A very useful tool which as a plumber I have used many times in many situations, one thing i have learned is to go with a variable speed unit and when cutting wood run it at the lowest speed, it is easier to control and won’t burn the blade as easy. Another thing, don’t force the cut, let the tool do the work and back it out periodically to clear the sawdust.
I purchased the dewalt tool a year ago, I still cannot believe how much I have used it, when I bought it I though I was wasting my cash a bit as I need it just for one big job at the time, but I have used it over and over again for various different things. It sure has made my life easier.
Very useful, thanks. If using a thin Angle-Grinder cutting blade to re sharpen multitool blades (or anything else) note that they are not supposed to be used as side-grinding discs. You might get away with slight side-pressure (you might not). You really don’t want a faceful of 12000 rpm shattering cutting disc - it is not a beauty treatment! Les
I have found is that the bulk boxes from the like of Amazon are just as good and last just as long as the named brands ones. Box of 50 blades for about £20 rather than £5 a blade from a shop.
I bought a Fein Multi-tool years ago after seeing it at a woodworking show. I was worried a bit at the time as it was the most expensive tool in my arsenal. However it became my 'Get Out Of Jail Free Card' on countless occasions. Every serious DiYer or Tradesman should have this in their tool kit. Thanks for the video Stuart, very informative and clearly explained as always.
Before I retired I used to sell them One customer came in and bought one for one particular job as the amount of time it saved him made the cost worthwhile (he was a tradesman) He came back a couple of weeks later for more blades and told us he used it daily and didn't know how he'd survived without ine
I treated myself to a Fein after seeing my regular window and door man using one. I like Dave a lot. Very independent and interested in history. When we emigrated for a few years, I offered my Fein to Dave at half price (it’d hardly been used & he used his almost everyday). I bought another recently. Just a nice piece of kit. I was refinishing our front door and I took the opportunity to enlarge the slot to accept a bigger letterbox fitting. The multitool cuts a 2 1/4” hardwood door so easily.
Very useful and practical, especially resharpening. For straight cuts in timber, it can be helpful to score the pencilmark a few times with a craft knife or a sharp scribe to O.5 mm to create a little track to guide the blade.
Very useful advice. Thanks Stuart. For those on a budget, without the angle grinder, catching the blunted blade earlier, before the teeth have gone, can save time and effort. 60 seconds on a needle or triangular file would be enough to bring it back. Much like regularly making a few passes on the stones with your chisels.
I own both cordless and plug-in versions of this tool and use them often as a builder. Still enjoyed your vid and appreciate the tip on resharpening blades. Cheers from over the pond!
take a 1/8 inch drill bit and probe before cutting. You will feel the stud behind the OSB with the drill bit. Can save a ton of time as the 1/8 hole is easy to patch.
I have the Erbauer 18 v model which for my old trade as antique furniture restorer and for all work tasks this tool is a must for every serious project. Yes you can buy cheap or expensive blades so I have a large selection of different types with the carbide tipped being expensive but very effective and efficient. Not had any problems with inaccuracy with the trick being not to force the cut but to let the teeth do the cutting.
Lol, I have a multitool and don't use it a lot. Last saturday I had a friend over to do some DIY on my home and it was the first time he has used one. Some tricks you've shown, using a guide for a straight cut (the surface of a workmate, serving the clamping force and a straight edge) and using masking tape for a depth stop, we have been using as well. I will send him this video so he can see we were a the right track. I'm not a proper DIY-er as you are, but I'm glad that my experience and common sense is sort of in your level regarding multitools. I own a cheap corded Parkside with a quick change clamp and am very pleased with it.
Me too, I bought a corded one because HF store was selling the batteries separate from the tool, and it came to over a hundred dollars for a DIY job I was doing for family. Instead I bought the corded one with more power and a set of cutting and sanding attachments for half the price. One battery and one battery charger less to care for.
My favorite oscillating tool attachment is a rectangular box saw that cuts a perfect single gang opening for an electrical box in one go. Somehow incompatible with the oscillations of my Dewalt tool, so I keep a Skil branded tool around just for that purpose. Goes through drywall perfectly, not so good on wood.
The problem with a multi tool is not the tool itself, it's the user that presses too hard to cut; let the tool do it's work. Great channel, always great videos.
Something I do that really works great and saves money. If you are buying blades to cut screws or nails or even light metal, you know they wear out pretty quickly. But if you take the blade flatten and remove all the teeth from any type blade, if there are any remaining from the front edge, you can cut part of a hacksaw blade (the width of the worn out blade) and spot weld it on to the front of the worn out blade. It then cuts metal like magic and actually works better than the expensive metal blades you buy.
What a great video! I just bought an oscillating multitool and knew nothing about using one. You answered all my questions, plus a lot of questions that hadn't occurred to me. Subscribed and looking forward to more videos.
I'm a laminate floor fitter and I use a Fein multitool with Bosch blades, I sharpen/ cut new teeth with a dremel and some tiny discs I found on Amazon, since doing so I haven't needed/ bought any new blades in over a year, and my blades get a lot of hammer. Takes a little practice but the little discs and mandrel cost around a fiver. Glad I kept loads of old blunt ones. Saved a small fortune.
I've never purchased a. multipurpose tool, but your video has shown me many purposes of what I could use one for, if ever needed-thank you so much. Especially love the repurposing of worn out blades by using the angle grinder to make new cuts and start over again. Love it!
I bought one ten years ago thinking how many door jambs will i cut. Probably one of my most used tools now. Love it. Milwaukee blades are good quality but pricey.
Another fabulously clear, to-the-point, and very helpful presentation, Stuart - I hope you continue with your kind and brilliant contributions to our DIY world.
