Got My Fein Multimaster for Christmas…
BungalowJeff
| Posted in Tools for Home Building on
Hey Everybody, I hope you all enjoyed Chrsitmas and got that new toy from Santa.
I got a multimaster, and remember all of the posts singing its praises. So, how about a thread for all of the ingenious uses for this thing? I’m sure I am not the only one with a new multimaster this year.
Thanks in advance!!
…that’s not a mistake, it’s rustic
Replies
I just got home after ripping down a drywall ceiling over a porch (don't even ask) for a client when DW asks if I could shorten up a shelf under the kitchen counter. The shelf is half way up in a cabinet that is 12" wide, and the shelf is only half deep (it was set in a dado during carcase construction, reaching from halfway to the back.) So I go to the truck, pull out the Fein MM, put in a new ($50) blade, and shorten up the shelf by two inches. Of course, two inches didn't quite make it, so I had to lop off another inch. Flush cut the shelf along the sides to the mark, then plunge cut along the cut line the length of the shelf. Finish it off with the sander and viola!, I have a positive balance in the DW favors account.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
the last time i used mine was to flush cut some 1/2" panneling to a built in cabnet.
I have used it to cut out hardwood flooring,under cut door casings and jams for tile work,remove putty from window sashes,and,scrape glue off floors after pulling up lino,and much much more
tom
I just bought one also. I'd like to see a thread dedicated to the MM as well.
I tried it out on scrap wood . It's impressive. I'm going to use it to repair rotted trim on the outside of my house in the spring. Being able to make plunge cuts without damaging adjacent material will help a lot. (Plus that's how I sold the idea to DW, since the MM is not cheap!)
Maybe 2 weeks ago I upgraded to its bigger bro the supercut, and already I've cut caulking out of a tub, off a corian counter, scraped adhesive off a subfloor, trimmed existing underlayment flush with built ins (so I could remove the underlayment).
They're wonderful tools, but I fear the risk is letting someone who isn't buying the blades use it. It's addictive. But I try to use it only when it is the only practical solution. Some of the blades are 75 bucks a whack. Even the little E cuts are like 25.
"A bore is a man who, when you ask him how he is, tells you." -Bert Taylor
Well today I was removing some base and It was kinda tough so in order to remove it w/o damageing the wall to much I cut the base in 1/2 and it came out easy. I have recently used it to remove grout and to do some flush cutting on a cab.
How much better is the supercut than the multimaster?
I'm not sure. Its about the same size. Variable speed. I think the big advantage it has is in how the blades attach to the tool. There's a hex shaped piece that they slip over, and a wrench that tightens a nut onto the blade, as opposed to the little allen screw that invariably strips out over time.
I got it through luck, timing, etc. It had been sitting on a shelf for over 2 years and I knew it. Nobody wanted an $800 tool when an almost identical one was next to it for $300. So I gave the store owner a hard time and said are you EVER going to sell that? He said make me an offer. And I have boxes of blades they comp'd me for taking the Fein account. So I said $350, he said sold, and I got about 30 different blades with it to boot. Those are worth a lot.
"A bore is a man who, when you ask him how he is, tells you." -Bert Taylor
Thanks all, an please keep them coming!
The plan is to print this thread and stick it with the directions....that's not a mistake, it's rustic
Thanks for the info, you pick your mark well there.
Bump! Keep 'em coming, please!...that's not a mistake, it's rustic
Accurate cutting of crown when installing a floor to ceiling bookcase.
Installed wider casing to door openings. Cut back the base to accomodate.
Sacrificial blade to cut out plaster/drywall for boxes.
Whole lotta plunge cutting.
Mitre cut backband on casing for a change in direction of casing run.
Clean removal of old caulk at metal window frames/brick using the stiff scraper.
Granite boys "hogged out" drywall to slip slab in, then back to join with other run.
Cut back plaster returns at window to allow replacement of "deeper" window unit, keeping the look of plaster returns w/o removing the old corner lath bead and redoing-round diamond blade.
Cut back ceiling paneling (boards) to tooth in the removed chase patch.
