| Author | Message | ||
| Dal Farnworth (Dallas)
Registered Member Username: Dallas Post Number: 584 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 98.20.60.203  Rating: N/A |
I've been looking at different versions of the 'multi-tool'. I looked at the original Fein, Dremel, Craftsman, Rigid, Porter-Cable, and even Harbor Freight. Some I like, like the versatility of the Fein, and it's easily changed blades... but I don't like the idea of buying new blades from them. Dem thangs are SPENDY! Other brands look OK, but also seem to be built pretty much the same with the same power ratings. How about some input on how well they work and how long the blades last? The last one I looked at was the Rigid 12V Cordless, model #R82235. Like this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390320731792&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT Since these things, even with a cord, don't have a large wattage motor, would a 12V version do the job of cutting aluminum and thin mild steel or cold rolled sheet metal? It would sure make it a lot easier to use than the 12 pound Recip saw! Waiting for some opinions.... Gopher it! | ||
| Sam Summers (Greyghost)
Registered Member Username: Greyghost Post Number: 31 Registered: 4-2011 Posted From: 72.35.193.222  Rating: N/A |
I don't know if these come in 14v or 18v but if you can find one in the higher voltage your battery life just got extended in using it during a session | ||
| les marston (Les_marston)
Registered Member Username: Les_marston Post Number: 327 Registered: 1-2010 Posted From: 68.151.225.213  Rating: N/A |
Dal I had a Dremel for years. used the heck out of it for everything from sharpening to wood butchering. I finally wore out the arbor and had to replace it. I went cheap and got a $20 unit from Princess auto. It works fine but doesn't have the balance of the old one. I tried a few cordless ones.. Didn't like them but then again I use mine in the shop or somewhere I have power. If this is a tool you will use a lot don't cheap out, get a good one. If you only use it occasionally the cheap one serves well. As far as the cutting disks go... again for more use get the good ones for cutting off a nail or such the cheap ones work well Don't forget your eye protection when using rotary tools. A piece of cutting or grinding disk in the eye can spoil your whole day Just my two cents worth Les | ||
| Dal Farnworth (Dallas)
Registered Member Username: Dallas Post Number: 585 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 98.20.60.203 Rating: N/A |
Les, this tool isn't a Dremel tool. it's actually a fancy vibrator to make people happy, LOL  | ||
| David Evans (Dmd)
Registered Member Username: Dmd Post Number: 594 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 24.46.196.121  Rating: N/A |
I have a Rockwell and love it, but yes the blades are pricey, they get 30. for some of them.It really can make nice straight cuts with out the kickback of a sawzzall. We use it for wood copper pipes and grout lines. | ||
| thomas flocks (Taflocks)
Registered Member Username: Taflocks Post Number: 427 Registered: 9-2009 Posted From: 67.253.124.108 Rating: N/A |
i have a fein but i would go with the ridged as they have a lifetime warranty including the battery | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 1523 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 97.213.127.165  Rating: N/A |
If one is cutting thin gauge metal, why not use a nipper..thru 16 gauge....easier, less expensive...and air supplied. My Multi is HF, given to me as a gift....works fine, but not my choice for sheet metal...of any kind. FWIW  RCB | ||
| Dave Walker (Chrome_dome)
Registered Member Username: Chrome_dome Post Number: 337 Registered: 3-2010 Posted From: 75.210.81.209  Rating: N/A |
Oh ya wimps!Go get a good 4 inch grinder. It will do all the above. Just depends what you put on the business end. What a bunch of "WEINERS", LOL Chromie | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 1216 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 74.162.83.29  Rating: N/A |
You are one sick puppy, Dal! (but I'd love to watch it in use; call me) Yeah Chromie, there's not much you can't do with a 4" grinder! Well, it will make a mess if used like Dal claims his "tool" is used for... but that aside... While in Harbor Freight's checkout line with -their- brand of grinder, a fella' behind me told me just how great they were. He said they were guaranteed, and he was on his sixth one! I stepped out of line, went back and grabbed a DeWalt 4" grinder. It took out the bathroom, destination sign, seat brackets, and assorted amount of nut/bolts, and rivets. I didn't have to make use of their guarantee; the tool continues to work well! So hey.... Vibrator, or work? (Message edited by john_mc9 on June 10, 2011) (Message edited by john_mc9 on June 10, 2011) | ||
| Jack Fids (Jack_fids)
Registered Member Username: Jack_fids Post Number: 774 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 72.211.145.15  Rating: N/A |
Ridged Vibrating tool Military Intelligence guys named Dallas from Texas.. guys named Les offering more.. there's way to much oxymoronics to wade thru it's enough to keep up with just the Moronics. BTW... Dal, does it come in an Anniversary Edition... | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 1545 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 76.194.83.247  Rating: N/A |
I use the Rockwell, it works , and since most of what I do is renovation , not new construction , it has been a great problem solver. There are now "universal mount" kits so you can use most any blade on and unit. FF | ||
| PA Doug (Padoug)
Registered Member Username: Padoug Post Number: 38 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 71.182.242.172 Rating: N/A |
Dallas, I have the Dremmel. IMHO, it is great for jobs that require fine precision work..IE very small jobs. My brother borrowed it for cutting vinyl tile for his house, but he went through several sets of cutting disks. Be careful. The disks do not give any warning that they are about to shatter; and when they do, the pieces are usually about 1/4 -1/2 disk and can go anywhere. So eye protection is absolutely necessary. The wood/metal grinders are great for precision jobs, such as if you making small intricate patterns-craft type work. If you are reshaping a wood handle, carving a piece of molding etc...it is great. However, the bits wear easily if you are not careful, and can get expensive if you have large jobs. Remember, this tool relies on high-speed rotation, not high torque. It's primarily a cutting/polishing tool, not a grinding one. Take your time, and you may get a little more life out of the parts. The nail cutting demo's are just that..marketing hype. IMHO, it is not much more than a useful, but at times expensive little accessory to have around the house. I have a bunch of masonry/brick to clean up for recyle. I'm not even going to bother using it for that. Mine has lasted me 25 years (Funny that this topic comes up, it's was my 18th birthday present, and my 43rd is coming up in a few days) and works as well as the day I first got it. Maybe I'll pull it out and finish a small wood carving that I had started of the wife and me. Or polish some copper plating on some tables and lamps we have have. My "outdated" Dremmel still works fine. I'm sure any of them will be worth checking out, and if not simply replace or return it. As I implied earlier, It's not the tool itself that expensive, it's the bits. Just my nickle, Doug | ||
| Dal Farnworth (Dallas)
Registered Member Username: Dallas Post Number: 586 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 98.20.60.203 Rating: N/A |
Doug, I think we are talking about two different tools here. I have a dremel tool, and it's also about 25 years old. I've replaced the brushes in it once since I bought it at a garage sale 20 years ago. A Multi-tool is a completely different animal. Look at the picture I'll try to post.  | ||
| Dan Clishe (Cody)
Registered Member Username: Cody Post Number: 109 Registered: 1-2008 Posted From: 206.51.120.170 Rating: N/A |
Dallas, actually dremel also makes a multitool, not just there rotary tools, they've also added an osilating cutter to their line somewhat similar to the Fein, not sure how heavy duty it is tho. Fein has had one out for a long time but it's kind of pricey, now everyone and their blind nephew is marketing a version, notice how I haven't entered the fray? lol I could have said that with my parkinsons all I would need to do is hold a putty knife to a board but I didn't, arn't ya proud of me? maybe sainthood isn't that far away after all lol. | ||
| Dal Farnworth (Dallas)
Registered Member Username: Dallas Post Number: 587 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 98.20.60.203 Rating: N/A |
Cody, you have to be Beatified before you can be sainted.... We still need 4 more miracles before that can happen! Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned Dremel at all, everyone thinks we are talking about the old standby rotary tool, which they still make but we aren't speaking of. I have looked at, and even tested the Fein Multimaster, and a couple of other brands. The only thing the Fein had over the others at one time was the ability to switch blades quickly. The blades on all of them work about equally as well from one brand to another. What I'm looking for is opinions on how well these tools work for intricate work, not only in the bus but doing craft and remodeling work also. My plan is to have as many wood working tools on board as possible. I don't have the same abilities as you, but I do find it impossible to do the mechanical work I use to love. So I have to find another way to create stuff and bring a few dollars into the fuel fund. Maybe later on I'll start a thread about what I would like to do, and see if anyone else has the same or different dreams and aspirations. | ||
