Fein MultiMaster FMM 250Q Top Variable Speed Sanding and Scraping/Cutting Tool with Case

I was faced with removing about 12,000 linear feet of improperly installed grout on a limestone tile floor. The grout lines were thin and the task seemed daunting. After researching various techniques, I found the Fein Multimaster and purchased one along with six diamond blades as recommended by the Fein customer support folks, who incidentally are as good as they could be. This is a heavy duty tool and the oscillation approach is very, very effective. It took a bit of time to develop a technique, but once we understood the tool, the job was completed effectively and efficiently. My only complaint is that the dust collection system did not work well and we improvised with a shop vac.We also used a wood cutting blade and a carbide surfacing blade and were quite pleased with the ease of cutting and the results generally. This is a specialty tool, however, and the infomercials and the dvd that accompany the tool make the described tasks look a lot easier than they are in real life.However, we saved thousands of dollars in labor over alternative methods, did not damage any of the tile, and the result was better than expectated.I do not see this as a handyperson tool that will gather dust on a shelf somewhere. It is a specialty tool that can accomplish many tasks very efficiently. It does many tasks that were formerly the province of a sawzall, but if you are cutting nail embedded material or doing demolition, it is the wrong tool. It is a finish tool when working in wood and will greatly facilitate repairs in tile surfaces, especially where you are facing grout problems or have to replace broken tiles. It is essential that the operator wear a first class dust mask and eye protection, although that goes without saying.Finally, the various blades are expensive, in fact too expensive. They are available on Amazon at discounts, but still, a damaged blade is a $50 problem, and that limits our experimentation with the tool.Overall, the tool is what it is promoted to be. It is very well made. The case is well designed and can hold all of the blades and attachments that one might like. I recommend it more to professionals than homeowners as it does require good mechanical skills to operate effectively.Michael

This tool belongs in every remodeler's truck. I bought the tool for one project planning to re-sell it on e-bay when I was done. WRONG. I've used the tool daily for about two months. Too expensive? Nope, the time it saves and the impossible tasks it performs make it a bargain. Trimming jambs for hardwood--does that. Cutting drywall neatly and across studs--does that. Need to trim 1/16" off a crown molding already nailed in place?--does that. Need to remove baseboard that's lower than the finished floor and bound in place by grout?--it's a snap. Want to remove crown molding (or any molding) without damage?--just pull slightly away from wall and slip flush cutting blade up to nail and cut the nail off--presto--molding removed without damage. The thinset removal blade works well but the grout cutting blade wears too fast--use a diamond blade in a 4" grinder instead and save the Fein blade for cutting only where the grinder blade won't go. The blades cost a jillion dollars but they're cheap when you figure the time you'll save. I looked at the cheaper Dremel and Sears models and am glad I bought the rugged Fein with no blade wobble; the quick change feature is important--for example, use one blade for cutting nails & drywall and keep another for cutting wood--nails really destroy a blade in a hurry. I'm glad that I didn't get a rechargeable model. You'll use this tool so much that you'll be glad to have the extra power not to mention, not worrying about battery discharge. The cord is extra long and not a problem. I've mentioned just a few of the things this tool will do; once you have it be sure to haul it out each day--something will always turn up that this tool will do best. My only complaint is the case--it takes a magician to get the cord and tool back in the case. That said, the case is a huge affair so you probably won't want to use it anyhow. Although almost all vendors charge the same price, you can't go wrong purchasing from Amazon--great customer service if you ever need it, great shipping, and an all-around best-in-class web retailer.

First off, I'm not a professional handyman but am pretty good with tools and making/fixing things around the house.I got the tool while I was installing a wood floor in a bedroom... it was extremely useful to under-cut the door trim and I had a wood planked wall that needed undercutting as well... the door trim could have been cut by hand with a flush cut hand saw but the wall under-cut would have been a nightmare without a tool like the multimaster... made quick work of it... even cut right through some hidden nails with very little effort (using the "E-blade").tool feels "heavy duty" and built to last, the front black part is all metal... orange part is a good quality feeling plastic... power cord is extra long and is a good quality rubber. blade changing is easy as pie with the flip-up lever system.the case it comes in is OK... it's plastic and like others have said, it doesn't open 180 degrees... only 90 degrees, so maybe it could come down on your hands while rummaging around in the storage boxes for the blades... not a huge deal but would have been nicer if it opened a full 180 degrees...also note that the blades can get hot so trying to change them immediately after use risks some fingertip burns - but I guess that would be true of pretty much all saws and their blades...overall, I feel it's a good, solid tool even though a bit pricey... like others have said here, I'd be likely to use it a lot more if the replacement blades weren't so expensive - but they also seem to be of very good quality metal and I suspect each will last a good amount of time before needing replacement...We'll see as I still have a lot of projects to complete in my 100+ year old house! ;o)