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Enjoy your videos. No distracting crappy music to tolerate and you articulate your points very well. Thank you.

As an old instructional video producer I especially appreciate your use of the television medium: straight shots with minimum and only appropriate movement, few or no special effects, serious discussion of your subject, closeups with movement only when absolutely necessary to show your subject, and well prepared delivery. Great work and keep it up.

FYI, the original oscillating saw was patented in 1947 by Dr. Homer Stryker. It has been used in the medical field since then. I first used it in the mid seventies when we found out it worked very well on fiberglass panels. Cuts them like butter with not too much dust. We called them “Bone saws”. They were also used to remove casts from a patient without cutting skin. Back then the only problem was that you had to purchase the Styker blades from a medical supply house and they were expensive. Look up Styker, they are still in business today.

I do like your straightforward approach, no distactions, just information. Thank you.

As a Registered Nurse, I've used oscillating saws for almost 40 years in cast removal. They are safe because they would not readily cut skin when they penetrated the cast during removal. They are also used extensively in orthopedic and neurosurgery to cut bone. I never thought about the patent issues that kept this tool from crossing over to the woodworker and building trades. I just used a masonry blade for the first time a couple of weeks ago to cut slots in mortar joints to mount decorative lighting around a pool deck. Worked like a charm. Also great for grout removal in tile work.

I recall when oscillating saws first became ubiquitous, after Fein's patent had expired, I brought one on the job, as a finish carpenter, and my boss at the time made fun of it, calling it the 'stupid saw'. Long story short, it wasn't too long before everyone on the crew was laughing at him multiple times a day when he would request the services of the 'stupid saw'. The name stuck but strictly in an ironic manner.

Using tape to control the plunge cut is a fine idea. Your channel is terrific.

Thank you for a great video! I thought I had oscilliating saws down pat, but you definitely provided a number of tips that I would not have thought of. It makes me want to run down to the shop to try them all out!

Thank you Stumpy for all the great tips. You produce great videos !! I have a tip I would like to add. In many cases, you can move the cutting edge of the blade slightly left and right, in addition to the oscillating motion, which greatly helps cutting efficiency and reduces blade burning. This oscillating multi tool, is often one of my favorite tools.

I've wanted one of these tools for a while now. I'm glad I watched this video before getting my hands on one, and possibly damaging it, or whatever I might use it on. You do a great job on these videos, and I, for one, really appreciate the time, effort, and information you put into them. Thank you.👍

Best clarity of speaking on UKposts

These things are MAGIC for drywall work.

Watching a stumpy nubs tutorial is always like going over exam questions after the exam - I’m so relieved when he says something that I got right 😮‍💨🙏🏻

The fact that these didn't exist in mass production until 2008 makes A lot of sense now, thank you! I randomly got one from harbor freight probably around 2010 or so. It turned out that I was blown away by how useful it was. Not long after that, we had a project at my parents house that required cutting a lot of nails off flush with the end of wood, and that sold my dad on it. He is an incredibly handy man who seemingly can fix everything, and I remember us talking about 10 years ago and he was wondering how in the world had he had never seen such a tool before. Both him and I certainly have one in our tool collection these days.

just took the dive and bought my first multi tool; was really surprised with it! Thanks for this video, I appreciate it and love the tips. Love your tutorials, btw.

One tip I have picked up is that you can also mount 2 blades back to back, which in effect helps you cut a parallel channel in drywall or wood for running wires etc

I paid $450 for my first one - the Fein corded original - in the mid 80's. I still have it plus two cordless Makitas. I figured you would miss some of the tricks I have learned over the years, but no, you covered it all. As usual :-)

Got mine as a Christmas gift from my late father in law right after HFT started selling them. It's corded and single speed but I love the tool. I have since bought another because the first one has sentimental value. Your video has some really good tips.

Thank you so much sir! I have had one of these for years, and it spends most of its time on the shelf. I’m hoping your tips and tricks will unleash it to its full potential.

I watched one of my contractors use this to clean out a rotted section of a door frame, and it's now on my need-to-get list. Thank you for your timely video!