| Dan Clishe (Cody)
Registered Member Username: Cody Post Number: 110 Registered: 1-2008 Posted From: 206.51.120.170 Rating: N/A |
4 more miracles and turn beautiful too huh,, looks like a long shot to me | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 1217 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 74.162.83.29 Rating: N/A |
Hey Cody? Beatified: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/beatified But beautiful would probably be even more remote! (just sayin') | ||
| Dan Clishe (Cody)
Registered Member Username: Cody Post Number: 111 Registered: 1-2008 Posted From: 206.51.120.170 Rating: N/A |
can you just feel the love? meanwhile lets investigate vibrating cutters, does having parkinsons and a putty knife give me an edge? | ||
| GlennVin (Glennvin)
Registered Member Username: Glennvin Post Number: 48 Registered: 10-2002 Posted From: 75.89.39.162  Rating: N/A |
Here's a video as to what Dallas is referring to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nynD2SfyINU | ||
| Laryn Christley (Barn_owl)
Registered Member Username: Barn_owl Post Number: 704 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 108.15.199.165  Rating: N/A |
I have the one from Harbor Freight and love it. I paid $29 for mine and with 20% off coupons that are common, blades are inexpensive. If the least expensive tool works this well, then I could only imagine.......... | ||
| Jack Fids (Jack_fids)
Registered Member Username: Jack_fids Post Number: 776 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 72.211.145.15 Rating: N/A |
"does having parkinsons and a putty knife give me an edge" OK CODY.... now that you have managed to magically transfer the Cheerios & milk from my mouth to the screen & keyboard...... I suppose you think you are something BIG...eh? well if you were , you'd join the Idiots Club... but we wouldn't have you & you couldn't afford the dues anyway... so there...!!!! danged NewMeats, always tryin to be uppity | ||
| Dan Clishe (Cody)
Registered Member Username: Cody Post Number: 114 Registered: 1-2008 Posted From: 206.51.120.170 Rating: N/A |
Gee jack,, I registered exactly a year before you did, now I'm filled with remorse (among other things lol) | ||
| Arthur J Griffith (Arthurseagle)
Registered Member Username: Arthurseagle Post Number: 72 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 67.58.190.242 Rating: N/A |
I also have one that I bought at Harbor Freight and used it on many small projects. Worked Great. I recently foamed my bus with closed cell foam. Tuff Stuff to trim. Saw an add in the HF flyer for the same type of tool that is air powered on sale for 19.95. Long story short I bought one used it to trim all the foam. Worked Great. All the same blades from the elec. work on the air tool. ARTHUR | ||
| thomas flocks (Taflocks)
Registered Member Username: Taflocks Post Number: 428 Registered: 9-2009 Posted From: 67.253.124.108 Rating: N/A |
http://www.harborfreight.com/merchandising-promotions/merchandising/june-weekly-sale-35-60 -off/variable-speed-multifunction-air-tool-67538.html | ||
| Dal Farnworth (Dallas)
Registered Member Username: Dallas Post Number: 588 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 98.20.60.203 Rating: N/A |
Wow, Thomas, that thing needs some Big Air compressor and tanks... 8 scfm @ 90 psi for cutting and scraping and 16 scfm @ 90 psi for sanding. I haven't owned a compressor that large in years. The Bendix Tuflo 750 on my bus right now is only rated at 15 scfm. I think I'd much rather have an electric, LOL. | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 1546 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 76.214.46.8 Rating: N/A |
I think I'd much rather have an electric FOR ANYTHING! We have a north and south houses and are delighted that weed wackers, chain saws and many other items are now AC or DC powered , no carbs to fix! Life is too short to mess with chain saws on a 12 ft pole , that might be needed once every other year. FF | ||
| Jack Fids (Jack_fids)
Registered Member Username: Jack_fids Post Number: 779 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 72.211.145.15 Rating: N/A |
Maybe he needs a Diesel Multi Tool | ||
| Mike Everard (Meverard)
Registered Member Username: Meverard Post Number: 21 Registered: 1-2011 Posted From: 75.243.19.78  Rating: N/A |
I have a Bosch Multi Tool that I use on jobsites. I don,t think there is a lot of diference in most of them, other than price. However, if you have power available most of the time, I would get a corded tool. If you are using it a lot, the baterries don't last a long time. The cordless tools serve their purpose well, but there is nothing like 120 volts. Or in Jacks case 480 volts. Mike | ||
| Steve "Spanky" Aune (Spanky77707)
Registered Member Username: Spanky77707 Post Number: 48 Registered: 1-2010 Posted From: 64.234.1.246  Rating: N/A |
I have the Rockwell and love it, it has not let me down... Spanky |