chicago electric oscillating multifunction power tool review manufacturers

Chicago Electric Power Tools are only available from Harbor Freight. Harbor Freight has a reputation for supplying value-oriented tools at bargain basement prices. While primarily a mail order/catalogue company, Harbor Freight also has physical locations. One of them happens to be within 15 minutes of my home, which is why I decided to stop off and purchase their new Chicago Electric Power Tools Multi-Function Tool. Now that the Fein MultiMaster patent expired, there are lots of new oscillating tools. The Chicago Electric Multi tool is possibly the cheapest model. This oscillating multi-tool was on sale for just $39.99, making it the absolute cheapest multi-tool in existence. We wanted to give it a go and see if its low retail price translated into extreme value, or extreme bust. This was also one of the tools in our corded oscillating multi-tool shootout comparison.

It’s no secret that the Harbor Freight version of the oscillating tool was destined to be generic… but this may have taken the term to a new level. The reddish-orange body of the tool is very squared off and feels awkward in the hand. It’s almost too big in terms of its girth, but stops just short of me calling it cumbersome. The power cord that comes with the tool is about 6 feet in length, making it one of the shortest we’ve seen in these tools and all but certain to make you utilize an extension cord on every job. An oversized orange slide-switch controls the power for the tool and it felt good under our thumb.

As we surveyed the silver flake painted die-cast aluminum housing surrounding the motor structure, we spied something inside we hadn’t seen in the other tools – white plastic or nylon. Ugh. Put plastic motor parts with a 90 day warranty and we’re pretty sure that’s going to be a recipe for trouble. The tool itself runs at 11,000 opm (oscillations per minute) and there is no adjustment for speed. Having no adjustment isn’t such a big deal except that the tool operates at only halfthe speed where most other oscillating tools can go. Ordinarily that would mean slower cutting. Those looking for maximum speed may consider this to position this tool as a sanding device and make it less “useful” for serious cutting.

We used the Multi-Function Tool on a number of projects, each with varying degrees of success. The end result is that the tool will get the job done, and get it done quickly. The accessory included with the tool, while cheap seemed to cut quickly (though we were scared it would fold over at any minute). The blade is cheap and will need more frequent replacement, but at the prices they are available for online ($5.99 ea), this isn’t a terribly bad thing. The tool, it turns out, is actually quite good for sanding and cutting into hardwood. Overall the tool simply feels a bit unrefined and is more cumbersome to use than many other multi-tools. The constant fear of losing the accessory during use remained on the top of our list.

Harbor Freight has presented a truly entry-level option with the Chicago Electric Tools Multi-Function Tool. As inexpensive as it is (we picked up ours for less than $40) anyone intending to use the tool on multiple projects might want to look into spending a little more on alternatives from Dremel Multi-Max ($99) or Craftsman Nextec Multi-Tool ($99). While we’ll stop short of telling you to run for your life before using this tool, it certainly doesn’t present itself as something we’d really enjoy using on a daily basis. We also don’t feel that it will hold up well over time given the quality of the visible components we observed. The accessory slippage is extremely frustrating and will leave you questioning the stability of the tool every time you use it, though when it cuts – it cuts fast. If you need something quick, want to spend as little as possible and don’t intend on using it often this might be your tool. For everyone else, check out the excellent options now available on the market.

chicago electric oscillating multifunction power tool review manufacturers

Before we dive into the nuts and bolts of the Harbor Freight oscillating tool performance, let’s take a quick tour of the main features. Oscillating multi-tools, in general, aren’t feature-rich, so this short list isn’t a surprise or a disappointment.

Nobody has come up with a truly quiet multitool yet, which would actually be a pretty big task. Just by virtue of how these tools operate, we expect a lot of loud chatter. However, some models make a good bit more noise than others, and the Harbor Freight Oscillating Tool is one of the worst offenders. Measured at the ear, Chicago Electric generates 102 dB(A) while cutting in an open field. It’ll be louder inside where the noise can resonate.

