Oscillating multi tool

Author
Discussion

ChevronB19

Original Poster:

5,737 posts

162 months

Saturday 25th June 2022
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I have a *lot* of sanding to do (window frames, bannister etc), and also a kitchen worktop to cut (wood, and cut needs to be straight but not necessarily neat as it will be in the utility and the join will be hidden with a finishing strip).

Rather than buy a separate saw and sander, would a multi tool do for what doesn’t have to be a perfect job?

I’m already in the de Walt system, does this look any good?

https://www.ukplanettools.co.uk/dewalt-dcs355n-18v...


pquinn

7,167 posts

45 months

Saturday 25th June 2022
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You'll get really annoyed using what is basically a small detail sander to do too much work. You'd get through a couple of the pads too.

Pretty horrible to use for long straight cuts through something thick - you'll have much more luck with a hand saw.

Those things work great for all sorts but aren't a universal solution.

ChevronB19

Original Poster:

5,737 posts

162 months

Saturday 25th June 2022
quotequote all
pquinn said:
You'll get really annoyed using what is basically a small detail sander to do too much work. You'd get through a couple of the pads too.

Pretty horrible to use for long straight cuts through something thick - you'll have much more luck with a hand saw.

Those things work great for all sorts but aren't a universal solution.
Makes sense. Random orbit sander instead then?

dickymint

24,097 posts

257 months

Saturday 25th June 2022
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ChevronB19 said:
I have a *lot* of sanding to do (window frames, bannister etc), and also a kitchen worktop to cut (wood, and cut needs to be straight but not necessarily neat as it will be in the utility and the join will be hidden with a finishing strip).

Rather than buy a separate saw and sander, would a multi tool do for what doesn’t have to be a perfect job?

I’m already in the de Walt system, does this look any good?

https://www.ukplanettools.co.uk/dewalt-dcs355n-18v...
As a saw they are rubbish. As a sander they are rubbish!! One of the most overrated tools you can buy only good for the odd job to get you out of a fix and jobs that wont be seen when finished. I have one in my Makita collection gathering dust. Oh and by the way you'll need a decent pair of noise cancelling headphones (I recommend Sony MX10003 or above) and a knowledge of health and safety to avoid White Finger rofl

pquinn

7,167 posts

45 months

Saturday 25th June 2022
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ChevronB19 said:
Makes sense. Random orbit sander instead then?
Random orbit tends to be best for larger surfaces. your jobs sound more like a 1/2 sheet and a mouse might be the best combo to have?

sunbeam alpine

6,936 posts

187 months

Saturday 25th June 2022
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dickymint said:
As a saw they are rubbish. As a sander they are rubbish!! One of the most overrated tools you can buy...
I'm glad I'm not the only one. I bought one not long ago having been advised that it was the best tool for a particular job. It's noisy and st. It would have taken about 250 years to get the job done.

Skyedriver

17,661 posts

281 months

Saturday 25th June 2022
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Contrary to the above, I had a Multi - tool from Aldi a few years ago, cost about £25 IIRC. Did door frames, window sills (dented) and removed most of the skirtings in the house, stripped them and replaced them (had to come off for flooring) and loads of other jobs. Was my go to tool until I burnt it out.

Simpo Two

85,149 posts

264 months

Saturday 25th June 2022
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dickymint said:
As a saw they are rubbish. As a sander they are rubbish!! One of the most overrated tools you can buy only good for the odd job to get you out of a fix...
Agreed. They're a 'get out of jail free' card when nothing else will do. Mine gets used occasionally.

GranpaB

5,966 posts

35 months

Saturday 25th June 2022
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I think they are more of a tradesmen tool. I always like the thought of having one but could never see it getting much use. Although my builder mate said it's the best tool ever for all sorts of little jobs

dickymint

24,097 posts

257 months

Saturday 25th June 2022
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GranpaB said:
I think they are more of a tradesmen tool. I always like the thought of having one but could never see it getting much use. Although my builder mate said it's the best tool ever for all sorts of little jobs
Just about sums it up but a long way from being a "tradesmen tool" other than 'lob' it in the toolbag to save you going back to the van for the proper kit.

Emperors clothes I say hehe Oh and mine has the sooper dooper quick release blade changer thingy that can inflict pain similar to a mouse-trap yikes

pquinn

7,167 posts

45 months

Saturday 25th June 2022
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They're good for trimming the bottoms of door frames, or plunge cuts into stuff, or trimming nails off or cutting grout and things like that. Definitely have a place but for quite specific things.

Mine has had loads of use, everything from grinding bricks down with a carbine sanding plate to taking floorboards off by cutting the nails off underneath with a carbide saw but for general sanding or cutting there are proper tools meant for the job.


Expensive toy too, not so much the tool as getting a decent collection of bits to go with it.

Ynox

1,702 posts

178 months

Saturday 25th June 2022
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dickymint said:
GranpaB said:
I think they are more of a tradesmen tool. I always like the thought of having one but could never see it getting much use. Although my builder mate said it's the best tool ever for all sorts of little jobs
Just about sums it up but a long way from being a "tradesmen tool" other than 'lob' it in the toolbag to save you going back to the van for the proper kit.