Recently we had a water leak and called a plumber to find it as I'm getting too old to go crawling about under the house. The plumber found the leak in a tight spot between joists and couldn't get any of his tools in to the spot to cut and repair the pipe. I went out to my garage and came back in with my osc. multi-tool with a new bi-metal blade on it and told him to give that a try. He had it fixed in no time after that and said, he had often seen them but had never used one before, but would now be buying one for himself. Mine has gotten me out of a few tight spots in the past. I may only use it a time or two each year, but it sure is great to have one when it's needed.
Great detailed video! I agree that you don't need an expensive multitool for random jobs around the home. I also agree that you need PPE -- these will damage your hearing before you realize it happened!
As a retired nurse I have used the original plaster cutter tool. All these years watching diy videos I never made the connection. Great video as always Stuart😊
I remember having a desoutter tool placed against my arm at an engineering exhibition in the 70's. Used for bone, it was said to not cut muscle. The blade was a complete circle, so it looked like it was rotating! Scary!
Also a retired nurse, but was a tech at the time. 1982, our cast cutter gave up the ghost, and they ordered a new one. I was assigned to bring the no longer working one to the dumpster; well I kept going, all the way to the trunk of my car. Took it home, took it apart, got it working again. The biggest plus, was the dust collection that it had. It was a lovely green color, which matched my table saw's cabinet.
Fab! Having bought one very recently, I can see the many uses this tool will have. I used a single blade to work on plaster board and also to remove the dot and dab from the thermalite blockwork behind, without damaging the soft blocks, when fitting gun cabinets to a 'cheese built' house. The blade lasted throughout the day (it was a big job....) and it did very well to even sculpt back the very hard morter between a few blocks to help get a flat wall. At the end of the work, the blade was totally devoid of teeth, but I had already worked out that I can re-cut it and modify it to use again. Despite the limitations of these tools, they are incredibly useful for specific jobs that would take forever using other methods. Absolutely wear a quality dust mask..... I really stupidly didn't to start with and regretted that! Also vital to wear eye protection (stuff flies out at your face) and definitely hearing protection as they make a high frequency nasty noise that will wreck your hearing in no time. Love your videos! 👍🏻👏🏻
One of the ways I use my oscialating tool is to carve in wood. It is too inaccurate to do the details, but for rough shape carving and removing a lot of materials it works great. What I have found to work best is to angle the blade 90 degree and control using a two handed technique. It gives me actually pretty good control on the cut.
The ‘standard’ blade adapter as you showed for Dewalt etc tools actually comes in two versions, the quick release with the opening as you showed and a completely round version that is compatible with cheaper multi tools where the blade is held onto the head with a hex headed bolt. I had to cut openings in all my remaining blades when I bought a Dewalt multi-tool. Rennie Tools and Saxton Blades make good priced blades for DIY task, used them for years and it doesn’t matter so much to throw them away
I had a cast cut off my arm with an oscillating saw in 1955 when I was a little kid. The nice doctor touched the buzzing blade to prove it wouldn’t saw my arm off.
I had the same experience in 1985. My 7 year old self didn’t completely trust the doctor and his demonstration but I was really ready for that cast to be removed.
Really useful guide, thanks. Tool free blade changing is a bonus but at the cost of a larger head, which limits flexibility when working in really tight spaces. The corded model is an advantage in these cases.
The one blade you have missed is my latest OMG blade. Wavy blade for cutting PIR or polysterene I got mine from Toolstation in the U.K. Also easier and quicker to use if you put the blade at 90deg to the tool.
Good tip on reusing dull blades👍I've tried about every brand of blade out there, cheap and expensive, for me they all last about the same which is not very long. I've also found that when removing baseboard an old toothless blade works best, it won't cut the wood but melts it's way through the paint and caulking.
I needed one of these for a DIY, because I thought it was going to be a one job use, I bought a cheap one. I never get expensive on one time use tools. Now I have one, I use it ALL THE TIME!!! Go figure, that cheap one time use tool is still going strong! The rubber on the grip area is worn off, but the rest of it works like day one! I use it for so many tasks that I often think "How did I get by before having this?" Then watching this I see you using it to cut caulk off base moulding, I used to use a utility knife, USED TO being the important part!!!
Good video! I've been using the multi-tool ever since Fein patent ran out and they because available for cheap. They aren't a general purpose tool but there are times where nothing else will do, short of a major amount of work... so the tool is quite valuable! I actually have a spare, new in the box, because mine is a Harbor Freight tool and we know about their reliability; it's more important to not have to stop, clean up and race out to buy another one. Personally I don't screw around with re-sharpening blades. You can by an assortment of 24 blades for under a dollar each. Yes, Chinese but this is one case where more money doesn't mean the blades will be better or last longer. None of the blades, no matter how much you spend, last very long. Because this tool is not a primary tool, I don't mind the cord... it avoids having to tend to the batteries and I am never stuck while the battery is charging. Use the money you save to buy a spare tool!
I have a Milwaukee variable speed multitool, as a bathroom fitter/tiler i use it a lot. Mostly to cut into architrave and door frames for a good finish when tiling floors. Its a brilliant bit of kit, though i hate the racket it makes. Blades are a rip off though, think i will buy a needle file and have a go at sharpening, bit tired of buying 5 Erbaur bldes foe £20 and they are ruined in a few cuts. Thanks for the tip, great channel.
Just what I needed to see today. I need to take 1/2” off of the length of an installed piece of ❤3/4” trim board in a very visible place. Turning the tool upside down, and clamping on a guide should do the trick to give me a straight, clean cut! Thank you!
Worth also pointing out a safety comment on multi-tools that you shouldn't use them continously for too long. The oscillations can damage the nerves in the hand over time if you are using it. I have heard of guidance limiting their use to no more than twenty minutes per day for this reason.
Got blown away twice! An Englishmen fully accepting the metric system! Leaves the whole US behind in the dust. Thanks Stu, here in Australia we are blessed with half price Einhell stuff sold locally as Ozito. Of course most other brands are stocked as well. So far I had attacked them worn blades with a triangular file. Things you do with age 67 never knowing when dementia is going to hit you.
