Thread: Multitool Vs Detail Sander

Are you sanding to remove back to bare timber, or just to scuff the surface to make sure the new paint sticks? If it's the latter, I'd suggest some of the 3M scotchbrite* pads - not the green kitchen ones, but either the greyish ones (which are also great for tired looking stainless steel sinks) or the maroon ones. There's also an automotive compound called 'scuffing paste' which is designed to help key car paint for better adhesion that can be used in conjunction with the grey pads.

*Ok, ok 'surface conditioning abrasives' in 3M-speak.

If you have a lot of sanding to do (and it sounds like it), I would get a dedicated tool for the job.

Multifunction tools will probably do the job but you are likely to suffer after use for an extended period.

Originally Posted by Master Splinter

Are you sanding to remove back to bare timber, or just to scuff the surface to make sure the new paint sticks? If it's the latter, I'd suggest some of the 3M scotchbrite* pads - not the green kitchen ones, but either the greyish ones (which are also great for tired looking stainless steel sinks) or the maroon ones. There's also an automotive compound called 'scuffing paste' which is designed to help key car paint for better adhesion that can be used in conjunction with the grey pads.

*Ok, ok 'surface conditioning abrasives' in 3M-speak.

Thanks, MS. Not sure yet. The matt Estapol is 20+ years old and is showing no signs of surface degregation or lifting. It basically seems to have soaked into the timber and sort of disappeared. Or its evaporated from the surface??? The timber is essentially in pretty good condition. Scuffing to apply a couple more coats is possibly all that is required.

And I thought I could justify another toy. .......

Fair Winds

Graeme

Go for the multi tool you will wish you had purchased one years ago, as for durability when my Fein was stolen I replaced it with a Bosch proffesional clone of the Fein, I would have completed more than 100 hours of sanding with it and it is still purring along, plus all the fein acc. fit, ( they were kind enough to leave the box of acc. and just took the tool)

the tools you have are not large enough to sand your floor, I have done a floor with a Bosch PEX125, and I spent hours on my knees.

If you are only contemplating a light sand and recoat,I suggest that you hire a POLI-VAC disc sander, an edge sander, buy some 80 & 100 Grit discs for both, and sand the floor, .

It will take you a day with the larger machines, or week with hand tools.

Jeff
vk4

Originally Posted by vk4

the tools you have are not large enough to sand your floor,

What floor Jeff?

Graeme is talking about

Originally Posted by GraemeCook

- doors, windows, architraves, skirting, etc

Thanks Everyone.

In the longer term, I doubt that I will have sufficient detail sanding to justify and dedicated tool, and I do not want to buy two more tools. Looks like a multitool is the best compromise.

From above, other forums and talking around there seems to be a quality hierarchy in the following order:

** Fein
** Bosch
** Dremel
** AEG

One friend is very vocal that the only one worth looking at is Fein, and he says that the best value for money is a Fein Starter kit plus generic accessories. Another, like China, says Bosch is the best value for money. Who's right??

Also, what are your views on the trade-offs between corded and cordless??

Fair Winds

Graeme

I bought the blue Bosche corded multitool a few months ago. I personally won't buy a cordless machine unless there is a fighting chance I'll be using it regularly so the batteries don't get ruined; the only cordless tools I own are two drills (both Bosche) and a screwdriver (Blue Point). If I had to get a cordless one I would probably go for the Ryobi model as it's batteries can be used in other tools.... but then again I don't have any Ryobi cordless tools......

To be honest the multitool is a compromise. The only thing it does really well is plunge cut so you can make square holes and flush trim, or get into corners. That's all I use mine for pretty much.

There are at least two different ways of fitting blades; Ryobi, Ozito, Bosche and SOME Fein use one method; AEG, "The Renovator" and some other Fein machines use another but adaptors are available so you can pick and choose. Big W sell an adaptor to allow Renovator tools to be used on the Bosche.... for a dollar.

Just to clarifi; The Fein is a top quality tool and without a doubt the best multitool out there,
I said the Bosch is best value for money app$200 vs $600, if Iwas using it in a trade situation I would buy the Fein, however for heavy duty home use the Bosch is doing just fine

While on the subject of Multitools for those who have one, you may wish to check company I have found them true to their word and very promt in their delivery ( usualy faster than I get from within Australia)

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