Emperors clothes I say hehe Oh and mine has the sooper dooper quick release blade changer thingy that can inflict pain similar to a mouse-trap yikes
Makita one? My one has taken my finger out a few times!

I like mine for specific jobs, but it’s definitely a compromise tool. Useful for e.g. flush cutting things, but crap for most.

dickymint

24,097 posts

257 months

Saturday 25th June 2022
quotequote all
Ynox said:
dickymint said:
GranpaB said:
I think they are more of a tradesmen tool. I always like the thought of having one but could never see it getting much use. Although my builder mate said it's the best tool ever for all sorts of little jobs
Just about sums it up but a long way from being a "tradesmen tool" other than 'lob' it in the toolbag to save you going back to the van for the proper kit.

Emperors clothes I say hehe Oh and mine has the sooper dooper quick release blade changer thingy that can inflict pain similar to a mouse-trap yikes
Makita one? My one has taken my finger out a few times!

I like mine for specific jobs, but it’s definitely a compromise tool. Useful for e.g. flush cutting things, but crap for most.
Yep that's the bugger. Every time I see it it reminds me of Arkwrights till yikes

dalzo

1,875 posts

135 months

Sunday 26th June 2022
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Great tools imo.
So handy, I had to sand my stair bannister and used my old fein which got the job done with ease and was small enough to get in.

Since burnt that out after years of use but moved to feins range topping battery powered one and it is unreal.

I had to borrow a dewalt one while waiting on my fein and it was crap, fein seems to have a “floating” head that eliminates the vibrations

I use the hilti ecosystem but my multitool are fein:

https://ffx.co.uk/Product/Get/Fein-Amm700Max-Top-4...

smifffymoto

4,527 posts

204 months

Sunday 26th June 2022
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I have a Fein and whilst I find very few jobs for it,the ones it does, only it can do.
Like cutting holes bigger in base units for dishwasher pipes etc.

I won’t buy another when this one packs in,that’s a long way off though as I only use it twice a year.

honest_delboy

1,498 posts

199 months

Sunday 26th June 2022
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I have the corded dewalt, i find it great at fiddly little cuts I seem to end up with . It can sand down small lumps but I don’t think it would be very good doing doorframes and windows etc . Block and some elbow grease I’m afraid

LocoBlade

7,621 posts

255 months

Sunday 26th June 2022
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They're obviously a marmite tool, they're definitely a tool for the renovation side of DIY rather than those that predominantly make things and for me they absolutely must be cordless due to all the places its used, but I'm not sure what tools others use for the jobs its good at that would be better or wouldn't require investment in a dedicated tool that would hardly ever get used. I agree it's compromised as a detail sander due to it's length but if you don't do a massive amount of sanding it's entirely capable of sanding down the odd window cill, architrave or easyfill patches etc without needing a cordless dedicated sander sitting on the shelf gathering dust for 364 days of the year, although if I had as much to do as OP suggests I would invest in something like a cordless palm sander.

I also wouldn't contemplate using if for cutting lengths of wood as OP has mentioned as you can't cut straight lines with accuracy, but for cutting into stuff they're great. Things like cutting into and down the back of an old skirting board to make it easier to pry off the wall without ripping half the wall off with it, cutting down the back of old worktops / cabinets / sinks / basins etc to break an adhesive / silicone edge from the wall, undercutting architrave / door linings to create a gap for LVT to tuck under, cutting into plasterboard for sockets, cutting into floorboards to lift them, cutting off the tips of old nails sticking out of joists etc where you can't easily get a hacksaw into, and as our solid walls are lightweight thermalite blocks an old wood blade is actually the ideal wall chasing device as it cuts into them like butter, cut two vertical lines where you want the chasing, cut horizontally between them every 5cm or so then either tap out each little segment or carry on using the tool to cut them out, so much cleaner and neater than using a hammer/bolster or angle grinder etc. There are other ways to do most of those jobs granted, but a multitool does most of them pretty efficiently and far quicker than manual tools would.

Baldchap

7,507 posts

91 months

Sunday 26th June 2022
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There are certain jobs where nothing else will do. I have used mine a lot refurbishing houses. Definitely not overrated for my work.

I wouldn't use it as a sander though.

cml24

1,410 posts

146 months

Sunday 26th June 2022
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I used mine to sand down one of my terrible plastering attempts. The vibrations ensured the sanding pads stayed clear of dust. Actually worked well.

I actually bought it to take up a vinyl wet room floor, and for that, it was great.

Now it's just used for small cuts really. Trimmed a small bit of wood from the roof of a shed last week to get everything to line up. Meant I didn't have to dismantle it all to cut with a proper saw. Saved 30 minutes.

I actually cut a couple of other bits with it to go under the shed. Would have been far easier using my mitre or circular saw, or a hand saw. But I'd only brought the multitool to my friends house, so used it for everything.

beanoir78

352 posts

100 months

Sunday 26th June 2022
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I used one as a sander for sanding back all the spindles in our stair case, it was good for that. Otherwise, it’s a good tool to have for bits and bobs, but not for accurate large cuts or larger areas of sanding.