Cordless Multi Master from Fein Now Even MORE Useful Independent Review by Peter Brett
Readers will know that I have a very great respect for the Fein MultiMaster range of oscillating tools. These tools do jobs that other power tools simply aren’t built to do and perform these functions in a way that is completely unique. However, due to time expired patents, Fein has had to face increasing competition from a variety of sources. Some of these are from serious contenders, while others are merely copycats. But, in my view, Fein still has the edge – after all you don’t spend years developing a fine (pun intended) product just to fall at the first sign of competition.
The newest innovation to hit the Multi Master market has been made possible
by the development of Lithium Ion battery packs. These battery packs are light, powerful and have excellent charging and discharging characteristics and are therefore possible to fit into smaller and lighter power tools that can almost match the power of corded tools. So welcome the cordless Multi Master – a very good idea if ever I saw one. As is usual with most Fein tools, the case is almost a masterpiece of design in
itself. It conforms to a standard shape and size that means cases from various Fein tools can be linked together and stacked for easy movement. The key is the charcoal-coloured polystyrene moulded interior that is custom fitted to each tool. This holds the tools and accessories firmly and is generously sized enough to hold cords etc in such a way that you don’t have to be completely tidy with them when packing them away. The Multi Master itself is a very familiar shape for anyone with an experience of
these tools. There is the same barrel shaped ABS body, the sliding on/off switch, a little bit of grippy rubber overmould and an oscillation speed selection dial. On the front there is the usual well-made alloy gearcase with the patented quick release mechanism that allows tooling changes to be made in seconds, on top of it. But of course the big difference is at the other end where a set of “rails” on the
end of the body allows the 14.4 volt Li Ion battery pack to be slid on and locked into place. These batteries are high quality and long lasting, as indicated by the fact that they are 3.0Ah capacity rated. With two batteries and a fast diagnostic charger in the kit it is only through forgetfulness that you might run out of power! The battery pack
is quite a lot lighter than I anticipated so the bulk of the weight of the tool is concentrated round the front end where it is necessary to apply the inertia needed to counter the oscillating action. I have always found that Fein has managed to get the balance about right between weight and handling, and the same is true with this cordless machine. Any lighter and it might bounce around in the cut, any heavier and it might be hard to use for extended periods.
Many readers will be
familiar with the range of specialized and “ordinary” tasks for which the Multi Master range is justly famous. Some of the tasks I still think are miraculous and unique to oscillating tools can be achieved by fitting the range of saw blades. The wider wood only blade can be plunged
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(with a little practice) into wood, MDF etc to create holes for taps, pipes, electrical conduits and so on. It can also be used (my favourite this) to cut away doorstop and skirting in situ when fitting carpets and laminate floors. The Fein makes such jobs so easy and quick that if you were a professional fitter it would be a no-brainer to buy one because of the huge amount of time that could be saved. The much narrower wood and metal blade has finer teeth and will do the same
sort of thing as the wood blade. I have used it to cut pipes flush with the wall for example, where reaching them with a hacksaw has just about been impossible. A semi-circular blade is a more general-purpose solution for cutting along lines or apertures but is just as efficient. In common with all the accessories, the blades/cutters etc can be positioned in a multitude of ways because the fixing system has an eight- pronged star shape that can be adjusted for optimum positioning before tightening. I have also used
the scraper for any number of jobs from scraping paint to getting old tile adhesive off bathroom walls. This time it was a great help removing the bitumen based
adhesive from a concrete floor before I replaced the oak floor damaged by my leaking boiler. Some users might find the carbide faced delta and semi-circle cutter/sander
accessories literally a bit rough, but they are very efficient for certain tasks like removing old grout or adhesive from between tiles. I found the carbide delta sander amazingly quick at removing about twenty layers of paint from a few window-sills I was renovating. And the delta shape was perfect for getting into corners where ordinary sanding machines just can’t go. The delta sanding pad is foam backed with a very efficient hook and loop
system for attaching the sanding sheets. In my experience, the Fein delta sheets last a long time and are pretty good at resisting clogging. They are perfect for sanding small, difficult-to-get-at areas. My biggest success with these has been sanding the spindles on a staircase that were again coated with umpteen years worth of paint layers. I suppose the biggest judgement call with the cordless Multi Master is how it
compares with the corded version. I guess the corded version may still have the edge with outright power, but the cordless tool has enough oomph and also has a number of significant advantages. It can be used independent of immediate access to an electrical outlet so could be great on a building site or on a boat for example. In my ideal world I would have both, but then I like Multi Masters…
Reply No. 216
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