You're only limited by your imagination Jeff. My box went from behind and under something in the van to easy access, top shelf.
edit: Oh yeah, there's a sanding pad in that box. This does the job pretty quick and flat considering the movement. Will produce swirls, but orientation of the pad (thinking about direction of the oscillating) and progressively raising the grit. Corners where floor orbital sanders can't get. Up next to jambs/casing for the same reason. Stair treads, everywhere-corners, balluster/newel edge.........
A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Edited 12/29/2005 9:08 am ET by calvin
Great list Calvin! I already have some door trim going back up in a bathroom that will need flush cutting for the new tile and a room full of plaster cutting for outlets.
When DW buys me a tool, or I get a new one, using it on the very next job ensures no questions about my next toy purchase....that's not a mistake, it's rustic
I haven't tried this yet. Previously I've used worn out E or even the dull round blade that came with the orig. kit to cut sheetrock/plaster holes for boxes.
However, sitting here thinking a variation on Luka's homemade blade might be something to try. I don't know the cost of the stiff scraper, but since I've worn mine down I guess I might want to get a new one to put into service for all those "scraper" jobs. Take the old one and maybe a hand held grinder and cut "teeth" into that shorter scraper. I know my plaster cutting sawzall blades don't have set in the teeth, maybe that style. Use that on the cutouts. If I wasn't so anxious to NOT go out in the cold shop I might just try that fabrication now. Nah, too nice inside with a fire...........
And lets not forget, Happy New Year..........a most lucrative one if you can stand it.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
the GC I've been working for recently had wooden floor registers installed in the house he's building. His wife saw them, and wants him to retrofit them into their own home. The floor installer said to do it with a router and chisel.
I brought out my MultiMaster and quickly made a plunge cut in some wood to show him what it can do. Now he's going to buy one so he can make his wife happy by installing the wood registers.
On refaces, I use it to trim back wall base on finished ends and toe kicks. Scrap under segment blade for correct thickness (usually 5mm) and badabing, you're done. Saves me pulling base, remounting and filling. Also use it to cut outlets into cabinet backs when installing.
PJ
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
Just opened mine up and was doing some casing. Had a couple shingle butts that were sticking out too much for the knife to cut them easily. I dropped the saw blade on and it was almost fun.
I looked at the prices for some of the blades that I think I need, ones that didn't come with the set. Ouch! Those suckers are expensive. They cost more than the new blade for the 10" saw. It seems like a nice tool, but I can see where it might only be used for special projects.
Does anybody know if you can get decent blades (at a better price) from anybody other than Fein?
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
Good wood blades here...I use them all the time.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Wide-cutting-BLADE-for-Fein-Multimaster-Free-Shipping_W0QQitemZ7573847538QQcategoryZ20797QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemPJ
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
PJ - Thanks for the referral. I think I'll be doing some business with those folks, and soon.
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
I got one too. It was a package deal - Fein MM and the Fein 1/2 cordless drill -- have uses for both and owe the DW a lot for the thoughfulness.
I've had one for 5 years and find it useful for many specific tasks, but it excels at grout removal for tile repair work. The Bosch finecut power hand saw with the flush cut blade is much better for undercutting jambs and trim to lay hardwood or tile though. My best use for the multimaster was what the tool it evolved from was originally designed for, cutting off my daughters two casts at home. She broke her right thumb, had a serious elbow down cast, then two days later broke her left thumb and got a matching cast on her other arm. She was a senior in high school and suffered through looking like a lobster for six weeks. As soon as her time was up I got out the MM and cackled as I revved up the variable speed and she laughingly screamed bloody murder while i deftly removed her casts. We still laugh about the neighbors almost calling the police on us! I am sure you will enjoy and be impressed with yours.
Okay, I'm not brave enough for that (yet)!
Happy New Year to all!...that's not a mistake, it's rustic
Because of all the raving about this tool around here, I finally bought one a few weeks ago. I didn't have a specific thing in mind, but as someone said here, once you have the tool, you will find uses for it that you hadn't even thought of before it was in the arsenal. Over the last two weeks, I've used it just about every day for one thing or another -- today it was doing surgery on old window jambs to fit new stools.Highly recommended for any of you sitting on the fence about the Multimaster.......... it will do things quickly that otherwise, would take a lot of PIA hand work. BTW, I tried a selection of blades from the guy who is selling them on Ebay; from the few times I have used them, they seem very good -- and they're something like half the cost of the comparable Fein blades. ********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-