Variable Speed Oscillating Multifunction Power Tool

Comments about Chicago Electric Power Tools Variable Speed Oscillating Multifunction Power Tool:

Used for a couple of bathroom renovations. Other name brands are double the price and attachemnts are triple. I have used for cutting trim, removing grout, sanding concrete, sheet rock, and wonder board.

Comments about Chicago Electric Power Tools Variable Speed Oscillating Multifunction Power Tool:

Bought this a few days ago..used it on 3 projects so far and it works great. Tight places(under the kitchen sink)My aunt had some water damage and this thing made short work of the demolition for this job!
Made some small cuts on some shelves..Done some sanding..All went smoothly...Let this thing do it's job and it certainly will!

Comments about Chicago Electric Power Tools Variable Speed Oscillating Multifunction Power Tool:

Just completed a subfloor replacement job. This tool was excellent for cutting the subfloor out in hard to reach places like under toekicks on the cabinets. The blades that come with it cannot handle cutting screws or other hard metal, but this tool went through days of heavy use cutting wood and is still running strong. Easily worth its asking price. The plastic case is also well made and great for organizing the tool and blades. I highly recommend this tool!

Comments about Chicago Electric Power Tools Variable Speed Oscillating Multifunction Power Tool:

If you own a home and do your own fix up you have to own this tool.I've been skeptical of some of Harbor Freigts new tool offerings but this is a can't miss for cutting and I suppose sanding in tight places.

Comments about Chicago Electric Power Tools Variable Speed Oscillating Multifunction Power Tool:

I am a professional repair contractor, and have fell in Love with this tool. I was scared at first to buy the thing because it was so cheap, but I have used it many times to my amazement with no problems. Many people are suggesting that the blade will work itself loose, at first my tool done this too. I have another contractor friend of mine that uses the red version of this one all the time and he told me when turning the screw that tightens the blade onto the tool to turn the flange with the bevel facing the tool when tightening the blade and the blade would not come off unintentionally and he was right! Now the blades stay on as intended ( You think the instruction manual would have told You that). Also you can loosen the blades up while connected to the tool and turn them the opposite way and store them in the tool box that it came with without taking off the blades completely making the tool easy to store. I had the Dremel version of this tool before I had this one and it died on me rather quickly. So I'm glad Harbor Freight saved me all this money, and am happy so far.

Comments about Chicago Electric Power Tools Variable Speed Oscillating Multifunction Power Tool:

We bought this tool for use in our home improvements company. I got by for many years without one but one day we had a job that just seemed like there was no real way to do it without this type of tool. We had to cut out the band board on a home's foundation that had rotted away and replace it with new wood. Someone before us had attempted it in the past and had added not one, not two, but THREE layers of 2x10. The rot had eaten into all three layers. No reciprocating saw could reach all of it since the location was under a door and very near to a deck so maneuvering was going to be difficult. Still, not wanting to spend a lot of money for something I didn't see lasting or being used a lot, I purchased this model over other more expensive names. I figured if I got the one job from it, it will have paid for itself.

To my amazement, this tool performed the job so easily that what had before looked like a grueling task had actually become a pleasure. We cut out all of the bad wood with ease, one layer at a time. Plunge cutting straight into the hard areas of the wood (to make sure we got all the bad cut out) was very simple. The control this tool offered over a reciprocating saw was incredible. We were able to make nice straight cuts so the new wood going in would butt smoothly up next to the old. The size of the tool made it ideal to maneuver in the tight space, and the ability to turn the blade 90 degrees to the tool's body and continue work made cuts possible that reciprocating saws could not even attempt. It had plenty of power for the job. If the tool had died right there, I would have considered it paid for, but it did not.

Several months later, this tool continues to serve the company, weekly if not daily. It has nearly replaced the reciprocating saw, the latter only being used now for the rougher cuts that need done faster, or for trimming a tree limb occasionally. We have went through several blades but as with any saw, blades are disposable. The cost of Harbor Freight blades are minimal compared to others so I buy in bulk when on sale.

