Firstly, this is a well-built piece of kit for the price. The slimline rubber grip handle is pleasant to hold and should keep some of the vibration down during use. With the battery installed the oscillating tool feels well-balanced and this goes a long way to making it comfortable to use over long periods. Battery-powered tools have changed the lives of tradespeople and DIYers. You can work wherever you want, and you don’t need to trail cables or even be near a power source. Cordless multi tools are ideal. Compared with heavy-duty power tools like circular saws, there’s not much difference in performance between corded and battery-powered multi tools. This is a well-engineered versatile power tool with a 250 Watt motor and an aluminium gearbox, yet it weighs just 1.45 kg. This combination gives this oscillating tool a better power-to-weight ratio than many of its competitors. Alongside this is the dual grip soft handle that ergonomically enhances handling and control. The DeWalt DCS355M2 is a multifunctional tool best used as a cordless multi-cutter and oscillating tool. This combination tool has dust extraction and a telescopic stand, and it can be used for polishing, grinding and cutting. The power of the tool is 300 Watts and is supplied by a rechargeable battery. The battery voltage is 18 V. The capacity of the battery is 4 Ah and the rechargeable battery uses Li-Ion technology. Brushless Motor and Cutting Speed The truth is oscillating tools haven’t been around that long in the UK, maybe 10 years or so. They in fact derive from a power tool designed and developed by the Fein manufacturing company in the US to remove plaster casts from hospital patients!

Next up are cutting blades – there are tons of different types of cutting blades available but the one that changed the way I work the most is the straight cutting blade. It lets you plunge cuts directly into the workpiece like a chisel, but without using much effort at all, and they’re available in a whole host of widths. One of the things you must cope with when buying a more budget-end multi tool is the extra weight. At just over 2 kg this oscillating tool is not super light, but it’s not designed to be a professional level tool either. It will perform at its best for DIY tasks only.Cordless versions are safer than corded ones because there is no lead, and they are more portable too. German tool manufacturer Einhell are well known for their honest, reliable power tools that are affordable for professionals and DIYers alike. In fact, you could buy two or three of these Einhell multi tools for the price of the best cordless multi tools on my list.

The maximum oscillation angle ranges narrowly between 2 to 4 degrees across most major brands. When using the oscillating multi tool for making cuts, a larger oscillating angle results in faster more aggressive cutting, while a smaller angle ensures a slower cut and allows for greater control and less vibration. Sanding right into corners is a difficult task at the best of times and is extremely tiring when you have lots of them to do in one go. The hook and loop sanding pad you can attach to the front of the oscillating tool are ideal for these situations. You’re not going to use the tool to sand down a whole floor, but when you need to get into a tight spot, the multi tool is unbeatable. This Makita multi tool is incredibly versatile. Its rotating head can swivel through 360 degrees with 12 stops at 30 degrees apart, so pretty much any nook or cranny is in reach. Plus, its Oscillating Interface System (OIS) accommodates accessories (secured using a hex wrench) from both Makita and other brands. You’ll need at least one battery and a charger, but if you’ve already bought into Makita’s battery-powered tool range that won’t be a problem. And if you haven’t already, you have complete freedom to choose whatever battery, charger, and range of accessories you want. You’ll be ahead of the game price-wise, and you will have a quality oscillating multi tool. Taking the cost of batteries and charger into account, the DWE315KT sells for close to half the price of one of the best cordless multi tools, the DeWalt DCS355D2 XR!The DCS355B is also available without the battery, charger or accessories. Multifunction Tools: Price UK Oscillating multi tools should have a minimum oscillation rate of 20,000 opm (oscillations per minute) controlled by a speed dial or variable speed trigger. This control lets you perform precision cutting, grinding and sanding tasks.