Fein multimaster or cheaper equivalent?

[Dee J]

Ok. So the site builder has set me a problem... I have installed lots of first fix wiring in stud partitions. The builder has now clad a number of these areas in moisture resistant mdf rather than plasterboard - but only drilled a 25mm hole for the cables, not the full backbox cutout. Now I need to cut neat rectangular holes for drywall back-boxes - some in very challenging locations. If the mdf was on the bench I'd use a padsaw or a jigsaw, but that's not easy now. Anyone got any experience of the various multimaster style tools? The Fein is expensive, and so are the attachments, but there's a whole range of cheaper variants, right down to the B&Q Mac Allister. At the moment I'm looking for an easy-ish fix for the immediate challenge, not a major tool investment. Opinion please.

Dee

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

Ive got the fein and its a pretty simple design ir an oscillating blade. My guess is the copycats will be perfectly adequate. Its something of a specialist tool and I don't use mine very often. For tile grout removal its great and I also use the fine wood blades for chopping out cable holes in various things as necessary. Given your need is very specific and immediate I would try the cheap one

 

[paulm]

Agree with Rob, the green Bosch one or similar will do the job fine, albeit it sounds like a bag of spanners when it gets going !

These guys had decent prices for blades last time I looked http://www.saxtonblades.co.uk/shopping_ ... 66b45d2606

Cheers, Paul

 

[RogerS]

I love my Fein...so much so that I went and bought the latest one with the QuickFit (whatever it's called) fitting. But then I do use mine most days for one thing or another. In your situation I'd probably go for the cheapest particularly if you can't see yourself using it that much in the future.

 

[chippy1970]

Fein definitely it will last forever. I use mine all the time.

 

[AES]

@Dee J:

In another thread a week or so ago I said I've tried a Fein Multimaster and find it a first rate tool - quiet, well balanced, and does all sorts of otherwise difficult jobs very well indeed.

But I also said that as a DIY-er and not a tradesman I just couldn't justify the 4 x price differential between the Fein and the DIY-ers green Bosch which I bought and used for quite a while now. It works fine - I use it quite a lot for both cutting and sanding (and I was even "forced" to cut some 8 mm SS bolts with it recently - OK, but needed a new blade afterwards!).

But as someone else said above, the green Bosch is loud and it does vibrate quite a lot.

But at least here (Switzerland) there is a wide range of alternative brand blades for the Bosch (fit the Fein too I guess) and these are much cheaper than the "official" blades. I find that with a bit of care these last pretty well.

As a P.S. - there was also a post on here recently from a guy who had a Fein in for repair and bought a cheapo version from either Aldi or Lidl as a stop gap. He said the cheapo worked pretty well too. If I remembeer he had the cheapo on the For Sale thread but I'm not sure if it's still available.

But unless you've got a huge number of holes to cut for those boxes I would think the Bosch greeny should be OK (and I think there's also a more expensive Blue - professional - version from Bosch out now too).

HTH
AES

 

[SteveF]

I think axminster has an offer on the bosch


just checked

http://www.axminster.co.uk/bosch-bosch- ... rod887921/

not the highest quality but would be a handy tool for the boxes

 

[Graham Orm]

I've got the Bosch. Don't know how I managed without it.

 

[SteveF]

I had a cheap aldi battery thing

killed it in no time

one of best tools ever

and I think will get the bosch

 

[tim burr]

I've got the cordless makita tool and it's as good as the feins we have at work while using the slightly cheaper bosch spec blades.
If you have the makita lxt drills then this is a great addition to your kit, if not they also do a corded one that I'd imagine would be just as good.

I also bought a 10.8v einhell tool while I was over in Switzerland and that was very good as well. I only replaced it as it was a little underpowered for what I need and it was another charger and batteries I needed to cart around.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

Tim....does the Makita cordless one accept the Fein tools? Its just that I have the LXT family and did toy with the idea of upgrading my Fein to get the advantage of cordless. But I have loads of Fein attachments (no pun intended!) that I don't want to throw away. I daresay Makita will be doing deals at the D&M show shortly so if Im going to upgrade that'll be the place to buy it.

Cant really justify it mind (but when did that ever prevent a tool purchase)

 

[tim burr]

Hiya Bob, no it doesn't but you can get an adaptor from either ITS tools for just under £6 or apparently from hafele. It's on my 'to buy' list as we get the fein blades at work.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

Great. Thanks mate.

 

[Dee J]

Thanks all. I've bought a B&Q
MacAllister mains version for 50 pounds, plus a Bosch blade. I'll see how it goes.
Dee

 

[mahomo59]

+ 1 for the Makita 18v.

 

[jimporter]

When looking I fancied the Stanley and the Worx but by the time I took into account the blades and the vacuum kit supplied the original Fein was my choice.

Also the number and quality of fein blades is excellent and you can easily get hold of copies. Not the same access to bosch and other blades, and in the case of Stanley these were only available from their service centres as they can't get the big box stores to stock them.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Jamesc]

+1 for the Bosch Green. I bought one for a specific job and have found mumerous uses for it since. Mine failed on me about a year and a half after I boiught it. I phoned Bosch who replaced it free of charge as they have a 2 year guarantee. Can't say fairer than that.

James

 

[Graham Orm]

I use these people http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/saxton-trading/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686 Saxton trading on Ebay. Cheap and the blades work on my Boshce

 

[Shed hermit]

I was in a similar position, had to remove some gripfilled laminate up stands. Found an offer in Argos as only need the tool for this job. Offer is a multi tool (250w motor) and a pack of Bosch blades for £36. Would love fein but couldn't justify the expense. Did the job just wear ear defenders.
I'd personally have a go with the jigsaw and a short blade if you haven't got the cables in the wall.