Difference between revisions of "Oscillating tools"
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* Cutting floorboards prior to lifting - precise neat cuts can be plunged into a board directly above a joist with no risk to pipes or cables under the floor. | * Cutting floorboards prior to lifting - precise neat cuts can be plunged into a board directly above a joist with no risk to pipes or cables under the floor. | ||
− | * Flush cutting; many of the blades include an offset | + | * Flush cutting; many of the blades include an offset or "crank" that enables them to cut flush with a surface. This is ideal for cropping pipes against a wall, or undercutting a door frame to allow a wood floor to slide under the jamb. Undercutting skirting. |
* Cutting objects, such as pipework, in confined spaces e.g. cutting copper pipe where there is insufficient access for a pipeslice, hacksaw, sabre saw etc: one can even cut a section out of a damaged pipe in an excavated chase. | * Cutting objects, such as pipework, in confined spaces e.g. cutting copper pipe where there is insufficient access for a pipeslice, hacksaw, sabre saw etc: one can even cut a section out of a damaged pipe in an excavated chase. | ||
* Cutting grout out from between ceramic wall tiles (either using a grit-edged blade or an old wood or metal blade) to pry away a single tile (or small group of tiles) for access or repair. | * Cutting grout out from between ceramic wall tiles (either using a grit-edged blade or an old wood or metal blade) to pry away a single tile (or small group of tiles) for access or repair. |
Revision as of 13:11, 15 July 2011
Introduction
The oscillating tool, is a concept that was originally made popular by the German manufacturer Fein with their Multimaster range of tools. In recent years, a number of similar tools based on the multimaster concept have become available. This article serves not only as a FAQ for this particular class of tool, it also documents the level of interoperability between the blades and accessories for the various makes.
What is it?
Its a small versatile tool designed to perform a wide range of tasks. They can be used for cutting, sanding, rasping, polishing, scraping and a number of other tasks. They make very effective tools for performing awkward cutting operations that are almost impossible with any other tool.
Most tools on the market are mains-operated but Bosch also make a cordless (Li-Ion powered) model.
How does it work?
An oscillating tool, looks a little reminiscent of a detail sander, and in fact they do make very good detail sanders. However that is where the similarity ends. Rather than having a fixed sanding pad that orbits, they have a tool attachment post. The various tools are then firmly bolted or clipped to the post. When running, the tool post rotates a very small amount in alternate directions, at a very high frequency (typically 20,000 oscillations per minute).
Its this oscillation that does the actual work. The end of a saw blade for example will swing back and fourth by a couple of millimetres. With its fine teeth, this is enough to cut any rigidly held material it comes into contact with. An abrasive will similarly work back and forth over a surface.
What can it do?
One of the unique abilities of this type of tool is the way in which it can cut. Equipped with the appropriate blade it can simply plunge into the surface of the material that is being cut, without touching or damaging anything adjacent to the thing being cut. Unlike for example plunge cutting with a chisel, the cut has a very fine kerf. This makes it ideal for a number of jobs:
- Cutting floorboards prior to lifting - precise neat cuts can be plunged into a board directly above a joist with no risk to pipes or cables under the floor.
- Flush cutting; many of the blades include an offset or "crank" that enables them to cut flush with a surface. This is ideal for cropping pipes against a wall, or undercutting a door frame to allow a wood floor to slide under the jamb. Undercutting skirting.
- Cutting objects, such as pipework, in confined spaces e.g. cutting copper pipe where there is insufficient access for a pipeslice, hacksaw, sabre saw etc: one can even cut a section out of a damaged pipe in an excavated chase.
- Cutting grout out from between ceramic wall tiles (either using a grit-edged blade or an old wood or metal blade) to pry away a single tile (or small group of tiles) for access or repair.
- Sanding, scraping, polishing etc
- Rasping - a carbide rasp will quickly eat through rotten wood, tile glue residue, old putty etc.
Who will find a use for one?
Anyone doing general DIY, Handymen, Tilers, Glazers, Plumbers, Electricians.
Safety
Multitools are one of the safer power tools to use. When fitted with a blade, they have a unique ability to not cut human flesh even if deliberately applied to the skin, this is because the skin simply tends to vibrate and move with the blade rather than being abraded against it. (For this reason, surgical tools that use the same cutting technique are often used as bone saws, and also for more mundane jobs like removing plaster casts).
When sanding, one must still take adequate protection from the dust.
Ear protection is also advised for prolonged use, since they produce a fairly loud noise with much of the sound concentrated into a narrow frequency band that quickly dulls the hearing.
The Tools
Tool Interchangeability
One of the disadvantages of oscillating tools is the cost of the blades, combined with the fact they are easily damaged if not treated with care (attempting to plunge a wood blade against a nail or masonry for example will very quickly reduce it to something that ceases cutting wood and attempts to burn its way though!
The rise in availability of similar tools however has meant that blade prices have fallen, and there there are new sources of blades. Hence the question arises regarding blade interchangeability.
Most brands produce the basic plunge cutting and scraping blades. Many also have the carbide blades. However Fein still produce the widest range of blades with some very specialist blades as well as the more run of the mill ones.
Initial reports seem to suggest that blade quality is generally good, regardless of the source.