Follow up on the Multimaster post

[nailshooter41]

If you aren't ready to jump on the bag o' tools that Ridgid is offering that has a multitool in it, you might want to check out HF's new variable speed multitool.

They have it on sale now and it is a pretty nice looking machine. Seems better built that the Rockwell (Sonicrafter ?) machine and comes with a pile of blades in a compact case. Sale price is $49.

I bought the single speed HF model for $35 about 6 weeks ago, and it has been great. Had I known how many things I could actually use this thing for, I probably would have bought the basic Fein years ago.

As a sidebar, I swore off any tool that looked even just a little gimmicky after I purchased the DeWalt model of a Roto tool. I used it once about 8 years ago. What a waste of time and money that was.

At any rate, the multitool machine they sell seems to run very well, has plenty of power, and I am hoping it is like the 4" grinder I bought at HF a few years ago. I just can't kill it. And it looks like the new HF multitool is basically the same machine as the old one, just variable speed + a case.

I haven't killed mine yet and it has trimmed a lot of 5/8" plywood siding, trim boards, cut holes for access, and even cut through several feet of very thick hot mopped roofing.

Great buy.

Robert

[RonB]

We had a string about the HF tool a few weeks ago which sent me googling. There does appear to be quite a few favorable comments out there, The main ones who were complaining were the Fein owners. The Fein obviously is a much better tool but costs 10 times more,

Best news is our son just bought one of the HF tools. Gonna let him field test on his nickel.

RonB

[nailshooter41]

No doubt the Fein is a better tool. But I am not going to pay that much more for a tool that I will use like hell for a while, then not at all for a month or two.

As a special purpose tool, I sure wish I had one of those (Fein or other) when I had a door replacement contract with a company here in town. It would have made flush cutting the jambs next to the tile/ wood floors a snap.

Now that I have one and it works well, I see a lot more use for it than I would have ever suspected.

Robert

[J. Clarke]

If any but the Fein had been in existence when I got mine I'd probably have gone with one of the non-Feins. It's a lot of bux for what it is.

[SBH]

My question is, what makes the Fein a better choice and why would it be worth the extra several hundred dollars? Yes, I can guess the internal parts may be a higher quality or perhaps it may use steel instead of plastic. If that's considered better, then I understand, but is it really worth several hundred dollars more? Considering the HF and others perform in the exact manner, why would people still purchase the more expensive model?

[salty]

The Fein has a superior blade mounting system. The HF version involves unscrewing and rescrewing a socket head bolt to change blades. On the Fein, there is a release lever and mechanism. For most types of work, you put a particular blade on and use it for the whole job, so the Fein's quick release is nice, but far from being essential.

For the price difference you could hire a kid to change blades for you.

[J. Clarke]

(1) Quick change chuck. (2) Good dust collection. (3) Very large range of accessories guaranteed to fit.

[RonB]

Other comments I saw centered around the fact that Fein's innards are mostly metal while the HF was plastic (guessing nylon or similar). I haven't looked at the other lower priced versions since but I wonder if they are metal or plastic. There were also comments about the blade attachment like you mention. But they also said that Fein and HF components are interchangeable.

Just hearsay at this point. I'll look at others the next time we go to the big towns.

RonB

[salty]

If the HF tool has plastic inards, it hasn't made any difference as far as durability. I've been abusing the hell out of mine for quite some time now without any problems. Did you know that the wood blades will cut pipe and protruding framing nails in tight spaces if you push hard enough? LOL

[Nova]

I have the Fein. Mine broke while under warranty. When I called to arrange for repair I was asked which model number I had as some models were repairable and others had to be replaced. In my case it was a nylon gear that had stripped and since it was still under warranty it was repaired at no cost. I don't know if the replacement part they used to repair the unit was nylon or upgraded to metal but I haven't had a problem with the tool in the last three years.

[SBH]

Not enough to justify a several hundred dollar increase, IMO.

[Mike M]

I have the Fein as it was the only alternative when I got it. Its gotten me out of so many of those situations where your in some uncomfortable position trying to figure out how your going to solve this problem without killing two hours you didn't plan for. Its paid for itself so many times I have no regrets. But if you've got one thats a tenth of the cost of the Fein I bet your grin is bigger then mine every time you use it.

Mike M

[-MIKE-]

I look at my HF multi-tool as being disposable. If I get a couple years out of it, great. The thing will always be 35 bucks. HF just started selling a "heavy-duty" version for about 10 bucks more. I have half a mind to buy one just to review.

In any case, the price of the others are going down, while the innovation and competition seems to be on the rise. What am I out if the HF craps out in a year? I'll have more choices and more knowledge and pay less for higher quality.

[HeyBub]

Where did you discover this tool and its sale price?

HF's main page and search engine don't seem to know about it.

[Lee Michaels]

HF had a flyer in the local paper that showed this item. But you are right. It is hard to find. They give it some kinda funny name. Probably to appease the competition's lawyers.

[Lee Michaels]

Here it is, right on the opening page. They call it a multi-function power tool.

[-MIKE-]

[-MIKE-]

[Robatoy]

My sentiments exactly.

[Lee Michaels]

Sure, but the point I was making was that there is a particular name for the tool. I asked for it before and nobody would give it to me. And if you LOOK at the opening page, right smack dab in the middle of the screen is the afore mentioned multi-function power tool. Right where I said it was.

The problem that Bub had, just as I had, was that everybody refers to this item as a "Fein knockoff". And it may be that, but HF would never call it that or acknowdge that what it was. So it is very helpful if people give the actual name of the item. It makes it much easier to find. I looked for it before and could not find it. I think that the only reason I found it recently is because HF is actively promoting this item and I finally got to see it and a name for it.