Fein MultiMaster patent has expired...competitors on the move

comments (23) September 30th, 2009 in Blogs

Justin Fink, Senior Editor

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UPDATE: I've just gotten positive word that Ridgid has an oscillating multi-tool in the works, to be released early 2010. Milwaukee also hinted at a release, though declined to confirm anything one way or another.

Fein has had the oscillating multitool market cornered for almost 25 years now. Sure, remodelers have always griped about the high price of the MultiMaster, and the seemingly ridiculous "kick-us-while-we're-down" pricing on the replacement blades, which sell for around $20 a pop. But now that Fein's patent has expired, the oscillating tool market is being turned on it's head.

Personally, I'm more than OK with this situation, because it means that many more of us remodelers are going to be packing the proverbial (oscillating) heat.

Disregarding the no-name throw-away tools that are likely to burn out on the first go-round, I've been tracking this market as it continues to blow wide open. So far there are competitive tools from Bosch, Dremel, Craftsman and Rockwell.

Have you noticed the sudden uptick in infomercials as well? I guess they must be working, because at the time of this writing, the $180 Rockwell SoniCrafter is #1 on Amazon's Top Sellers list, while the $400 Fein Top holds the #4 spot. The $100 Dremel Multi-Max is secure in the #14 spot, and Craftsman Versa-Tool doesn't sell through Amazon at all. But the real shocker is that the $200 Bosch Multi-X is not on the list at all!

So many questions remain to be answered:

- How will Fein now justify their higher-than-average cost?

- Does Bosch need an infomercial to stay competitive?

- How will they improve the tool to stay competitive?

- Where are Dewalt, Milwaukee, Hitachi, Ridgid, and Makita on this new category?

...and the most burning question of them all - WHY does every manufacturer show their oscillating multitool being used to cut pipe stubouts flush to a wall? When do you ever need to do this??

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Comments (23)

simirie writes: The quick change blade feature alone make the Fein worth the extra $$$. Not to mention it's bullet proof. I think I'm in love...
Posted: 8:50 pm on October 11th

LocalHero writes: Doesnt look like just the right tool with the right price with the right priced non-proprietary blades is out there yet. Maybe Ridgid with their lifetime warranty will be the one. For now I'll buy one of the cheapies or just wait it out.
Posted: 9:45 am on October 9th

ThePorchGuy writes: I'm still on my first Fein and am quite happy with it.
Except for the high cost of replacement blades, its' a
great tool.
Posted: 8:53 am on October 9th

twillis writes: Purchased the Rockwell Sonic Crafter and it works great.The replacement blades aren't too overly priced.I would highly recommend this tool for the price and quality.
Posted: 11:22 pm on October 8th

DavePanetta writes: I have owned a Fein MultiMaster for a few years and find it a very useful tool for fixit and remodel jobs. I do almost all of my own home repair since I am retired and on a fixed income.

My main problem is the cost of replacement blades. At such a high initial cost for the tool, I would expect the replacement blades to be more reasonable. I think I would not have bought the tool initially if I had looked at the cost of replacement blades first! I use the tool sparingly because of the blade cost.

I think the winner in the market will be the one which has a reliable tool, blades that can be used by other machines (the Fein in my case) AND the lowest blade cost.
Posted: 9:30 am on October 6th

finishman01 writes: Am on my third multimaster presently, if it broke today I would have another one within hours. Tried an electrician's Dremel, was lightweight and then he asked to use my Fein to do the job, NO CONTEST! Works every time as expected with this old carpenter.
Posted: 10:56 pm on October 5th

mavrick1100 writes: I have owned the Rockwell Sonicrafter for about a year now. No matter the project, I keep this tool handy and love it.

This tool has weight and is comfortable to handle. It does get hot with extended use, like removing grout, but what tool built to perform this way wouldn't?

My only complaint is the cost of replacement blades. I recently remodeled my bathroom and decided to change the grout color. I removed about 15 linear feet of grout, before the carbide blade was shot. Replacement blades are $21 from Tyler Tool (cheapest I have found). This is going to be an expensive decision.

I searched and found a nifty little hand tool from Grout-Getter. Comes with a triangular carbide tip that you push through the grout. The tool and one extra blade with shipping only cost me $20.

Over all for all other projects, this tool is perfect.
Posted: 9:05 pm on October 5th

jhonbaker writes: As another reviewer/commentator states about the Dremel Multimax - Mine is also relegated to the shop, in it's case and I only take it out to show people why I don't like it. based on these other comments I may have to play with a fein a bit and consider getting another tool like this. I don't care about the heat so much as the blades/ accessories keep slipping out of the slot as there isn't enough to hold it in place. The Bosch dies better at this but it's the only other one I've looked at.
Posted: 2:57 pm on October 5th

Tim812c writes: I own the Fein and don't know what i wood do without it, Wood rot repair, glazing remover, and awesome plunge cuts. It gets hot, so buy the handle for the supercut. It fits on the 250Q! I have just got in the habit of charging the customer for the blades, so when i have to work on my own house I usually have some spare blades to work with.
I acknowledge that the dust control attachment is a piece of junk, so if you want to detail sand, buy a Festool DX!
My only complaint with the MM is that when i sent it in with cord problems, they replaced it with a shorter cord. This tool rules, Hands down!
Posted: 2:29 pm on October 5th

