HF Multi-M comparison at next Fest
PatchogPhil
| Posted in Tools for Home Building on
At the next BreakTime Fest, set up and perform a legit comparison of the Harbor Freight multi-master clone versus the major name brands. Guests can bring theirs in for the test.
Have a panel of fest experts perform the same “usual” activities using the different models. Lots of pictures and lots of video clips. Lots of direct quotes.
Should be fun. And will be interesting to see the reactions after results are posted online.
Quantum materiae materietur marmota monax si marmota monax materiam possit materiari?
Replies
......except that a complete comparison should also include running the tool continuously for an hour at least, ie. a grout removal job or something.
Maybe one task could be to cut up a 2x4 into 1,000 pair of dice.
Quantum materiae materietur marmota monax si marmota monax materiam possit materiari?
I'd also like to see how the various blades hold up. The cost and performance are affected by the blades as much as it is the motor unit - maybe more. If the blade dulls, the unit will not cut. If the blades last and last, the blade cost is less important.
Maybe use the name brand blades (if they fit, which would be a "ploy" by the Fein people that their blades do not fit the HF).I'd pay higher for better blades (think Lennox sawzall blades) if they worked in the HF multi-tool.
Quantum materiae materietur marmota monax si marmota monax materiam possit materiari?
Actually the older blades do work in the HF, from what I hear.
I was just speculating, I do not own any "multi" type tool.But the comparison test should be about the tool itself, not the the blades it came with. I'd use the same "best blades" all around in all the tools to best judge the tool itself.
Quantum materiae materietur marmota monax si marmota monax materiam possit materiari?
By the way, the HF multi comes in battery and powered versions!
How much squirming do ya think Fein (or is it Fien?) is doing?
Quantum materiae materietur marmota monax si marmota monax materiam possit materiari?
At least a bit of squirming. Don't forget that they make quite a few other high quality industrial tools, mostly sold in Europe, I believe.View Image
It's fein.
Not much if this board is any indication. The contractors just can't wrap there minds around the fact that a competitor can be built as well for less.
It reminds me of the convincing of the Americans that generic drugs are chemically the same as their name brands.
I think these days there'd be more interest in saving a bunch of $$$ on a tool that does the same job just as well.
Quantum materiae materietur marmota monax si marmota monax materiam possit materiari?
Using the same blades in all (not really possible?) would show how the units compare.
Using different blades in each unit would compare blades. Are the expensive blades worth it?
Both are important. A good unit with a dull blade is no better than a bad unit with a dull blade.
If the unit is inexpensive but functionally sound but the blades it comes with stink (short lived), buy the inexpensinve unit but upgrade to the better blade.
If the unit is expensive but worth it (the cheap units don't work as well) and the cheap blades work just fine, buy the better motor but the less expensive blades.
I'm sure you get the idea without me explaining all the possible outcomes.
I'm new here and am not sure what a "Breaktime fest" is (do people physically get together? Virtually? Realtime?) but I'd like to see some of the odd MM tools included as well if possible. I just bought the HF model yesterday but haven't tried it out yet. I'm wondering how this Hardin performs:
http://fwd4.me/4tA
At $79 and with a fair amount of accessories it makes for a mid-range between the HF and the Bosch or Fein.
Anyone have one of these?
Breaktime fest" is (do people physically get together? >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Yes, last summer was outside of Seattle
Forgot to welcome you. We are a diverse forum of posters. Hopefully we can help with you questions, and stick around you might be able to help others!
Edited 11/18/2009 4:24 pm ET by frammer52
welcome to the forum... yeah this is a brave group... they go toward the light in the tunnel ... hope'n it's not a trainbut yes they travel thousands of miles to look at people they talk to everyday even the ones they argue with... weird but fun...
I have only made one mini fest in Memphis... but then it was hosted at my "longest running construction project warehouse" welcome
p
Thanks. when does the fest group meet? Summer?As for the MM tools, I don't think the Bosch should even be considered the same tool in the way that if you were comparing cordless drills you wouldn't include a corded drill in the mix or vice-versa. I rule the Bosch out immediately because I don't need a cordless for an MM and I wouldn't add the limitations (power and runtime) and extra expense (batteries) in the mix.
The fests have usually been held on the first couple weeks of August. Smaller gatherings most anytime-all you need is someone to suggest a meeting.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/