Ozito Multi-Function tool (Fein Multimaster-alike) - a five minute review

[Master Splinter]

For all those who have lusted after a Fein Multimaster or even Bosch equivalent but haven't been able to justify the cash for something that will only get occasional use, Ozito hit my 'awww, why not' price point today with their $80-odd equivalent, the Ozito Multi-Function Tool (MFR-250).

It's on-paper specs (250 watt, 3.2 degree orbit, 3.8mm stroke, electronic speed control, 3 year warranty) are curiously reminiscent of the Fein.

The blade design looks close enough to both the Fein and Bosch so that blades will be interchangeable. It has a metal gear case and the standard Ozito grey plastic body.

Blades are held on by a thick washer and allen head bolt, allen key supplied. If you want a quick release, you'll just have to pay the extra $500 for the Fein.

Packaging is the standard Ozito blow-moulded box, but to my surprise, this now has metal latches rather than plastic. Replacing the tool back in the box didn't require any use of the fourth dimension to get the last bit of the power cord in, so this box might actually get used.

It comes with a sanding pad, a scraper and a couple of saw blades suitable for wood and plastic. The photos on the packaging show a recessed style D-shaped saw blade, but the blade actually in the box was just a flat type - so if you want to flush cut to something, it'll be the small recessed blade until you buy some more blades off ebay.

Although I wasn't intending to use it straight away, as a consequence of my trip to Bunnies (buying new door furniture to replace a handle that was becoming impossible to turn) I ended up actually putting it to use.

The door handle replacement wasn't as straightforward as hoped, and I had the choice of dicking around with a holesaw to make a larger hole, misusing a drill to hack and rasp the hole larger, or trying out the new toy.

The last option was the most appealing, and the Ozito worked quite well, slicing through masonite and pacific maple pretty much like a hot knife through butter. No sign of wear on the blade after my five minutes of use, so it might actually be made of real metal and not chinese imitation metal!

The kerf was small, tool control wasn't particularly difficult, and the amount of mess was certainly minimal compared to doing the job with a holesaw or drill bit.

However, it is noisy. Not as noisy as a circular saw, but on par with orbital sanders or dremels. It also vibrates, but this is basically a byproduct of its operation and it didn't seem excessive, nor did it interfere with using it. I don't know what I'd say after using it for a solid half an hour, but it's not the sort of tool that I'd expect to be using for that long in one session anyway.

Overall, I'm happy with it, and I'll be even happier after buying some high speed steel blades and maybe a tungsten carbide blade for it.

[dakotax3]

I appreciate an honest and thorough opinion on most things, tool reviews no exception. For years I have indeed lusted after the Fein Multi-Master but could not justify the price of one against the known projected use. Then Bosch came along with their own multi-master equivalent and things started to get more affordable. I can understand your comment about the tools noise; many of the Ozitos I've heard have been very noisy, in part I suspect to the meshing of primary gears. Hats off to them for being in a competitive market though. I have a small Ozito corded drill that has been given a hammering, has been drowned, resuscitated, hammered again and is now the goto drill.

I suspect the occasional use people will view this tool as you have, the right tool to buy for the occasional bit of work it will see.

[Uncle Bob]

Replacing the tool back in the box didn't require any use of the fourth dimension to get the last bit of the power cord in, so this box might actually get used.

No sign of wear on the blade after my five minutes of use, so it might actually be made of real metal and not chinese imitation metal!



Got a lol here :)

[old_picker]

i bought one of these based on this review
first time i have bought an ozito tool and i have to say i was resigned to having to take it back

i had a difficult job which was to remove a couple of 19mm square pine cleats that had been glued and bradded by mistake in corners - both apprx 400 mm in length - i had begun to chew one of them out with a chisel and quickly realised i would end up with a god awful mess and totally destroyed chisel -

i went and bought the tool and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of it - not only was it quiet and powerfull, the supplied plunge blade sliced through the pine, glue and brads in very quick time - it still had plenty sharp teeth after the job - i tidied up with the sanding head and thought hmm, this oncer tool will be very handy to have around - not the sort of tool I will be running after every 5 minutes but one i will be glad to have on hand for those specialised little jobs that only it can do

[Old farmer]

Thanks, Master Splinter, for your valuable review, and all for our posts.

