chicago electric multifunction power tool accessories free sample

Since last year, when the patent expired on the Fein MultiMaster oscillating tool, hordes of manufacturers have thrown in with their own brand of multi-tool to see if they might offer a better value, higher performance, or more helpful feature set. So which one is best? We didn’t know—so we got a hold of them all to test them out and see for ourselves. We compared the Fein MultiMaster ($399), cordless Bosch 12V PS50-2A Multi-X ($190), Rockwell SoniCrafter ($180), Dremel Multi-Max ($99), cordless Craftsman 12V Multi-Tool ($99), and even the generic Chicago Electric Power Tools Multitool ($39).

After reviewing these six multi-tools side-by-side (nearly all of the available products on the market in fact) we have drawn several helpful conclusions on which oscillating tools perform the best and which you might want to avoid. While no single tool can be declared the winner in all categories, we can definitely offer helpful suggestions as to which tools cater to your particular needs (and which probably do not). The areas of focus include build quality (ruggedness), ease of use, performance and value. We’ll examine each of these throughout this multi-tool comparison shoot-out.

Motor noise was remarkably varied. Our only slight concern was with the slight metallic ringing that was present in the Rockwell SoniCrafter and the Craftsman Nextec 12V Multi-Tool. We’re pretty certain this sound wasn’t bearing-related and was simply the ringing of the accessory blade, however it wasn’t as smooth as most of the others. The Chicago Tools product simply sounded like a vacuum cleaner, which we thought was funny but wasn’t of any particular concern with respect to its performance as we saw later.

Accessories ran the gamut for each of the tools, with some coming with tons and others opting for the minimalist approach – conceivably to reduce the overall cost of the tool. We quickly found, through repeated use and torture tests, that the accessories really make the tool. I’m not sure that manufacturers understand this, however. Since none of the tools really bogged down during our torture tests (pressure-treated lumber and old-growth heart pine boards) we quickly realized that the quality of the blade determined the cutting speed and overall satisfaction level of the tool in that area. Go figure. This made for some very funny (OK, so we have a weird sense of humor) results. We’ll talk more about cutting tests later.

Accessories also varied in both internal and external quality. By external we are referring to the use of either screen printing or laser etching on the surface of the blades. Dremel, Bosch (which more recent versions use the OIS Oscillating tool Interface System) and Craftsman all used laser etching and provided depth markings that didn’t scratch or rub off. Fein and Rockwell used some kind of screen printing that rubbed off just seconds after the blade was plunged into a piece of hardwood. The Chicago Tools blade, of course, looked like it had been stamped out of a piece of sheet metal, with no writing to be found anywhere (but of course it cut surprisingly well). Storage was also a concern and the tools ranged from having none (Chicago Tools) to sophisticated hard cases with multiple accessory storage compartments (Fein). For now, let’s examine the cases and accessories that come with each tool:

In terms of changing accessories, the Fein was again on top since it was the only oscillating multi-tool that offered tool-less accessory swapping. You didn’t have to worry about losing an Allen wrench or even a washer – the system was completely fool-proof. On the bottom of the pile we had the Chicago Tools Multi-Function tool which had a simple friction/washer system that felt any kind of detent or interlocking accessory would (apparently) be a waste of time… It was a nightmare to use and our first several times resulted in the accessory swinging loose after not much use. It inspired zero confidence and was a tragic mistake on the part of product development.

It surprised us that the Bosch and Dremel products didn’t share accessories – especially since they worked in such a similar manner (the diameter of the detents differ). In any case, the Fein, Dremel, Rockwell, and Craftsman are based upon proprietary accessories that don’t play well with others. Bosch provides a universal friction washer that allows the tool to use third party accessories (we tried it with several and it worked very well with no slippage). The Chicago Tools model is a plain washer system that apparently could work with nearly all accessories, but who in their right mind would buy accessories that typically cost almost as much as the tool itself when you can stick to the cheap ones at Harbor Freight?

The sanding attachments and included papers were satisfactory on most of the tools we tried. Some seemed to sand a little faster than others, but mostly this was based on the grit and differences between tools were minimal. Since not all tools included a drywall blade we didn’t get much mileage out of testing drywall cutting, though we’d suspect the previous discussion would again play a role – better blades equal better performance.

Each tool seemed to have its strengths and weaknesses, though we’re not about to tell you that there weren’t clear winners in various categories. And of course you can view the individual in-depth review of each of the tools here:

The Rockwell SoniCrafter is the workhorse of the bunch, but its cutting speed was middle-of-the-road (about equal to the cordless Bosch Multi-X). This is a tool you can throw in your truck and bring to the construction job. It feels like it will take some abuse and it’s a good two-handed tool for really getting in there and cutting. The large amount of accessories is impressive, though we heartily recommend you pick up a Standard End-cut Blade for $14.99 which will invariably provide much better performance with hardwood and plunge-cutting. For corded tools that can take a beating, this would be our choice for those who can’t pony up the dough for the Fein.

The Chicago Electric Tools Multi-Function tool wins the award for longest, most boring name. It has the worst accessory system out there, sounds like a vacuum cleaner and doesn’t include a case. It’s boxy, feels cheap and will probably do a fantastic job if you don’t abuse it. For under $40 it’s really hard to resist not picking this up if you don’t plan on using it a lot. With one of those 20% off coupons I see at Harbor Freight every other week you can go through two or three of them before you hit the price of the Dremel. Mark my words, the other options are far more refined and sophisticated – and we don’t think the Chicago Electric tool will stand the test of time, but it’s a definite consideration if you’ve only got one job in mind and want a near-disposable solution.

Well that about sums it up. We came… we saw… you get the idea. If you’re shopping for an oscillating multi-tool we hope that this shootout article will give you enough guidance to make a solid decision based on your needs. It all comes down to budget and intended use. Will you be taking this on the job for years to come, or are you a casual user? Do you have a lot of money to spend on the best tool, or do you need to keep costs as low as you can? Do you need a corded or cordless solution? Consider your situation carefully and choose. No matter what you’ll be in for a treat as these are some of the most unique tools you will find.

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If there is one power tool that can get you out of a tough spot, it’s the oscillating multitool. What MacGyver was to action-adventure heroes, so the oscillating multitool is to home repair and remodeling. It saws, grinds, sands, scrapes, and polishes. It does nearly anything you need to do, with the exception of drilling holes and works in places other powers tools can’t reach, such as undercutting wood door trim to clear thin-plank flooring. Use it on a variety of materials: wood, metal, stone and mortar, tile, and grout. (For more insight into this mighty power tool, read our story on its versatility.)

Say you’re renovating an old house or tackling a big remodeling job, and you’re going to be constantly cutting, grinding and sanding, go with a corded power tool so you can work without worrying about time and battery charge. If all you need to do is make the occasional cut or do a little sanding, then a cordless model will work well; a single battery will have more than sufficient charge for those jobs. And if you’re already plugged into a power tool company’s platform, it makes sense to buy a bare cordless oscillating tool and use the batteries and charger from your other power tools. Run a battery down, then swap it for a fresh one.

Every oscillating tool on this list has been thoroughly vetted and evaluated by our test editors. We research the market, survey user reviews, speak with product managers and engineers, and use our own experience operating these tools to determine the best options. We gathered a range, some corded and others cordless, and tested their power by cutting hardwood, softwood, and wood with nails embedded in it. To gauge ease of use, we took into account whether it was easy to mount and dismount blades and accessories, and how comfortable the tools are to use, particularly in tough deep cuts. Out of the oscillating tools here, one is sure to serve you well.