Hi, noticed these comments about the brands oscillating tools and the
blades. We are a munufacturer and supplier in China for kinds of
oscillating tools and the working blades, like Harbor Freight multi-
tool, at reasonable competitive prices. We would be happy to
communicate or help some on the machines or blades. Please visit our
webstie: www.harpow.com to check. Regards. Email: snipped-for-privacy@harpow.com
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I have a Harbor Freight multi-tool. varable speed. The tool works great
for me. Their blades are worthless. I went on line and found one that
works great.
http://www.homeownershub.com/maintenance/Which-oscillating-multi-function-tool-to-buy-379415-.htm
I bought the HF $39 unit and have already got my $39 worth out of
it. I ordered an extra set of blade, but haven't used any of them
yet. I used the unit while working to screen in a back porch. That
included cutting slots where no other type of tool would go and to
cut off thin pieces of wood to make way for the screens. I also
built railing with balusters to mimic the original ones the builder
had installed. I've really enjoyed using it. BTW, a bunch of years
back, I used a Fein and, honestly, I can't see any difference. The
Fein would probably last longer. The Fein tools seemed to wear
quickly. I had to use a mototool to cut new teeth in the flat
scraper blade.
A Happy User
I bought the Harbor Fr. Multi tool because the price was so reasonable but
I wish I had invested in a
more expensive one. When you attach the blade onto the spindle, it will
not stay tight and the vibrating
of the motor causes it to come loose, no matter how hard you tighten it.
Maybe all of the brands do
the same thing, I dont know but it is very frustrating. Also, after one
use, the teeth on the blade were
worn completely smooth. Is there a brand that doesn't use a hex tool to
attach blades?
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The "dish" washer that comes with it works well if you put it on the
right direction and TIGHTEN it.
What would you prefer instead of a "hex tool"?
Reviews are mixed.
That they give you an extra set of brushes with it is telling...
I talked to a contractor about his. He seemed to think it
was acceptably reliable. And given the perils of construction work,
leaving it behind, theft, dropping off the roof, the cheap price
was a plus.
Since I just did some sawing of door stops to put new thresholds in
I'll pipe up about mine.
It's the "variable speed" "high end" model from HF.
Went big time because as I recall it less failures and DOA's than the
cheaper one according to the reviews.
It was 59 or 69 bucks, can't remember.
Don't think it's really "variable."'
More like high/low speeds - as far as I can tell the switch has 2
fixed positions. Think I used both and there was no big difference.
Cut through the stops like butter using the straight blade.
Think the stops are oak, but they're old and dry.
I should have coped them, but didn't want to pull them off.
Don't worry, I've got good matching color wood putty.
If you've seen multi-tool commercials where they put the blade against
their skin - don't do it. It can make you bleed.
Remember to turn it off before you start to lay it aside.
So it was real handy for that job. I scribed the stops and the blade
went right through the marks. No real deviation, and the blade even
had no trouble trimming an extra 1/16" or so on a couple that were too
tight.
It will bounce a bit if you relax your grip too much so I scratched
the door frames a little bit.
Don't worry, I've got good matching color marker pens.
I bought this mostly because I anticipated the stop cutting and
cleaning some grout.
But I really like the triangular sander. Gets in tight spots.
Dangerous. Could get me doing stuff my natural laziness has
saved me from doing.
Can't say how long it will last, but I like it.
If it works good cleaning out the grout in the bathroom, I'll get my
money back.
--Vic
Might be a good deal if you only want to use it ONCE and then toss it
in the garbage. EVERYTHING sold at Harbor Freight is GARBAGE, right
off the shelf.
Hmm... If it's a "good deal," how can it be "garbage?"
I've got a bucket-load of HF's free flashlights. Now, instead of cursing the
darkness...
I wouldn't be surprised if HF quit the free flashlight business and started
giving away their Multi-Function Twitching Tool.
On Thu, 25 Nov 2010 00:10:40 -0600, snipped-for-privacy@idunno.com wrote:
Shhhhhh--- don't tell my $100 compressor, $5 brad nailer, $12 angle
grinders, or $40 multi tool. 'cept for the multi tool those other
guys are several years old and have gotten some use- especially that
compressor.
If I was in business and having a tool die would cost me money I would
buy good tools-- but many of the HF tools are just fine for casual
use.
Jim
On Thu, 25 Nov 2010 00:10:40 -0600, snipped-for-privacy@idunno.com wrote:
Besides the multi-tool I picked up a flat pry bar and a pack of the
LED flashlights while I was there.
Think I got a cheap drill set too.
There's a HF not too far from me. Only time I was there.
Did look like they had a lot of junk there. I avoided it.
I don't need many tools. Got most of them already.
My son is a heavy truck suspension mechanic and goes there pretty
often.
Sometimes he'll spend big bucks for a Snap-on or Matco because it's
exactly what he needs now and the truck is right there.
But he laughs at over a hundred for a Snap-on wrecking bar when he
can get a non-shiny one for 15 bucks at HF.
They all break the same.
Cheap Chinese hand and power tools are here to stay. Fight it if you
want. Just remember when you feel good about buying that Craftsman,
DeWalt, Makita, etc, etc, the feeling goes away when see "Made in
China" somewhere on the box.
Watch for the "Made on China" mark on Snap-on too.
--Vic
Just think when the day comes that your children tell their teachers
that they were born as the result of a defective condom made in China.
Who knows, they might even do a "show and tell" showing pictures of
the condoms (cut from magazine ads), and telling the class how they
fail.
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