Replies

1. 
   Boogalee | Aug 06, 2009 01:16am | #1

   I purchased 2 Fein Multi-tool about a year ago, 1 I gave to my son.  I have used mine maybe 2 -3 times.  My son uses his a lot more because he is in construction.

   Buy the knockoff.  If you find you use alot then buy Fein.

   Harbor Frieght

   http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?itemnumber=65700

   Fein

   http://www.amazon.com/Fein-FMM-250-Start-MultiMaster/dp/B000U8Q812/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1249510519&sr=1-9

2. 
   Bull88 | Aug 06, 2009 07:01am | #2

   I am a contractor/cabinetmaker.  I bought a Fein about 3 years ago and use it regularly.  I consider it one of the best investments I have made.  A quality tool - it should be at the price. 

   I have no experience with the knock-offs but, given your situation, you might want to consider the Dremel multimaster knock-off.  If you find it doesn't work that well, promptly return it; the next time you have need of a multimaster, buy a Fein.  Who knows, the Dremel might work great for your situation.  (Do NOT keep it if it doesn't work well.  RETURN it.)

   One thing about the Fein, the blades are pricey.

    

    

1. 
   Domer | Aug 06, 2009 01:53pm | #3

   I have looked and looked for a decent detail sander. I have bought the Dremel, Black and Decker Octo, & Porter Cable detail sander. The Dremel works better than any of the others but finding sanding loops is difficult and it is not a tool that will hold up. I wish I had spent the money for the Fein the first time and when I need one again, that is what I will get. All of the reviews say the same thing.Domer

2. 
   Dave45 | Aug 08, 2009 04:30pm | #9

   I bought the Dremel a couple of weeks ago so I could cut baseboards for a built-in bookcase installation. It paid for itself when I was able to cut the bases back in under 5 minutes.Since then, I've found 4-5 situations where it was just what I needed. I think that this is going to be one of those "go to" tools that have uses you never imagined.My only issue is that the cap screw that holds the blades wants to loosen up sometimes and I need to keep the allen wrench handy.

3. 
   ASK | Aug 06, 2009 03:45pm | #4

   I bought the Dremel. The first one I got worked for about 1/2 hour and then stopped. Dremel sent a replacement very quickly and it is working fine. For $100 it was worth it.

   ASK

1. 
   jeffs | Aug 06, 2009 05:11pm | #5

   I (actually my 6 yo son) won a Fein at a Woodcraft auction a couple of years ago- so the price was right. I don't use it much but when I do, I really like it. I have only used it to sand in tight places or details. It is clearly a very high quality tool.

4. 
   Walnutlover | Aug 06, 2009 06:32pm | #6

   I have tried the Rockwell with absolutly no success.  bought it to plunge cut 2 1/4" hardwood flooring strips.  Went about 1/2" into the oak floor and the balde would start to slip, reducing the vibration.  After three days, returned the saw and borrowed the Fein from a neighbor.  Night and day difference in power and performance.  Buy the Fein. 

1. 
   cicero | Aug 07, 2009 03:47am | #7

   It's so true,nobody ever regretted buying quality.

1. 
   Quickstep | Aug 08, 2009 05:21pm | #10

   I echo the sentiment that no one ever regretted buying quality. I long ago grew tired of tools that break in the middle of a project on a Sunday evening when I can't buy a replacement. I have the multimaster. Like others, I don't use it every day, but when I do, it's great. It's a solidly built tool made to last.

5. 
   paulbny | Aug 07, 2009 05:28am | #8

   It depends on what your going to use it for and how much your going to use it.  I have both a Fein and a Bosch Multi-X.  I actually use the Multi-X more as it is cordless, more convienent and most of my cuts are under 1 min. in things like base trim and window trim.  That said, if I'm cutting hardwood flooring I get out the Fein, it is more powerful.  If I could only own one I would own the Bosch, I use it waaaay more then the Fein.  But, I have access to two Feins if I needed one.

6. 
   xmike | Aug 08, 2009 11:46pm | #11

   Fein also makes a pro-grade/heavy duty version of the multimaster called the Fein Supercut. Its about a half-pound heavier, and inputs 400 watts power as opposed to the 250 watts of the multimaster.

   I love my Multimaster, but sometimes I wish that it had a little more power - in adhesive removal mode in particular, it could use more umph! Had I known about the Supercut when I bought the Multimaster, I would have probably gone that route.

   Where I would cut corners would be when purchasing blades. Fein's blades are nice, but you can match them for much less on eBay with knockoffs. And you can make your own. Search Knots for threads on Multimaster blades. I haven't tried the Bosch or Dremel or other big name brand's blades yet, but I plan to.
   Mike

1. 
   knuts | Aug 09, 2009 03:01pm | #13

   Mike D, I bought some of Sears blades. Hole pattern is different, but fits. Just got a 3-pack of the Fein E-cut from Amazon $45.00.

1. 
   joespehar | Aug 10, 2009 01:16am | #14

   I got a reconditioned Dremel from CPO Dremel through Amazon. It was $79.95, but since I had $50 worth of rebate coupons from my Amazon credit card, I only had to come up with $30 for it. I used it today to sand the edge profiles on some raised panels for kitchen cabinets I'm building. After three hours it was still going strong. I don't anticipate needing anything more powerful. However, if I were doing a lot of work with such a tool, as part of my trade or on a major remodeling job --cutting, scraping, grout removal, sanding--I might fork out a lot more money for the Fein Multitool or even the Fein Supercut, which is around $800. The Rockwell Sonicrafter might also be a choice if I didn't have quite as much money. I considered the Bosch, but the short battery-charge life put me off. (Bosch does make a corded version, but it is available only in Europe right now.) People who have the Harbor Freight multitool seem happy with it for the most part, but it is a single-speed machine and the reliability has yet to be shown. By the way, even though those sandpaper triangles for the Dremel cost almost a dollar apiece, I found that I can cut three pieces from a 6" random orbital sander hook-and-loop sheet. That brings the cost down to less than a quarter each. And Klingspor has rolls of hook-and-loop paper you could do the same thing with to make things more economical. So which tool to buy? It depends on how hard and how often you're going to run it.

7. 
   twotowers | Aug 09, 2009 01:24am | #12

   Hi Big C
   I bought the Harbor Freight unit for $ 39.00!

   If you have read the post on this topic you will see a lot of folks really don't use it much. I build boxes and have been surprised that I have been using it on a regular basis. Who would have thunk. There is a unit out there based on what ever you want to spend. The HF unit is fantastic. Oh and by the way Fein's patent just ran out and that's why you are seeing a bunch of products at reasonable prices.

   Best,

   TT