Great video! I have a very inexpensive and basic oscillating tool, which is great for my needs as I don't use it very frequently. As a result, I've never taken the time to learn its finer points. But this video really filled in the gaps, and now maybe I'll pull it out of the drawer more often. Thanks for making this.

Stumpy: Thank you again. It is obvious that you work hard on planning what you want to communicate and the result is great. Great content. Great communication.

I saw one of these tools used for the first time about a year ago. Got one for Father's Day and what a game changer! Your tips here are going to be very helpful for my upcoming projects.

Nicely narrated with a pleasant voice and no unnecessary padding of the content. I enjoyed this video and found it very informative.

Thank you for this. I really hope you do the follow up video soon, because I planed to buy one for drywalls probably this winter, so it will be appreciated. Thank you for all your videos on woodworking. You really helped me getting started.

I LOVE mine. I work construction and got one a couple years ago, it makes you wonder how anybody got anything done without it lol. It's the perfect tool for so many things. My favorite one being probably doing floors. You can use this tool to cut off the bottom of trim and door frames to slide the floor underneath it, gives a super clean look (you don't have to worry about edges of the floor cuts being perfect as they'll be hidden under the trim) and takes about 30 seconds and your door is prepped.

This is probably the most useful DIY video I have yet seen on UKposts, opening my eyes to how to properly use one of the most useful powertools you can get. 👍

Thank you James. I have had a Fein MM for years for grunt work rehabbing houses mostly. Just now learning to apply it to my craft woodwork. The finger sanding discs are great for sanding small projects. Great idea re-using the center of orbital pads for the fingers. MM is loud as he** but very versatile.

Wow! I'm completely new to using a multi-tool and have already watched 3 or 4 tutorial videos but FINALLY - you have covered ALL the bases in great detail without rambling. Articulate, concise, comprehensive, excellent visuals. Grade A tutorial - thank you!

This video lived up to its billing! Bought mine to cut door trim for vinyl tile installation, but never realized all the uses it had. Great video!

I learned a lot from your video. I have two of these tools. one is cordless and other is corded. I will be applying your tips when needed on future projects. Thanks again for making this video!

When hitting the mark is important, I score a line with a knife or chisel. The blade is less apt to jump out of the groove I made.

One tip you might want to include is that the (steel) blades can often be sharpened! I've used a jeweler's file to re-sharpen a blade many times, it works rather well.

SUPER informative. I've only been using multi-tools for about 5 years. Started with a cheap Harbor Freight, then realized what a game changer they are. I then upgraded to a Ryobi cordless. I keep the Harby around and still use it quite often. GREAT deal on those blades too. THANKS!!

What a fantastic video. After watching your demonstrations, I think back to all of the times I was using the wrong tool for the job as my multi tool just sat buried in my box. Thank you sir.

I really love how concise you are. Thank you for making content!

Great video James. My oscillating tool is dubbed the “tool I forget I own” more often than I want to admit. It has gotten me out of many jams and now with your video I actually know how to use it better!

Okay. I thought I would at least learn a little... I learned a lot! I've been using this tool for years and 10 minutes of watching this video has completely changed how I'll use it in the future. Thank you very, very much. Great video!

Thank you so much for this video! I just purchased an inexpensive oscillating tool at Harbor Freight and a couple of blades on sale - thought it would be good to learn with. Had no idea how to use it, but now I feel confident enough to try it out.

The scraper blade attachment is my absolute favourite, takes dried glue off like no other.

Good amazon find on the blades, I recently had to sand many small cnc bridge tabs off a ply project, stuck self adhesive sandpaper to an old worn blade and it worked perfect!

That disclaimer at the beginning was for real! Today I learned a thing or two from a Red Wings fan about one of my favorite tools. Thank you, sir!

Right tool for the job as they say. I never quite appreciated the oscillating tool until I started into a bunch of interior remodeling a few years ago; It’s indispensable in that area. Now I’m building a deck and dock platform and only have only used an oscillating tool once in the past month. I don’t do much fine woodworking and am not sure how useful they are in that capacity, but I’m sure they have a uses.

