November 30, 2008

Oscillating Tool Roundup

2008 has been the Year of the Oscillating Tool. Fein's patent wore out and a bunch of other companies got their tools to the marketplace. We've done the best we can to keep you up to date with all of these events, including reviews of all of the new tools (including the latest Fein). Because our information is scattered over a number of articles and reviews, we thought it would be a good idea to summarize our findings and give you links to all that we've written.

If you have no idea what an oscillating tool is, Dremel has recently posted up a good selection of videos so you can see their Multi-Max in action. It's a pretty thorough set of projects, so you should be able to get a handle on what these amazing tools are capable of. Dremel's Multi-Max video page is here.

If you're reading this, it's likely that you're thinking about buying an oscillating tool. So as for the question, "which one should you get?" we can offer the following advice.

The Dremel Multi-Max is a nice tool, perfect for around the house tasks. It's the most inexpensive of the new oscillating tools, and from what we can tell, the least durable. But if you're going to keep it in your shop and use it from time to time, we think it would be a good match.
Our review is here.

The Bosch PS50 is a cordless version so it is very portable. It has a great feel to it and, like other Bosch tools, looks like it can take some job site abuse. Unfortunately, it has a very short battery run time, so we don't think it would be a good choice as your only oscillating tool, unless you've bought into the Bosch 12-volt system (which really isn't a bad idea) and can access the batteries from the other tools.
Our review is here.

The Rockwell SoniCrafter really impressed us. It's powerful and durable and has a solid feel in the hands. The price puts it between the Dremel and the Fein and that's exactly where the quality is as well. This tool can take the havoc of a construction site with no problem. If you're a serious DIYer or a tradesman looking to check out an oscillating tool, we think the Rockwell is a good choice.
Our review is here.

The Proxxon Delta Sander is the mini-me of oscillating tools. It's about half the size of the others, making it ideal for model makers and woodworkers who use magnifying glasses to see what they're working on. It's a very nice tool, but not meant for larger tasks.
Our review is here.

The Fein MultiMaster 250Q is the best of the bunch. We can't say enough about how great this tool is. Using it is like driving a really nice sports car; it's just feels good. The high level of quality doesn't come for free and the Fein is the most expensive of the tools. The price will likely scare away any part-time DIYers, and even a lot of carpenters, but if you're a fan of fine craftsmanship and you're willing to invest a little up front for a tool that you're going to have for a long time, we think you should opt for the Fein.
Our review is here.

Full listing of our oscillating tool coverage:
Fein MultiMaster
Bosch PMF 180 E Multi
Proxxon Oscillating Detail Sander
Proxxon Oscillating Detail Sander - Review
Dremel Multi-Max Oscillating Tool System
Bosch PS50 Multi-X Oscillating Tool
Bosch PS50 Multi-X Oscillating Tool Arrives for Review
Dremel Multi-Max Oscillating Tool, Bosch PS50 Oscillating Tool - Review
Rockwell SoniCrafter Oscillating Tool
Rockwell SoniCrafter Oscillating Tool - Review
Chicago Electric 120-Volt Multi-Function Power Tool (Oscillating Tool)
Fein MultiMaster - Review
Secco 916 Oscillating Tool, part two
http://www.toolsnob.com/archives/2009/02/yaeger_after_market_blades_for.php

We've also included links for purchase. For details on what accessories come with what kits, see either our reviews or the appropriate Amazon page. The Fein pages at Amazon, particularly, have good information concerning the contents of each kit.

Dremel Multi-Max Oscillating Tool at Amazon
Bosch PS50 Cutting Kit at Amazon
Bosch PS50 Carpenter Kit at Amazon
Fein MultiMaster at Amazon
Rockwell SoniCrafter 20-Piece Kit at Amazon and Rockwell
Rockwell SoniCrafter 37-Piece Kit at Amazon and Rockwell
Rockwell SoniCrafter 72-Piece Kit at Amazon and Rockwell
Fein MultiMaster 250Q Top at Amazon
Fein MultiMaster FMM 250Q Select at Amazon
Fein MultiMaster FMM 250Q Basic at Amazon
Proxxon Detail Sander at Garrett Wade, Minicraft, and ToolsAndMore.us
Chicago Electric Oscillating Tool at Harbor Freight