What’s so odd about that ? British industry has been metric since 1968 or thereabouts. The last time I worked from a drawing in inches was in the very early Seventies.
@@wulf67well he no where near correct in that statement obviously, but America is great at believing they created many things or is responsible for the invention of most things people in the USA use. This is basically patriotism and I think most countries feel like this. Einstein, Fermi, Tesla, and so many others are not American’s but don’t try to tell everyone that. Best to do some research before debating anything and definitely debate it, don’t argue, that belittles the country you represent.
@@derekparent752 Actually Einstein, Fermi, and Tesla were all nationalized citizens of the United States. The U.S. is a nation, not an ethnicity. They came here to live and work for good reason.
I bought one of these from QVC many years ago,the battery didn't last long and it took forever to charge,i could only get blades from the maker,then after a couple of years the tool became obsolete,went into the back of my shed,i gave it to a mate of mine a few years ago who was working on his daughters kitchen,four years ago bought an Erauber replacement,240 volt,like chalk and cheese and takes most of the blades on the market,great bit of kit.
Ah yes, QVC........ Bought a small power saw that was demonstrated (in perfect hands) to cut tile, laminate, wood etc with nice straight lines. Used twice and struggled with it before giving it to my son-in-law who was tiling and agreed with me ...... threw it in the bin and I bought a wet saw for the tiling, perfect
Great video and great timing! I searched your channel about these tools last night but couldn’t find anything- went ahead and bought one which is getting delivered today.
Thanks Stuart, a good overview, I've had one of these for years back when the only choice was Fein and it's been a great tool, I also have a cordless Bosch now and consider them an essential DIY tool now, they have so many applications !
Good video, great piece of kit, used a multitool for years got me out of a few awkward situations. They are brilliant for cleaning mortar off bricks or grout off tiles and floors if you have a small repair to make, bluntish blades work a treat. Deffo not a precision tool.
Great video. As a user I would.also point out if you can slide along cut to.help cut and save blade. I also use finger.on back side of.blade occasionally to help prevent jumping around. Most of all.let.tool.do the work, not brute force...
Thanks a lot, I didn't know about the origin of oscillating tools. I have rewarded my promotion, about 20 years ago, with a FEIN MultiMaster, Germany's top-notch OMT. You have to keep in mind that it's designed to not damage soft tissue, so you can only cut hard materials, which are kept in place - any wiggle will cause the tool to fail. Holding a tile in one hand and trying to cut with the other hand is a guaranteed failure. BTW: you can determine the cutting depth of a circular saw very well by simply raising it from the base-plate - just saying. The OMT is a precision tool and sometimes far superior - I don't know any other tool you can take away the first 2mm from the ground/ceiling/corner with. Never regretted buying it.
Multi tool blades are one of the few things I buy from those Chinese companies that ship directly to you. 50 or so for the cost of two at a home center store. From the best of them to the worst they are just thin, cheap metal with little teeth cut into them regardless of the name on them.
I had 50 from a certain 'online platform. Used then for woodmonly and to be fair each one lasted for plenty of cuts. Not very good for hardwoods though!!
Just bought a cheap one from lidl today used to get the acrylic caulking out from the skirting board ready for wallpapering it was perfect for that job!!
Also for straight cutting long cuts (I actually saw from some other video) is to angle the blade 45 to 70 degrees back towards you then pull the tool along the cut. You can also do this angled forwards and push the cut but isn't always as steady...
I did a lot of research and ended up buying the original corded Fein 10 years ago. it vibrates a lot less than the cheaper ones. I also saw that reforming hack from Drill with Jane. You could also file fldoen and use the blunt ones as scraper blades. I really ike this saw and its not as deadly as other saws. Another video from project farm showed that Ezarc bladed performed admirably. Ive just discovered diabl9 make bladed...i think i just wee'd a bit lol.
I can't say yours is the best DIY channel on TH-cam, as I haven't seen them all, but it's certainly the best I've come across. Another really useful video, Stuart.
Nice overview, appreciate the video. I had some drywall to do so I got a Hammerhead a couple of weeks ago before I saw the video, and it seems to do the job since I didn't want to into get the cordless price range. I wanted to do a better job cutting straight lines which it did well despite not being at all fancy.
Hey mate, I remember seeing the first oscillating saw like 15-20 years ago, and it was a FEIN brand, and it was around $700 USD back then. Yes, I've been sharping my blade the same way up did.
I was one of those kids that had a cast removed in the 60's by that method... they work great... unless your arm swells and your hand turns blue. The skin doesn't vibrate with the cutter so, the skin cuts. I have a 12" long scar on my arm. But, back to your vid, I do own a multi-tool and love it. Thanks for the memory remind and the tool advice.
6:41. 😂 I know that feeling too well! I never know what to call it, frustrating or a waste of time. I remember when an electrician was installing a twin socket, and he cut out a piece of plasterboard, and hit appeared to be the building block right behind there. His reaction was the same as yours. So, of course, I had to fill in the hole. 🤙🏼🙂🤙🏼❤️
Thank you so much. I've owned one of these oscillating cutting tools (Bosch) for only a short time, and I've learned a lot of good useful information from your vid.🙂
I bought a festool rotex sander with an interchangeable delta head to sand all my cedar window and door frames, that were narrow and multi layered. I gave that up after a while, as the head movement would cause the tool to catch on the narrow edges and ruin them. In the end I used the sanding head on the oscillating tool instead. Not only could it get into tighter spots, such as corners, but right up to the edges without the tool catching, and jerking across the edges or glass windows. Only drawback was no dust collection. This is my go to tool for sanding narrow or tight areas.
Best tool on my van. Use it for so much. For me, blades are a disposable item, I dont have time to sharpen them. Crap for sanding to be honest, the head moves too fast and the velco.pads melt very quick... and yes I don't apply too much pressure, it gets used a lot.
