I’ve had the Dremel Multi-max for a while now and like it for what I do, which is hardwood stair renos. It’s great for fitting skirtboards, cutting back existing mouldings and knotching treads.
This morning, the office gave me a PO. to pick up a new Fein Multimaster and give it a testdrive. After using it for several cuts, I finished the job with the Dremel.
The 7/8″ wide blade that comes with the Dremel is much better for precision cuts.
Am I missing something?
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Replies
Until recently, the choices were the Fein MM or nothing. It's a good tool, but high-priced. It will be interesting to see how long they can command their price with the flood of similar, cheaper, and in many cases equivalent (or better as you seem to have found out) tools hitting the market. Heck, Harbor Freight even has one for $59... definitely similar, but I'm not so sure how equivalent.
I have the MM. I tried the Dremel at a trade show, but I don't own one. It seems like a very comparable tool but may not have as much power as the MM. Of course, if power isn't needed for a particular job, then that's irrelevant.
If the Dremel does the job better because of the blade, then I guess that's the tool you should use and you're not missing out on anything regarding the "Multimaster mystique". There may be times when the MM is a better choice so don't overlook it.
There is a narrow blade attachment for the MM. It's an option likely not delivered with basic kits.
I have to get that narrow blade for my son's model projects for arch. school we used the fein with several blades but cutting windows out was impossible.
Does the dremel blade mount on the new fein MM.
ANDYSZ2WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?
REMODELER/PUNCHOUT SPECIALIST
I thought of that yesterday, looking at the blades I didn't think they would interchange.
I'll go to my truck and check.
No, the Dremel has a multi-pin base. The Fein is slotted at a different diameter.
The narrow blade comes in a kit -- an adapter for small blades, and several small blades, a diamond hone (IIRC), and a few other items.
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith
The new Fein has a star-shaped arbor that keeps blades from slipping and more power. They do have the blade you wanted to use too.
I have the older Fein (before the star-arbor) and I use Dremel blades in it--glad to have a local source of less expensive blades.
Is the blade the 35mm e-cut?
35mm would be about 1 1/2"
Is there a smaller blade?
you can buy fittings for the new and old MM and use alot of the other brand blades as well, it's like a washer that has the star shape on one side and looks like sand paper on the other and depending what blades you have is the way you put it on. I've got one and it works well.
That would solve a lot of problems. Do you have any idea what the part number or proper description of the adapter?
A link to the part?
The Fein site is a maze and knowing the guys at the tool desk at my local supplier...
117521.9 in reply to 117521.8 "That would solve a lot of problems. Do you have any idea what the part number or proper description of the adapter?A link to the part?The Fein site is a maze and knowing the guys at the tool desk at my local supplier... "here's a link for that washer adapter, scroll down the page almost to the bottom. the price is ridiculous but i have one and it works very well.
http://www.coastaltool.com/a/fein/mm_sawing.htm
Thanks for the link. The price isn't that bad.
don't have a link but i bought mine at woodcraft for $8 dollars.
Woodarama found a link at coastal tool, its for the older style MM I have the new MM with the quick release.
Blade swapping does not look possible without modifications to the Dremel blade.
May have to order 35mm e-cut blades, $33ea or $190 for 10 pack.
Here we go.
There are at least 3 different sizes of e-cut blades by Fein. The 35mm is the medium size at 1-3/8", The narrower blade is still wider than the 7/8" Dremel though:http://www.amazon.com/Fein-6-35-02-151-02-0-8-Inch-Universal-E-Cut/dp/B00063RSJW/ref=pd_cp_hi_1?pf_rd_p=413863601&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0000223OY&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1VD3W12S8CM1GWZ5QT7V
The narrow blade I'm talking about is 3/8". Comes in kit 6-39-01-025-03-5 -- Mini E-Cut Diamond Set -- for $35.90 according to this list that's a couple of years old. The individual blades list for $18.40, but you need the adapter in the kit.
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith
I think Fein will be forced to lower their price. Now that the patents ran out on the MM, they dont have a monoploy anymore. I do think the MM is well built, but not worth the price they charge. Other company build a version that is nearly as good for a fraction of the cost. It was the lack of competition that kept the prices so high, but thoes days are over.