Whilst my Multi-tool is the least used tool in my shop, when I do use it it's usually because no other tool will do the job as efficiently or at all. Always grateful for your videos

Well done video. Thank you. I picked my tool up to cut door trim and such for flooring installation and it worked brilliantly. I've also used it to refurbish a seriously abused cast iron pan and to cut back a stone fireplace hearth. The cast iron pan was almost a fun job. The hearth job was thankless but fortunately the circle carbide blade was far faster than any other tool I threw at it. I see people still fumbling away with more conventional tools that this beast can do quickly and with a bit of finesse. Thanks again for a great video.

Great tips. Thanks. I didn’t find a good use for the larger sanding triangle either, but the small finger is essential for sanding narrow epoxy spots when building wood epoxy boats. If I try to do it by hand, I have the tendency to round the area. The finger attachment allows me to keep crisper edges and flat bottoms. I always remove the blades for storage, mainly because the tub I keep it in is too short for the tool plus blade.

Thank you for this video I don't have one yet and have been looking into them. This makes it easier to understand what I need to look for. I've been looking for one to help rough out my woodcarvings. Keep the great videos coming I watch them all.

Just got my oscillating tool a while back thanks so much for this primer! It was really helpful.

Recently bought one of these, probably one of the most useful tools I have ever bought. Thought it was a gimmick before until I used it. It's ability to do straight plunge cuts while the piece is in place is amazing, cutting perfect squares out of plasterboard for electrical stuff is easy, as is cutting off bits of door frames when doing flooring and trying to get the floor under the door frame without having to take the door frame off to cut it.

Bought mine on a lark and justified the purchase as being a birthday gift a couple of years ago. Plus I needed to make like two flush cuts on some baseboard. Two years later, and this thing has become indispensable in my shop. Never would have thought it could come in useful in so many different ways! I'm especially fond of the chisel blade--it helped me immensely to remove old, glued-on plywood underlayment in a recent bathroom remodel. I also never thought about being able to actually touch the blade while in use. THAT might be a game-changer for me in the future. Thanks, SN!

This is one of those tools that most people first saw on an early morning infomercial and because of that they thought it was probably not that great, myself included. Then once you actually used it you realized how you ever lived your life without it. This is my go to tool for all home renovations.

Your presentation is excellent. Choice of words and clarity. I use a multitool regularly and can always learn new tricks!

What an excellent video! This is probably my most overlooked power tool, and one with the most untapped potential! Thank you!

I remember the first time I saw an oscillating tool which was in the early 90’s. I was working as a floor installer for a pretty large flooring company. I was an apprentice back then and my job was to always cut door casing for flooring to go underneath for a cleaner look. We had a Crain undercut saw but there were a lot of areas that the Crain couldn’t get to so I would use a hand saw. A reciprocating saw was also an option but I was still too green to comfortably get a good clean cut with one. Anyway, Fein came to do a demonstration at our warehouse and my mind was blown! We ended up buying a bunch of them from Fein and never looked back. I am now a finish carpenter, mainly doing cabinet installation, but my multi tool is one of the tools that is always in the truck. It doesnt get a ton of use, but its a life saver when I reach for it!! Cool video

Some really great tips here, thank you! For me, mine has proved it's worth when I had leaks under two of my sinks, saturating the cheap, unsealed particle board cabinet and dishing the bottom (in one case, almost 5 inches (!)). I was able to use the tool to remove the bottoms, and then replace them with clear coated Baltic Birch plywood (ah, memories). In the tight areas, the oscillating tool made removal a quick and easy process.

I didn’t realize the versatility of this tool. Thank you for making this video!

Have always loved my multi-tool saw, but watching your video have me a whole new appreciation for it, and whole lot of new ideas for upcoming projects.

That was really helpful. I just started looking at oscillating multi-tools. Now I know what to buy. Thanks so much.

Mate, your tip about reusing orbital sander pads on the oscillator is sheer genius. Simple, efficient and elegant. Economy wrapped in brilliance dear James, thank you for brightening my mind and my day with such a clever tip, kind of as usual but truly eleven out of ten for this morning’s efforts, I’m in Aust so 9:30 am and just getting into the day after breakfast and this clip, excellent mate, you’ve given me a great start to the day, hope yours is even better, 😎👍

My favourite attachment is a carbide rasp I use it for shaping wood it removes wood fast although it dose leave a rough finish it's now my go too for shaping.

great video. this tool is amazing. great for remodeling jobs like flooring that is thicker, you can trim the molding on the bottom without removing. it definitely was a game changer for me

Thank you for this well-produced, excellent video! This video provided me a heck of a lot more information about which oscillating blade to pick for which job. Some of your information contradicts what I've seen on other videos, but I feel very confident that you have it right because the information makes perfect sense.

