Multitools
Though “It sands, it scrapes, it saws!” sounds like an infomercial, these nimble tools actually perform those tasks and others, thanks to their rapidly oscillating heads and numerous interchangeable attachments. We asked contractor Craig Tolmie to put five models through their paces. Here’s what he had to say.
(Prices based on manufacturer-approved online distributors.)
Fein Multimaster
Fein invented the oscillating multi-tool concept back in 1983, when Mercedes-Benz needed a way to cut through polyurethane windshield sealant that clung so tenaciously that replacing the glass was next to impossible. Fein created an oscillating tool that swung a knife through 21,000 tiny arcs a minute, neatly parting glass from rubber—and a whole new tool category was born.
Model FMM 250Q
Used it to: Demo copper baseboard tubing.
My two cents: “Plenty of power and a 16-foot cord. You don’t need an Allen wrench to change blades, a real time-saver. This is the tool I reach for again and again.”
Comes with: Straight and semi-circular wood-and-metal-cutting blades; two triangular sanding pads; assorted sandpaper; carbide grout-cutting blade; carbide rasp; scraper blade; vacuum adapter.
Tool stats: 2.3 amps; 11,000-20,000 opm (oscillations per minute) with soft start; 3.1 pounds
Manufactured by FEIN; about $400
Contractor Craig Tolmie, head of Tidemill Restoration in Fairfield, Connecticut, who fixes up old houses for a living, put the Fein through its paces for This Old House Magazine. His verdict: “This is the tool I reach for again and again.”
Craftsman Nextec Multi-Tool
Model 17438
Used it to: Sand a picture frame.
My two cents: “The vacuum attachment minimizes dust, but having only one battery means lots of downtime. Its single speed can be overpowering for some jobs.”
Comes with: Straight and semicircular wood- and-metal-cutting blades; triangular sanding pad; assorted sandpaper; carbide grout-cutting blade; carbide rasp; scraper blade (shown); 12-volt lithium-ion battery; 30-minute charger; vacuum adapter.
Tool stats: 15,000 opm without soft start; LED; 1.8 pounds
Manufactured by Craftsman, about $100
Pro Tip: When comparing cordless multitools, battery run time matters. Craig Tolmie found that the competing Bosch cordless model “cut for 15 minutes straight before quitting,” and praised its battery-life indicator that shows remaining charge—a feature the single-battery Craftsman lacks. Consider investing in a spare battery to minimize the downtime Tolmie flagged with this model.
Rockwell Sonicrafter
Model RK5101K
Used it to: Cut out the grout around a broken tile.
My two cents: “Worked very well, but hard to find accessories.”
Comes with: Straight and semi-circular wood-and-metal-cutting blades; triangular sanding pad; assorted sandpaper; carbide grout-cutting blade (shown); scraper blade.
Tool stats: 2.3 amps; 11,000-20,000 opm without soft start; 10-foot cord; 2.8 pounds
Manufactured by Rockwell SoniCrafter, about $150
Dremel Multi-Max
Model 6300
Used it to: Trim pine doorjambs.
My two cents: “This unit lacks the power of the other corded units, but the accessories are inexpensive and easy to find at home centers.”
Comes with: Wood-and-metal-cutting blade (shown); triangular sanding pad; assorted sandpaper; scraper blade.
Tool stats: 1½ amps; 10,000-21,000 opm with soft start; 6-foot cord; 1.9 pounds
Manufactured by Dremel; about $100
This Old House Magazine found the Dremel Multi-Max to be a surprisingly capable lightweight tool when it was first introduced. Its variable-speed oscillating head handles scraping out caulked joints, sanding away paint in tight corners, and sawing PVC pipe. A rounded grip and relatively compact design—about the size of a large flashlight—make it easy on the arms and hands during extended use.
Bosch Max-Multi-X
Model PS50
Used it to: Cut shingle siding when replacing a window.
My two cents: “I liked its light weight and the battery-life indicator, which shows how much juice is left. It cut for 15 minutes straight before quitting.”
Comes with: Wood-and-metal-cutting blade; triangular sanding pad (shown); assorted sandpaper; adaptor for other brands’ accessories.
Tool stats: Two 12-volt lithium-ion batteries; 30-minute charger; 5,000-20,000 opm with soft start; 2.2 pounds
Manufactured by BOSCH; about $180
Pro Tip: When using the sanding attachment on an oscillating tool like the Bosch PS50, set the speed to low, start the tool off the work, and when it’s up to speed, lay the pad flat on the surface. Don’t tip or press down on the pad, and make sure to lift it off the work before turning off the tool to avoid leaving marks.