[Master Splinter]

There have been two reports on the Renovate forum (see - Multitool recommendations ? (http://www.renovateforum.com/f216/multitool-recommendations-103967/#post877231) ) that the bolt securing the blade can vibrate loose while using it, leading to the mild steel toothy-grippy thing that stops the blade slipping around getting all broken, so it's probably an idea to keep an eye on it when using for extended periods and make sure it is nice and tight (I've only used mine on two other occasions, so it hasn't had much of a hard life).

Bunnies now seem to have Ozito replacement blades in stock, for a quite reasonable $20. (three straight blades, one tungsten grout blade and one offset disk blade)

There have also been two reports on the Renovate forum of the Bosch one failing (one from a switch failure, one unspecified).

[issatree]

Hi All,
Yes I also bought 1 of these, but haven't really had a good go with it yet.
I also so noted the Noise Level, but I will be using some ear muffs.
The Vibration is a bit of a concern, but I have a pr. of Woolen Work Gloves just for that reason. They certainly stop most of the Vibration.
We used them on the old Blue Echo Chain Saws, all those years ago.

I have to change a few? most likely many boards on the house, South West side, due to maybe a bit of neglect or dry rot.
As far as The Blade coming loose, I intend to use a " T " Handled Allen Key. Might get a bit more tightness on it.
Yes, the Case with the Steel Latches was a good move, I thought.

[Scribbly Gum]

We recently spent a week on my son's bathroom repair and renovation.
Bought an Ozito for cutting out rotten studs, removing wall tiles, slicing gyprock, cutting pipe etc.
It had five solid days work and never looked like missing a beat.
The metal catches on the case are much stronger than the plastic lug that they secure to. Plastic lug broke on the first day.
We wore out quite a few blades in the process. FWIW, at Bunnings, these liitle tools go as fast as they can shelve them. I had to wait through three shipments before I got one - they were always sold out when I got there.
Cheers
SG

[SAISAY]

We bought the Bosch one a couple years ago. Quite liked it BUT when one of the blades wore out, it was cheaper to buy another set than to buy one blade.
What a rip-off.
Glad to hear you can now buy blades at a reasonable price.
Unfortunately ours got Cyclonised last year so we may have to buy an OZITO instead.
Cheers
Wolffie

[Matador]

Hi Master Splinter ,

I just bought myself the Renovator deluxe multi - tool kit it has 250 Watts
power and it come with 37 accessories I bought mind at Big W but no one knows that they are there unless you ask them because they don't put them
out . I paid $160.00 just pick it up the other day so I haven't used it yet .
Do you know anything about the Renovator it is the one they show on TV .
It has a 2 year Warranty .


Cheers Graham .

[Master Splinter]

Stratco apparently sell a similar unit for $99 (how similar I can't say, not having a Stratco store nearby) according to others on the Renovate forum.

I can't even say I've seen the TV ads, as my TV watching is done by downloading torrents (TV networks weaned me off them more than five years ago thanks to the proliferation of 'reality' programs and an inability to stick to their programming schedule for anything but their few top rating programs).

[lesmeyer]

Guys, I own the Fein Multimaster (A very special price - do not ask :D ).
It is a great tool (and expensive), but it vibrates just as much as any other oscillating tool. Fein actually recommend wearing gel filled gloves if using the tool for extended periods (just what extended means, I am not sure).
There are many brands of blades now available. Just check out flea bay.
I am sure the other brands of oscillating tools will do a great job as already described above, and at the price and warranty, one cannot go wrong.
Les

[BamBam53]

I got an Icon brand multi tool from the local Mitre 10 Mega. They had them on sale at $60 a few weeks back. Specs are much the same as the Ozito but only a two year warranty.

I had the problem with the bolt coming loose the first time I used it, but caught it before it did any damage to the drive lugs.

[damian]

Couple of things:

Ozito briefly had a cordless version boxed with a drill at $130, unfortunately they were only available for 5 mintues.

