Replies

1. 
   Kevinbrown22 | Jan 08, 2008 12:00am | #1

   It is a tool like no other. Do a search for it, plenty of good things said about it already, nothing much to add.

   "If I'd known it was harmless I'd have killed it myself."
2. 
   Shep | Jan 08, 2008 12:34am | #2

   Once you have one, you'll kick yourself for not getting one sooner.

   I use mine several times a week in my remodeling/repair business.

3. 
   DonNH | Jan 08, 2008 01:21am | #3

   Bought one a few years ago - can't remember for sure what the original "need" was.

   Contrary to what most on this forum seem to use it for, I've mostly used it for sanding.  The fact that it has a short oscillating action makes it much easier to control in a lot of applications vs. a rotary or orbital sander.  I've even used it a fair amount for light automotive body work - gets into tight spots, and doesn't bounce around like an electric orbital sander.

   Recently I finally had a need to use the saw blade, cutting out part of a rotten windowsill (why did the idiots cover the exposed edge of the sill with an aluminum strip when they vinyl sided the house?). Also have used it to trim the bottoms of door trim when installing flooring, and to trim off shim ends when installing a door.  As others have said, once you have one & use it, you keep finding uses.

   Don

4. 
   DanH | Jan 08, 2008 03:22am | #4

   Nah, everybody here hates them. Just ask -- someone will probably give you theirs just for the postage.

   If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
5. 
   Sancho | Jan 08, 2008 03:40am | #5

   It changed my life

6. 
   Waters | Jan 08, 2008 04:00am | #6

   DUH! MULTIMASTER!

   :-)

   I really want the spanky new one with the toolless release mech...

1. 
   DonK | Jan 08, 2008 05:00am | #8

   Used mine last week to cut through some woodlath for new outlets. Much better than anything else.

   I've had it for a while (2 years?) and I still get a kick out of cutting off the shingle butts when I shim something like a door or window jamb. No hacking and running the knife blade over it 25 times - just cut it, done.

   Don K.

   EJG Homes     Renovations - New Construction - Rentals

1. 
   shellbuilder | Jan 08, 2008 05:04am | #9

   What blades are you guys using on plastered walls (2 coat board). I ruined an E blade cutting a receptacle box today. 

1. 
   mmoogie | Jan 08, 2008 05:13am | #10

   Most recent use: Plastic electrical box proud of drywall. Been that way for 12 years. Finally bugged me enough to trim it back.Steve

2. 
   mmoogie | Jan 08, 2008 05:18am | #11

   Shellbuilder,I bought the $110.00 diamond blade for that very purpose. Had to cut a a pre-hung new "old" door into a plaster and wainscot wall. The plaster had irreplaceable wallpaper on it, and the plaster had to butt into the casing, not get overlapped by the casing. Worked like a charm.We call the MM the "power chisel" around here.I sure wish there were some cheaper aftermarket blades out there.Steve

1. 
   berferdt | Jan 08, 2008 06:16am | #14

   Check the latest issue of Fine Woodworking. A little bit on how to grow your own MM blades.

2. 
   shellbuilder | Jan 20, 2008 05:43pm | #28

   MMOOGIE,

    Do you have a link to buy that blade, thanks 

3. 
   mmoogie | Jan 20, 2008 05:59pm | #29

   http://www.waltertool.com/mmblades_1.htmlTowards the bottom of the page...diamond saw blade, comes circular or with a flat side.Steve

4. 
   shellbuilder | Jan 20, 2008 06:03pm | #30

   Thanks,

   You using the cleaning block? 

5. 
   mmoogie | Jan 20, 2008 06:25pm | #31

   No, what's that?...oh, I just looked. No. I've got some of those crepe rubber cleaning things that I never use. Don't know if that's the same thing. I doubt it at 26 bucks.Steve

   Edited 1/20/2008 10:28 am by mmoogie

6. 
   shellbuilder | Jan 20, 2008 06:28pm | #32

   Its advertised under the blades, guess you need it to clean your diamond blades? 

3. 
   DonK | Jan 08, 2008 05:28am | #12

   I did not use the MM to get through the plaster. I grabbed an old screwdriver and gently went thru it on the outline of the box. I know it sounds crude, but it's one of the best tools I've ever used for the job. Actually talked to an electrician about it and he said it's his  tool of choice for plaster boxes.

    Once I got thru plaster and down to wood, I got the MM.  

    

    

   Don K.

   EJG Homes     Renovations - New Construction - Rentals

7. 
   flynhi | Jan 08, 2008 04:57am | #7

   One of the best tools ive ever bought!

   MIke

8. 
   mike_maines | Jan 08, 2008 05:40am | #13

   It's one of those tools...

   Once you have it you don't know what you did without it.

   Today I didn't feel like hauling out a corded tool so I tried the old hand saw to make a tricky in-place baseboard cut.

   After a couple contortions, went out to the truck and got the MM.  Cuts were done in a minute.

   Oh, and if you ever need to get rid of all the grout on a 275sf floor in a finished house, it's the only thing that'll work.  ;-)

9. 
   DougU | Jan 08, 2008 06:26am | #15

   I bought one last year with some bonus money, didn't use it for about 3 months wondering if I really needed it.

   Since then I have used it for quite a few jobs, love the tool and now I wonder how I did some things without it.

   Doug

1. 
   Shep | Jan 08, 2008 06:37am | #16

   He asks about the MM, and hasn't checked back?

   mebbe he's afraid we'll push him over the edge into buying one.

