Oscillating Multi Tool for Repair Work

kito · Nov 21, 2014

So what's the Fein cost?. It's funny that my HF has done everything I ask of it. Maybe the HF blades can use an improvement though. When the HF saw fails then I will look into a Fein if my funds allow.
Also, I keep my HF tools on the boat. If they get stolen, water damaged or break.....I don't care

woodster · Nov 21, 2014

they are a lot more than harbor freight but they are one of the tools that last for ever ...look here for a starter price http://www.amazon.com/Fein-FMM-250Q...d=1416577385&sr=1-4&keywords=fein+multimaster

Maine Sail · Nov 21, 2014

kito said:
So what's the Fein cost?. It's funny that my HF has done everything I ask of it. Maybe the HF blades can use an improvement though. When the HF saw fails then I will look into a Fein if my funds allow.
Also, I keep my HF tools on the boat. If they get stolen, water damaged or break.....I don't care

They both cut and sand but it is how they do it or how fast they do it or how cleanly they do it that makes the difference.. When I am performing a plunge cut into a teak panel on a 7 figure boat that has 24 coats of varnish there is only one tool I will reach for, and that is the Fein.

It is all about how it plunges, how cleanly it cuts and how it does not "hop, skip or jump" across a million dollar boat like cheaper tool will do.

Once you use a premium tool like a Fein or Festool the differences become a real D'oh

moment.... If you've never used a premium tool the HF seems good compared to what you previously had, which was nothing...

For most DIY's I am pretty impressed with the corded top of the line Rockwell. When you buy Fein it pays to buy the "top" 250Q kits or the 250Q Marine Top Kit, as you actually save a lot of money doing so. The blades are what kill you, price wise, but they actually cost less than HFT when you calculate how many lineal feet you can cut with a Fein blade vs. HFT. The FEin blades actually wind up being a better value, just not sticker shock value...

I am actually amazed at what the prices are now for Fein. I paid well over $400.00 for kit....

kito · Nov 21, 2014

woodster said:
they are a lot more than harbor freight but they are one of the tools that last for ever ...look here for a starter price http://www.amazon.com/Fein-FMM-250Q...d=1416577385&sr=1-4&keywords=fein+multimaster

Sweet!. Can't beat German engineering. Maybe Santa will bring me one next Christmas.

jibes138 · Nov 21, 2014

I have a Rockwell from Lowes for about 90 bucks and am very happy. Can't live without this tool, incredible time saver. Frozen nut on a bolt. cut it thin and break it off. Replacing a fuel tank and need to remove the frame bonded to the hull, cut it off in about 5 minutes. Rough up the glass to prepare for bonding with the sanding and carbide grit tools. Need to remove a through hull, cut the nut in half in about 30 seconds. Need to cut a hose frozen on a barb fitting, cut it off in about 15 seconds. Frozen screws in a pedestal, cut off the heads and then vice grips on the shafts once the linkage housing is removed. Way faster than a jig saw and you can cut square inside corners. They all work...just get one.

woodster · Nov 21, 2014

Just an add too......

......when i was coming up and learning to use and own hand and power tools ...they were made to last a life time with quality and dependability along with service ability as well.... now days we seem to just spit out what ever we can rater than build good arsenals of tools....when i cruse the yard sales and flea markets i always look for the older tools as they were made to last and not be a Saturday night special ...i have always felt that the quality of a craftsman's work is not only in his knowledge but also reflected in his tool box as well... yes you can buy the SNS if you like... but if you use a good tool you will not be as tired at the end of the work day and your work will be top notch and will not look like Fido's bohonkus ...an for those who thrive on self gratification it does wonders for there personal pride in there work...i liken it to watching some one with slumped shoulders walking....as to some one with there chest held high ...again its your tool box and your choice and your reflection of your work

kito · Nov 21, 2014

Maine Sail said:
They both cut and sand but it is how they do it or how fast they do it or how cleanly they do it that makes the difference.. When I am performing a plunge cut into a teak panel on a 7 figure boat that has 24 coats of varnish there is only one tool I will reach for, and that is the Fein.

It is all about how it plunges, how cleanly it cuts and how it does not "hop, skip or jump" across a million dollar boat like cheaper tool will do.

Once you use a premium tool like a Fein or Festool the differences become a real D'oh moment.... If you've never used a premium tool the HF seems good compared to what you previously had, which was nothing...

Actually I was skeptical about oscillating saws to begin with. I always buy HF tools as guinea pigs. I am not a professional handyman but will definitely look into the Fein later since this tool has so many uses. It's great for tight places and has a thin curf. It leaves less dust and great for plunge cuts. They are easy to cut a straight line since the blade kind of guides itself within it's own curf. I actually ripped a 3/4" sheet of plywood 8 foot long with it and stayed right on the line.

Maine Sail · Nov 21, 2014

kito said:
Actually I was skeptical about oscillating saws to begin with. I always buy HF tools as guinea pigs. I am not a professional handyman but will definitely look into the Fein later since this tool has so many uses. It's great for tight places and has a thin curf. It leaves less dust and great for plunge cuts. They are easy to cut a straight line since the blade kind of guides itself within it's own curf. I actually ripped a 3/4" sheet of plywood 8 foot long with it and stayed right on the line.

This aspect, with any multi-tool not just a Fein, is a huge benefit that often goes over looked..

I am often working on boats that reside on moorings and keeping the dust down is a huge benefit to mult-tools and means I don't need to lug a massive vacuum with me.... A tool that can be slowed down and still cuts fast is also a big benefit. Due to the blade throw and number of oscillations per minute some of the less expensive multi-tools require faster speeds which creates more dust than a premium tool does. Still these differences are small compared to multi-tool vs. skill saw or jig saw or sawzall.....

slaume · Nov 21, 2014

I inherited a Royobi detail sander from my dad. It seemed like a great tool for getting into tight spots but in practice it was pretty much worthless. I swear, it did more vibrating in my hand than it did at the working end and it jumped all over the place. I wound up giving it to our launch driver and felt a little bit guilty about passing it off to him.

I had replaced it with a Fein and would never buy anything else but never expect the need to replace it. This is a life time tool. It is very smooth and cuts like crazy without killing your hand or jumping around on the work piece. The long cord allows you to do most work without an extension or the need for a cumbersome battery pack strapped onto the tool. Mine is an older model that requires a wrench to change blades but I am fine with tools that need a wrench. Fein probably got it right but most quick change tools just don't seem top hold their blades or bit as firmly as the ones you can lock down with a wrench.

You can buy a series of cheap tools that are miserable to use or spend the money for something that will last a life time, is worth repairing and is a joy to use, Steve.

Chris Patterson · Nov 21, 2014

Ha, I about forgot about it until just now.....but a couple of years ago I got in a desperate pinch for the 'multi tool', and ran into HF for it, I needed it now. Unbelievable what a turkey it was. It would shake, and make a lot of noise like it really WANTED to do the job, but the deal was, was zero work was being performed, it just acted like it.
At the end of the day I tried to give it to my partner. He said no. I say, 'Shoot Bobby, it's brand new. Even comes in a case'. His reply was that means it will just take up that much more room at the bottom of his box.

I forgot what I ended up doing with it. I may have just left it in the warehouse to let somebody steal it. I dunno...