The fein is not $500. Most people buy the $500 kit because it comes with so many attachments but a fairer comparison is the $300 starter kit:

Fein FMM250 MultiMaster Trade Plus kit | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Fein-FMM250-MultiMaster-Trade-Plus-kit-/370569048981?pt=AU_Power_Tools&hash=item5647a2f395)

SYDNEY TOOLS - Fein FM250 START Multimaster Kit (http://sydneytools.com.au/shopexd.asp?id=10511&bc=no)

the bosch

Bosch 250W Multi-Cutter #GOP 250 CE (http://www.justtools.com.au/prod6589.htm)

[COLOR=#22229c]]Bosch 250W Electric 240V Multi Cutter Tool Combo Kit GOP 250 CE Professional | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Bosch-250W-Electric-240V-Multi-Cutter-Tool-Combo-Kit-GOP-250-CE-Professional-/370597123138?pt=AU_Power_Tools&hash=item56494f5442[/COLOR)

Bosch GOP250CE Multi Tool 1 Years Bosch Australia Wide Warranty | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Bosch-GOP250CE-Multi-Tool-1-Years-Bosch-Australia-Wide-Warranty-/170837142288?pt=AU_Power_Tools&hash=item27c6afeb10)

Obviously there is still a large price difference but to be fair compare apples with apples.

There is another thread here about alternative sources for cutters etc.

[Old farmer]

Damian, mate, it's worth reading your posts just for the bottom "Me" quote and pic. Always brings me a smile. Thanks.

[dakotax3]

Agreed; and Damian's links support his claims.












This for Old Farmer:
I know you believe you understand what you think I wrote, but I'm not sure you realize that what you just read is not what I meant.

[damian]

Damian, mate, it's worth reading your posts just for the bottom "Me" quote and pic. Always brings me a smile. Thanks.

Thank you.

In person I'm a bit of a clown, but sometimes in type I come across as rather more confrontational than I intend. Losing tone and visual queues is a bit of a bother.

[benaa]

Bought mine about 12 months ago and find it great. As others have said, not used all the time, but very handy when required. Had to plane down the backs of a couple of doors that were sticking and so had to reset the hinges. Just used a chisel around the edges and then the tool for taking out the waste. Was very neat and quick and you are able to take out very thin layers if required. The tool certainly has its place in the workshop and at a very reasonable price.

[Ticky]

I have posted this in the POWERED HAND TOOL Forum, but I think it is worth restating here.


So here's a thread I never thought I would start.
I bought my first Ozito the other day. Thats one thing I never thought I would say

It was a Mulitool. And that's the other thing I never thought I would say.

We are doing a bit of renovating inside the house, & I needed to cut out some Cement sheeting in the laundry. I didn't want to fill the house with dust so rather than use the angle grinder & diamond blade, I thought for $79 , give it a go.

I considered buying... perhaps a better name brand product, but I looked at a few reviews on the net the night before & the general feeling on Mulitools as a tool was not great.

So anyway, I had a look at them & decided on the cheapest one I could get.

I took it home & started cutting cement sheet. Not a lot of dust, but the teeth wore off the blade in no time. That said, having no teeth did not even slow this little sucker down. It did a wonderful job & the refit after the plumbing was done was a breeze.

On gyprock, I can't think of any better tool.

This is not going to replace any of my tools, & once the Reno's are finished, I can't see it getting a lot of use, but with a full 3 year replacement warrantee, I'm

thinking that perhaps some of the people writing these reviews prolly wouldn't know their ass crack from a crack in the wall. (Lil home reno joke)


Steve

[Chief Tiff]

Aldi have their version on sale this coming Saturday for $40, and I saw Bunnies are selling one for the same price under their XUI brand. Like many I lusted after a Fein for years, then had the oportunity to use a green Bosch version. For cutting flush and making square holes these tools are unbeatable but everything else they can do can be done better by more dedicated tools. Saying that, if it was the second power tool (after a drill) anyone bought it'd do.

I ended up buying a blue Bosch (tool snob) and it does come in handy for renovation work but I haven't found a use for it in the shed yet. Bunnies sell the green Bosch in two forms, the normal plastic cased version plus another in a gucci little aluminium tool chest with storage drawers for about a dollar less.

Bunnies are now selling a cased set of blades under the "Craftright" brand; containing about a dozen different blades for $24, but I'd get in quick because it seems that this brand only make stuff for about five minutes and then move on to something else.

[cray-]

Currently selling for $29! OzBargain suggested it was only on special until Father's Day Sep 1st, but the website says: "Price correct as at Tue 03 Sep 2013 5:31:56".

Also, there is a newer set with 23 accessories instead of 7 (couple extra heads but padded out with sanding sheets), so look out for a sticker on the box saying "20+ accessories included" or somesuch.

Not sure if that's a sale price or the new standard price. For $29 I might grab one to put in the "might need it one day" pile.

[Master Splinter]

At $30, definitely worth it for the 'might need one day' pile.....