chicago electric multifunction power tool accessories 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.

We’ve reviewed nearly every single multi-tool available today, from the most expensive models to the brands you know best. The Harbor Freight Variable Speed Multifunction Power Tool by Chicago Electric may not have much brand recognition, but it has the dubious honor of being the cheapest variable speed oscillating tool on the market. Chicago Electric Power Tools are exclusive to Harbor Freight, which has physical “brick-and-mortar” locations as well as an online storefront. Harbor Freight is entirely populated with Chinese-made tools that provide value-oriented solutions at often ridiculously cheap prices. Fortunately for us, there is a Harbor Freight store within 15 minutes of my location. This, combined with not a few email requests for us to review their newest Variable Speed Multifunction Tool, caused me to hop on the motorcycle and pay them a visit (saddlebags are excellent for small tool storage). This version of Harbor Freight’s oscillating multi-tool was on sale for just $59.99… 1 week after I bought it at full retail for $79.99. Oh well. At $59.99 this is the absolute cheapest variable speed multi-tool on the market. It’s even cheaper with the almost-weekly 20% off coupons which brings the price down to $47.99. The question on everyone’s mind, ours included, is whether or not it is worth the money and how long it will last. At that price I can almost guarantee that it’s worth the money.

Chicago Electric Tools is truly pioneering the silver flake painted die-cast aluminum housing. We haven’t seen too many other tools with this kind of treatment (um, and for that we’re glad). The housing is bolted to the front of the tool via four bolts and everything looks to be made with moderately good quality. Instead of the single speed of the lesser priced Harbor Freight Multi-Function Tool, this one goes from 10,000-20,000 opm (oscillations per minute) giving it some additional flexibility on jobs where you don’t want to run it at full speed. Considering the top speed is 20,000 opm, this also means that this tool runs at about twice the speed of the single speed model, and closer to the rest of the oscillating tools on the market. The increased speed means that this tool is well-suited for cutting and not just sanding.

This tool desperately needs a proper name (or number), because “Chicago Electric Tools Variable Speed Multifunction Power Tool” is a mouthful that’s entirely too big. In any case, the tool ships with a cutting blade, wide scraping blade, and a half moon cutting blade. There is also a 3″ triangular sanding pad with two triangular pieces of sandpaper. Each accessory attaches to the spindle with a blade arbor design that uses pins to positively lock the blade in one of 7 positions. A hex wrench is provided which allows easy removal of the blade, scraper or sanding pad. The kit even comes with a pair of spare motor brushes – something that both impressed and frightened us (as in “do we need extra brushes because the originals are of such poor quality they are expected to wear out in short order?”)

It’s far easier to attach the Chicago Electric tool accessories on this tool than their single-speed version, which has no pins and replies entirely on friction. On this tool, the base plate has four pins and you can use them to secure the accessory in any of 7 different angles to better align the blade with the cutting surface. We’re happy to report that this accessory system works much better than the friction-based one. Since both tools can use the same accessories it also means that the entire accessory line is simplified and more is available for users of both tools.

The Chicago Electric multifunction tool is easy to use. The soft-start motor had us scratching our heads each time we turned it on – it really didn’t help set the tool so much as simply delay us when we wanted to use it. Unlike the fixed-speed multifunction tool, we didn’t fear the sudden shifting of the accessory blade during use since it was pinned firmly in place. Overall blade wear was quicker than some other tools we’ve tested (like the Fein MultiMaster and Dremel Multi-Max). The blade seems cheap and will likely need more frequent replacement, but since they are half the price it’s actually a decent trade-off. This tool felt much more convenient to use than the fatter single-speed tool and it was more in line with what we expect a multifunction tool to be.

We also tested the Harbor Freight Multifunction Tool by ripping 3/4″ off the length of a 4-foot piece of 1/2-inch plywood. This was a great endurance test to follow up our raw cutting power test. The tool handles well and we felt a good level of control using it one-handed and guiding it along the plywood sheet. It was here that we began to like the general feel of the tool and appreciate being able to nab a variable speed multi-tool for under $60. Let’s just say the occasional use “bargain-bug” hit us full force. The tool is loud, but certainly not the loudest we’ve measured, and came in around 91 dB SPL from our standard 3-foot measurement distance. The motor also has a rather disconcerting metallic ball-bearing whine that makes us wonder about its longevity.

We thought Chicago Electric Tools’ Harbor Freight had the ultimate entry-level option with the $40 Multi-Function Tool, but their newest variable speed model absolutely takes the cake at just $60. For those on the market, that’s about $40 less than the name brand Dremel Multi-Max which retails for $99 at many retailers. While this tool didn’t feel nearly as cumbersome as the single speed 11,000 opm model, we didn’t get the feel that this was the kind of tool professionals would want to use on a day-to-day basis. It’s odd soft-start and awkward tool storage leaves a little bit to be desired, but it cuts reasonably well and those looking for the occasional use tool should be pleased. We gave the Chicago Electric Multifunction Tool a 4/10 in Performance and an 8/10 Value rating. Many are going to find this tool extremely useful, but pros will want to check out our Oscillating Multi-Tool Shootout Comparison.

Why buy several power tools when this one can tackle many jobs all by itself? This easily affordable multifunction power tool from Chicago Electric works at 21,000 OPM to put some real power into the tough jobs, and it"s easy to switch the attachments depending on the task at hand. The multifunction power 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 in. 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.Delivers 0-21,000 OPM (oscillations per minute)

An oscillating tool is a compact, portable power tool that accepts a wide range of interchangeable blades, which can be use to sand, cut, scrape, grind and polish. The blade vibrates—or oscillates—back and forth at very high speed, making the tool much easier and safer to use than a circular saw, reciprocating saw, or even a jigsaw. It’ll slice through virtually any building material, including wood, metal, drywall, cement, mortar, plastic, and fiberglass. And, a multi-tool will work in places other power tools wouldn’t dare go, including narrow spaces, tight corners, and awkward angles.

Oscillating multi-tools might all look alike, but power, performance and durability vary widely. Here are some important features to look for when shopping for a multi-tool:

Apex Fastening Tools, Belzer, Campbell, Cleco, Crescent, Delta, Dotco, Erem, Gearwrench, HKP, Jacobs, Jobox, Lufkin, Nicholson, Recoules Quakenbush, SATA, Weller, Wiss, Xcelite

Pliers, screwdrivers, nut drivers, wire pulling and stripping tools, crimping tools, scissors, snips, shears, cable and bolt cutters, conduit benders, personal protective equipment, tool bags for the electrical trade