Maybe it's the tool I bought, but whenever I use my new oscillating
tool I'm just not impressed with it.

Cutting wood takes too long. Cutting metal (cuting nails) takes much
too long versus a Dremel. And it's LOUD.

I bought a Menards-brand Li-Ion cordless model. Is there THAT much of
a difference versus the others? I can't find a review that implies
cheap oscillating tools are necessarily worse than, say, Rockwells.

I know that cheap power tools aren't as good as expensive power tools.
But when I buy Harbor Freight I get about 80% of the effectiveness and
ease-of-use.

On Fri, 10 Jun 2011 09:44:54 -0700 (PDT), Bryan Scholtes
wrote:

Maybe it's the tool I bought, but whenever I use my new oscillating
tool I'm just not impressed with it.

Cutting wood takes too long. Cutting metal (cuting nails) takes much
too long versus a Dremel. And it's LOUD.

I bought a Menards-brand Li-Ion cordless model. Is there THAT much of
a difference versus the others? I can't find a review that implies
cheap oscillating tools are necessarily worse than, say, Rockwells.

I know that cheap power tools aren't as good as expensive power tools.
But when I buy Harbor Freight I get about 80% of the effectiveness and
ease-of-use.

I bought a HF multi-tool when I did some remodeling last year.
Basically to cut the door stops near the floor so I could fit
thresholds. Worked fine.
Also worked well for some sanding in tight spots.
It's not loud at all.
Anticipate using it for cleaning out tile grout and some more sanding.
Otherwise it won't earn back what I paid for it.
It's not for cutting nails or cutting wood except in small amounts.
You're using the wrong tool.

--Vic

Vic Smith wrote in
:

On Fri, 10 Jun 2011 09:44:54 -0700 (PDT), Bryan Scholtes
wrote:

Maybe it's the tool I bought, but whenever I use my new oscillating
tool I'm just not impressed with it.

Cutting wood takes too long. Cutting metal (cuting nails) takes much
too long versus a Dremel. And it's LOUD.

I bought a Menards-brand Li-Ion cordless model. Is there THAT much of
a difference versus the others? I can't find a review that implies
cheap oscillating tools are necessarily worse than, say, Rockwells.

I know that cheap power tools aren't as good as expensive power tools.
But when I buy Harbor Freight I get about 80% of the effectiveness and
ease-of-use.

I bought a HF multi-tool when I did some remodeling last year.
Basically to cut the door stops near the floor so I could fit
thresholds. Worked fine.

Yes, excellent.

Also worked well for some sanding in tight spots.

Never tried for that.

It's not loud at all.

Working inside, I disagree.

Anticipate using it for cleaning out tile grout and some more sanding.

I've used it for grout but found it very slow. Especially on very old
grout. Crappy HF blades I assume. What literally rips through grout, and
I mean like a few feet per minute, is a Rotozip with a diamond blade.

Otherwise it won't earn back what I paid for it.
It's not for cutting nails or cutting wood except in small amounts.

True. But I have. Having the Original HF-MT, it's only single speed and
burns up blades (blue tip). I did learn to keep a small container of
water and dip it as needed.

You're using the wrong tool.

--Vic


I'm a long time HF- multi tool proponent. My comments to yours are above.

On Tue, 14 Jun 2011 04:32:34 GMT, Red Green
wrote:

Vic Smith wrote in
:


Also worked well for some sanding in tight spots.

Never tried for that.


The triangle shaped pad does the job in corners, and the sanding disks
are stiff and have some overhang so they go right into 90 degree
edges.
Have to say I only sanded some softened varnish and water staining
off some Anderson windows. Wood was pretty soft too.
Maybe 45 minutes of sanding use.
A drum sander on a drill might have done as well except for the
corners, Would have been harder to handle than the multi-tool.
I'll pick up the multi-tool first for that window job.

It's not loud at all.

Working inside, I disagree.

I bought the variable speed, but full out it's still low volume to me.
Compared to my saw and belt sander for sure.

Anticipate using it for cleaning out tile grout and some more sanding.

I've used it for grout but found it very slow. Especially on very old
grout. Crappy HF blades I assume. What literally rips through grout, and
I mean like a few feet per minute, is a Rotozip with a diamond blade.


I'll keep that in mind. (-:

--Vic

Vic Smith wrote in
news
On Tue, 14 Jun 2011 04:32:34 GMT, Red Green
wrote:

Vic Smith wrote in
m:


Also worked well for some sanding in tight spots.

Never tried for that.


The triangle shaped pad does the job in corners, and the sanding disks
are stiff and have some overhang so they go right into 90 degree
edges.
Have to say I only sanded some softened varnish and water staining
off some Anderson windows. Wood was pretty soft too.
Maybe 45 minutes of sanding use.
A drum sander on a drill might have done as well except for the
corners, Would have been harder to handle than the multi-tool.
I'll pick up the multi-tool first for that window job.

It's not loud at all.

Working inside, I disagree.

I bought the variable speed, but full out it's still low volume to me.
Compared to my saw and belt sander for sure.

Anticipate using it for cleaning out tile grout and some more
sanding.