Since buying this tool, I have used it for such jobs as undercutting a door frame for laminate floor install, plunge cutting into oak hardwood flooring and sub flooring for installation of a new vent register, any trimming of wood in a home where precision counts or ability to access is reduced, cleaning the back of ceramic tiles for reinstallation removing the old grout, and much more. It has paid for itself time and time again.

The one thing I will caution on is the blade tightening screw. This can sometimes work loose during use. It could be from vibration of the tool, but I've noticed this more when other workers set the tool up before I use it than when I install the blade myself. When I do it, I tighten it down solid and it hasn't come loose on me more than once or twice, and I was probably guilty of applying excessive force to the blade during use. This would cause the blade to bind in the wood and shake itself loose. Most times, the blade stays solidly in place and works as designed so I figure when it comes loose it is just operator error, either failing to tighten enough or jamming up the blade during cutting.

In using the tool, I've found that pressure is not really necessary. The weight of the tool is all that is needed most times when cutting from above and slight hand pressure when cutting from below or sideways. Taking smaller bites will clear the wood faster than attempting to plow it out using the whole width of the blade. It is quite easy to follow a scribed line with the blade on its corner, cutting a neat straight line to get started and then use the slot cut as a guide for the blade afterwards. To prevent burning of the blades, you must occasionally clear the debris from the cut as leaving it in will only build up friction. This is so with any cutting tool, saw blade or drill bits and otherwise. Burning of the blade is not a testament to a tool's weakness but rather to the user's lack of understanding how to use it. If proper use is observed then this tool has the power to cut through any wood material with ease. I've plunge cut up to the full blade depth (about 1 1/2 inches) many times, even in oak, with no problems.

This tool can become quite hot after extended use. We let it cool off when this happens, but we've noticed no difference in its abilities so far, even when it gets hot. It may not effect it but its just good practice not to abuse your equipment.

Wear good ear protection with this tool. It is extremely loud, especially in enclosed spaces. I believe one good use for more than a couple of minutes without hearing protection is enough to cause permanent hearing damage. We use the over the ear muffs designed for shooting at a gun range and they work well.

This tool is also much safer than other saws as the blade cuts by a very short but fast oscillation as opposed to others with a longer stroke or circular movement. This means an accidental contact with the blade won't do the same damage. I've accidentally hit my hand with it and while it did scratch, the same contact with another saw would have meant a trip to the ER.

Overall, this is a excellent tool and when, if ever, it finally dies then it will be replaced with the same brand and model again.

Comments about Chicago Electric Power Tools Variable Speed Oscillating Multifunction Power Tool:

I have had this for about a year now and I really like it. I use it mostly on plunge cuts, it makes them so easy. It is very versile with all its functions and it cost much less that other multi-tools and works just as good. It is plenty powerful and has adustable speeds.

Comments about Chicago Electric Power Tools Variable Speed Oscillating Multifunction Power Tool:

This is the first power tool that I have been able to use right out of the box! I'm removing wall paper in order to paint our kitchen and the scrapper blade works great! Might even get a second one for the wife!

Comments about Chicago Electric Power Tools Variable Speed Oscillating Multifunction Power Tool:

Bought this about two weeks ago after debating whether to go with a big name brand version. As you might with any oscillating multi-tool, I've spent more on blades than on the tool; buying blades in bulk from big web seller is the only way to go. As for the tool, I've ended up using it every day on a remodeling job that continues. Have been cutting off nails, surgically removing studs, trimming mortices, and other operations that no other type of tool will do. Don't know what I'd do without it. Much smoother, more controlled, and easier than my reciprocating saw.

There are a few drawbacks to this one. As others report, the blades need to be tightening regularly with the supplied allen wrench while cutting. The storage box is barely adequate to hold the tool - you have to remove the cutting blade and bolt to store it. Other than that, it's been great. More than worth the price.

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