Great video - good to see you address two issues: Safety - how many of us 'forget;' to spend 30 seconds to don PPE? Perhaps a video on safety in the future? Sustainability - much better to re-use rather than chuck a used blade in the recycling bin.
Diamond disks, thin, have side grit & works as well on my carbide tooth brush cutting blades for my string trimmer. As I go through quite a few blades (brush cutters or oscillating, I'm full time handyman) the re-sharpening idea is a good rough & ready life-extender. Time's an issue. If it takes over 15 minutes all in, set-up etc... I'm better off buying new, plus, they're in the materials part of my invoices. But, I still like your idea!
Very informative, Stuart! It's definitely on my wish list, but so far I just haven't had a project where I would really need it in order to justifying buying one. My dad calls these multitools "Feins" after the original manufacturer.
If you use the full depth plunge facility, an absolutely fascinating thing to see for the first time, be aware that you can burn the work & also you can so heat the blade and take out its hardness. I personally don’t know how to retreat the metal so recommend you avoid the situation! I agree definitively get used to re profiling simple blades. For coarse cuts it’s perfectly adequate and it’s essentially free! And a bit of fun, I find.
its a good idea but with the quick release system and being placed far enough from the switch theres no need. never happened to me to accidentally switch it on and id be the first to remove the battery if thats the case
Take a look at the Diablo carbide tip blades they are phenomenal, little bit pricey but they are well well well well well well well well worth the money
Excellent video as always. Great hints and tips, I have considered getting one of these for a while, I may fork out for one pretty soon. Keep up the great work.
Interesting as always, good money saving Idea. I have also found it useful to sharpen reciprocating saw blades with the angle grinder in the same way. Looking forward to seeing the next video.
Very timely video, thank you Stuart. I’m embarking on replacing the rotten end of a window frame. I have a Bosch multitool, that frankly, gives me the heebie-jeebies (no idea how you spell that), but it’s the tool for the job. I’ll be going at it with more confidence and control in light of your tips. Thank you. Nes.
I got a corded one from Harbor Freight (chain cheap tool store) for $20 and it works just as good as my $200 cordless one. Actually better since the batteries went bad very quickly so I don’t use it at all.
Honestly I Score my line for the mutilt tool with a knife first , preferably with a marking knife. But flipout or snap off will do. Same idea as a knife wall in wood woodworking.
Fein had the patent on this tool for years, so I don't know if they made the one for plaster or not. Easy to resharpen these will just a needle file, but better to just follow the original teeth. Good tools. I did some laminate flooring years ago, and it expanded massively, so used one of these to nip out the expansion gap
As a decorator of many years, I bought a multi tool years ago having seen guys using them on jobs. But never took it out the box as I didn't know what blades to use ... nor had the confidence to "just do it". Your video was excellent in addressing all the uncertainties that made me not use it. I now can't wait to wipe off the cob webs and start getting confident by using it. I always knew I needed to make it a comfy friend in my tool box .. and with your video that will now happen. Thank you x
A very useful tool which as a plumber I have used many times in many situations, one thing i have learned is to go with a variable speed unit and when cutting wood run it at the lowest speed, it is easier to control and won’t burn the blade as easy. Another thing, don’t force the cut, let the tool do the work and back it out periodically to clear the sawdust.
I purchased the dewalt tool a year ago, I still cannot believe how much I have used it, when I bought it I though I was wasting my cash a bit as I need it just for one big job at the time, but I have used it over and over again for various different things. It sure has made my life easier.
Very useful, thanks. If using a thin Angle-Grinder cutting blade to re sharpen multitool blades (or anything else) note that they are not supposed to be used as side-grinding discs. You might get away with slight side-pressure (you might not). You really don’t want a faceful of 12000 rpm shattering cutting disc - it is not a beauty treatment! Les
I have found is that the bulk boxes from the like of Amazon are just as good and last just as long as the named brands ones. Box of 50 blades for about £20 rather than £5 a blade from a shop.
I bought a Fein Multi-tool years ago after seeing it at a woodworking show. I was worried a bit at the time as it was the most expensive tool in my arsenal. However it became my 'Get Out Of Jail Free Card' on countless occasions. Every serious DiYer or Tradesman should have this in their tool kit. Thanks for the video Stuart, very informative and clearly explained as always.
Before I retired I used to sell them One customer came in and bought one for one particular job as the amount of time it saved him made the cost worthwhile (he was a tradesman) He came back a couple of weeks later for more blades and told us he used it daily and didn't know how he'd survived without ine
I treated myself to a Fein after seeing my regular window and door man using one. I like Dave a lot. Very independent and interested in history. When we emigrated for a few years, I offered my Fein to Dave at half price (it’d hardly been used & he used his almost everyday).
I bought another recently. Just a nice piece of kit. I was refinishing our front door and I took the opportunity to enlarge the slot to accept a bigger letterbox fitting. The multitool cuts a 2 1/4” hardwood door so easily.
Very useful and practical, especially resharpening. For straight cuts in timber, it can be helpful to score the pencilmark a few times with a craft knife or a sharp scribe to O.5 mm to create a little track to guide the blade.
Good idea
Very useful advice. Thanks Stuart. For those on a budget, without the angle grinder, catching the blunted blade earlier, before the teeth have gone, can save time and effort. 60 seconds on a needle or triangular file would be enough to bring it back. Much like regularly making a few passes on the stones with your chisels.
Agree,Looked like the grinder made teeth that were wider than the side to side stroke of. The tool
I own both cordless and plug-in versions of this tool and use them often as a builder. Still enjoyed your vid and appreciate the tip on resharpening blades. Cheers from over the pond!
when you cut through the OSB and found solid framing behind and said "you must be joking" I felt it in my soul.
take a 1/8 inch drill bit and probe before cutting. You will feel the stud behind the OSB with the drill bit. Can save a ton of time as the 1/8 hole is easy to patch.
😂
@@pibblesnbits it's easier than that. If you NEED a cavity there, it will be framing.
😂😅
@@kenbrown2808 Hey Murphy!
A must have tool for any serious DIYer have found a multitude of uses for it. Wouldn't be without it.
What’s a “serious DIYer?”
It was a must have tool in my professional woodworking career.
I have the Erbauer 18 v model which for my old trade as antique furniture restorer and for all work tasks this tool is a must for every serious project.
Yes you can buy cheap or expensive blades so I have a large selection of different types with the carbide tipped being expensive but very effective and efficient. Not had any problems with inaccuracy with the trick being not to force the cut but to let the teeth do the cutting.
Lol, I have a multitool and don't use it a lot.
Last saturday I had a friend over to do some DIY on my home and it was the first time he has used one. Some tricks you've shown, using a guide for a straight cut (the surface of a workmate, serving the clamping force and a straight edge) and using masking tape for a depth stop, we have been using as well. I will send him this video so he can see we were a the right track. I'm not a proper DIY-er as you are, but I'm glad that my experience and common sense is sort of in your level regarding multitools.
I own a cheap corded Parkside with a quick change clamp and am very pleased with it.
Thank you!
Me too, I bought a corded one because HF store was selling the batteries separate from the tool, and it came to over a hundred dollars for a DIY job I was doing for family. Instead I bought the corded one with more power and a set of cutting and sanding attachments for half the price. One battery and one battery charger less to care for.
My favorite oscillating tool attachment is a rectangular box saw that cuts a perfect single gang opening for an electrical box in one go. Somehow incompatible with the oscillations of my Dewalt tool, so I keep a Skil branded tool around just for that purpose. Goes through drywall perfectly, not so good on wood.
I use a scratch awl to pre-scratch a straight line across the wood and the blade will tend to follow the line.
The problem with a multi tool is not the tool itself, it's the user that presses too hard to cut; let the tool do it's work. Great channel, always great videos.
I just bought a Ryobi multi tool and a quick test just went straight through 1/2 inch floorboard easily.......
Something I do that really works great and saves money. If you are buying blades to cut screws or nails or even light metal, you know they wear out pretty quickly. But if you take the blade flatten and remove all the teeth from any type blade, if there are any remaining from the front edge, you can cut part of a hacksaw blade (the width of the worn out blade) and spot weld it on to the front of the worn out blade. It then cuts metal like magic and actually works better than the expensive metal blades you buy.
Great tip
Is it only possible to do that if you have a welding machine?
@C4sp3r123 save money on blades to buy a welding machine 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
@C4sp3r123 save money on blades to buy a welding machine 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
@@C4sp3r123 You could drill a couple of holes and use rivnuts or two small nuts and bolts, but the depth of your cut will be fairly short.
What a great video! I just bought an oscillating multitool and knew nothing about using one. You answered all my questions, plus a lot of questions that hadn't occurred to me. Subscribed and looking forward to more videos.
Doh... It has never occurred to me to resharpen them. Great tip ! Thanks.
I watched this video and went straight to Amazon and bought one! THANK YOU!!!!
Haha DIY TH-cam is a dangerous thing isn't it. Which one you go for??
DCS356B
"See Jane Drill" did an excellent primer a while ago on re-sharpening blades and I've been re-using mine for ages.
Thanks for the headsup! I always enjoy her videos.
I'm a laminate floor fitter and I use a Fein multitool with Bosch blades, I sharpen/ cut new teeth with a dremel and some tiny discs I found on Amazon, since doing so I haven't needed/ bought any new blades in over a year, and my blades get a lot of hammer. Takes a little practice but the little discs and mandrel cost around a fiver. Glad I kept loads of old blunt ones. Saved a small fortune.
I've never purchased a. multipurpose tool, but your video has shown me many purposes of what I could use one for, if ever needed-thank you so much. Especially love the repurposing of worn out blades by using the angle grinder to make new cuts and start over again. Love it!
Good tips, Thanks. Also when blades worn out 10 seconds with angle grinder and you have a scraper.
I used one for the first time yesterday. These things are freaking awesome.
Every DIYer should have one. I use mine all the time.
I bought one ten years ago thinking how many door jambs will i cut. Probably one of my most used tools now. Love it. Milwaukee blades are good quality but pricey.
Another fabulously clear, to-the-point, and very helpful presentation, Stuart - I hope you continue with your kind and brilliant contributions to our DIY world.
May I second this comment, couldn't put it better.
Bollocks
'Bollocks'...? I think you need to grow up.
Recently we had a water leak and called a plumber to find it as I'm getting too old to go crawling about under the house. The plumber found the leak in a tight spot between joists and couldn't get any of his tools in to the spot to cut and repair the pipe. I went out to my garage and came back in with my osc. multi-tool with a new bi-metal blade on it and told him to give that a try. He had it fixed in no time after that and said, he had often seen them but had never used one before, but would now be buying one for himself. Mine has gotten me out of a few tight spots in the past. I may only use it a time or two each year, but it sure is great to have one when it's needed.
Great detailed video! I agree that you don't need an expensive multitool for random jobs around the home. I also agree that you need PPE -- these will damage your hearing before you realize it happened!
As a retired nurse I have used the original plaster cutter tool. All these years watching diy videos I never made the connection. Great video as always Stuart😊
@@Edward-G-i1c there's a Steve Mould video about why those saws cut plaster but not skin, which is quite interesting.
@@awt Thanks I will check it out.
Yes the first time I was confronted with a vibrating saw was when my plaster cast was cut open at St Albans Hospital back in 1979
I remember having a desoutter tool placed against my arm at an engineering exhibition in the 70's. Used for bone, it was said to not cut muscle. The blade was a complete circle, so it looked like it was rotating! Scary!
