Recommend an oscillating tool

[NetWareHead]

Got my chance to try an oscillating tool and I immediately can think of the many uses for one. I have to make holes in drywall (and plaster/lathe walls) to install electrical boxes and it would be a MUCH better experience and neater job with this tool than a drywall saw. Seriously, what a great tool with many uses.

Did a little research and found what I think is the cream of the crop: the Fein FMM-350Q http://www.homedepot.com/p/FEIN-FMM-350Q-Start-Multi-Master-72294264090/205367136

Made in Germany by the company responsible for creating this sort of tool in the first place. I remember reading something about Dremel and the rest of the tool manufacturers began making their own oscillating tools when Fein's patent expired in 2008. Reviews on Amazon heap tons of praise on the build quality of this tool.

Thinking about getting one for myself for xmas. Anybody have a brand/model they can recommend?

 

[edro]

You should check some of the roundups online.
The basic range is Harbor Freight $20 to Fein $200.
The real magic (and cost) is in the blades.
Get high quality (expensive) blades and the tool doesn't matter much.

 

[drnickriviera]

I have one of the older Feins, probably 10yrs old. I like that they didn't skimp on the length of the power cord. At that time, you could only use fein blades and they were spendy. I imagine they all use a more universal design now? Also have a cordless Makita one too. It uses the Bosch OIS interface which seems to be a good design. Tool less blade changing is a nice feature to have, not because you'll be swapping blades frequently, but it allows you to change the angle quickly.

For your use (electrical boxes, metal lathe or wood lathe?) it will be fairly slow going. I haven't seen very aggressive blades for them. Would a sawzall do the job?

 

[Greenman]

I have a ridged that I picked up because it was the only one on the shelf the day I needed one. It's held up surprisingly well.

 

[NetWareHead]

I have one of the older Feins, probably 10yrs old. I like that they didn't skimp on the length of the power cord. At that time, you could only use fein blades and they were spendy. I imagine they all use a more universal design now? Also have a cordless Makita one too. It uses the Bosch OIS interface which seems to be a good design. Tool less blade changing is a nice feature to have, not because you'll be swapping blades frequently, but it allows you to change the angle quickly.

For your use (electrical boxes, metal lathe or wood lathe?) it will be fairly slow going. I haven't seen very aggressive blades for them. Would a sawzall do the job?

The newer feins are compatible with nearly everyone else's blades. This URL shows what tool fits what blade. http://www.woodmagazine.com/woodworking-tools/reviews/more/oscillating-multi-tools/?page=4 To use Bosch and Dremel blades on the Fein, you need an adaptor

As far as the speed, they go through wood fairly quickly and even metal with a carbide blade. I wouldn't try to use one to cut a cast iron sewer pipe though.

Re: the sawzall, perhaps I could use it on drywall on the slowest speed. Still, probably the last tool I would use on plaster/lathe. Its just too aggressive (I have a Milwaukee 15 amp and its a beast). Still, the oscillating tool makes the cleanest and most precise cuts without damaging the hanging pieces of lathe that are unfastened on one side. The plunging ability of the osc tool is also highly valued and you dont have to make holes with a drill to get started.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Sometimes the oscillator is the right tool for the job.

Busted two different harbor freight tools in one day. The job was removing old trim work and siding around an entrance door. Fortunately the store is 10 min away with a Home Depot directly across the street. Bought a rigid and it's been working fine for the past few months.

The rest seemed kinda pricey for a tool I will use a few times a year.

 

[natto fire]

My uncle has a Fein, that he bought pre-patent. My dad has a Porter-Cable bought 4 years ago. My cousin has a DeWalt bought 3 years ago. My good friend has a Festool Vecturo. They all seem to operate the exact same to me. I even tried a Milwaukee M12 cordless one, but hated the need for a tool to change the blade, and battery life. The Festool obviously had the best dust collection system, but as far as cutting performance and noise, they were pretty similar. I used a Festool blade for that tool, and Bosch blades for the others, save for the cordless, which I used the included Milwaukee blades for. I have personally always had great luck with Bosch bits, from their daredevil paddles, to their bulldog masonry.

My uncle's Fein does have a very generous cord, and great balance, but no specific features to generate the extra cost. Then again, he got his before the patent expired so it has been a very durable tool, as well.

 

[pcgeek11]

You should check some of the roundups online.
The basic range is Harbor Freight $20 to Fein $200.
The real magic (and cost) is in the blades.
Get high quality (expensive) blades and the tool doesn't matter much.

It is all about the blade. Cheap blades = crappy performance.

 

[SilthDraeth]

http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-JobMax-3-Amp-Multi-Tool-Starter-Kit-R28600/202672276

Works good in my opinion. I do usually buy ridgid, for the lifetime warranty.

 

[slashbinslashbash]

I just picked up a corded Ryobi for $20 at HD yesterday.... cheapest I've seen a "name brand" (even though Ryobi is probably the cheapest name brand around). Not going to see heavy use, but I actually did need it yesterday (trim work around my soffits, needed to cut off a piece that was right on a corner and there's no way I could get a bigger saw in there). Came with one cutting blade and a sanding pad. It worked fine for what I needed.

 

[Zivic]

Ive had a fein for years. it's great, but I wouldn't have an issue buying another name brand unit now days.

 

[Greenman]

I just picked up a corded Ryobi for $20 at HD yesterday.... cheapest I've seen a "name brand" (even though Ryobi is probably the cheapest name brand around). Not going to see heavy use, but I actually did need it yesterday (trim work around my soffits, needed to cut off a piece that was right on a corner and there's no way I could get a bigger saw in there). Came with one cutting blade and a sanding pad. It worked fine for what I needed.

Ryobi seems to fill niche in the market between crap tools like harbor fright, and the pro grades that carry an unjustifiable price tag for the average guy. They seem to do very well under light use, if I wasn't in the trades, that's probably what I'd buy.

 

[paperfist]

I have the Dremmel one. I hate it, too hard to control especially on drywall no matter what speed you use. I thought there would be a million uses for it too like cutting the base of moldings to accommodate thicker tiles, notching out for for door hardware, etc. I've only bought Dremmel blades and have not enjoyed the tool at all. Again too hard to control and you end up taking off more material then intended.

My buddy is a Fein nut. He doesn't have the tool in question, but the ones he does are solid, precision tools that are built to last.

 

[bigi]

I got ToolShop (ShopTool?) $18 from Menards. Perfect.