Had a couple "cuts" to go and my HF oscillating tool bit the dust. Getting ready to square up the tile to then rip out existing wood floors and upgrade. Progress is slow but steady. Been doing a pretty good remodel with wall removal, all new windows, and then hardwoods downstairs. So.... what y'all running for oscillating tools? Handy little thing it is, but the Harbor Freight one is worth about what I paid for it. Been with me for maybe 7? years.
Pretty good run for HF. I bought a Ridgid a year or so ago. Works well, but some of the blades are very expensive. The HF "dremel" type tool case split after just a few minor uses, and the drywall screwgun won't hold a depth setting worth a darn. Or, just get another HF for this job and call it happy if it lasts until you're done.
I'm done with this job so would be for the next. I'd rather buy one for life at this point. I love the tool for small plus get cuts, makes for clean work. Then when I saw I was a blade away from easy grout removal, I grabbed the blade and it worked great... until the tool puked
i have had the original fein multimaster for years ,made in germany ,it was the only choice back then ,it is less expensive now than it was but it is still more than the others ,the big expense were the blades but now they are less expensive as well ,when the patent expired on the fein everybody else came out with a version of it ,and as a fyi the harbor freight blades fit the fein ,i am fairly cheap but i wont wast time or money with cheap tools ,good luck with your search for a replacement.
I think my Ridgid was about 80-85 bucks. unclefess, do you use the HF blades? If so, how well do they hold up?
I’ve had my HF oscillating tool for years and it’s been great! For $20 I’ll buy another one if this one dies.
i have not used the h/f blades ,i have a good suppiy of fein blades ,i bought them when i had a option to buy them at a great discount ,at the time the 2 1/2'' wood blades were 99.00 for a 3 pack which is nuts but time is money and the tool did things other tools could not , i just noticed the package at h/f said works with fein i will try them next time i need any ,i have had good luck with most things i have gotten at h/f ,i did notice the teeth are not quite as large on the h/f blades so they may be a bit slower but for the price i can handle that.
I have a Porter Cable that I picked up from Lowes on a deal-of-the day, $50. I haven't exactly put it through hell but it's done what I've asked for 3 years now.
Master Fein variable also.. Lived up to the what did tenants do in rental units.. Don't use a lot but when I do.. Its abused!
I have the 20v Dewalt because everything else I own cordless is Dewalt. IMO the oscillating tool is "specialized" and I only use it when necessary, so it does not see a lot of use. It is invaluable when needed.
For $2.85 a year in ownership costs............ I have a HF "throwaway" some times I need to "oscillate" the blade by hand (switch off) then she'll fire right back up. 99.9% of the time I buy lifetime tools, but the frequency of use if this little gizmo did not call for a big investment. (and I was ***ing with some of the guy's that I work with $400 cordless Feins, Makitas etc. when I brought in my $19 el cheapo). I can't complain, they do little cuts that nothing else will do.
A vote here for the Milwaukee Fuel 18 volt(also since that’s what I accumulated) It is unbelievable how much can be done with one. I just finished laying 500 sf of laminate flooring and used it constantly throughout the process. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Someday I’ll find out how I went without one. GF got me a HF for Christmas and have yet to use it. Might be worth the time to check the switch contacts or ohm out the motor - doubt there’s serviceable parts for them though.
They are handy. I did the simple stuff, then figured the 20 minutes I spent was about all it was worth.
I have the 18V makita, I picked it up as a bare tool since I am on their battery platform. Great tool, variable speed. 7 years for that HF seems like a good run for any tool from HF.
I have the Rockwell Sonicrafter. For sheetrock when doing demo and remodel.... just the only tool to have. For sanding when getting ready to paint in tight areas... no other tool. I used that grout tool to refurbish the grout in the old bathroom, rather than tear everything out. It looks like new. They are a great tool to have.
