anyone have one ? Any good compared to the Fein Multimaster ?
I was hoping to get the Bosch but the corded version is not out in North America yet, AFAIK.
The Fein is too expensive for the amount of use it will get.
Actually, I don’t really need it but I really don’t know what else to put on my Christmas list. If I don’t give a list to my wife soon, I’ll get fancy clothes.
Replies
I bought on the other day for a little kitchen remodel I was doing and had to weave in some new hardwood floors. Figured it would make short work of cutting the old planks in the middle of the floor.
I got about 10 minutes of use out of it and it quit. Waited about a half hour - kept checking it and then suddenly it start working. Got another 30 seconds out of it and it was done for good. Returned it the next day and didn't get another one. I'd sure like to, but I'm a little hesitant.
I'm hoping to hear some better experiences with it. And no I wasn't working it hard. Just slow and steady through the flooring.
Shawn
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Checker Contracting - SE Michigan
I found a Multimax that was a return at Lowes for $50. So far I have only used it to expand an electrical box opening from a one switch to a two switch box. I would much rather use the Multimax instead of a Rotozip for something like this. It is much easier to make straight cuts.
I don't have the Fein so I can't compare. I would rather have the Bosch cordless but for $50 for a nearly new Multimax it was a no brainer really. I will probably buy the 1/8" grout remover bit sometime and see how that works. They want $35 for it though so I am waiting for a good deal on that.
Handyman, painter, wood floor refinisher, property maintenance in Tulsa, OK
I got one, and the old model fein. It isn't near as stout as the fein, but so far, I used the scaper blade to free up some painted in raised panels, removed a lot of window glass putty, and just yesterday, cut some poplar lap siding for a surgical repair.
I dropped it off the ladder twice, and once didn't tighten the blade enough and it fell out ( It was bad day, working with a sinus infection, and not enough ladders for jacks and a plank) and got lost in the leaves. Magnet on a stick to the rescue.
All in all? It's not bad. I'd not depend on it like I do my fein ( which, I've had since 89 or so, and broke it the first day sawing a heat register hole in 3/4" ply subfloor..returned and replaced) but the fein I have also sweats grease all over everything and the blades are wayyyyyyy tooooo pricy and a PITA to make myself.
If yer not pushing the Dremel too hard, I think it was good deal, I like the variable speed too. And 9 bucks for the circle blade.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
My dad has one and he likes it. I like it because I have an older MM and the cheaper blades fit my MM.:>)
Family.....They're always there when they need you.
They really fit? Are they any good? Now you see this one-eyed midget
Shouting the word "NOW"
And you say, "For what reason?"
And he says, "How?"
And you say, "What does this mean?"
And he screams back, "You're a cow
Give me some milk
Or else go home"
Snorterooski,
This from my toolman.
The dremel/bosch blades will work on the older MM. But, work better (or at all) with the abrasive disc/star adapter sold by Fein to better use the newer star blades in the old MM. Better Gription. You evidently use it by putting the blade on the shaft, then the abrasive disc, then the bolt. The star part don't do anything in this config.
HAVE NOT tried it yet-still recooping-sort of-and pretty well stocked in blades.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
My last blade just rubbed thru 2 16d nails during a header removalectomy... might have to give the dremel's a shot... looks like Fein has closed down the internet dealers.Hey, you gotta be driving Joyce nuts by now... say hey to oprah for me. Now you see this one-eyed midget
Shouting the word "NOW"
And you say, "For what reason?"
And he says, "How?"
And you say, "What does this mean?"
And he screams back, "You're a cow
Give me some milk
Or else go home"
Nuts?
nah, she needs somebody to faun all over since my daughter's living in Nashville.
Oprah?
nah, but cnn goes good for a little while. You'd think with the world to work with there wouldn't be the same story hour after hour.
Phone rang a couple times-at least the immediate future doesn't look bleak. Get the next knifing done, another couple weeks of zip for healup and pray the New Year is more lucrative than the crystal ball shows.
Should be an interesting month.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
I've had my Fein for years. Have used it so hard, it was hot to the touch. Don't imagine you could do that with the Dremel...I suspect all the folks having problems with slipping blades are simply using the wrong screw/washer combo.The Fein tools use 3 distinct screw/washers for the different types of blades. The washers are designed differently.I've not had much problem with slippage - not to the point of buying a friction washer setup.Re: the Dremel blades - I just bought the 3/4" wide flush straight blade from Lowes for $11 - used it for a flooring job with about 10 doors - a lot of undercutting. Worked like a charm and gave nice clean cuts and the teeth still look great.Helluva deal for $11 compared with the Fein blades at $30++Has a ruler scale showing depth of cut as well - very handy.JT
Ya know? I forgot an ex GF lost the screw /washer combo for the Fein Blade, I adapted the triangle sanding head combo by adding a washer from a roofing screw, with a cup, minus the neoprene gasket. I think thats why I have blade slippage.
The dremel blade IS good, I cut a bit of lap sding, encrusted in paint and caulk, it motored right on thru.
I wonder if the poster here that had a burn out, didn't block the air vents excessivly..I mean, the dremel is lighter duty, but any tool will cook, if ya hold it wrong and block the fan.?
The cord on the dremel is also junk, it has a real snakey tendancy, it likes to stay coiled, and is cheap.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
I wonder if the poster here that had a burn out, didn't block the air vents excessivly..I mean, the dremel is lighter duty, but any tool will cook, if ya hold it wrong and block the fan.?