Also a retired nurse, but was a tech at the time. 1982, our cast cutter gave up the ghost, and they ordered a new one. I was assigned to bring the no longer working one to the dumpster; well I kept going, all the way to the trunk of my car. Took it home, took it apart, got it working again. The biggest plus, was the dust collection that it had. It was a lovely green color, which matched my table saw's cabinet.
Fab! Having bought one very recently, I can see the many uses this tool will have. I used a single blade to work on plaster board and also to remove the dot and dab from the thermalite blockwork behind, without damaging the soft blocks, when fitting gun cabinets to a 'cheese built' house. The blade lasted throughout the day (it was a big job....) and it did very well to even sculpt back the very hard morter between a few blocks to help get a flat wall. At the end of the work, the blade was totally devoid of teeth, but I had already worked out that I can re-cut it and modify it to use again. Despite the limitations of these tools, they are incredibly useful for specific jobs that would take forever using other methods.
Absolutely wear a quality dust mask..... I really stupidly didn't to start with and regretted that! Also vital to wear eye protection (stuff flies out at your face) and definitely hearing protection as they make a high frequency nasty noise that will wreck your hearing in no time.
Love your videos!
👍🏻👏🏻
One of the ways I use my oscialating tool is to carve in wood. It is too inaccurate to do the details, but for rough shape carving and removing a lot of materials it works great. What I have found to work best is to angle the blade 90 degree and control using a two handed technique. It gives me actually pretty good control on the cut.
The ‘standard’ blade adapter as you showed for Dewalt etc tools actually comes in two versions, the quick release with the opening as you showed and a completely round version that is compatible with cheaper multi tools where the blade is held onto the head with a hex headed bolt. I had to cut openings in all my remaining blades when I bought a Dewalt multi-tool.
Rennie Tools and Saxton Blades make good priced blades for DIY task, used them for years and it doesn’t matter so much to throw them away
Yes Saxon are worth considering
Sunday check, it’s raining check, coffee check, proper diy time ❤
You could be my neighbour. Rainy, Sunday, zevia cola not coffee and DIY. ✌️ 🇨🇦
puff
No bacon sarni?
@@AdamSmith-du6us and proud
I had a cast cut off my arm with an oscillating saw in 1955 when I was a little kid. The nice doctor touched the buzzing blade to prove it wouldn’t saw my arm off.
I had the same experience in 1985. My 7 year old self didn’t completely trust the doctor and his demonstration but I was really ready for that cast to be removed.
Me too, legs,arms around the 70s. first encounter with sophisticated tools: vacuum and safe saws. 1st seed of technology interrest
Really useful guide, thanks. Tool free blade changing is a bonus but at the cost of a larger head, which limits flexibility when working in really tight spaces. The corded model is an advantage in these cases.
The one blade you have missed is my latest OMG blade.
Wavy blade for cutting PIR or polysterene I got mine from Toolstation in the U.K.
Also easier and quicker to use if you put the blade at 90deg to the tool.
Good tip on reusing dull blades👍I've tried about every brand of blade out there, cheap and expensive, for me they all last about the same which is not very long. I've also found that when removing baseboard an old toothless blade works best, it won't cut the wood but melts it's way through the paint and caulking.
Don't know how we lived without them.
I recently saw a video with a multitool blade sharpening device you attach to a drill.driver . It's my new must have device for sure
I needed one of these for a DIY, because I thought it was going to be a one job use, I bought a cheap one. I never get expensive on one time use tools.
Now I have one, I use it ALL THE TIME!!! Go figure, that cheap one time use tool is still going strong! The rubber on the grip area is worn off, but the rest of it works like day one! I use it for so many tasks that I often think "How did I get by before having this?" Then watching this I see you using it to cut caulk off base moulding, I used to use a utility knife, USED TO being the important part!!!
Great vid. Noise, smoke and vibration make it the tool i hate using most. Plus the feeling that death is just around corner...
Yeah I hate using mine, the racket and rip off blade prices.
Good video! I've been using the multi-tool ever since Fein patent ran out and they because available for cheap. They aren't a general purpose tool but there are times where nothing else will do, short of a major amount of work... so the tool is quite valuable! I actually have a spare, new in the box, because mine is a Harbor Freight tool and we know about their reliability; it's more important to not have to stop, clean up and race out to buy another one. Personally I don't screw around with re-sharpening blades. You can by an assortment of 24 blades for under a dollar each. Yes, Chinese but this is one case where more money doesn't mean the blades will be better or last longer. None of the blades, no matter how much you spend, last very long. Because this tool is not a primary tool, I don't mind the cord... it avoids having to tend to the batteries and I am never stuck while the battery is charging. Use the money you save to buy a spare tool!
You can always buy a second battery which is recharged while working with the other.
I have a Milwaukee variable speed multitool, as a bathroom fitter/tiler i use it a lot. Mostly to cut into architrave and door frames for a good finish when tiling floors.
Its a brilliant bit of kit, though i hate the racket it makes.
Blades are a rip off though, think i will buy a needle file and have a go at sharpening, bit tired of buying 5 Erbaur bldes foe £20 and they are ruined in a few cuts.
Thanks for the tip, great channel.
Just what I needed to see today. I need to take 1/2” off of the length of an installed piece of ❤3/4” trim board in a very visible place. Turning the tool upside down, and clamping on a guide should do the trick to give me a straight, clean cut! Thank you!
Worth also pointing out a safety comment on multi-tools that you shouldn't use them continously for too long. The oscillations can damage the nerves in the hand over time if you are using it. I have heard of guidance limiting their use to no more than twenty minutes per day for this reason.
I’ve used both Makita and dewalt and the Makita is much more gentle with the vibrations
I’ve warned my wife about excessive vibrations and oscilations.
@@Traitorman..Proverbs26.11 yeah they soon get used to it shame ours don’t vibrate or oscillate
@@Traitorman..Proverbs26.11HAHAHA and that's true.😂
Would the same apply to a reciprocating saw? I’ve used mine for long periods.
