dremel Multi-Max vs. Fein Multimaster vs. Rockwell Sonic Crafter

The Fein is expensive because they had a patent on it until last fall. Since the patent expired there is a plethora of oscillating tools. Dremel, Rockwell, and Bosh now make similar tools as well as the HF. (I bet Ryobi and Craftsman won't be far behind)

And here is a thread comparing all of them:
http://www.toolsnob.com/archives/200...ax_oscilla.php

nelcatjar · 06-03-2009, 04:40 PM

Sears Craftsman is coming out with one, but it has not hit the stores yet. It's called the "Craftsman 12 Volt NEXTEC Multi-Tool".

It's battery powered and has a built in dust port.

$99

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...ord=multi+tool

Handyman · 06-04-2009, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allthumbs27

Just got one as a birthday present from my little brother. I actually was gonna take it back and exchange it with something else. I was at work and needed to cut a corner out that was in a pretty tight spot. So I broke it out and tried it out. I was stunned at how well it was built and how well it functions. The sanding pads were pretty much junk though.
Does HF or Fein or Dremel use the same attachments?

Allthumbs I have looked at the Dremel and the one sears sell, and mine form HF and all three of take different blades. As far as I can see, you will have to buy the blades made for each brand.

WarnerConstInc. · 06-04-2009, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peerawit

How long can you use fein mm?

Probably for the rest of your life.

Allthumbs27 · 06-05-2009, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Handyman

Allthumbs I have looked at the Dremel and the one sears sell, and mine form HF and all three of take different blades. As far as I can see, you will have to buy the blades made for each brand.

I appreciate the insight. I guess it was wishful thinking.

iconsort · 07-09-2009, 05:44 AM

What about RTX-6 from Black & Decker? http://blackanddecker.com/ProductGui...ProductID=7767

I find it interesting and capable? Planning to buy one. Does anyone else has practical experiences?

regards, Iconsort.

scribbles · 07-10-2009, 01:17 AM

The multimaster is not a rotary tool.

rrbrown · 07-10-2009, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Handyman

As for how long it will last, We will see. But for what it saved me in time and clean up, It paid for it's self on this last job.

When you buy something from HF that is electric it generally comes with a 90 day warranty. For the $39 item it probably would cost like $5-$9 more to get a 1-3 yr replacement warranty. I don't buy allot at HF but if I do I buy the heavy duty model if possible or get the warranty. I have a $7 brad nailer a $30 coil nailer and a $50 framing Gun that are all used for 3 years and no problems. I have a 20" 1 1/2 hp production drill press, there biscuit jointer and of course a ton of clamps also all over 3 yrs old and no problem. But I used their miter saw and its not worth it. I also have a 29 Gal 4hp twin piston compressor that works well except for the regulator switch is crap and I plan on replacing it.

peerawit · 08-01-2009, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarnerConstInc.

Probably for the rest of your life.

wholelife guarantee... fein multimaster ...

betst quality from german

jjhearn · 08-08-2009, 04:35 PM

I have seen this Chicago Multi tool at Harbor Freight. As a matter of fact, I have a coupon that I can use to get it for $29.99. But, I have never heard of any type of warranty thru them. Does Harbor Freight offer a warranty with their power tools?

thanks
JJ

glassyeyes · 08-17-2009, 08:59 PM

The Fein MM is a wonderful tool; the newest model is even better, as the star-shaped shaft holds the blades very reliably compared to older round shaft.

The issue for me was the cost of the blades; they were VERY expensive, and in light of the cost, I thought their longevity was only average. SO, TWO QUESTIONS:

1) How often are you going to use it?

2) How good are the blades and scrapers compared to their price?