An oscillating tool can make a big difference when doing a project, but if you’re new to using one, here are 12 tips you need to know.
Oscillating multi-tools are a relatively new addition to the modern tool kit, and they are among the most versatile tools you can buy. While you can find them today at home improvement stores, they got their start in a totally different arena. In 1967, German power tool manufacturer Fein set out to solve a problem in the medical field by creating a tool that could cut through hardened plaster casts without cutting the fleshy human bits inside.
Unlike a rotating saw blade, oscillating blades need resistance to work, so they are only really effective on hard surfaces and materials. If you’ve ever had a broken bone requiring a cast, you’ve probably had a personal close encounter with an oscillating saw. However, it took decades for the tool to make its way out of the doctor’s office and into the workshop.
Over time, various attachments were developed to expand the oscillating saw’s functionality beyond just cutting, resulting in today’s oscillating multi-tools. You can find them with a wide range of blades designed for cutting, sanding, or otherwise manipulating a range of materials. If you’re new to using an oscillating multi-tool, here are 12 beginner tips you should know.Buy a cheap kit to test different blades
An oscillating multi-tool only does one thing. It creates tiny back and forth motions which jiggle a blade to sand or cut. There are a wide variety of blades with different shapes and materials which can be used for different jobs. The functionality of your multi-tool depends almost entirely on which blade you choose.
There are scrapers designed to pry goop from hard floors, carbon steel blades for cutting wood or plastic, bi-metal blades for cutting through nails and other metals, grout removal blades, sanding heads, and a whole lot more. As with any unfamiliar tool, there’s a learning curve to using an oscillating multi-tool, and you can save yourself from burning money by starting with a cheap kit with a variety of blades. Starting with more affordable, low-quality blades lets you play with them, test them out, and figure out which ones are useful to you.
You can find kits from major home improvement big box stores featuring a variety of blades for under $20. At that price, you can probably afford to ruin a few blades figuring out how they work. Then you can invest in higher quality blades once you know what you’re doing.Some blades only work on certain materials
Not all blades are created equal, even if they look that same at first glance. In addition to some variety in quality from one manufacturer to another, certain blades are intended for use only on certain types of materials. For instance, a cutting blade intended for wood won’t work as well on harder materials like metal.
While you might be able to get away with using the wrong blade, it’s likely to get dull and break down more quickly if you’re using it off label. There are also safety concerns regarding broken blades when they’re pushed beyond their limits. Instead, you’ll want a blade designed for use with your intended materials. Make sure to check the label to verify that your chosen blade works with metal, or whatever material you’re handling.
You can find bi-metal blades, high carbon steel blades, blades made of carbide, stainless steel, high speed steel, titanium, diamond, and more. Fortunately, blades are often labeled with the materials they’re good for, so you can tell at a glance which one you need, even if you’ve already tossed out the packaging.How to know when a blade is dull
Even once you’ve chosen the correct blade, they won’t last forever. Oscillating tool blades suffer normal wear and tear when you use them, and we can’t expect to chop through wood, nails, and screws without chipping or getting dull.
One way to check for dullness is with a visual inspection. If the teeth are worn down or broken off, that’s a good indication that your blade is ready for retirement. One of the best ways, however, is to pay attention to how it feels. A dull blade will take more time and more pressure to make a cut. If things start slowing down and taking considerably longer than normal, it might be time to replace your blades.
You can also look at the debris your cuts are creating. If it starts to look like fine dust instead of metal shavings, that’s a good indicator that your blade is struggling to make progress. Without a good edge, oscillating tools rely less on cutting and more on friction. This can cause smoke, sparks, or discoloration on the blade or material. You might also notice that the sound of cutting becomes more high-pitched as the blade forces its way slowly through material.
