What Kind of Multi-Tool Do You Use?

parkway

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They go by a few names. Oscillating saw with changeable heads; oscillating tool, etc. I used one one to cut a new t-molding channel in a cabinet and it worked well; borrowed it from my father in law. Now I need something to detail sand, flush cut, and do another t-molding slot. I was looking at this:

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Seems like it has a number of uses when working on cabs. Anyone else have this one or a different one? What do you think of it?
 
I could see touching up a t molding slot, but you need a router with a slot cutting bit to cut the slot around the cabinet. You need a router with a flush trim bit to trim laminate this cannot do that. You should buy a router, a slot cutter, flush trim bit, and a spiral cutting bit.
 
I could see touching up a t molding slot, but you need a router with a slot cutting bit to cut the slot around the cabinet. You need a router with a flush trim bit to trim laminate this cannot do that. You should buy a router, a slot cutter, flush trim bit, and a spiral cutting bit.



Nope, I hear ya'. I have a router; used it a bunch so far. The slot I have to cut is only about 3/4" so I can "freehand" it like I've done before; just a post-bondo touch up. Anything over a few inches I go to a router for t-molding slots.

I'm just curious if anyone else uses a tool like that. I'm going to Home Depot tomorrow morning and was just wondering what, if any, multi-tool people here use.
 
Well I bought the "better" version of the one I posted above. I'm sure it'll have some good uses for hobby work and around the house of course. I have to sand a Dynamo cut corner control panel and a Neo Geo control panel, both of which have spots that are difficult to get into. The detail sanding pads should do the trick (I think).
 
These tools are one of those tools that is the absolute best tool for the job depending on the job. They are by no means a solution for all tasks but with the focus of a surgeon they can make quick work of some tricky jobs.

I have a Bosch and it takes an allen wrench to change the blade. The blades are crazy expensive for some reason. If I had to shop for another tool, I'd consider blades and compatibility before buying the tool.

It may not get much use but when it does, it's a real work saver.
 
I've used a Bosch cordless, and a buddies wired Dremel brand multitool, used most of the same blades between them.

Aside from the obvious corded/battery differences in mobility, the wired seemed a bit more powerful, especially during tough cuts through nails and concrete grinding, or cutting the harder wood. The battery driven Bosch would stall out the motor (overdrawing the battery's capability) in the more difficult cutting I've done with it, and when the battery gets low. Safety feature? The wired would stall as well, but in the same places you could get a sawsall to, or if you bind the blade.

Having a variable speed control is nice, especially when using the sanding pads or cutting lexan. Cutting lexan was easy.

I don't know how the world existed without these what, 10-15 years ago?

Downside: I can't do button holes with it.

I'd recommend corded with speed control, one of the round flush cut bits, a scraping blade, sanding kit as the things I use most. I've just about worked up a metal jig to attach to the flush cut blade to make t-molding slotting easy and precise enough with one of these, not that I'd ever toss the router.
 
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Yup I got a corded one. Figure I'll only use it here and there so I can deal with the "hassle" of a cord. The Rockwell one apparently can use a wide number of blades and attachments so I'm good there too. I also like that this one has the tool-less chuck; that's one thing that's a pain on my older tools.
 
Don't buy the Craftsman one. Piece of crap. Broke within 2 or 3 uses.

My father in law had bought the cheapy from Harbor Freight mentioned above and it was awesome during a project, so I went and got one. Learn from my mistake and get something other than Craftsman.
 
Don't buy the Craftsman one. Piece of crap. Broke within 2 or 3 uses.



My father in law had bought the cheapy from Harbor Freight mentioned above and it was awesome during a project, so I went and got one. Learn from my mistake and get something other than Craftsman.



Yeah I don't have too much faith in Craftsman stuff anymore. Old stuff was great. New stuff is not so great. The Rockwell I got looked like it was decently build; couldn't find many negative comments about it. We'll see I guess.
 
Too funny, I work for Ace Hardware and was going to post I have 5 Craftsman Multi-tools I have from defective returns, most of them the motors go bad, I parted 3 out of the 5 together in the last 3 years and have only used 1 one time since I got them which was to smooth out a 5" round hole I had to cut in my Stucco walled garage. I have never found a good use for them that I don't already have a better dedicated tool for any certain job. I build arcade marquee lights and have never had the need to use a multi tool for any part of them.

But yes, stay away from Craftsman hand power tools.
 
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So I got the Rockwell and used it for a few things. What a great tool and I was very impressed at the quality of the tool itself for the price. I think it was $60 on Amazon. Touched up a t-molding slot and flush cut a few things. Everything came out great. Just thought I'd share.
 
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