I bought one of these several years ago. I selected the Porter Cable for a couple of reasons. The first and main reason was because of the quick blade change; lift a lever and change the blade. I can change a blade in seconds. Many brands had a complicated screw mechanism for changing the blade. The other feature I looked for was the speed control. This is a must!

I found the best use for the sanding pads is to wrap a wet microfibre cloth around them to remove grout haze from wall tiles, especially the stickier stuff like Fusion Pro.

I learned just now to turn my blade backwards 🤦🏻‍♂️…you’re the first content creator I’ve heard say this,and I’m not joking!Youre definitely my favorite cause you have taught me more than any one of these guys and I just started watching you last night.Thanks brother!

I have been using Ridge Carbide blades for last 30 years they are absolutely the best!!

Great video! I bought my Bosch corded multitool when the first Fein-a-like clones came out, it always goes on jobs “just in case”, and I still love it. Most unexpected use - using a diamond edged half-circle blade that cost nearly as much as the tool to remove ancient rock hard wall tile adhesive. Nothing else would shift it short of demolition.

Regarding sanding: I agree that the hook & loop type sanding pads aren’t the best match for these tools. However, I’ve had very good luck attaching PSA backed sandpaper to one side of a scraper blade and using that in hard to reach places with great success. I highly recommend keeping that one in your arsenal of sanding tools.

Great tips! I have bee using these tools for about 8 years and just learned some new techniques

Back in my remodeling days first tools out of the truck were toolbags, 8lb. sledge hammer and Milwaukee heavy duty Sawzall. Now it's toolbags and multi tool. I.live in a small town on Texas Coast and different blades are alittle difficult to buy from our lumber yard or the blue big box store in the next big town. But they make blades for almost everything you can think of. Great video keep them coming

FYI, I have found an oscillating tool with the scraper blade to be the best way to remove that white roof sealer from RVs with metal roofs.

Another timely lesson from the University of Woodworking and Professor James Hamilton!!! Well done and educational. I didn't realize I wasn't using my tool properly. Some excellent tips. Thank you!

After watching this, I went and bought me one. Don’t know what I’ll use it for right now but I have a lot of projects that it’ll come in handy for! Thanks for such an interesting and informative video about this tool.

I haven't used carbide and sandpaper on the block blew me away. I think I know everything now. Thanks for the vid.

Observation: the fine pigtails caused by the narrow range of motion are lessened by a longer tool blade. So if you want to finish sand in a tight corner, take a worn blade, rivet an extension to it, and attach your sandpaper to the extension. That's my theory, going to by my first OMT tomorrow! Great video!

I discovered another use for the sharp scraper blades. I re-soled my work boots (Vibram soles and Barge cement) and needed to trim them to fit (I take a size 13 boot, but Vibram only offers size 12 and 14 replacement soles). I tried my oscillating tool with several toothed blades and made a smelly mess of things. I switched to the scraper blade and it was like cutting butter--smooth, fast cutting of the rubber.

Once again thanks for your advice!I will definitely apply this technique next time I’m using my oscillating/multitool 🤘🏼

Thanks for the link to the big set of blades, I really like that they come with a case! I tend to only use my multi tool to sand in spots because sanding killed my first multi tool by vibrating the switch apart. I also tend to remove the blade on my tool for storage because most times I will be doing something different with it next time I use it, I had a Rockwell years ago that came with a soft bag and that bag is great. Thanks for the sandpaper tip, because I don't sand a lot that tip will fit my work flow better than buying precut sandpaper.

