The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Fein multimaster

I watched the Fein Multimaster infomercial.
Rockwell has a clone called the Sonicrafter. I think there's a Craftsman version too.

Anybody got one? Do you get a lot of use out of it?

The guys that installed our hardwood floor had one and used it a lot to trim pieces around doorways, etc.

I have one and find it to be very useful. I use it mostly for woodworking but started using it on my truck body panels. It is great for the small corners and odd places you cannot get into with other tools. The hook and loop sandpaper allows you to rotate the paper if you are mainly using just one corner and it last pretty well if you are only doing small areas like I described. There are some other attachments I have also found useful for other chores. It seemed expensive but the Fein stuff always is and it is always very good quality.

Chuck

I use a multimaster, for flush cutting. I often have to cut the backs out of marine cabinets, to create passage for mechanics,and systems. That way I can glue the same back in place, and the grain of course matches. I have made more money that way...

I don't generally sand with it though.

I have had one for quite a while and there some things that just don't hardly work without it. As for the company, they are the Cadillac. I use a Fein nibbler and grinder also. My wife's relatives in Germany do body work and that is the name over there. However theirs are made for 250 volt.

Yeah, I have to admit, I also have a fein shop vac. It is the best vacuum I have ever owned. Sometime ago, I decided to have fewer "nice" things, than lots of things.

Who doesn't like a 16 foot cord?

I have a Dremel Multi-Max version on the Fein.
The Dremel is $99. The tooless blade change Fein that you see on the infomercial is over $400.
I have read that there are complains about the tooless setup allowing some tool attachments to turn.
Changing the tools with an allen isn't that bad.
I haven't used my xmas gift that much, but it amazes me every time. You just can't think of any other tool that could have done the job as easily or as fast, or even if at all.

I too have a Fein. Unless I am doing it wrong, it is physically impossible to install any tool so that it could turn. It indexes on a coarse star shaped mandrel and cannot move.

Stuart

so do any of you have experience cutting sheet metal, preferably something over 18Ga thick.

I've been wondering how well it would do for me, but not curious enough to spend $400+/- to find out.

I have a Fein 18 gauge nibbler that I use to cut body sheet metal and I have a 10 gauge nibbler to cut heavier stuff but it is too clumsy for body work. If you are trying to just make straight cuts on sheet metal, we have several Kett 440s in my shop. I bought the first one retail. Since then I have bought several of them on eBay. They cut 14 gauge like crazy and go on eBay for a around 100. For 14 gauge you need the 440. http://www.kett-tool.com/product_details.php?product_model=KD-440