who owns a oscillating multi tool - what do you use it on?

[MetalMonkey]

Once you have one you will find a million and one uses for it - and often it is very hard to see how you would have solved the problem before you had one.
However, I will stress it is more a tool for getting you out of a hole when you can't easily use anything else.

It isn't a replacement for a tool dedicated to the job - i.e. if you are zipping off rusty bolts you are going to kill very expensive blades quite quickly, use an angle grinder.
If you want to sand bits of wood, buy a sander or a detail sander, it will work faster. You get the idea.

When you are in that tight corner and you just need to cut off that bit of wood, or a nail holding something back in that hard to reach spot you just can't get anything else in - that's where it really excels.
Also don't forget to buy ear protection to go with it.

 

[500e]

Have 2 Fein 240 and 110 found at jumble sale as said when nothing else will do.
By good blades they are blade eaters

 

[Screwdriver]

They are awesome tools. To be perfectly honest, I don't use mine that much but when I do, I can't think of any other tool that would even do the job, let alone do it as easily as one of these.

An invaluable luxury...

 

[MetalMonkey]

i already have some 2ah milwaukke batteries...was thinking mains might be better , cant see a 2amp battery cutting alot

If it is only for the odd job, you might be surprised - the brushless Milwaukee fuel ones are supposed to be very good.
Plus it makes a good excuse to buy some bigger batteries as well.

 

[steveo3002]

If it is only for the odd job, you might be surprised - the brushless Milwaukee fuel ones are supposed to be very good.
Plus it makes a good excuse to buy some bigger batteries as well.

dont start me off....i began with 1 impact gun , ive got a pile of their stuff now lol

 

[MysterG]

I've have a Worx brand one (I think) and it's very useful when nothing else will do.
Have to say I've found nothing better for cutting holes in plasterboard.
I do tend to forget I have it though, and remember after I've butchered something

 

[Chippie]

I have a Titan branded version, very handy when I was laying the hardwood flooring in my new house, cutting doorframes and architraves for the wood to fit under…handy for cutting squar/rectangular or other multi sided holes in plasterboard

 

[123hotchef]

I have the milwakee M18 its great

 

[123hotchef]

i already have some 2ah milwaukke batteries...was thinking mains might be better , cant see a 2amp battery cutting alot

you will be supprised the batteries last much longer in the multi tool than the grinder

 

[wyn]

I bought a corded one years ago to trim some skirting boards.

I have since found it is very good at cutting cured carbon fibre.

 

[MattF]

i already have some 2ah milwaukke batteries...was thinking mains might be better , cant see a 2amp battery cutting alot

If it's only for occasional use, go with the battery model. Not being restricted by a cable really helps, with multitools.

Get some bimetal blades if you're planning on wood & metal cutting.

As mentioned by someone else though, if you're planning on cutting lots of nails/screws/bolts, multitools aren't the best option. Blade lifespan is limited.

 

[James1979]

My 2p

I had a corded DeWalt one. It was mega. Sold that and bought a battery one. Even better.

Sold the lot and changed to Milwaukee and replaced everything bar the multi tool as I don’t like the lock mechanism.

Have got loads of DIY jobs to do that I keep putting off until they change the design. Seems they won’t so bit the bullet and bought one last week.

I am expectedly disappointed. The blade lock mechanism is crap. It undoes in use and it’s fiddly.

Worst is (mines the M18) the battery is at a stupid angle so it sticks out below the blade when the tool is horizontal. This means the blade won’t sit horizontal if you’re cutting on a flat surface.

It’s a good thing and I’m mostly glad I bought it but it’s not a patch on the dewalt.

 

[MattF]

It’s a good thing and I’m mostly glad I bought it but it’s not a patch on the dewalt.

The Bosch 18V multitool is a cracking design. Battery position, blade lock mechanism, blade release lever, (Starlock fitting), etc. are ideal.

 

[Wildefalcon]

I've the Lidl one. Great for knocking underseal off ex mod landrovers.

Never regretted the £20 it cost me.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Sanding anything.
Cutting plaster board.
Trimming door jambs.
Cutting door locks.
Scraping many things.

I did not see the point of one, until I was gifted a cheep one.
I know have two Bosch units.

 

[Cobbler]

I’m about to change the bath at home & have been wondering whether a multi tool will cut the sealant between the bath & tiles, the sealant is CT1 so I don’t think silicone remover will work. Anyone tried?

 

[James1979]

I’m about to change the bath at home & have been wondering whether a multi tool will cut the sealant between the bath & tiles, the sealant is CT1 so I don’t think silicone remover will work. Anyone tried?

Mine gets used for all sorts like that.

Try and get a good stainless scraper. The mild ones are crap.

You can buy a blade specifically for sealant beads but that’s overkill for a bath. I think they’re more for windscreens

 

[Cobbler]

Thanks for that James, I thought it would work, but confirmation before I start is great.

 

[armalites]

i already have some 2ah milwaukke batteries...was thinking mains might be better , cant see a 2amp battery cutting alot

2ah battery will work just fine, one of the beauty of these tools is cutting things a normal cutting tool wouldn't do so have a smaller lighter battery can be a benefit.

I've used 2ah on my Dewalt one lots of times.

They are one of those tools where until you have one you don't realise all the things you could have done with it.

I ran an ethernet cable into a passive house, it had to be properly sealed and finished. The outside had staggered cedar boards, I was able to neatly cut upwards at 45 degrees on the outer board to remove a section to insert the cable. This meant when the board was put back it was still weather resistant and looked really neat. Once the wood weather the only clue something had been done were the stainless steel screws. It would have be very difficult to achieve the same result without the multi tool.

 

[julianf]

I borrowed a friend's to cut out some oak window sills.

I just got Screwfix own brand blades (erbuer or however it's spelt)

I was surprised at how rapidly they blunted to the point of not cutting.