This has certainly cleared up a lot of issues with my cutter - time to get it out of the box and review how to use it - many thanks!!!
Got blown away twice! An Englishmen fully accepting the metric system! Leaves the whole US behind in the dust. Thanks Stu, here in Australia we are blessed with half price Einhell stuff sold locally as Ozito. Of course most other brands are stocked as well. So far I had attacked them worn blades with a triangular file. Things you do with age 67 never knowing when dementia is going to hit you.
What’s so odd about that ? British industry has been metric since 1968 or thereabouts. The last time I worked from a drawing in inches was in the very early Seventies.
@@timcarnell5133 Canada had gliding planes with the discrepancies of 2 different gallons. As a metric freak I pump my tires in psi.
“US behind in the dust.” Yeah that’s us. Always the last to come up with technological innovations.🙄
@@wulf67well he no where near correct in that statement obviously, but America is great at believing they created many things or is responsible for the invention of most things people in the USA use. This is basically patriotism and I think most countries feel like this.
Einstein, Fermi, Tesla, and so many others are not American’s but don’t try to tell everyone that.
Best to do some research before debating anything and definitely debate it, don’t argue, that belittles the country you represent.
@@derekparent752 Actually Einstein, Fermi, and Tesla were all nationalized citizens of the United States. The U.S. is a nation, not an ethnicity. They came here to live and work for good reason.
I have found it useful for disassembling pallets and cutting out sections of damaged or rotten tongue and groove floorboards
I bought one of these from QVC many years ago,the battery didn't last long and it took forever to charge,i could only get blades from the maker,then after a couple of years the tool became obsolete,went into the back of my shed,i gave it to a mate of mine a few years ago who was working on his daughters kitchen,four years ago bought an Erauber replacement,240 volt,like chalk and cheese and takes most of the blades on the market,great bit of kit.
Ah yes, QVC........
Bought a small power saw that was demonstrated (in perfect hands) to cut tile, laminate, wood etc with nice straight lines.
Used twice and struggled with it before giving it to my son-in-law who was tiling and agreed with me ...... threw it in the bin and I bought a wet saw for the tiling, perfect
Great video and great timing! I searched your channel about these tools last night but couldn’t find anything- went ahead and bought one which is getting delivered today.
Thanks Stuart, a good overview, I've had one of these for years back when the only choice was Fein and it's been a great tool, I also have a cordless Bosch now and consider them an essential DIY tool now, they have so many applications !
So useful. Have been considering getting one and that is such a clear explanation of the various functions.
For a nice straight edge I put in on a 90 degrees angle and pul the tool towards me. Is very stable way and easy to. No swabbing.
Good video, great piece of kit, used a multitool for years got me out of a few awkward situations. They are brilliant for cleaning mortar off bricks or grout off tiles and floors if you have a small repair to make, bluntish blades work a treat. Deffo not a precision tool.
Great video.
As a user I would.also point out if you can slide along cut to.help cut and save blade.
I also use finger.on back side of.blade occasionally to help prevent jumping around.
Most of all.let.tool.do the work, not brute force...
Wow, such a game-changing tip! I never realized you could create new teeth so easily with an angle grinder. I can't believe how simple it is! Thanks
Thanks a lot, I didn't know about the origin of oscillating tools. I have rewarded my promotion, about 20 years ago, with a FEIN MultiMaster, Germany's top-notch OMT.
You have to keep in mind that it's designed to not damage soft tissue, so you can only cut hard materials, which are kept in place - any wiggle will cause the tool to fail. Holding a tile in one hand and trying to cut with the other hand is a guaranteed failure.
BTW: you can determine the cutting depth of a circular saw very well by simply raising it from the base-plate - just saying.
The OMT is a precision tool and sometimes far superior - I don't know any other tool you can take away the first 2mm from the ground/ceiling/corner with. Never regretted buying it.
Multi tool blades are one of the few things I buy from those Chinese companies that ship directly to you. 50 or so for the cost of two at a home center store. From the best of them to the worst they are just thin, cheap metal with little teeth cut into them regardless of the name on them.
I had 50 from a certain 'online platform. Used then for woodmonly and to be fair each one lasted for plenty of cuts. Not very good for hardwoods though!!
Been re cutting blades for years amazing how much more you can get from them 😊
Excellent demo ❤ I have seen sharpening techniques using a Dremel with stacked grinding discs separated by washers.
Just bought a cheap one from lidl today used to get the acrylic caulking out from the skirting board ready for wallpapering it was perfect for that job!!
Thanks for the idea.
I'll use the tiny discs on my dremmel to re serrate my old blades
Also for straight cutting long cuts (I actually saw from some other video) is to angle the blade 45 to 70 degrees back towards you then pull the tool along the cut. You can also do this angled forwards and push the cut but isn't always as steady...
I did a lot of research and ended up buying the original corded Fein 10 years ago. it vibrates a lot less than the cheaper ones. I also saw that reforming hack from Drill with Jane. You could also file fldoen and use the blunt ones as scraper blades. I really ike this saw and its not as deadly as other saws. Another video from project farm showed that Ezarc bladed performed admirably. Ive just discovered diabl9 make bladed...i think i just wee'd a bit lol.
I can't say yours is the best DIY channel on TH-cam, as I haven't seen them all, but it's certainly the best I've come across. Another really useful video, Stuart.
Great close-up camera work Stuart. I'm now tempted to buy a small cordless angle-grinder too. 😀
Nice overview, appreciate the video. I had some drywall to do so I got a Hammerhead a couple of weeks ago before I saw the video, and it seems to do the job since I didn't want to into get the cordless price range. I wanted to do a better job cutting straight lines which it did well despite not being at all fancy.
Hey mate, I remember seeing the first oscillating saw like 15-20 years ago, and it was a FEIN brand, and it was around $700 USD back then.
Yes, I've been sharping my blade the same way up did.