Selected Summary: For a plunge cut, start with the corner of a blade. Use the corner to follow a line, to make a curf. Use a block of scrap to align the blade perpendicular to service. Let the tool do the work, especially to allow the dust to come out of the cut. Don’t be afraid to touch the oscillating head (AWAY from the blade). Use tape instead of on blade marks to measure depth. Use blades with extended width blades Maybe grind away part of an extended blade so that is is shallower, and allow smaller radium cuts. Half circle blades work well for straight lines, and pipe. Cutting metal-slow down the speed. Cutting metal-use less pressure. Wood cutting blades have large teeth, and greater spacing. Metal cutting have shorter teeth, and narrower spacing. Bimetal blades have a body of spring steel, and teeth of harder steel. Carbide TOOTH blades will go through screws and sheet metal. Maybe the best blade for metal, but not for wood. Instead of scrapers, maybe just use dull worn out blades. Storage: Turn the blade backwards (to protect the blade).

Side note on the sander head, low and slow. I’ve seen the pad melt in seconds on the high setting. Good vid as always.

Thanks Stumpy, I learn something every time I watch your videos. I also got some good ideas from your commenters. (Please) Keep them coming.

As always your comments are measured and informative. I appreciate your insight.

You can also use the tool for . . . scrubbing! A sanding pad can also more or less hold onto Scotchbrite cut to fit. We have a bathtub that collects , probably the interaction of soap and hard water, but not easy to clean. DeWalt cordless + sanding pad + Scotchbrite + Scrubbing Bubbles is a bit messy, but cleans way easier than an old man's elbow grease. As a saw, it's the least likely to amputate something you want to keep. 😊

The Fein O/C tools were well known by wooden boaters long before carpenters. Removing caulk between hull planks is especially tedious. Also the Fein manufacturer has shaped sanding pads for profiles like shiplap siding (also called German siding). And one last use: I was insulating a hot tub with 2" rigid foam, cutting foam that thick with a knife is difficult and a saw produces a cloud of static-laden plastic particle dust! The round blade zips right thru rigid foam with ease of control and a minimum of plastic dust.

I don't own this tool but stayed for the interesting delivery and versatility of this tool. Nice job.

Nothing better than the sander attachment for preparing an old wooden window for repainting, or fixing up the edges of old wood siding.

I'd love to see a buyer's guide to oscillating tools :)

Personally I’ve just always removed the blade when putting mine away. Only takes a second, and also makes it take up less room in the toolbox. Just for the record I do the same with my jigsaw and reciprocating saw as well. It just always made sense to me.

The brazed carbide tipped, off brand blades are actually wicked good for metal cutoff and inexpensive compared to a Dremel or Bosch or Milwaukee. I do lots of metal - 304 stainless, 1018 steel, etc. and even though they are off brand (like harbor freight or Bauer) they still work wicked well. Usually faster for doing cutoffs than my bandsaw and great because you don't have to completely disassemble things in order to get it to the bandsaw or mill. Also, take off the blade to store it?

You're right! U expanded my consideration of tooth size, blade material, & oscillation speed. 👍

I'm probably the only one that doesn't have this tool yet. I have been wanting one for a couple months now. After this very well explained video, I'm definitely getting one this week. Thanks for the GREAT VID!

you never fail to take any subject and make entertaining, educational and fun videos. thank you the quality of content. you never disappoint.

The other thing I've learned about these is that the blades are often not very good about clearing chips due to the short strokes. If you have to make a narrow cut, they cut much faster if you move the saw side to side gently as you cut.

Good tips, that has always been my number 1 complaint about this tool, it seems like my blades are done after a single cut, and it got ridiculous how fast I was going through expensive blades. I'll try out some of these tips to make my blades last longer.

Love all my Makita tools, multi tool is definitely my favorite, the blade exchange is flawless..

Abrasive blades are also perfect for plaster walls. They won't crack the walls and they don't create as much dust as a Dremel or angle grinder.

The main way I use sanding attachments is for enlarging holes in walls. When you need to take off

I just recently bought the makita cordless. For a large project. I stumbled on to this video...glad I did...all the things Not to do, I did. It cost me a blade, fuel and time. Since then I have purchased a few more different types of blades. And with the links..odds are I'll be getting a set.

Well, you just taught me a lot of new uses for a tool I’ve been using for years. Thank you 👍🇦🇺