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Joerg asked that I review the tool if I got it, so here's
the review.
Harbor Freight Multifunction Tool
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=65700
This is not a comparative review, as I have not used
a Fein or any other brand multifunction tool. It is
based on my brief testing and inspection of the thing.
Overall impression:
Thumbs up. If the tool is for occasional light use, it
is $40.00 well spent, in my opinion. Performance was
better than I expected from a forty dollar tool and
quality seems adequate at that price.
If you have a need to use the tool on a regular basis, spend
more for higher quality. While this seems to be the
"standard disclaimer" for any cheap tool and is often said
by the poster to protect himself from the scorn of others,
I am posting it based primarily on the findings under
inspection, below. My impression is that it is well enough
made for occasional light use, but is not a high quality
tool.
Performance
Sawing:
My testing was similar to "Flush cutting to install flooring" at
http://www.dremel.com/en-us/projectsandcommunity/VideosOfProjects/Pages/Video.aspx?vid=48
o Perfect for small plunge cuts.
o Time to cut through 3/4" thickness of 1 1/2" fir: 25 seconds
o Nice smooth cut.
o Also tested on a 2x4. I cut through the thickness of a stub
of 2x4 about 3" long and made 3 2x4's about 1 inch long each.
Cuts easily, and the cut surface is smooth.
Sanding:
o Perfect and fast. For the very small job I tested,
faster with 180 grit on the multifunction than my
Bosch ROS with 120 grit would have been. If you
ever have to sand an inside corner of a cabinet, this
is probably the perfect tool.
Vibration:
o No noticable vibration while sanding or sawing
Not tested:
Grout removal, caulk removal, scraping,
cutting sheet rock.
Ease of use:
High marks for sanding.
High marks for accomplishing a cut
High marks for smoothness of cut
Low marks for keeping the blade perpendicular to the work.
Some discussion of the above: Some people have the
"woodworkers eye" and can make a perfect 90 degree cut
in a board at 20 paces with a blunt rock. Not me. I have
to use a square or a jig or some kind of guide to keep
the blade perpendicular with any hand held saw. All
my cuts with the tool were perfectly straight, but angled.
The tool did nothing to help me keep it perpendicular.
Engineering:
Current - 1.05 amps no load at 122.7 VAC
1.2 amps sawing 3/4" fir
1.67 amps peak sawing through 2x4 and pressing hard
1.35 amps average sawing through 2x4 normal pressure
Heat - the gearbox metal housing got hot (estimate 130 F)
after cutting the 2x4 stubs. Not alarmingly or
uncomfortably hot, but evidence of friction, which
we obviously do not want.
Noise - it's loud - loud enough that the instruction
manual should make a bold point of the warning
to wear hearing protection. Sort of sounds like
a vacuum cleaner on steroids.
Inspection - I took the thing apart. The groves on the armature
are not cut as sharply as they could be. Ball
bearings support the armature. I was unable to
pull the armature out of the gear housing and
I could not inspect the gears. I was unwilling
to use more force to try to get the armature out.
The armature has a nylon (?) gear looking thing
press fit on it that functions as a fan. Doesn't
create a lot of wind - but seems enough in use
to prevent overheating. When spinning the armature
by hand, which of course moves the gears in the
gearbox, a slight roughness can be felt. That
roughness might be caused by the reversing, don't
know. The instruction manual includes a parts
list and exploded view, but it is not clear
enough to see how the thing reverses. The air
vent cuts in the gear housing do not have the
look and feel of high quality.
Ed
the review.
Harbor Freight Multifunction Tool
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=65700
This is not a comparative review, as I have not used
a Fein or any other brand multifunction tool. It is
based on my brief testing and inspection of the thing.
Overall impression:
Thumbs up. If the tool is for occasional light use, it
is $40.00 well spent, in my opinion. Performance was
better than I expected from a forty dollar tool and
quality seems adequate at that price.
If you have a need to use the tool on a regular basis, spend
more for higher quality. While this seems to be the
"standard disclaimer" for any cheap tool and is often said
by the poster to protect himself from the scorn of others,
I am posting it based primarily on the findings under
inspection, below. My impression is that it is well enough
made for occasional light use, but is not a high quality
tool.
Performance
Sawing:
My testing was similar to "Flush cutting to install flooring" at
http://www.dremel.com/en-us/projectsandcommunity/VideosOfProjects/Pages/Video.aspx?vid=48
o Perfect for small plunge cuts.
o Time to cut through 3/4" thickness of 1 1/2" fir: 25 seconds
o Nice smooth cut.
o Also tested on a 2x4. I cut through the thickness of a stub
of 2x4 about 3" long and made 3 2x4's about 1 inch long each.
Cuts easily, and the cut surface is smooth.
Sanding:
o Perfect and fast. For the very small job I tested,
faster with 180 grit on the multifunction than my
Bosch ROS with 120 grit would have been. If you
ever have to sand an inside corner of a cabinet, this
is probably the perfect tool.
Vibration:
o No noticable vibration while sanding or sawing
Not tested:
Grout removal, caulk removal, scraping,
cutting sheet rock.
Ease of use:
High marks for sanding.
High marks for accomplishing a cut
High marks for smoothness of cut
Low marks for keeping the blade perpendicular to the work.
Some discussion of the above: Some people have the
"woodworkers eye" and can make a perfect 90 degree cut
in a board at 20 paces with a blunt rock. Not me. I have
to use a square or a jig or some kind of guide to keep
the blade perpendicular with any hand held saw. All
my cuts with the tool were perfectly straight, but angled.
The tool did nothing to help me keep it perpendicular.
Engineering:
Current - 1.05 amps no load at 122.7 VAC
1.2 amps sawing 3/4" fir
1.67 amps peak sawing through 2x4 and pressing hard
1.35 amps average sawing through 2x4 normal pressure
Heat - the gearbox metal housing got hot (estimate 130 F)
after cutting the 2x4 stubs. Not alarmingly or
uncomfortably hot, but evidence of friction, which
we obviously do not want.
Noise - it's loud - loud enough that the instruction
manual should make a bold point of the warning
to wear hearing protection. Sort of sounds like
a vacuum cleaner on steroids.
Inspection - I took the thing apart. The groves on the armature
are not cut as sharply as they could be. Ball
bearings support the armature. I was unable to
pull the armature out of the gear housing and
I could not inspect the gears. I was unwilling
to use more force to try to get the armature out.
The armature has a nylon (?) gear looking thing
press fit on it that functions as a fan. Doesn't
create a lot of wind - but seems enough in use
to prevent overheating. When spinning the armature
by hand, which of course moves the gears in the
gearbox, a slight roughness can be felt. That
roughness might be caused by the reversing, don't
know. The instruction manual includes a parts
list and exploded view, but it is not clear
enough to see how the thing reverses. The air
vent cuts in the gear housing do not have the
look and feel of high quality.
Ed
480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat |
