I bought one of these (a Fein, because they still had the patent active) a number of years ago.   I got it primarily because I was doing a lot of refinishing at the time and wanted something to sand out details and moldings.   Well, it turned out to not be so great at that, so it's mostly sat in the tool bag,   Today, I was trimming off some dowels with my flush cut hand saw, going slowly and I had a bunch to do, so I dragged out.   Wow, I have to remember that more often.   

 

I guess I've always considered it really handy for a remodeler, trim carpenter, electrical rough-in, or a plumber, but not so much for a furniture maker like me

 

If you have one, what all do you find it useful and handy for?

 

 

( as an aside, an Oh Carp! moment this morning,   I went to swivel the dresser I'm working on and the side split at a weak point in the grain that I hadn't noticed.   I guess I should be grateful in happened in the raw and not after I'd installed drawers and finished and delivered the thing.   Glued the split and will add some pocket hole screws on the inside when the glue is dry.   Will use the OMT to trim the dowel plugs on them.)

Edited November 24, 20178 yr by Ron Dudelston
tags added

I was at Harbor Freight the other day and saw they have a bunch of different models of these tools. This would be a good reason to invest in one.

I bought one when the Fein was the only option, and like you mostly for detail sanding. I think I may have used it 4-5 times for that, and while it was OK...it wasn't great.  But for home remodeling it is one of the handiest things to have around. ince at the time I bought it we had just started a lot of renovating on the house we had, it more than earned it's keep. Particularly the flush cutting blades. For trimming door jambs (flooring) or cutting various things that otherwise would be done by hand it can't be beat (even thought the cost of Fein saw blades are a little harder to swallow). But in a woodworking shop? Not so much.

25 minutes ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

I bought one when the Fein was the only option, and like you mostly for detail sanding. I think I may have used it 4-5 times for that, and while it was OK...it wasn't great.  But for home remodeling it is one of the handiest things to have around. ince at the time I bought it we had just started a lot of renovating on the house we had, it more than earned it's keep. Particularly the flush cutting blades. For trimming door jambs (flooring) or cutting various things that otherwise would be done by hand it can't be beat (even thought the cost of Fein saw blades are a little harder to swallow). But in a woodworking shop? Not so much.

I agree with you guys, I bought a HF one to use for detail sanding , but it was too sever. but have used it to cut off toilet bolts that were rusted tight, and paid for itself right there. Also for flush cutting carpenter work. Wish I had one when I was in the trades. I did buy some Bosch blades for it, glad it takes universal blades. I am glad I have it for a go-to tool when I am remodeling.

Herb

1 hour ago, lew said:

I was at Harbor Freight the other day and saw they have a bunch of different models of these tools. This would be a good reason to invest in one.

if you don't mind the heat and numb hands...

go to the head of the class and get you the Fein or Bosch...

1 hour ago, kmealy said:

If you have one, what all do you find it useful and handy for?

removed my cast...

and a long list of other WW stuff...

3 hours ago, Stick486 said:

if you don't mind the heat and numb hands...

go to the head of the class and get you the Fein or Bosch...

Doesn't numb my hands sitting in the drawer waiting for a project ,sure cheaper than the Mercedes and Ferrari one.

4 hours ago, Stick486 said:

if you don't mind the heat and numb hands...

go to the head of the class and get you the Fein or Bosch...

I got one because it was on sale at Canadian Tire. (Kinda like your HF, I guess.) Handy as h**l for remodelling! Used it to cut a few strange angled holes in a deck re-build. But the d@mn thing heats up like a toaster after a minute or so, and the vibration is enough to put my hand to sleep! Currently looking for a good price so that I can follow Stick's advice.

John

I have the Rockwell version of this tool .Really handy for home repair work, but it hasn't seen much use  otherwise. I had to replace the sills in my shop a few years ago and it really  was a life saver for cutting off anchor nails.

Bought one of the H-F single speed models several years ago when I was doing a lot of remodel work on SIL/daughter's house....hoped it would make it through all the laminate floor install...even bought a back-up just in case...first one is still going strong...no heat build-up with it nor more vibration than others I've tried. Only used the back-up once so I wouldn't have to change blades on the other...

 

Undercut door jambs, trimmed/cut laminate, edged/cut tile, drywall, PVC & copper pipe, nails, bolts, screws...used it a few times as sander to sand paint of louvered doors...WW'ing not so much although good idea on the dowels Keith; have used it for a few cut-outs instead of jig saw.

 

I suppose if I was using one for a living on a daily basis I might consider a high end version, but for once-in-a-while use I can buy several H-F's for the price of a Fein and a few for the price of Bosch (sorry Stick)...If/when I buy another only thing I'll do different is get the VS version. Like Herb, I bought some Bosch blades; Big Orange had several in their close-out bay...too good a deal to pass up.

I heard to take an old credit card (preferably one without raised numbers like those we all get from AARP)  or business card and cut a hole in it the size of the dowel and use that as a shield when flush cutting.

Am currently using my HF version in doing some home remodeling.  Used it yesterday to cut a piece of sheetrock.  I used it with a diamond blade - wow, what a good quick job it made of it!

Cal

1 hour ago, kmealy said:

I heard to take an old credit card (preferably one without raised numbers like those we all get from AARP)  or business card and cut a hole in it the size of the dowel and use that as a shield when flush cutting.

DVD...

1 hour ago, Stick486 said:

DVD...

Not to be confused with BVD(s)

5 hours ago, kmealy said:

I heard to take an old credit card (preferably one without raised numbers like those we all get from AARP)  or business card and cut a hole in it the size of the dowel and use that as a shield when flush cutting.

 

So i guess it's a NO to the old credit cards with the metal plate on them like the old addressograph plates. 

WW: cutting larger square holes; used mine to cut holes for a multi receiver hitch storage unit.

Cutting Plexiglas, no melting.

Used a knife blade to slice a rubber brake line lengthwise, to make a blade cover.

 

Used the sanding head (hook and loop) with a scotch bright pad to clean up some glass casserole dishes, cleaner than a whistle.

7 hours ago, Wichman3 said:

WW: cutting larger square holes; used mine to cut holes for a multi receiver hitch storage unit.

Cutting Plexiglas, no melting.

Used a knife blade to slice a rubber brake line lengthwise, to make a blade cover.

 

Used the sanding head (hook and loop) with a scotch bright pad to clean up some glass casserole dishes, cleaner than a whistle.

 

Some good tips there!  What blade did you use to cut the plexi?

Cal

19 hours ago, Wichman3 said:

Used the sanding head (hook and loop) with a scotch bright pad to clean up some glass casserole dishes, cleaner than a whistle.

Gonna have to try that!

John

15 hours ago, clhyer said:

 

Some good tips there!  What blade did you use to cut the plexi?

Cal

I used the half-moon sawtooth blade. I clamped (spring clamps) a 2 x 4 to the plexi and used it as a guide.

 

On 2/17/2017 at 0:35 AM, Wichman3 said:

WW: cutting larger square holes; used mine to cut holes for a multi receiver hitch storage unit.

Cutting Plexiglas, no melting.

Used a knife blade to slice a rubber brake line lengthwise, to make a blade cover.

 

Used the sanding head (hook and loop) with a scotch bright pad to clean up some glass casserole dishes, cleaner than a whistle.

All great ideas...definitely give the plexi-glass tip a try...and the Scotch brite...that would work great for many gasket surfaces too; just need to contain the fibers;

Have some old garden hose I wanted to slice & use as an edge guard...knife blade trick should work there too.

Thanks!