Vibrator

[GeoffSmith]

Well oscillating multi tool actually…

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Compared to an angle grinder, it's more manageable in tight situations, generates a lot less heat and no sparks.

[Tuga2112]

why not a dremel instead ?

[Megwenda]

why not a dremel instead ?

Well, as Geoff says,

Compared to an angle grinder, it's more manageable in tight situations, generates a lot less heat and no sparks.

And a Dremel is in that sense also an angle grinder.

I have a similar tool (the fein multimaster tool, from which the Bosch etc are copied), and use both it and the Dremel regularly, but each has its strengths and its weaknesses.

[HJ2]

Fein rules!

[epipete]

Ok, so how does it work? I assume it oscillates from side to side in a small arc and effectively saws through whatever you are cutting.

How much vibration is there, and is it maneagable, ie what is the risk of slipping and cutting a big hole in your fibreglass?

[Megwenda]

Yup, moves at very high speed in a small arc.... but does more than just cut as there a a wide range of attatchments

Very manageble, virtually no vibration, and no kickback.

I have the Fein here in Switzerland for general use, but also have a bosch one at my holiday cottage in Ireland which I use for the odd job... The Fein is better, but also much more expensive... worth it if you are doing a lot of hard work with it

There is also a Dremel version if you want to stick to one maker, but I have no exoerience with it.

Some info found HERE, and a comparison HERE

[epipete]

Interesting, my conservatory is made of wood and I noticed some early rot, I wonder if this might be the tool I need for cutting it out!

[Tuga2112]

my dremel set (from maplins) came with an extention cord, i find it very handy to grind tricky places (like recently rusted screws that old the weather seal) and as far as vibration is concerned i find it perfectly manageable, can you give me a couple of examples where this would be considerably more suited than the dremel ?

Im keeping an eye on tools at the moment as i have found out that some of the tools that i never had any interest in buying (like the dremel) turned to be extremely usefull, thats why im wondering if this is one of those, or more of a tool that is only ideal in a very specific scenario

Well, as Geoff says,

Compared to an angle grinder, it's more manageable in tight situations, generates a lot less heat and no sparks.

And a Dremel is in that sense also an angle grinder.

I use the small cutting discs on the dremel, am i doing it all wrong ?

[epipete]

I'd suggest the chief advantage would be that you can 'attack' the job from a better angle, oh, and you're not forever changing broken cutting disks.

[Brit-Car-Nut]

With the Multimaster, the movement of the blade is almost imperceivable but it cuts, sands and grinds extremely well.

Pete - it is great for surgically cutting out sections of damaged or rotted wood and is amazing at cutting drywall or sheetrock. You can have a helper hold up a thin board to use as a fence and it just buzzes through with absolutely minimal dust blowing around. There are a lot of different blades available for ripping, plunging, grinding and sanding.

In the US there are at least 5 different companies selling something similar but the Fein is still the best. The cheapest copy is available from Harbor Freight for around $19.00.

They have cutting blades for almost any material and like the picture Geoff provided, it cuts small bolts very well without having a blade or disk getting hung up on other bits.

For a review and to see it used look here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l018VOrD7as

I have a Fein and a pile of blades and a couple of the Harbor Freight ones for crappy jobs or friends to borrow.

[Jeemy]

Also great with a wide flat blade to take off old underseal/gunge.

[lotos]

I had the Harbor Freight one but it broke on me within a week. Then I bought the Makita cordless that goes with my LXT tool set and really like it.

I used it last week to reshape the back of my bookcases to go around the baseboard so they fit snugly against the wall. Went through the wood like butter.

[Ian T]

Looks like you have the battery version Geoff, mine must be older. I bought mine for lifting floorboards and cutting out plaster before sinking the metal back boxes into the walls for mains sockets etc.

Quite simply one of the best power tools I ever bought - Bosch PMF 180 E

[Ade]

I have one of these also, but just a cheap version. Don,t know how I managed without one.

Ade