It seems to me that the high speed vibration is this tools big advantage, and
that slowing it down will just make it shaky and less effective. Do you really
use the lower speeds for anything useful?

On Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:14:35 -0700, "Bob F"
wrote:

It seems to me that the high speed vibration is this tools big advantage, and
that slowing it down will just make it shaky and less effective. Do you really
use the lower speeds for anything useful?


Wish I could remember better and say for sure, but as I recall when I
used my variable to cut out door stops to fit in thresholds, I had it
cranked all the way up even when starting the cuts.
Same when sanding with it. Just used if for those 2 things so far.

--

Vic

On Apr 20, 2:51*pm, "HeyBub" wrote:
Bob F wrote:
Vic Smith wrote:
On Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:14:35 -0700, "Bob F"
wrote:

It seems to me that the high speed vibration is this tools big
advantage, and that slowing it down will just make it shaky and less
effective. Do you really use the lower speeds for anything useful?

Wish I could remember better and say for sure, but as I recall when I
used my variable to cut out door stops to fit in thresholds, I had it
cranked all the way up even when starting the cuts.
Same when sanding with it. *Just used if for those 2 things so far.

So far, nobody has claimed to use the lower speeds, suggesting to me
that the variable speed units are a waste of money.

Every once in a great while, I'll use a lower speed on my hand drill - such
as putting a hole in a steel bar, but most of the time, even with a drill,
it's full military power, all ahead flank.

Come to think on it, do they even MAKE a variable speed power saw? Or table
saw? I have used "double-speed" soldering irons and multi-speed Dremels, but
there aren't many tools with selectable speeds.

Some variable speed tools:

Sabre saws, jig saws, reciprocating saws, routers, random orbital
sanders, palm sanders, drill presses, belt sanders, bench grinders,
angle grinders, lathes, polisher/buffers, engravers and band saws.

On Apr 20, 2:04*pm, "Bob F" wrote:
Vic Smith wrote:
On Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:14:35 -0700, "Bob F"
wrote:

It seems to me that the high speed vibration is this tools big
advantage, and that slowing it down will just make it shaky and less
effective. Do you really use the lower speeds for anything useful?

Wish I could remember better and say for sure, but as I recall when I
used my variable to cut out door stops to fit in thresholds, I had it
cranked all the way up even when starting the cuts.
Same when sanding with it. *Just used if for those 2 things so far.

So far, nobody has claimed to use the lower speeds, suggesting to me that the
variable speed units are a waste of money.

While I've never used a variable speed multifunction tool, I've often
wished I had one. When my single speeds dies (possibly before that)
I'm buying the variable speed model.

There have been many times when I've used my single speed MF tool and
felt that I would have more control if I could slow it down, just like
I do with my router, sabre saw and reciprocating saw.

I read this at a site that reviewed the Fien oscillating tool, the
original "MF" tool:

"Another useful feature that the device boasts is the Variable
Electronic Speed Control that is perfect for optimizing the use of
power. You can switch to high power control for those rough projects
and then switch to a low variable speed for projects that require
finesse and delicate handling."

That's what I've wished for - the finesse, for getting into small
spots without the tool oscillating at full speed.

Start this video at about 1:45 and listen to guy who says he runs the
Fein at 2 out 6 for most jobs for the same reasons as listed at the
review site.

On Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:51:50 -0500, "HeyBub" wrote:

Bob F wrote:
Vic Smith wrote:
On Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:14:35 -0700, "Bob F"
wrote:

It seems to me that the high speed vibration is this tools big
advantage, and that slowing it down will just make it shaky and less
effective. Do you really use the lower speeds for anything useful?


Wish I could remember better and say for sure, but as I recall when I
used my variable to cut out door stops to fit in thresholds, I had it
cranked all the way up even when starting the cuts.
Same when sanding with it. Just used if for those 2 things so far.

So far, nobody has claimed to use the lower speeds, suggesting to me
that the variable speed units are a waste of money.

Every once in a great while, I'll use a lower speed on my hand drill - such
as putting a hole in a steel bar, but most of the time, even with a drill,
it's full military power, all ahead flank.

That's a good way to ruin bits (and your arm ;-).

Come to think on it, do they even MAKE a variable speed power saw? Or table
saw? I have used "double-speed" soldering irons and multi-speed Dremels, but
there aren't many tools with selectable speeds.

Do you use different sized blades on your saw? (Dados are usually smaller
because they do hog out far more wood, thus take more power). Drill bits vary
over at least a 30:1 range, so need a variable speed. Keeping the (linear)
speed of the cutting edge (more or less) constant requires a variable speed.
This isn't an issue with a saw.

DerbyDad03 wrote:

Come to think on it, do they even MAKE a variable speed power saw?
Or table saw? I have used "double-speed" soldering irons and
multi-speed Dremels, but there aren't many tools with selectable
speeds.

Some variable speed tools:

Sabre saws, jig saws, reciprocating saws, routers, random orbital
sanders, palm sanders, drill presses, belt sanders, bench grinders,
angle grinders, lathes, polisher/buffers, engravers and band saws.

Oh. Thank you.

On reflection, there is a universe of variable-speed tools: Hammers,
screwdrivers, wrenches of all sorts.

On Apr 16, 8:14*pm, "Bob F" wrote:

It seems to me that the high speed vibration is this tools big advantage, and
that slowing it down will just make it shaky and less effective. Do you really
use the lower speeds for anything useful?

If all you ever cut is wood of similar density, using the same type of
blade, don't mind heating up the blade unnecessarily and shortening
it's life, and don't have any really detailed things to cut, then a
single speed is just fine.

None of the above applies to me, so I have a variable speed unit.

R