Decent enough multi tool?

[zzr1200]

Dewalt mains version here......the best quick release blade change system there is, imo....

 

[Onoff]

Aside from the Fakita cordless I have:

- My first multi tool. An early Draper 230V bought from Makro. Pretty good but has a weird, non standard, hex blade fitting. Need to one day figure a mod. I don't use it.

- Parkside 230V. Pretty good tbh.

- A Duratool 18V. Bought on a whim, dirt cheap from CPC. Used as a backup with a 3D printed adapter and Makita battery.

- The remnants of a 20V Ferrex from Aldi. Bought them their bargain bucket to convert to run on Makita batteries. Got the polarity wrong and killed it.

 

[SierraV6]

I was going to suggest Fein as they’re not that much more expensive than other brands, but having just checked, err…. yes they are! They are very good though.

Bosch professional maybe?

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

I prefer the quick release with the small teeth. I'm always changing blades as I have good cutting blades and rough (worn) blades for different tasks.

With the Allen key I was tempted to just use 1 blade for everything!

 

[chunkolini]

Definitely go for QR blades

 

[brightspark]

Replacement bearings are cheap - but only if the rest of it is a worthwhile repair.

the armature and brushes were mint i just couldnt be bothered with it

 

[Jonathan Webb]

Thanks peeps. No clear leader, which is good really. I have an 18v de Walt drill so may investigate the cordless one then. My outgoing one has a lever for the blades - that seems convenient enough for me. I saw a vid with starlock in & it seems you just click it on - I can see it might be useful if you're on the clock but otherwise in the "nice to have" category.

 

[MattF]

I can see it might be useful if you're on the clock but otherwise in the "nice to have" category.

Must say, Starlock does seem an improvement over the OIS connection system. It really does lock in place well, rather than having a minute amount of slop.

Problem being, Starlock bits aren't as readily available from some suppliers.

 

[Jonathan Webb]

Must say, Starlock does seem an improvement over the OIS connection system. It really does lock in place well, rather than having a minute amount of slop.

Problem being, Starlock bits aren't as readily available from some suppliers.

IDK about the details of the fitting types or that I've had any problems with whatever system mine has (cutout at back). I borrowed a friend's Erbauer to do get a job done & the toolless change wasn't a patch on the Saxton flip-lever. DeWalt seem to have a different system & I'm not sure if my blades will fit it (recently bought a pack from Saxton, who don't list Starlock - presumably licensing is a bit expensive?). EDIT just looking at the variations, mine seems to be in the DeWalt mould so that's another point in favour of DeWalt

 

[Keithmac]

I have had a Parkside one from Lidl for years. For the price you can't go wrong.

I have the Parkside 20v one and it's put up with some serious abuse over the years and still going strong.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Thanks peeps. No clear leader, which is good really. I have an 18v de Walt drill so may investigate the cordless one then. My outgoing one has a lever for the blades - that seems convenient enough for me. I saw a vid with starlock in & it seems you just click it on - I can see it might be useful if you're on the clock but otherwise in the "nice to have" category.

If you have the battery it's a no brainer

My first DeWalt is nearly 10 years old. It's been hammered for long periods cutting out hardwood window cills hacking out flooring etc. pushed beyond it's intended use. The qr got a bit hard to release towards the end. Still working in my son's tool box as a sh new unit came up for 50 quid last year.

 

[GRW]

I bought the Erbaur Screwfix corded Multitool a few months ago. £69 I thjnk it was. I had a cheapie Aldi one before that, which was good enough to show me the potential, but not great.

The Erbaur has been used a LOT doing my camper conversion - and I think it's brilliant. Starlock and tool-less bit change and works great.
It got used a lot for cutting ply sheets and trimming timber (my table saw died, now replaced with a Track Saw) - and it's been a great, versatile bit of kit. Wish I'd got it years ago.

 

[MattF]

who don't list Starlock - presumably licensing is a bit expensive?

I'd guess it's something along those lines.

 

[barracuda816]

I have a makita 18v brushless and think its really good but my dad has a new Bosch pro 18v and I prefer the Bosch (I just have makita 18v range and 12v Milwaukee stuff)