Multi Master/Cutter/Tool

This blog post is about something that I know very little about, namely power tools. That said, I have had a lot of work undertaken on my house recently and, as a result, I have decided that I need to invest in some tools of my own. To that effect I have been looking at some multi purpose electric tools, i.e. multi function tools.

The tools in question go under a number of different names depending on the manufacturer. The brand leader is a company called Fein and their product is the Multimaster, but the likes of Bosch (with their Multi cutter) and Matika, Worx and others all have a similar product.

My problem is of course the classic one of trying to determine which is best based on very little practical experience. I know that the professional tools (e.g. in the case of Bosch blue bodies versus green bodies) are superior, but other than that I have nothing but reviews and customer feedback to go on.

All of the multi tools seem to offer the same oscillating technology with similar accessories and all claim to be the best.

What there is of course is a big variation in price between different models. The Fein and top Bosch model come in at a minimum of double the price of their competitors which naturally begs the question are they twice as good. Most of the reviews seem to suggest that the answer is a definite yes.

Then there is the question of which is best between Bosch and Fein. Fein invented and patented the multi tool product and they had exclusivity over it until quite recently. However the Bosch 300 model seems to do everything that the much heavier Fein does and it has a couple of extra little features.

Accessories supplied with these things is the next thing to evaluate. With the top set Fein seem to include more and have a superior case. Both can, with the use of an adaptor, take the accessories from the other manufacturer and several other companies also manufacture compatible accessories. All in all it is a difficult decision to make.

Here are links to Youtube promos for each machine – (Fein) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maQ5cq1cHac and
(Bosch) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qghHQ_5Ezk.

If anyone has either of these tools and has a recommendation, please stick it in the comments box.