Thoughts on the vibrating multi-tools

[IslandTractor]

does the rockwell 40 pc kit include all the cutting blades ? With the cutting blades (11 is what they show ) the total HF price is 138.00


EDIT: I looked up rockwell. They offer several kits with all types of cutters

If I recall correctly, the one being sold now at Costco has at least one of all the cutting blade types. Of course a lot of the "40+ pieces" are just sheets of sand paper but there are at least ten or so blades I believe. I think the same kit is available on Amazon for a similar price.

 

[JB4310]

I bought the rigid cordless and it was flimsy.
I needed to cut out an opening for a bath ceiling vent, 1 inch plaster with metal lath.
definetly the right type of tool for that job as there was little dust and a nice clean opening that required no patching to finish, the metal lath destroyed the blades fast though. went through 2 of them.

Anyway the rigid got real loose after that one job, so I returned it to HD.

Was thinking about getting another but it would have to be corded for me. last week I got a coupon for the HF model for I think it was only $29. I normaly would never buy HF power tool but I figured for that price and my rare need I would give it a try. I fooled around with it a little and seems to be well worth that price.

JB.

 

[thatguy]

I've been thinking about 1 of these as well. Got an ad from HF . variable speed for 59.99. Looked on line and the same tool is 49.99. I wonder if the store will match the net price or should I even bother with the HF brand ?

they are 49.99 in the store until Tuesday - No additional discounts/coupons allowed..

I returned mine today because of the reviews i read -

Oscillating Multi-Tool Shootout Comparison —Professional tool reviews for the average Joe

Brian

 

[thatguy]

{Dremel/rockwell offer 2 yr warranties} how about the lifetime warranty from ridgid?? and now some hitachi tools...the hitachi is sold at lowes, the ridgid at HD.
heehaw

I did not see the Ridgid at Lowes.. All i found was the dremel, Rockwell, and the battery bosch one..

Is the ridgid corded?

brian

 

[RadarTech]

I did not see the Ridgid at Lowes.. All i found was the dremel, Rockwell, and the battery bosch one..

Is the ridgid corded?

brian

Rigid is a home depot brand...

 

[RobertBrown]

there is a coupon out there so it is $25 - The variable speed one is $49 ($47 with coupon) -

I ended up buying the variable speed one - BUT I am seriously thinking of taking it back and get a rockwell at Lowes for about $40 more..

Brian

I think it depends on how much you are going to use it. I needed one for a door frame. It was the only way to make the cuts I needed. I bought the Harbor freight one and It did the job well. It seemed to be well constructed and I don't think I'll wear it out. It's a specialty tool as far as I'm concerned and it suits my needs.
If I needed another circular saw or cordless drill I would not consider Harbor Freight, in this case I didn't think I'd be using this thing more than a handful of times so if that's the case buy one,I recomend it.

 

[FastPauly]

I have the HF unit.....used it just today for probably the 3rd time since owning it......it did the job just fine. Using these on an occasional basis....I think the small investment I made for the HF unit will fit my needs.

 

[JB4310]

I did not see the Ridgid at Lowes.. All i found was the dremel, Rockwell, and the battery bosch one..

Is the ridgid corded?

brian

The Rigid I had was cordless, I think that's the only way theirs comes. the rigid is an interchangable head system you can get a right angle head or a impact driver head or one of those nailer things. because of that interchange system mine got loose right away, looking inside I saw a plastic drive gear, kinda hokey, but they do have lifetime guarantee.

JB.

 

[2manyrocks]

I bought the rigid cordless and it was flimsy.
I needed to cut out an opening for a bath ceiling vent, 1 inch plaster with metal lath.
definetly the right type of tool for that job as there was little dust and a nice clean opening that required no patching to finish, the metal lath destroyed the blades fast though. went through 2 of them.

Anyway the rigid got real loose after that one job, so I returned it to HD.

Was thinking about getting another but it would have to be corded for me. last week I got a coupon for the HF model for I think it was only $29. I normaly would never buy HF power tool but I figured for that price and my rare need I would give it a try. I fooled around with it a little and seems to be well worth that price.

JB.

This is generally the same as my own experience with the HF tool. (No personal experience with Ridgid) I used the sander on the exterior windows to remove loose paint and used it to sand up against the baseboard on a wood floor besides making some trim/cabinet cuts.

This is not a tool you'd use everyday, but when you need it, it would be hard to make some of these cuts any other way. If you're a contractor that would use the tool more frequently, then maybe the FEIN is the way to go. For infrequent use for these difficult cuts, it's a good way to go.

The HF blade is held on by a simple bolt that is tightened with an allen wrench.

 

[unbidden]

For those of you using the HF, Rigid or brand other than Fein, a question for you.
If you were to use the tool for a solid 20 minutes or more, does you hand numb from the vibration? I've owned the Fein for many years now and it is very smooth.

 

[Heywood Jannockitov]

For those of you using the HF, Rigid or brand other than Fein, a question for you.
If you were to use the tool for a solid 20 minutes or more, does you hand numb from the vibration? I've owned the Fein for many years now and it is very smooth.

I have a Dremel. I think if you are using it for a solid 20 minutes run time, then it probably isn't the ideal tool to be using for that particular job. Mine gets pretty hot after about five minutes continuous use.

 

[bdeboer]

I have a Dremel. I think if you are using it for a solid 20 minutes run time, then it probably isn't the ideal tool to be using for that particular job. Mine gets pretty hot after about five minutes continuous use.

I have had the same experience with my Dremel.

 

[2manyrocks]

I haven't noticed my hand going numb with the HF unit. It's easier than holding a scraper blade and scraping away for 20 minutes. Then my hand really is numb.

If you planned on using it everyday, then maybe the higher end tool would be better from this standpoint??? but I can't say because I haven't used the high end tool.

 

[Degolyerent]

I have the Dremel, I like it but the blades are expensive. It has done everything I needed it to do!

 

[studor]

I have the single speed HF model -- used it today for taking up glued sheet vinyl -- no it does not make my hand numb -- my DeWalt random orbital sander does though.
Tomorrow I am going to use it to take off ceramic tile.HF one heats up as well but for $30 I just had to try it -- at this point it does not owe me anything:thumbsup: