Good deal or not

[MY63]

Wandering through Axminster today I came across a Fein FMT 250 SL multi tool for £100. I remember a post about the Fein multitool, and I was looking at detail sanders I thought it might be worth a try.
I know I will use it as my Aldi one is almost dead

 

[AJB Temple]

I have had two of the heavier duty Feins. Both failed within a year. In fact one failed within a week and was replaced so really I have had three. Both had repairs: armature replaced in one, switchgear in the other, which has failed again and now has an intermittent fault. I am sure others have had better experiences but I would not buy another.

 

[sunnybob]

I have a Fein power file, poor fit and adjustments. In my defence, it was 20 quid from amazon with a voucher i had.
I get a few minutes out of it before having to stop and re adjust everything.
wouldnt buy again.

 

[Woodbloke]

I have had two of the heavier duty Feins. Both failed within a year. In fact one failed within a week and was replaced so really I have had three. Both had repairs: armature replaced in one, switchgear in the other, which has failed again and now has an intermittent fault. I am sure others have had better experiences but I would not buy another.

This surprises me Adrian. A quick Google search reveals that these things are made in Germany so none of your cCc and Fein are supposed to be the best oscillating tools on the market. That you had two fail within a year suggests you either had a run of bad luck with them or you got hold of a couple of ‘Friday afternoon’ jobbies. I’ve suggested to SWIMBO that a corded version with some tools might be a suitable Christmas pressie this year :eusa-whistle: - Rob

 

[RogerS]

I second that. Mine has been going strong for years.

 

[AJB Temple]

I fear that quality control has taken a dive in recent years. The Festool Vectoro (made in same factory I think) has been much better. I bought mine second hand.

This is also one tool where I would definitely go battery next time. They are great for working in fiddly spaces and battery is the way to go. As is Starlock.

The new Makita which takes all three kinds of Starlock seems to be a well made tool.

 

[MY63]

The last time I saw what I thought was a good deal it was a pen turning lathe, very reasonable I went back the next morning and it had gone. I bought the multi tool although it is an older model it comes with a 3 year warranty, It is a star tool plus with the bolt on which I prefer.

 

[Dr.Al]

I've got a Fein multimaster of some sort (can't remember the model designation). I bought it after using my father's one, which is the second one he's had. His first one got used pretty much daily for about 8 years and finally gave up the ghost when he'd been running it continuously (yes, really) for a couple of hours trying to do something he should have used an angle grinder for. His second one is now 10 years old and going strong and mine is a similar age and also going strong.

They have the disadvantage of only taking the more expensive starlock cutters, but changing tools takes seconds (no screw, just lift the handle and tool drops out, then push another tool into the slot and it clamps automatically).

The only reason I might not get a Fein if I got another one would be to go cordless and use my Makita batteries, but even then I'd think seriously about getting another Fein given how good it has been and how well thought out the tool change thing is.