Corded Oscillating Multitool

[Fawteen]

Thinking I need to add one to my tool stash.

NOT interested in cordless/battery powered.

Usually prefer Milwaukee power tools, but they don't seem to have a corded unit.

Have seen them from Porter-Cable and Rockwell.

Anybody have a corded unit they recommend?

 

[RayP(MI)]

Got one from local True-Value hardware store. Inexpensive, but seems to be OK. Limited experience so far. Blades for this are quite expensive. Have not used it as a sander, etc, as I have other tools better suited.

I would note, it also is a limited use tool for special applications where other tools just don't cut it. (Pun intended.)

 

[ray hofstetter]

I've heard Rockwell is good, but got a cheaper Craftsman at the local ACE hardware. It was $20 cheaper and since I only use it a couple of times a year, it's holding up well.

 

[DH in Carolina]

I bought a Bosch from Lowe's and well pleased with it. Perfect for cutting baseboard to install floor registers for heat along walls.

 

[CGID]

Fein. Rated for continuous industrial use. I've got one and I don't regret the price. Plenty of factory blade options and the aftermarket blade makers all make blades to fit it.

 

[rustyfarmall]

I own a Porter-Cable. Have not had the opportunity yet to use it a whole lot, but I did do some sanding a few days ago and was vey satisfied with that job. Just to clarify, Sanding is not what I bought it for, but since it has that attachment, I used it.

 

[Fawteen]

I'm looking at a P-C. I like the quick attach feature.

Do you know if it uses standard blades or do you have to buy the P-C blades?

 

[Bob]

I have a cheap (GASP) air-operated unit from H-F, and it's works well.

It's a HECK of a gasket scraper.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

Like you, I have one, haven't really found a good use for it. Used it once in 2 years.

 

[plowman]

I have a Milwaukee cordless, works great. Battery hold up good. Steve

 

[farmallstrong]

I have a H F corded one,$15. It works very well, & I use it at least 2 times a week.

 

[Spook]

I saw a whole crew of carpenters and drywall guys working last week. Commercial work. No battery operated tools. Everything corded. The boss told me they don't want to screw around with batteries.

 

[Fawteen]

Yup. They're fine when they work, but when they don't, it's usually as cheap or cheaper to buy a new tool than replace the battery.

Wouldn't be without a battery drill/driver, but other than that, I'd much rather have a corded unit.

 

[Steven-Id]

I have a rockwell at work. It has held up very well, however they have their place and not good for other things.

Steven

 

[Fawteen]

I can foresee three applications where it's just the ticket:

1. Plunge cutting for outlets or access to stud bays.

2. Flush cutting for flooring and trim (like a jamb saw).

3. Tile/Grout cutting with the diamond grit blade.

The rest of the time, I already have other tools that will do the job better and faster.

 

[Russ from MN]

I have a corded one from HF, very handy tool.

 

[Frankmn]

I have the rockwell with the tool less blade change. I like it because I use it in the field and do not need to keep track of a wrench to change the blades. The kit was around a hundred bucks though.

 

[big fred]

I have the Dremel, and it works well enough, but if I had to do it over again, I'd buy another brand. I find it very handy at times. I bought it mostly to trim door jambs when I was putting in hardwood and tile floors. I find a use for it every couple of months, it seems.

 

[Ultradog MN]

I like my non corded [i:654c4848f0]Osculating[/i:654c4848f0] multitool

 

[Hobo,NC]

I remolded a house this fall it saved me a many man hours replacing the floors... It beat the ell out of a hammer and screwdriver when it came time to chisel out from under the base boards are cut up next to the cabinets and tubs... Its one of the few tools I have brought that paid for its self fast and efficient...
I am a mechanic not a carpenter so only own the necessaries to do carpenter work. I was paying a guy $15 a Hour to help me so I figger it saved me more than 10 hr in time and I own the tool I keep finding uses for it.... I got a Dremel and don't know why I think it was $79.... It vibrates and cuts and its a neat little tool that's EZ to handle it owes me nuttin....

 

[Leroy]

Got 2 H-F units and they have done very well, think about 4 years since bought the first one. Always finding new uses for them. And if worried about quality if they would only last 1 year you could buy a new one every year for 5 years for the price of the others that may not lost over the year as well.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Bosch

 

[MarkB_MI]

Dremel makes a reasonably priced tool.

 

[Donald Lehman]

My son has a Dremel. I have a Rigid. As said below the dremel is a good unit for occasional work or light work. The Rigid is for heavier duty work. it's a heavier clumsier unit to handle, too. They sure can be handy at times.

 

[rustyfarmall]

(quoted from post at 15:08:25 02/22/14) I'm looking at a P-C. I like the quick attach feature.

Do you know if it uses standard blades or do you have to buy the P-C blades?

I honestly do not know if the blades are "standard" or specific to Porter-Cable. I bought a replacement pack of blades and sandpaper at the same time I bought the unit so I should be set for quite some time. I found mine on Amazon. I've never even looked at any other brands except for on Amazon. For what it's worth, there were several different brands, identical to the Porter-Cable, except for color and logo.

The quick change feature is nice, but it does require a bit of strength in your fingers.

 

[circleg]

I have the porter cable. I highly recommend it. Has worked perfect so far.

 

[IH2444]

I got a kit on clearance from Lowes.
Blue hawk brand, their el cheapo brand.
Got the corded oscillating tool 3 blades for it and a dremel type corded grinder for $10. All in a nice plastic case.
Works great.

 

[Jiles]

(quoted from post at 22:11:57 02/22/14) Fein. Rated for continuous industrial use. I've got one and I don't regret the price. Plenty of factory blade options and the aftermarket blade makers all make blades to fit it.

Agree--That's what I have and love it!
It is my understanding that all the others are copies after Fein patent ran out.
Others may be just as good and cheaper though.