I was helping a friend clear grout lines on a good sized tile job. I've had the MM for a while, and he got the dremel as soon as it came out. He used the Dremel brand grout blade, and I used the MM Brand Grout blade. The dremel blade is thinner than the MM Blade.
Regardless, after about 3 minutes of continuous use, the Dremel was hot enough to be uncomfortable in your hand. It never got so hot that it smoked, or that you felt like you had to stop working. But it was uncomfortable.
The MM never got hot at all. We used them for about a half hour total, and both did the job well. The Dremel will likely die sooner than my MM, but then again, you can buy two Dremels for what I paid for the MM.
There is no doubt, the Fein is a superior tool. I'm looking for ways to make it work better for me.
The MM never got hot at all. We used them for about a half hour total, and both did the job well. The Dremel will likely die sooner than my MM, but then again, you can buy two Dremels for what I paid for the MM.
Could you let us know where you buy the MM for $200? Thank you.
I can't remember how much I spent for mine. I bought the package that had extra blades, and sanding pads, but no case. I also bought a bunch of blades at the time, as well as some other cool toys that day. But amazon has the start kit for $209.00
http://www.amazon.com/Fein-FMM-250-Start-MultiMaster/dp/B000U8Q812/ref=pd_bbs_sr_4?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1236442697&sr=8-4
It was 400 last I checked, it is good to see that they have reduced prices.
A few of the old version of the Fein MM (made before the new star arbor model) can still be found out there for $185.http://www.tools-plus.com/fein-msxe636-2rs.html?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=froogle&utm_term=FEIMSXE636-2RSThis one will use the Dremel blades with out an adapter.Edit to add: sold outfound this one on ebay (6 hours left):http://cgi.ebay.com/FEIN-SANDER-TYPE-MSx-636-1_W0QQitemZ250381560398QQcmdZViewItemQQptZSanders_Sandblasters?hash=item250381560398&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1729%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50
Edited 3/7/2009 12:14 pm ET by basswood
bump for the ebay MM
http://www.coastaltool.com/a/fein/multimaster-start.htm
Thanks, I have seen that and others.
Wonder how people that bought 6 months ago, when they had that TV "special" for $400 feal now!
Yeah..........they are expensive, but like others have said...........you find more uses for it when you have it.I bought the larger kit because it came with a nice box..........I like to keep my tools organized somewhat. It came with the sanding attachment.20/20 hindsight vision.........I would've foregone the nice box and sanding stuff, and put that extra money towards more blades.Live and learn.
RodEdit: I bought mine at Coastal Tool. I believe they are only selling the new model now.
Edited 3/8/2009 3:42 pm ET by notagain
You're not missing anything. Fein was the first, doesnt always mean the best. I have the Fein and I am happy with it. Doesnt mean I wouldnt like the Dremel.
Family.....They're always there when they need you.
You probably missed my recent lecture on how to make better blades of any size for your MM.
It involves welding bi-metal hacksaw blades on to an easily made mounting base. They are much better than MM blades, which in my opinion are expensive junk.
Anybody with access to a small welder can make his own MM blades for a buck or two. I made dozens of them recently, in different tooth configurations and different widths for the toolbox stock.
You've got to have the horsepower of the MM to make them work well tho'.
or an easier way for blades is go to the local HF store>G<
3 for $5, they are like sawsall blades at that price!
I'm going to stock up on some of them too. I've never tried them. But the advantage to my homemade blades is that they will cut nails and it doesn't hurt them.
I have a stockpile of them, now!
Anybody know what's going on with Multiblades (http://multiblades.com/flushcutblades.html)?
They used to sell MM blades and then they didn't and then they did (and I bought some), but now they say that sales are temporarily halted.
I just can't bring myself to pay Fein's prices and until I learn to stop ruining blades (usually errant nails), I need to find a more economical source.
I just bought that ebay MM for $102.50
Did I outbid anyone here?
I got it so I can leave one in the shop and for the sanding pads... let me know if you might want it more than I do.
Regards,
Bass
Brian, that's kind of a 'vintage' MM, and quite heavy duty I would imagine. Let us know about it when it arrives.I considered bidding on it but the little spendthrift red flag goes off in my brain a lot more than usual these days.I first became aware of the MM probably in the early 80's, when it was marketed to glass shops as a windshield cut-out tool.