Here’s the thing: we recognize that there’s a big niche in the market for DIY/Homeowner grade tools. A $40 Chicago Electric Oscillating Tool won’t beat up your pocketbook too badly, and if you don’t intend to use a multitool too heavily, something like this might work for you. Of course, that statement assumes that you don’t mind some exceedingly slow cut times, questionable build quality, a miserable blade change system, a ton of vibration, and a warranty that inspires zero confidence.

chicago electric oscillating multifunction power tool review manufacturers

How much better is a high end tool compared to a low end?I had an opportunity to compare three oscillating tools side by side. I owned a Bosch tool since about 3-4 years, it served me very well. I bought a Festool Vecturo about half a year ago because I had an application which required a plunge base for very accurate cuts. Finally, I bought a Harbor Freight tool as a sacrificial tool to do some drywall work over the head (I did not want to get drywall dust into my better tools). Hence, so it happened that I ended up with three tools which cover the whole spectrum, from about $15 on the low end to almost $600 on the high end. I was very tempted to try them side by side to understand if the difference is at least remotely similar to the difference in price.The key to such test is to use the same blade on all tools. I had a “Japan tooth” saw blade (the one with relatively large teeth) which was compatible with Harbor Freight and Bosch tools. This is an appropriate blade to cut wood. I used a Fein adapter to install the same blade on Festool. The task was to cut through a half inch plywood (make a plunge cut). Both, my 10 year old son and I took turns making cuts. We measured the time to accomplish this goal for every tool.The parameters of the three tools compared were: (1) Chicago Electric (Harbor Freight) Item # 62279, fixed speed, 1.6 Amps, 21,000 rpm, 180 Watts, oscillation angle unknown, made in China ($14.99 at Harbor Freight on sale, $30 on Amazon at the time of this writing). (2) Bosch MX30EK-33 Multi-X, 3 Amps, 8,000-20,000 oscillations, 2.4 degree oscillation angle, made in Switzerland ($249), 3) Festool Vecturo Set , 400 Watts, up to 18,500 oscillations, 4 degree oscillation angle, made in Germany ($595).The first test was how the tools feel in hand. Chicago Electric was the lightest, the fit was nice, non-slippery, comfortable to hold. Five stars. Bosch was noticeably heavier, non-slippery handle, feels a little on the large side, but it worked fine for me and surprisingly my 10-year old son felt comfortable holding it, too. Hence, 4.5 stars. Festool felt a little weird in comparison, it lacks non-slippery surface to hold on to, and it is much longer than the other two tools because of a plug-in power cord (which I think is totally useless without dust extraction) – but despite all this, it does not slide in your hand and works fine. I always struggle a little finding the best spot to hold it. 4 stars.The second test was how easy was to install the blade. Chicago Electric was a chore, one has to use a metric Allen wrench to tighten the bolt which holds the blade in place. 3 stars. Bosch was by far the best, with quick release star-lock mechanism. It is just plug and play. 5 stars. Festool had very hard lever which one has to flip (my son was unable to do it at all), and a couple of parts which should be removed (and can be lost in the process). Quite uncomfortable, not much superior to Chicago Electric, 3.5 stars.The third test was turning on the tool. It may sound like a ridiculous test, but the power switch on Chicago Electric is so hard that my son could barely turn the tool on. For me, it was also a problem. 3 stars. Bosch was on second place, the switch was perfectly manageable, 4.5 stars, Festool was the most user-friendly when it comes to turning on, 5 stars.Now, to the cutting part! The first tool was Chicago Electric. Cutting through plywood was a struggle. It took me 35 seconds to make a plunge cut, while my son accomplished the same task in 33 seconds. This tool has a fixed speed. The other two tools have variable speed, and we set both tools to the max oscillation frequency. According to the tool specs, it got us roughly in the same ballpark. Bosch, with the same blade, was cutting amazingly faster. Both my son and I cut through half inch plywood, with the same blade, in 6 seconds. The difference was amazing, we expected that Chicago Electric may be worse, but not that hugely worse. Well, Festool has beaten that record easily. I accomplished the same plywood plunge cut (again, with the same blade) in 3.5 seconds, while my son completed the cut in 4 seconds. Just for the fun of it, at the end we installed on Festool it’s own (longer) plunge blade, and that one cut through the same plywood in astonishing 1.5 seconds! Wow! What a difference! From 35 seconds to 1.5 seconds!Hence, Chicago Electric ranks as 1 star (can barely do the job), Bosch rates at 4 stars ( adequate), and Festool ranks at 5 stars (superior cut speed). I think the reasons for this huge difference are two: power and oscillation angle. Festool has both the highest power and the largest angle of oscillation. Frequency of oscillations does not seem to have a decisive impact because all three tools in the test ran at similar RPMs: Chicago Electric has the highest frequency (21,000), followed by Bosch (20,000), and Festool was the lowest (18,000) – and yet it cuts faster.Quality: Chicago Electric is by far the worse. It is a low end, low cost China in all respects, from quality to look to feel to even packaging. The tool which we used was actually the second we got, the first one had to be replaced because the power switch did not work properly. Both Bosch and Festool are built very nicely. Both come in plastic cases, but Festool Systainer is clearly another step up over Bosch (albeit Bosch case is more compact and is a better thought-through for the use with this tool).Accessories: Bosch comes in a kit with a variety of blades. Festool’s kit does not include blades, but includes a plunge base which is a great attachment for making controlled precise cuts. In my opinion, the only version of Festool which is worth purchasing is the set with the plunge base. Bosch has a small advantage that it also comes with sanding pads (which are not all that useful, except in tight spots).None has dust extraction. All are pretty noisy.Overall rating: Festool came first in terms of performance. It cuts amazingly fast. Bosch has the best quality and performance to price ratio. It does not cut as fast as Festool, but it does a solid job. I decided to rate both Festool and Bosch five stars. Each has its disadvantages and advantages, none is perfect, but both are great performers. When it comes to cutting fast, Festool is the best in this test by a factor of two. When it comes to value for the money, Bosch is a little ahead. Chicago Electric… well… after the test, I told my son that he can take it apart to see what is inside and after that throw it into the dumpster – which is where it belongs. Chicago Electric is an incredibly inexpensive tool which can (sort of) do the job if it is bought just for a single task, in which cost is paramount but time is not critical. It works, but as a tool, meaning as a tool to do jobs over and over again, it is a joke. It is poorly made, and it barely cuts. You get what you paid for. I think it is better to spend more to buy a TOOL, not a joke.