1. 
   Biff_Loman | Jan 08, 2008 07:02am | #17

   Oh, I'm reading, I'm reading!Aaargh, so many tools I need to buy! You've got to understand that I got laid off around Halloween. The time in between has been spent looking for a job, then doing some work for family, doing a kitchen and bath remodel for a real client, and now I'm trying to promote my business so I can actually make a living doing this.Before, I didn't even have a van. I had a work vehicle. So I bought my old work vehicle, b/c I got it for very little when my former employers went out of business. I don't have a SCMS. I don't have a worthwhile portable tablesaw. I don't have a laser level/plumb bob, an impact driver - or a Fein multimaster!I'm really trying to turn a dime into a dollar, here.But I downloaded Sketchup for free! :-D

1. 
   IMERC | Jan 08, 2008 07:08am | #18

   I don't have a SCMS.

   Bosch or Milwaukee

   I don't have a worthwhile portable tablesaw.

   Bosch again..

   I don't have a laser level/plumb bob,

   make do without for now..

   an impact driver -

   Bosch...

   or a Fein multimaster!

   what's the hold up??? 

   Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

   WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

2. 
   mmoogie | Jan 08, 2008 07:17am | #19

   First things first then. Gotta have the tablesaw and the SCMS. Laser plumb bob changed my life. Had the MM before the laser bob. Wish it had been the other way around. Now the Festool rail saw...not sure how I ever got anything cut accurately without that, but what you don't know can't hurt ya...right?Steve

3. 
   DougU | Jan 08, 2008 07:48am | #21

   Your right, you need the chop saw and the table saws first.

   I went a lot of years without the MM but I didnt go very long w/o those two saws! You can make due without the MM for now.

   Doug

1. 
   mike_maines | Jan 08, 2008 02:41pm | #22

   Ditto Dat.

2. 
   ANDYSZ2 | Jan 08, 2008 05:11pm | #23

   I strongly disagree.

   One can live without a tablesaw as long as he is not building cabinets.

   A dual bevel mitersaw would be my first major purchase ,slider would be even better.

   A good circular saw and guide system would carry you for almost all rip cuts.

   A good cordless set of tools would be my next major investment with the plan of adding on pieces as I caught them on clearance.

   A portable planer and random orbital sander are very useful.

   Toolbags and organizers are wise money spent.

   If you are doing the framing a good nailgun would be needed and a compressor.

   Choosing tools wisely and willing to spend on good bargains as they come along are key aspects.

   I too want a fein MM but am still holding out for a bargain or someone who has bought and wants to sell cheap.

   ANDYSZ2

    WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?

   REMODELER/PUNCHOUT SPECIALIST

    

3. 
   Biff_Loman | Jan 08, 2008 06:27pm | #24

   Maybe I should have mentioned what I DO have.- 10" Delta compound miter saw, not a slider
   - borderline useless 10" Delta piece of #### benchtop table saw
   - 'heavy-duty' Dewalt circular saw
   - 'heavy-duty' Dewalt jig-saw
   - wonderful Makita Li-ion cordless 1/2" hammer drill
   - Makita 18 gauge brad nailer
   - piece of #### cheap pancake air compressor
   - Makita random orbit sander
   - Black and Decker (blech!) belt sanderI'm decked out when it comes to all the non-powered stuff. I've got pretty much all of that stuff, from clamps to drywall knives to 4' levels and so on.

4. 
   Sancho | Jan 08, 2008 11:45pm | #25

   Until you get on yer feet...remember these 2 wordsharbor freight...
   aient the best by far but it will get ya through

5. 
   mizshredder2 | Jan 20, 2008 02:03pm | #26

   you say you were holding out for a bargain...  So was I.  But I've succumbed.

   76592.935

    

   "We choose our joys and sorrows long before we experience them."

    â€” Kahlil Gibran

6. 
   mmoogie | Jan 20, 2008 05:34pm | #27

   Andy,Everyone's needs and habits are different. Maybe what you do doesn't require a table saw. For remodeling work, I can't see working without a table saw. I've got the Festo Saw, and it has taken over a lot of the table saw's duties, but still need the table saw on nearly every job. I actually don't use the table saw much for cabinet work anymore, though. I lean pretty heavily on the Festo for carcasses.Steve

10. 
    deafbob | Jan 08, 2008 07:32am | #20

    i bought the new model mm this summer. used it on a coupla jobs, works great. however, fein had some problems with the variable speed swithces in these units. i went to use it and the motor just kept slowing down on its own until it was about a s strong as a ryobi :) retailer i purchased from said it was  a massive recall. anyway, kept my blades turned in the broken one before xmas. got the call friday that my new one with the new swithch is in. this is not a bad review by any means just a heads-up.

11. 
    JDLee | Jan 20, 2008 07:31pm | #33

    One of the main complaints about the MultiMaster has always been the cost of the blades.  But Fein is now selling some in 10 packs (and larger, I believe).  By buying a 10 pack, you can get the blades for well under half what they cost locally here in San Diego.  I know a contractor I split the purchase with, but, even without him, I'd buy the 10 pack and sell some of the extras on eBay if I didn't want the entire pack.

    I have one of the new MultiMasters.  I got it in July 2007, and I just exchanged it for a new one due to a recall issue they had with the motor bogging down in cold weather.  There's a post somewhere on these boards about this problem and what they'll do to fix it--if, and ONLY IF, you complain.

    The new MultiMaster is more powerful than the previous generation.  I didn't own one of the old ones, but the contractor I know has used mine and is impressed enough with the utility of the extra power (and quick release system) to buy one of the new ones.