I was one of those kids that had a cast removed in the 60's by that method... they work great... unless your arm swells and your hand turns blue. The skin doesn't vibrate with the cutter so, the skin cuts. I have a 12" long scar on my arm. But, back to your vid, I do own a multi-tool and love it. Thanks for the memory remind and the tool advice.
6:41. 😂 I know that feeling too well!
I never know what to call it, frustrating or a waste of time.
I remember when an electrician was installing a twin socket, and he cut out a piece of plasterboard, and hit appeared to be the building block right behind there. His reaction was the same as yours.
So, of course, I had to fill in the hole. 🤙🏼🙂🤙🏼❤️
Great tip on resharpening blades. Thanks Stuart!
Thank you so much. I've owned one of these oscillating cutting tools (Bosch) for only a short time, and I've learned a lot of good useful information from your vid.🙂
I bought a festool rotex sander with an interchangeable delta head to sand all my cedar window and door frames, that were narrow and multi layered. I gave that up after a while, as the head movement would cause the tool to catch on the narrow edges and ruin them. In the end I used the sanding head on the oscillating tool instead. Not only could it get into tighter spots, such as corners, but right up to the edges without the tool catching, and jerking across the edges or glass windows. Only drawback was no dust collection. This is my go to tool for sanding narrow or tight areas.
I've heard DeWalt makes dust collection attachments for theirs
Great video, thanks! Ear protection is an absolute must for these in addition to eye and respiratory protection. These things are so loud!
Best tool on my van. Use it for so much. For me, blades are a disposable item, I dont have time to sharpen them. Crap for sanding to be honest, the head moves too fast and the velco.pads melt very quick... and yes I don't apply too much pressure, it gets used a lot.
Great video - good to see you address two issues:
Safety - how many of us 'forget;' to spend 30 seconds to don PPE? Perhaps a video on safety in the future?
Sustainability - much better to re-use rather than chuck a used blade in the recycling bin.
Diamond disks, thin, have side grit & works as well on my carbide tooth brush cutting blades for my string trimmer. As I go through quite a few blades (brush cutters or oscillating, I'm full time handyman) the re-sharpening idea is a good rough & ready life-extender. Time's an issue. If it takes over 15 minutes all in, set-up etc... I'm better off buying new, plus, they're in the materials part of my invoices.
But, I still like your idea!
Very informative, Stuart! It's definitely on my wish list, but so far I just haven't had a project where I would really need it in order to justifying buying one.
My dad calls these multitools "Feins" after the original manufacturer.
If you use the full depth plunge facility, an absolutely fascinating thing to see for the first time, be aware that you can burn the work & also you can so heat the blade and take out its hardness. I personally don’t know how to retreat the metal so recommend you avoid the situation!
I agree definitively get used to re profiling simple blades. For coarse cuts it’s perfectly adequate and it’s essentially free! And a bit of fun, I find.
Nice informative video. Maybe one day I will go for it. Ive currently mastered a circular saw. Next an angle grinder for me.
Brilliant as usual. Thanks. However I was taught to unplug/remove battery before changing the blades. What do you think?
its a good idea but with the quick release system and being placed far enough from the switch theres no need. never happened to me to accidentally switch it on and id be the first to remove the battery if thats the case
Wouldn’t put Bosch in the same category as Makita or Festool these days.
Sorry, wrong place for that comment.
Take a look at the Diablo carbide tip blades they are phenomenal, little bit pricey but they are well well well well well well well well worth the money
Excelente idea maestro , saludos desde Venezuela
Great tip about resharpening blades - I’ve got loads of blunt ones ready to be resharpened!
Excellent video as always. Great hints and tips, I have considered getting one of these for a while, I may fork out for one pretty soon. Keep up the great work.
Interesting as always, good money saving Idea. I have also found it useful to sharpen reciprocating saw blades with the angle grinder in the same way. Looking forward to seeing the next video.
Very timely video, thank you Stuart. I’m embarking on replacing the rotten end of a window frame. I have a Bosch multitool, that frankly, gives me the heebie-jeebies (no idea how you spell that), but it’s the tool for the job. I’ll be going at it with more confidence and control in light of your tips. Thank you. Nes.
Thank you Stuart.Never knew how to use one until now.Very helpful advice.
Blimey! I ordered a set of blades for my multitool about 5 hours ago. I hope they aren't going to be crap
Proper DIY, a great explanation and demonstration. Thank you.
I got a corded one from Harbor Freight (chain cheap tool store) for $20 and it works just as good as my $200 cordless one. Actually better since the batteries went bad very quickly so I don’t use it at all.
Honestly I Score my line for the mutilt tool with a knife first , preferably with a marking knife. But flipout or snap off will do. Same idea as a knife wall in wood woodworking.
Great tool, use mine loads - ideal accessory for any workshop - nice video thanks for the tips Stuart.
Fein had the patent on this tool for years, so I don't know if they made the one for plaster or not.
Easy to resharpen these will just a needle file, but better to just follow the original teeth.
Good tools. I did some laminate flooring years ago, and it expanded massively, so used one of these to nip out the expansion gap
Well done Stu. Nice Sunday morning video 😀 really early too 🤦♂️🤣🤣 but very well explained and demonstrated. Keep up the good work Stu 👌👏👏👏👏👏
As a decorator of many years, I bought a multi tool years ago having seen guys using them on jobs. But never took it out the box as I didn't know what blades to use ... nor had the confidence to "just do it".
Your video was excellent in addressing all the uncertainties that made me not use it. I now can't wait to wipe off the cob webs and start getting confident by using it. I always knew I needed to make it a comfy friend in my tool box .. and with your video that will now happen.
Thank you x
I must have about 20 blunt blades!, guess what I’m doing tomoz, great tip, but I’ll try a small file first👍
Excellent as always Stuart 👍
great video again, doubt i'll ever attempt reusing my blades but it was a great watch!