Corded multi tool recommendations

[sx_turbo]

Hi,

I'm looking for a decent multi tool I don't really have a set budget but no more than £150.

I don't want to spend this much if I don't have to, but I want to get something decent.

I borrowed my dad's Bosch green one and it worked well, but it was horrendously loud and the vibrations were awful, my hands and arms were numb for hours after, it wasn't very pleasant.

[Argyll]

Seems like a good punt

https://www.diy.com/departments/stanley ... 9ac1ecd361

Originally posted by Boxedin

[sx_turbo]

Does anyone own this on here, there not many reviews about it. But I assume it's pretty much the same as the equivalent DeWalt.

The DeWalt sanding adaptor (which will be its first job) people complain about it not lasting more than a couple of sanding pads, is this true or have people not been using them correctly?

[arco_iris]

If you mean the 80mm (velcro hook) triangular pad, I've not yet found one that lasts forever, BUT, I suspect it is down to the way they are used..... have had more success since I stopped using so much pressure and let the tool, and oscillations, do the work. It also pays to use the right grit sheets, according to what you are doing.

For instance, an 80 grit used lightly at low speed simply leaves a load of circular grooves which is not what you want, but I'm still learning.

[sx_turbo]

Actually just tried to purchase the Stanley tool thinking if the sanding pad does fail It be under warranty, unfortunately not available for delivery and not in stock at any branches near me.

[Job and Knock]

I borrowed my dad's Bosch green one and it worked well, but it was horrendously loud and the vibrations were awful, my hands and arms were numb for hours after, it wasn't very pleasant.

I hav a Fein corded (my second) and a Makita cordless whilst a colleague has the DW and the firm has Bosch blue cordeds.... Unfortunately they are all the same, noisy and generating lots of vibration, making ear plugs or defenders de rigeur. Check the HAVS (hand arm vibration) figures on the manufacturers web sites - I know that we have a daily limit of about 4 hours of use for plunge sawing based on the HSE HAVS spreadsheet

[boxedin]

Hello SX turbo

The fatmax offer was a week or so back they tend to only have one or two per store and the disappear off the shelf quickly.

Somethings to consider if you haven't already

Have you done an analysis of your needs short medium and long term for example do you need to do plunge cutting in timber or plasterboard or is it sanding or grout removal, or scraping tile adhesive off, how big is the job and how much are you going to use it

You say you have a budget of £150 but if you do buy one you need to cost for consumables as well eg blades and sanding pads, dust extraction, and ppe

What model was your dads bosch and did it have the starlock system for quick blade release can you continue to borrow his or buy one between you to share

I think most of these tools will vibrate and that will cause problems when using them for long periods of time. so breaks are necessary when using them if the tool is old and or past its best then it may vibrate a lot too

It its for sanding in the short term it may be better to getting a detail sander to get into those awkward corners and getting a couple of packs of abrasives
only £12.99 if it conks out you take it back as its a 3 yr warranty (keep the receipt)
eg https://www.lidl.co.uk/en/MiddleofLidl. ... leId=20843


If you aren't in a trade doing plunge cuts all day then it may be better to go for cheap and cheerful machine and spend more money on consumables eg good quality sandpaper and blades. Mine cost £10 on offer from aldi as I haven't an immediate need for one. Generally am happy with parkside from lidl for domestic use

To me these tools seem to excel in cutting in tight spaces, flush cuts, scraping etc and the like rather than as sanding machines as the handle limits how close you can get in and how much pressure you can apply in any case if you don't have a shop vac attached someone is going to be clearing dust off of every surface which will take longer than the job

[Job and Knock]

To me these tools seem to excel in cutting in tight spaces.....

Yep, like grout removal. As you say, though, the consumables can/will cost way more than the tool over a relatively short period

[sx_turbo]

Cheers guys.

I obviously do expect vibrations and noise, but my dad's Bosch was really quite bad. Can't remember the model think it was the 200 corded one want star lock and had the Allen key and washer setup for tool changes which was quite annoying.

The jobs I have in store for it is

Sand paintwork in hall stairs landing and lounge.

Regrout bathroom

Cut sockets in plasterboard walls

Cut floor boards

Cut a ton of MDF to reinstate boarded up garage door.

Plan to build a shed/summer house

Moving a kitchen cupboard and modifying to suit, and will include lifting up a couple of floor tiles.

This tool is not gonna be the sole tool used for some of these jobs, it is just a list of jobs that I envisage using this tool on.

[dewaltdisney]

They are all noisy, it is definitely a tool you use ear protection with. Here is a good link for blades https://www.saxtonblades.co.uk/ also keep and eye out on Lidl and Aldi who have blades quite cheap from time to time. Okay not the best but they do the job and not so bad if you have to sacrifice a blade on a job.

DWD

[sammy.se]

I have a cheaper one from machine mart, it does the job ok. They are all very similar.

I also use parkside/lidl blades, but my most recent set came apart at the spot welds, in light duty plunge cuts into wood.

So i might try and find other good value blades.

Don't underestimate how many blades you will go through. I would probably buy a mid range tool and save the money for blades.

GallerySammy.com

[Bob225]

+1 for saxton blades, I have yet to find a detail sander with decent hook and loop

For what its worth I have had a Bosch PMF180 for years

This is its nearest equivalent

https://www.ffx.co.uk/tools/product/Bos ... utter-300W

The Makita alternative

https://www.ffx.co.uk/tools/product/Dew ... ak-37-Accs

also have a look here

https://www.toolstop.co.uk/power-tools/ ... ulti-tools

FFX and toolstop are good suppliers , never had a issue with either of them

[sx_turbo]

So the concensus is get a middle of road tool, the expensive tools don't offer a great deal over the cheaper alternatives and buy plenty of accessories.

Cheers guys.

[ahfix]

I agree, middle of the road will be more than enough for DIY. They are great tools to have on hand for fiddly jobs but I don't get punished. I think I use my Bosch (green) a few times a year and only as I say for a fiddly part of a larger job.

Spend the rest of the cash on a good 18v circular saw ... something that will get a lot more use

ah

[OchAye]

I would not buy one of those with sanding in mind. I have a Green Bosch multi tool too and use it for cutting etc. For sanding I would rather use a small detail/palm sander, for exxample https://www.bosch-do-it.com/gb/en/diy/t ... 199909.jsp (I have an older version of the 3rd on the list). It does what it says on the tin if you use Bosch papers (esp. some white ones for sanding paint). With papers from Lidl etc it is a waste of electricity.

The only possible disadvantage with a detail/palm sander is the height, you will need some more clearance above whatever you are sanding.