Nope. I was holding it properly. Like I said I barely got 10 minutes out of it total. That wasn't continuous. Case barely got warm, let alone hot. I think it was a cord problem in all reality. One of the times I got it to fire back up I was fiddling with the strain relief of the cord when it started. But I could never re-create it again so I am not sure. Gave up. Returned it. I'm sure I'll buy another one, but I was too cheesed off when I returned it. If it weren't for the replacement blade cost, I'd just break down and go with the Fein. I don't mind paying top dollar for the tool - it's the gold plating price of the consumables I don't like.Shawn
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Checker Contracting - SE Michigan
I noticed right off the cord was garbage, I hope you are right and thats all it was.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
Thats the problem with the Fein blades. If you even think about nails while using the MM, the blades falls apart.
The other problem is its getting hard to find those blades around here. The tool store I used to go to closed. There's others around here I just havent been yet.
Family.....They're always there when they need you.
Youse guys complaining that the gold plated cost of Fein branded blades keeps you from buying the Fein MM- you DO NOT have to use Fein branded blades with the Fein. Dremel blades will work, so will the Bosch (when they are available), also the aftermarket blades made by the Ebay guy and whats his name at Multiblades.The Fein tool is the highest quality and has been made for many years. First time I ever heard of it was probably 25 years ago when I was starting in the glass business. Application I learned of then was for windshield removal (butyl cut-out). If I had to replace this tool tomorrow I would buy it again in a heartbeat and happily pay the price.
you mentioned using a mm in a glass shop so i gotta pick your brain
i bought one from a glass shop,needed fixed,so i brought it home and while in the diagnostic mode i smoke the circut board,it went in the trash.
but i have 6-8 used w/s cutting blades . are these things as high dollar as the saw blades? if the are i might ebay em and try and get my 25.00 back!! larryif a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
Larry-
Is anything made by Fein NOT high dollar? LOL.
Since I was primarily involved with art glass, I did not have the occasion to use this tool. I did see it being used by some of the glass shops that I did business with, and from what I understand it is the schnizzle for cutting out trim and windshields embedded in urethane and butyl.
A little Google checking and it looks like the blades are indeed $$$$. Some appear to be re-sharpenable. And the cut-out blades all appear to have a special 12-sided arbor hole.
This blade is almost a hundred smackeroos:View Image
"Thats the problem with the Fein blades. If you even think about nails while using the MM, the blades falls apart."Same with any blade, not just the ones made by Fein.
True, but does it really hurt as much with other blades?
Family.....They're always there when they need you.
"True, but does it really hurt as much with other blades?"Truthiness.
Have you tried these blades?
http://www.multiblades.com/index.html
Very reasonable price and they seem to work about the same as the authentic Fein blades.
I heard about them right here, man... on BT, that is.
I tried one of my dads blades and it fit fine. For $9 bucks who cares how good they are. Alot better than $50.
Family.....They're always there when they need you.
Rockwell sonicrafter is reviewed as being sturdier that the dremel tool and stronger that the bosch. there are a couple of reviews out there - go to google.
I always wanted a Fein but couldnt ever justify the coast. The rockwell product with 72 attachments is about $180. It's on my list.
all i know is i wish i saw the rockler or the multimax came out before i boguht the fein MM. the fein is a great tool, but i paid 475 for the VS, metal case and all the attachments and sanding countours, but ONE single replacement blade is almost fifty bucks. thats just not worht it to me.
Dan Lynn, Dan Lynn Construction, Joliet, IL
QUOTES TO LIVE BY: 'The bitterness of poor quality lasts far longer than the sweet taste of a low price....' 'Anything worth doing is worth doing well' "If it was easy......ANYBODY could do it"
thanks for the info. I just have to find a local reseller and that might be hard to do.
Purchased the Dremel MM for a flooring job I'm doing. It did a pretty good job for cutting the jambs,removing grout and mortar. I used the 3" wood/drywall blade ($8). I even used it to cut the cryntel vinyl tiles. They're about a 1/8" thick and it sure saved alot of time and effort verses a utility knife. Overall, its a pretty good tool. It does get a little warm after a while but for the money not a bad deal.
Dremel Multi-Max Performance
I am new in the area of remodeling, but we bought a cabin in the forest and I have done a lot of remodeling and repairs since we bought it. I use Roto Zip for most of my trimming and cutting, until I found the Dremel Multi Max. This tool is my favorite, very versatile, cutting, removing grout, cement and dirt is excellent. Even I removed part of the window sill with success. Is not fast, but it can be consistent ( I am not in a hurry). During this weekend, I installed the window molding and I used the Multi-max (I still scare of the circular saw) and work excellent.
I have done a lot of work with the device without problem. The improvement that I want is remove the vents location because blow hot air to my hand.
riverl
If the air exiting the vents is too hot, it might be trying to tell you something.................
Hot air=hot motor. Back off a little and let it cool down. Running it under no load helps to cool it properly. Don't push it beyond the limits-you'll be buying another one.
just a fwiw...before i bought a dremel i thought i might like a cordless version but after searching i found that alot of reviews were negative regarding the cordless versions. After using mine to cut the bottoms of some oak door casings i can see that they (at least mine) requires quite a bit of power and generates alot of heat... not sure batteries could manage to do what i did.
steve
The cordless version (Bosch) is a total wimp. Battery lasts long enough for a few boxes in drywall and that's it.