Tool and attachments, 6 Stars.. Case, 2 Stars.. Price, -3 Stars = 5 Stars
This Fein MultiMaster Top kit is one of those tools that cost too much but you can't do the job as fast without it. The last few years, attending woodworking shows, I would watch the demos on the MultiMaster tool. I was ALWAYS impressed as to what the tool was capable of. The price made me walk away. It was not on my list of "GEE, I've got to have that"! However I did see its potential.
Recently, I saw the ad for the new version with the quick blade release and the package supplied attachments, but was still held back by the price. Then it happened. I got a job that required this type of tool.
I had to do a job of installing decorative returns on an old house with period moldings. The old returns had rotted along with some of the crown rake boards. Making the new returns was not a problem; trimming back the 4-inch crown molding was going to be tedious to say the least. I purchased the Fein MultiMaster Top kit and felt the pain all the way back to the job..... Until I opened the box, fitted a (expensive) wood / metal cutting blade and trimmed back old rusty hard to reach nails and 4 inch crown molding to solid wood. The roofs 12/12 pitch made it almost impossible to perform the task at hand with any speed with regular tools. The MultiMaster accomplished the task in minutes. After trimming back 6 returns in under an hour, I was convinced the tool was worth the expense. It was kind of anti climatic however, doing all that work in such short time! $389.00 per hour and done so easily and quickly is what came to mind!
Since the initial purchase, I have found the MultiMaster tool to live up to all I've seen at demo shows. Once you own it, you will find yourself reaching for it more often than you planned. Time verses cost will eventually be offset as this tool pays for itself very quickly.
I find myself treating the attachments as if they were gold, considering their replacement costs. I guess Fein can get away with the high prices because there is no other tool like it that works so well. The blades by the way are very sturdy and long lasting.
Under-cutting doorjambs loaded with trim nails are a breeze. I was able to set tile under 6 doors and the blade teeth still look new. I am looking forward to trying out all the other attachments that came with the "TOP" kit.
The case has some issues. It is nice and square and stores well. It holds all of the supplied accessories and then some. BUT, after seeing the older metal case, the new plastic case is bigger and holds less. The old metal case has foam dividers that make finding each attachment quite easy. Sanding attachments and the paper can be seen on edge. The new case has 2 removable plastic storage cases within the main case. These cases have snap down covers making it difficult to see and grab what you're looking for. Within the small cases, there are no dividers; everything just sits in there bouncing around and store in no particular order. The outside of the main case is consumed by the nice handle, which is recessed in the top of the case when standing on edge, it chews up a lot of storage space that could have been used to have divided storage inside like the old metal case.
I have zero complaints about the quality of the tool and the attachments. They all do what they are supposed to do. My complaints lye with cost of product and attachments, and the poor thoughtfulness of the case storage areas. This tool will not be easy for most people to purchase because of the cash outlay. In my case, it was one of those tools that came to mind while in a predicament. I purchased it, and think of it as a Cool Tool!
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Fein MultiMaster FMM 250Q Top.