I've used it for grout but found it very slow. Especially on very old
grout. Crappy HF blades I assume. What literally rips through grout,
and I mean like a few feet per minute, is a Rotozip with a diamond
blade.


I'll keep that in mind. (-:

--Vic

p.s. forgot to mention. I'm sure you're aware but for the benefit of
others...when it comes to corners/edges with grout removal, an
oscillating tool with the half-moon carbide blade is the cats meow.
Something a Rotozip can't do. Another example of right tool for the right
job even if it's a HF cheapie.

On Tue, 14 Jun 2011 04:32:34 GMT, Red Green wrote:

Vic Smith wrote in
:

On Fri, 10 Jun 2011 09:44:54 -0700 (PDT), Bryan Scholtes
wrote:

Maybe it's the tool I bought, but whenever I use my new oscillating
tool I'm just not impressed with it.

Cutting wood takes too long. Cutting metal (cuting nails) takes much
too long versus a Dremel. And it's LOUD.

I bought a Menards-brand Li-Ion cordless model. Is there THAT much of
a difference versus the others? I can't find a review that implies
cheap oscillating tools are necessarily worse than, say, Rockwells.

I know that cheap power tools aren't as good as expensive power tools.
But when I buy Harbor Freight I get about 80% of the effectiveness and
ease-of-use.

I bought a HF multi-tool when I did some remodeling last year.
Basically to cut the door stops near the floor so I could fit
thresholds. Worked fine.

Yes, excellent.

Also worked well for some sanding in tight spots.

Never tried for that.

It's not loud at all.

Working inside, I disagree.

Anticipate using it for cleaning out tile grout and some more sanding.

I've used it for grout but found it very slow. Especially on very old
grout. Crappy HF blades I assume. What literally rips through grout, and
I mean like a few feet per minute, is a Rotozip with a diamond blade.

....and makes a total mess of the tile in the meantime. The bits don't last
long, either. I went through a couple dozen (they're $10 each at the BORG)
doing the surround in my last house.

Otherwise it won't earn back what I paid for it.
It's not for cutting nails or cutting wood except in small amounts.

True. But I have. Having the Original HF-MT, it's only single speed and
burns up blades (blue tip). I did learn to keep a small container of
water and dip it as needed.

You're using the wrong tool.

--Vic


I'm a long time HF- multi tool proponent. My comments to yours are above.

" wrote in
:

On Tue, 14 Jun 2011 04:32:34 GMT, Red Green
wrote:

Vic Smith wrote in
m:

On Fri, 10 Jun 2011 09:44:54 -0700 (PDT), Bryan Scholtes
wrote:

Maybe it's the tool I bought, but whenever I use my new oscillating
tool I'm just not impressed with it.

Cutting wood takes too long. Cutting metal (cuting nails) takes much
too long versus a Dremel. And it's LOUD.

I bought a Menards-brand Li-Ion cordless model. Is there THAT much
of a difference versus the others? I can't find a review that
implies cheap oscillating tools are necessarily worse than, say,
Rockwells.

I know that cheap power tools aren't as good as expensive power
tools. But when I buy Harbor Freight I get about 80% of the
effectiveness and ease-of-use.

I bought a HF multi-tool when I did some remodeling last year.
Basically to cut the door stops near the floor so I could fit
thresholds. Worked fine.

Yes, excellent.

Also worked well for some sanding in tight spots.

Never tried for that.

It's not loud at all.

Working inside, I disagree.

Anticipate using it for cleaning out tile grout and some more
sanding.

I've used it for grout but found it very slow. Especially on very old
grout. Crappy HF blades I assume. What literally rips through grout,
and I mean like a few feet per minute, is a Rotozip with a diamond
blade.

...and makes a total mess of the tile in the meantime. The bits don't
last long, either.

Bits? You talking about a rotary tool? I was addressing the HF-MF tool
that uses blades.

I went through a couple dozen (they're $10 each at
the BORG) doing the surround in my last house.

Otherwise it won't earn back what I paid for it.
It's not for cutting nails or cutting wood except in small amounts.

True. But I have. Having the Original HF-MT, it's only single speed
and burns up blades (blue tip). I did learn to keep a small container
of water and dip it as needed.

You're using the wrong tool.

--Vic


I'm a long time HF- multi tool proponent. My comments to yours are
above.

On Tue, 14 Jun 2011 14:40:13 GMT, Red Green wrote:

" wrote in
:

On Tue, 14 Jun 2011 04:32:34 GMT, Red Green
wrote:

Vic Smith wrote in
:

On Fri, 10 Jun 2011 09:44:54 -0700 (PDT), Bryan Scholtes
wrote:

Maybe it's the tool I bought, but whenever I use my new oscillating
tool I'm just not impressed with it.

Cutting wood takes too long. Cutting metal (cuting nails) takes much
too long versus a Dremel. And it's LOUD.

I bought a Menards-brand Li-Ion cordless model. Is there THAT much
of a difference versus the others? I can't find a review that
implies cheap oscillating tools are necessarily worse than, say,
Rockwells.

I know that cheap power tools aren't as good as expensive power
tools. But when I buy Harbor Freight I get about 80% of the
effectiveness and ease-of-use.

