Draper Oscillating Multi-Tool Kit Versatile Performance


Independent Review by Peter Brett


The explosion of new multi tools on the market due to the expiry of the oscillating action patent has meant that we consumers have ended up with a huge choice of oscillating tools at a wide variety of price points. Great news, especially since oscillating tools can do so many jobs so well that they can effectively take the place of a delta sander, a plunge saw and grout removing tools. With a bit of skill and imagination, they can do a lot more too.


However, when I opened the box


from Draper, I was pleased to note that Draper has chosen to go more upmarket with its multi-tool since it is obvious that it is well made from quality materials. It is not a one-minute- wonder plastic-only tool meant for limited usage and priced accordingly. The head of the tool that holds the


all-important oscillating action is made from a well-finished alloy casting. This is screwed firmly via four screws to a Draper Blue ABS body that is slimline enough for easy handling but is clearly robust. There are a couple of strips of rubberized overmould that meet round the slider on/off switch on top of the body. They are subtly shaped and minimal, but do provide good grip at whatever angle you have to use the tool.


Apart from the on/off switch, the


only other control is the speed control switch at the cord end of the body. This is marked with six positions that allow the speed of oscillations to be varied from 15,000 to 21,000 orbits per minute. The good quality cable supplied is about 1.8 metres long, so is long enough for odd jobs in the workshop. For many dust producing


jobs, it would be advisable to connect it to a vacuum extractor anyway. Accessories supplied with the tool


will allow users to start using the full potential of the machine straight out of the box. Included are a steel scraper blade (I have found it one of the most useful of all) a semi-circular combi blade that will cut light metals, plastics and woods, a plunge cutting blade for wood, a delta sander platen with a small variety of hook-and-loop sanding sheets and a removable dust extraction kit.


The blades and cutters can all be


fitted and removed by simply using the hex key supplied to unscrew the bolt on the oscillating head. When fitting the cutters etc on the head it is possible to use a wide variety of positions for them to suit the angle of attack you need for the job in hand. For example, it is possible to set the straight saw blade at right angles to the oscillating head to avoid the motor body from interfering with the wall should you be cutting right up into a confined space. Since the oscillating angle of


movement is only about 1.5 degrees, it is possible to plunge cut very accurately into worktops for example, without having to worry about making the cut any bigger than it needs to be. As I mentioned before, I have found


the scraper blade to be a very useful one for scraping off loose paint, wallpaper and even the bitumen from a flat roof I was refelting. Used with care, it can also be used to remove grout from between tiles. For this test I managed to clean up the loose paint from a few external window sills before resanding and repainting, and once again I was reminded of just how unique the oscillating action is and how useful it can be. The delta sander is a


good size and well designed for fitting into tight corners, so it is ideal for small sanding jobs like window sills! There are three perforations right through the platen that coincide with the holes in the sanding sheets supplied. When sanding it is


clearly advisable to fit the extraction kit. This takes, literally, only a minute or two to do, but it forms a tight shroud up against the back of the sander platen. A single clip holds the rear of the extraction kit to the ribs of the cooling vents on the motor. A well-designed adaptor


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slides over the end of the extractor pipe and it clicks into place. This adaptor is designed to fit into a standard vacuum extractor hose, and will also revolve with the movement of the tool at whatever angle you need it to.


With my small hands, the only


downside to the extraction system was that it made the underside of the motor body a bit fatter so I did need to use two hands to handle the tool at some angles. However, dust safety is a much higher priority than my hands, so I certainly would not leave the extractor unfitted. I am already a convert to using


oscillating tools so all I really needed to do was to test the qualities of this particular version. As I have already noted, I think Draper has made a good decision to go upmarket with the design and manufacture of this tool. It worked extremely well in all of the


cutting and sanding tasks that I tried. The feel and handling of it is very good at all angles I used it at, helped by the rubber overmould. One of the unavoidable faults of a


high-speed electric motor is the shrillness of it, especially at highest revs. However, this machine was certainly not the worst I have come across and the vibration was kept well under control bearing in mind it is supposed to be an oscillating machine. The full kit is great value for money


and it would seem to be robust enough to have a good service life. I think that it may even suit a gentle trade user who occasionally needs an oscillating tool and does not wish to splash out on the £200 or so that pro kits cost. I recommend that you have a close look at one, it may be just what you need for those Spring and Summer renovation jobs.


Reply No. 207


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