Zzooomm1 writes: I purchased the SuperCut 5 months ago and I must admit the sticker price is right up there with an ounce of gold but it is well worth the admission. That said it is over-priced by a factor of 3 and the accessories are pure criminal. I have looked at the Omni Dual Saw as well. Looks a bit like a 4" angle grinder but has counterrotating blades. Hmmmm? Any experience?
Posted: 12:49 pm on October 5th

replacetherot writes: The Fein is a fantastic tool. We've been through 2 of them. Now I have a Dremel and a Bosch. The Dremel does heat up considerably with extended use. The Bosch eats batteries like a cow eats grass. I have 3 batteries and 2 chargers. They charge in 30 minutes so I keep em in rotation. The cost of accessories compared to how long they last for both tools is near criminal. However, unlike the Fein, they are readily available at the "box stores."
I've only had the Bosch for a few weeks. The Dremel, I bought when it first came out to replace a burned out Fein. At $99 and in the store when I needed it. It was a simple decision. The Bosch was purchased when we needed a second tool on a large job.

If I was in a bind again, I think I'd do the same. Even if the tool burns out quickly, it's price and availability make it a less expensive disposable. Unlike the Fein, which still burns out with extensive use.
Posted: 10:38 am on October 5th

mwalter writes: I don't own an oscillating tool like this (yet), but I have flush-cut pipe stub-outs ... old gas gas lines. Shouldn't someone send me a free Multimaster for this? Seriously, I would not be using this enough to justify a Multimaster. I'll probably get a Rockwell.
Posted: 9:39 am on October 5th

Windwoodtrader writes: The Fein, to me is a tool that I wonder how I ever lived without. A remodler friend and I were having a discussion about tools and I asked him what was the most necessary tool in his armada. Without hesitating he said his Multimaster. He does a lot of re-tiling and bath renovations and he said the Fein did stuff no other tool could. I asked him about the cost of the tool, cutters and other accessories and he said the stuff holds up really well.

I bought my Fein in July '08. If it disappeared I would buy another kit tomorrow. Best remodeling tool I own.
Posted: 9:31 am on October 5th

JFink writes: Dr_Z, What indicators should buyers be looking for in terms of wear and tear on the oscillating assembly? How does one determine a solid performer vs. a soon-to-fail model?
Posted: 9:18 am on October 5th

Dr_Z writes: I worked with a design team for several years that made medical saws having a similar oscillating cutting action (sag and osc saws). The mechanism takes a lot of stress during normal use and understanding how these stresses are distributed through the drive linkages is critical to designing a reliable tool. I'd wait a bit before jumping to buy something from someone new to the game.
Posted: 8:08 am on October 5th

MrLaw10 writes: My experience with tools like this is that same old adage my Father used to say:

You buy the best and you cry only once!
Posted: 5:22 am on October 5th

ulib writes: Hello, having used the Fein and owning the Bosch I still dream of the Fein - as I am owning the Bosch just due to my (slightly) limited "toy" budget.
Working with both is really different and I have the feeling that the Fein is more efficient (same job and acessories). Acessories of Fein are really shocking expensive but excellent. And there are things available where the other makers have to catch-up (like a depth-stop for the oscillating sawblades which works)
Posted: 4:39 am on October 5th

snfdvr writes: I have not been impressed with the Dremel Multimax. I purchased primarily for speeding up tile repairs, but shortly after went back to my other Dremel for the grout removal. Tried using the scraper a few times, but wasn't efficient...used my old knife and scraper instead. As mentioned above I find it getting rather hot fast, and I usually blow it out with compressed air each use so not from debris build up. My Multimax sits in my garage now, but I am excited to see what Rigid and perhaps Milwaukee have in store and will definitely give the toll another shot when they come out.
Posted: 4:15 pm on October 4th

elmersson writes: I've had a Fein SuperCut for a few months. It can run a long time without heating up to being uncomfortable.

Anybody know if there are any adapters to use the cheaper blades now available? My blades have an opening looking like an 8-tooth gear.
Posted: 6:52 pm on October 2nd

Fahrenheit_451 writes: I've owned the Fein MultiMaster for some time now, and it has more than paid for itself. The only other competitor I might consider, should they enter the market, would be Panasonic.
Posted: 12:48 pm on October 2nd

renosteinke writes: It's amazing that Fein was able to "stretch" their patent to 25 years- this means they got anywhere from 8-15 years in the market than they had any right to expect.

I'd hold off on condemning the 'no-name throw-away' versions. Following comments in "Breaktime," the Harbor Freight is doing well, while the Dremel is going down in flames. Another thread has many speaking of their positive experiences with such tools.

I see some aggressive marketing being done for cordless models; I'd hold off on those though - even Fein is hesitant to say that theirs is any good. Cordless just doesnt seem to have the power or run time, from what I hear.

I do think it's time for FHB to do an article on the various tools, including the Harbor Freight model. There should also be mention in the article as to whether the tools accept the 'standard' Fein blades.

I'm also wondering what, if any, accessoried have been developed for these tools.
Posted: 4:23 pm on October 1st

dr2 writes: Bought a reconditioned Dremel Multimax for $80. Seems to work ok for what I have had time to use it. My one comment would be that the tool heats up considerably in a short period of time.
Posted: 12:47 am on October 1st

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