I bought a HF multi-tool when I did some remodeling last year.
Basically to cut the door stops near the floor so I could fit
thresholds. Worked fine.

Yes, excellent.

Also worked well for some sanding in tight spots.

Never tried for that.

It's not loud at all.

Working inside, I disagree.

Anticipate using it for cleaning out tile grout and some more
sanding.

I've used it for grout but found it very slow. Especially on very old
grout. Crappy HF blades I assume. What literally rips through grout,
and I mean like a few feet per minute, is a Rotozip with a diamond
blade.

...and makes a total mess of the tile in the meantime. The bits don't
last long, either.

Bits? You talking about a rotary tool?

Well, that's kinda what a "Roto-Zip" is, so yeah.

I was addressing the HF-MF tool that uses blades.

Is that why you said: "What literally rips through grout, and I mean like
a few feet per minute, is a Rotozip with a diamond blade."?

*THAT* is what I was addressing.

Bryan Scholtes wrote:
Maybe it's the tool I bought, but whenever I use my new oscillating
tool I'm just not impressed with it.

Cutting wood takes too long. Cutting metal (cuting nails) takes much
too long versus a Dremel. And it's LOUD.

I bought a Menards-brand Li-Ion cordless model. Is there THAT much of
a difference versus the others? I can't find a review that implies
cheap oscillating tools are necessarily worse than, say, Rockwells.

I know that cheap power tools aren't as good as expensive power tools.
But when I buy Harbor Freight I get about 80% of the effectiveness and
ease-of-use.

My HF tool doesn't cut fast. It does cut very cleanly and VERY controlably.
Noise isn't that bad.

I use it for precision cutting or difficult to reach spots, like for modifying
cabinets. It doesn't cause any surface splintering. Other saws are better for
bulk sawing.

On Jun 10, 12:44*pm, Bryan Scholtes wrote:
Maybe it's the tool I bought, but whenever I use my new oscillating
tool I'm just not impressed with it.

Cutting wood takes too long. Cutting metal (cuting nails) takes much
too long versus a Dremel. And it's LOUD.

I bought a Menards-brand Li-Ion cordless model. Is there THAT much of
a difference versus the others? I can't find a review that implies
cheap oscillating tools are necessarily worse than, say, Rockwells.

I know that cheap power tools aren't as good as expensive power tools.
But when I buy Harbor Freight I get about 80% of the effectiveness and
ease-of-use.

I have the Dremel model and would hate to be without it. I dont cut
off nails with it if I cuold use my sawsall or drive them in or pull
them out with a hammer.The saw is what it is and doesnt replace my
jamb saw, pipe cutter or any other tool. It is a handy little tool
though that often fills niches that these other tools don't....this
usally means solving access problems.

Jimmie

Jimmie

Bryan Scholtes wrote:
Maybe it's the tool I bought, but whenever I use my new oscillating
tool I'm just not impressed with it.

Cutting wood takes too long. Cutting metal (cuting nails) takes much
too long versus a Dremel. And it's LOUD.

I bought a Menards-brand Li-Ion cordless model. Is there THAT much of
a difference versus the others? I can't find a review that implies
cheap oscillating tools are necessarily worse than, say, Rockwells.

I know that cheap power tools aren't as good as expensive power tools.
But when I buy Harbor Freight I get about 80% of the effectiveness and
ease-of-use.

It has it uses. And for those uses, it is superior.

I've found it superior on:

* Undercutting door-jambs (as one poster mentioned). Beats everything else I
tried: Dremel, angle grinder, angled hand saw, etc.
* Cutting holes in sheetrock for electrical outlets.
* Sanding in tight places.
* Mixing oil and water (miscibles).

And today (Friday 6/20) and all weekend, HF has them on sale for $19.99.

On Jun 10, 11:44*am, Bryan Scholtes wrote:
Maybe it's the tool I bought, but whenever I use my new oscillating
tool I'm just not impressed with it.

Cutting wood takes too long. Cutting metal (cuting nails) takes much
too long versus a Dremel. And it's LOUD.

I bought a Menards-brand Li-Ion cordless model. Is there THAT much of
a difference versus the others? I can't find a review that implies
cheap oscillating tools are necessarily worse than, say, Rockwells.

I know that cheap power tools aren't as good as expensive power tools.
But when I buy Harbor Freight I get about 80% of the effectiveness and
ease-of-use.

I am pretty happy with my HF Multi-tool. The thing you should
remember is they are not capable of cutting like a full-up circular
saw. They might not be quite as effective as a vigorous hand scraping
for tiles, etc. A good power sander can possible out-sand them. But
they are hard to beat in tight or awkward areas where you need to do
that kind of work. It is often hard to get a hack saw into some areas
to cut off a nail.

I built a garden building last year and ended up needing to cut an
inch or less off of several 2x4 ends near my soffits. I stood and
scratched thinking about how hard it was going to be to get a hand saw
or saws-all into the close quarters when I remember the multi-tool.
It took a couple side entries for each 2x4 but the cut-offs were
sitting on the ground in less than one minute for each.

Mine spends a lot of time on the shelf, but when I need it, I love it.

RonB

RonB