Having never owned or used an oscillating multi-tool, I didn't want to spend a lot so I picked up a corded Bauer. I know, I know, harbor freight. I only needed it for a couple of things so I figured I'd give it a go.

I needed to notch a 2x10. I got most of the cutting done with a reciprocating saw but needed the oscillating tool to get into the tight areas.

4 minutes in and the tool is still buzzing but the oscillating stopped. I examined the end and it just flopped around instead of staying straight ahead and no vibration was felt on the blade.

Did I over-do it with such a tool or is the Bauer just typical "almost one use" harbor freight fare? Will I be satisfied with a better brand?

I did find it useful so I'm planning to buy a Dewalt 20v version unless my expectations are too high for this type of tool.

I’ve had A Bosch for about five years and it’s eaten up everything I’ve used it on - wood, metal, tile. I don’t think you are overestimating the tool at all.

Double check that the bolt attaching the blade to the tool is tightened properly. I know that's probably the first thing you checked but it's not uncommon for the vibration to loosen the bolt just enough. I don't have a bauer so I can't attest to it's quality but I've had the loosening issue with other makes.

I have had it happen. Retighten the blade.

o5

Might be the brand. I have a corded Dewalt, and a cordless Milwaukee and Ridged. I've no complaints, other than the price of blades.

M12 cordless Milwaukee here and I love it except like cas for the cost of good blades. But an incredibly versatile tool.

I have had and used a ChicaGO Tool from Harbor and it has worked for many yrs. I mostly use my Ridgid cordless.

 
We have the Bosch cordless, added to an already growing collection of Bosch cordless tools. We have batteries for each one, plus one.
 
The Bosch OT is great. My wife uses it for things I would never have thought of using it for. It her "go-to" tool for just about everything. The Starlock blade system is amazing. Blade changes are a few seconds job. The Starlock allows you to place the blade all the way around a 180 degree half circle, for those odd angle jobs.

My 18V Makita has never broke a sweat. I'll second the complaint about the price of blades however.

quote:

Originally posted by DaveL:
I’ve had A Bosch for about five years and it’s eaten up everything I’ve used it on - wood, metal, tile. I don’t think you are overestimating the tool at all.

Same here. It's been most valuable in hard to access places.

Make sure the blade is attached tight. I've thought I had them on before and found it wasn't.

Also, I've had the welds on the blade where the blade part attaches to the part that attaches to the tool.

Just turn the tool off and grab the end of the blade and try and move it. If there is any movement there is a problem with the blade or the attachment point.

Love my Milwaukee 12 volt. I was a late adopter kind of but love having it now.

I sure would like to know a source for good blade at a reasonable price.

I have had a couple of oscillating multitools and like them. They're very versatile, and in particular, they can reach areas that are difficult with other common power tools (like flush cutting, sanding into corners, etc.).

Unless you have to get into one of those areas, though, it's worth noting that they are much slower than dedicated tools (sawing with an oscillating multi-tool is much slower than with a jigsaw or circular saw, sanding is much slower than with an RO sander or belt sander, and so on).

Have one, it's had the snot used out of it for 5 or 6 years, even my ham handed neighbor used it and returned it functioning.

The bolt holding the blade on can back up if it's not tight, if it's not working take it back and get another, HF is pretty good about that stuff, it's inexpensive as far as tools go but mines been pretty good.

I have done a number of laminated and hardwood floor renovations and these oscillating tools are absolutely wonderful, (around door framing/odd shapes in particular). Being able to cut bottoms of door framing without pulling off framing itself was a big time saver.

My first HF buy didn't last a month and I was lucky and caught a corded Fein Multimaster on sale. Top grade and made much better than the HF model which wore out quickly.
I picked up a Bosch that has done well also. The blades do cost-

Watch for sales-

quote:

Originally posted by Rinehart:
My first HF buy didn't last a month and I was lucky and caught a corded Fein Multimaster on sale. Top grade and made much better than the HF model which wore out quickly.

Besides inventing the oscillating multitool and making excellent ones, Fein also makes phenomenal shopvac/tool-dust-extractors. They're MUCH quieter and have MUCH higher airflow than most shopvacs, they are great. The only thing really comparable are the Festool ones, which are much more expensive.

It was one of those lever release and no amount of tightening it was helping. I returned it already.

My battery Dewalt one seems to work well. I think I got it on a $99 deal with 2 batteries. Black Friday may be the time to buy if you can wait.

It clamps the blade securely. My only issue is the blades dull quickly. I've used it mainly on wood house trim.

I borrowed my dad’s China Freight multi tool. It was brand new. Never used. Lasted 5 mins. Wasn’t a loose blade. It was broken inside. I bought a Makita. Have used it a lot. It’s super nice

UGGGGHHHH, its harbor freight.

I have a cordless Dewalt that eats anything you put in it's way.