chicago electric oscillating multifunction power tool review manufacturers

Why buy several power tools when this one can tackle many jobs all by itself? This easily affordable multi-function tool from Chicago Electric works at 21,000 oscillations per minute to put some real power into the tough jobs, and it"s easy to switch the attachments depending on the task at hand. The multi-tool cuts through cable, air ducts, downspouts, plasterboard and pipes...sands down cement, concrete, stone, plaster, tile adhesive, paint and wood...even saws through wood up to 2" thick! A multi-use tool like this is perfect for remodeling and repair jobs, as well as hobbies, tile, car repairs, even scraping freshly painted windows or old floor coverings.

chicago electric oscillating multifunction power tool review manufacturers

I love posts by someone who has never used the tool. I have used many oscillating tools and the HF one is awesome and the single speed can be found on sale for $29 with attachments. “*may* be better than no multi-tool at all”…what arrogance!

BUT, I obviously am biased against cheap tools. Inexpensive tools are fine by me, which is how I often describe cheap tools that have proven their quality. Some people treat these Chicago Electric tools as disposable – one breaks down and they purchase another or trade in the bad one for a replacement.

In terms of why I said a cheap multi-tool *may* be better than none, I have seen where bad quality or badly designed tools and equipment made a situation far worse than if an alternative tool or even a hand tool were used instead.

I re-read the comments from the original post and didn’t come to the conclusion you did at all. The one review that didn’t like the tool hasn’t tried one. Most of those that did liked it a lot, and a few commenters had some concern about the longevity of the blades and attachments. Even you threw out a faith-based review, stating that you “believe that the major brands produce far superior offerings”. Come on, try one and see how it holds up first before you make a statement like that!