multi-tools

Hey guys,

I'm planning on some weekend warrior renovations this winter and am looking at some power tools - specifically a multi-tool. Much of it is going to be taking up old linoleum and replacing it with tile or stone, refinishing kitchen cabinets, and replacing the firewall behind my stove with stone of some sort.

I'm likely going with a Fein Multi-master but before I spill the seriously big bucks for it, I am wondering if anyone has any opinions on the Dremel or the Rockwell. Any guidance would be very helpful.

Will the Fein or any of the others cut through granite if I decide to go with that for flooring?

Hi TVB,
Let me start out by saying the fein tool rocks. It is so awesome I borrowed one from a friend. it is one of those things you think you wouldn't use however once you have it you find all types of uses for it. It works really well, they show on tv taking up tile, which it does work I just would not want to do a whole floor with this tool. It is great for small delicate projects, trimming in, or where you can't get normal tools without major disassembly but that is about it. As for cutting granite I am not sure if they have a blade for that. I would recommend this for someone to have in there arsenal of home repair tools though.
Have a great day, Eric

Here are the same tool, for alot less $$.....

http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tool ... tools.html

Yeah Harbor Freight is hit or miss. Sometimes you score, sometimes you get ripped. I bought a Sawzall from them back in '99 in AZ -- years before there were any stores in MA -- for $50. Lasted 6 years until I burned the clutch out trying to cut a car tire in pieces. I still have it ... and if I get the time to bypass the clutch, it will still work.

I also bought a pitman arm puller at the same time. 3 turns of the wrench & it was in 6 pieces.

B,

You might want to rent. I rented a linoleum scraper from Fusco on 202 when we removed 3 layers of linoleum from the kitchen floor 6 years ago. As for the tile/granite, I also rented a wet saw machine to cut it. Cheaper than buying and I have not needed to cut anything or remove anything else in 6 years. So I think renting is more frugal and you can rent a better tool than you can buy.

Each rental was only needed for a day since I planned the projects ahead of time and focused only on the portion for the tool rental on rental day. The rentals were less than $100 total.

J

In the past my son & I have bought tools that we wouldn`t need again, kept them in good shape & used at our leisure I then sold on Greigs list, far less than what renting would be & twice we even made a few bucks because we got a contractors discount when we bought & were able to sell for more.

A few days ago I stopped to talk to some relatives and see a project they are doing and he shows me his multi tool and says how much he likes it. It turns out he got it from Harbor Freight and has never had a problem with it. It appeared well used. I noticed he had a few tools from Harbor Freight and he said he has had good luck with them. I never tried a Harbor Freight “Chicago Electric” tool and don’t know if I would trust them for frequent use.
Back to the original question, Fein is known for making high quality tools but I do not own any. I would think a multi tool would be a handy thing to have for your project but I doubt it would be a one tool that does it all solution. There is no such thing as having too many power tools.

never bought one directly from HF, 3 of the guys i work with bought them and they work flawlessly, plus the attachments are a lot cheaper


as for the hand grinders buy the orange 15 Dollars ones on sale, have 4 of them and they work awsome have not burned one up yet and yes they get abused, I weld and fab a lot plus do tons of mech work ,the HF tools Have come a long way on quality.

Jeff