Many of us have an oscillating tool and those of us who don’t have one definitely want one. These tools make many of our jobs easier: they help us work faster and keep us fully efficient at work. However, because they make so many applications, how do you know you’re really using them to their full potential? Fortunately, these tools were born and designed to be super efficient, and as a result, it just takes a few tips to make sure you’re getting the most out of your multitool.

Oscillating Tool Blades & Accessories
Just like any other machine, the results you get from your oscillating tool will be only as good (or as mediocre) as the accessories you use with it. Consequently, using the right blade or accessory for each application is one of the most important considerations before using your multi-tool. It’s also one of the first factors you’ll need to consider before you start work, and perhaps more than any other component, the accessories you choose will affect your ability to get a job done right. For that reason, your attachments are probably the biggest contributor to the success of multitools.

To ensure your accessories can perform each task with the proper angle and force, oscillating tool accessories come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. To quickly summarize your options, here is a brief rundown of the most popular accessories for your multitool.

Know your accessories

sawn | cutting blades
Simply put, there are plenty of cutting accessories for your multitool. Because there are so many different things you’ll need to cut, there are so many different blades to cut them with. Therefore, it is very important to your results and the life of your tool and accessories that you use the correct blade for each cutting job. For example, trying to cut metal with a blade designed to cut softer materials will literally destroy your blade. Do not do this. Cutting metal with a blade designed to cut metal; use blades labeled bi-metal, metallic, or titanium. Similarly, although a metal blade will cut through wood, it will do so much less efficiently than a blade for cutting wood. For faster, smoother cuts, better results, and longer-lasting attachments, use the blade designed for the task at hand.

There are oscillating blades designed to cut just about anything. You can find them built specifically to cut wood, plastic, drywall, fiberglass, metal, floor coverings, siding, waste, silicone, caulking, cardboard, foam, insulation, rubber, grout, leather, felt, styrene, concrete, masonry. , plaster, ceramic, stone tile, epoxy, backing board, etc. As you might guess, then, these blades also come in many different shapes and sizes. Depending on the task at hand, you can choose between plunge and flush cut blades, straight blades, wide base straight blades, round and half round blades, finger and triangle blades, tapered blades, scraper blades, concave and convex blades. , hook-shaped leaves and corrugated and segmented leaves. That’s a lot, right? So while many blades also offer multipurpose cutting, choose your accessories carefully to ensure you’re using your blades and power tool to their fullest potential.

scraping blades
Scraper blades do almost exactly what you’d expect them to do: scrape. They are ideal for removing adhesives, silicone, paint, base coats, etc. Scraper blades are available in flexible and rigid designs and with a variety of blade shapes, from straight to curved, to ensure no debris (or etc.) is left behind beyond scraping.

scraper blade
Also available in a variety of shapes and sizes, a scraper blade is typically used for grinding and sanding applications such as filler grinding, tile adhesives, stone, concrete, and wood. Some scraper blades are designed to produce high precision, allowing users to work with these blades for more creative purposes.

grout removal
Grout removal blades are great for removing hard materials and getting into places. These round or half round blades are typically used on materials like plaster, concrete, sealants, and yes, grout. As with all applications, using the right accessory for particularly hard materials is critical to the performance (and life) of your multi-tool.

sanding
Available in round and triangular shapes and with a variety of sanding materials, a sanding attachment allows your multi-tool to function as a surface sander. Hook and loop abrasives allow you to sand and smooth virtually any surface, and because the tool itself is compact, it has great access into tight spaces.

Polished
With a multi-tool and hook-and-loop polishing attachment, you can produce high-quality finishes on almost any surface. Made from a variety of polishing materials (ie felt, fleece, etc.), these accessories help you create an ideal finish for metals and natural surfaces (such as aluminum, chrome, stainless steel, and stone materials). The polishing accessory is also useful for removing blemishes or heat discoloration from surfaces.

cutting tips

flush cut
Because its spindle sits on the blade, a flush blade allows you to cut flush against a surface. For this reason, flush cut blades are useful for many different applications such as flooring, wall trim, window frames, door frames, etc. Without a flush cutting blade, you would normally need to make flush cuts by hand, so needless to say, they save a lot of time and energy.

super straight cuts
Careful use of a good ruler as a saw guide can help you produce really straight cuts very quickly.

Carbide blades vs diamond blades
While a carbide blade is perfectly sufficient for smaller, smoother cutting jobs, a diamond blade is really worth the few extra dollars. In fact, for larger cutting jobs, investing in diamond blades is a must; they cut faster, last longer and offer better cutting results.

Straight vs round blades
While straight blades that allow you to plunge directly into a material are best suited for plunge cutting applications, long, straight cuts are best done with a round blade. If you need to make a particularly precise cut (or if you want to reduce the heat generated during a cut (and you should)), a shallow cut along the cut line, gradually deepening until the cut is complete, will produce cleaner results.

Wide base blades
To prevent blade slippage on curved surfaces (such as pipes), blades with wide bases are especially useful. The wide bottom prevents the blade from slipping off the piece you are cutting, resulting in a faster, cleaner cut. Although these blades are excellent for cutting curves, do not use them for plunge cutting. The wider base requires more force to plunge and puts excessive stress on the tool’s motor.

use the correct blade
This sounds obvious, but many leaves have died too young from being used incorrectly. Use the right blade (and the right accessory) for each application.

Protect finished surfaces
When cutting against a wall or finished surface, place a piece of sheet metal between the blade and the finished surface. This allows you to make the necessary cuts without marring previously finished surfaces.

Protect the life of your blades
Heat and pressure are the enemies of all blades. Consequently, poor cutting technique can lead to premature wear and poor blade performance. While you should never force the blades, don’t let them sit in one place for too long; wide strokes will reduce heat build-up. Because the debris created during a cut is not completely expelled by the action of the blade, it is important to keep the cutting path free of dust and chips. To do this, rock the blade slightly as you cut. The movement should push debris away and keep the blade cooler as well. When making long cuts, use long strokes and gradually deepen the depth of cut. This will distribute the heat and help decrease chip buildup. – The less heat and pressure your blades withstand, the longer they will stay sharp. Applying a safe lubricant (such as soap or beeswax) to the blade teeth will also reduce friction/heat during use.

blade wear
Symptoms of a blade that needs to be replaced include discoloration, crooked or dull teeth, slower/sloppy cuts, smoke or sparks when cutting, and extra high heat during use. Do not try to cut with a worn blade; this is bad for cutting results and bad for the tool’s motor.

Protect your sandpaper
Using lower speed settings while sanding will minimize the amount of heat generated during use; this will protect the sand from the paper. Also, keeping even pressure on your tool as you work (or keeping the accessory flat against the work piece) will do a few things for you: (a.) even pressure will prevent your sandpaper from wearing down prematurely or unevenly, (b.) Similarly, it will ensure a higher performing and longer lasting sandpaper and (c.) it will contribute to better and more consistent results.

Purchase of attachments
Invest in an adapt! Having the ability to use blades from different manufacturers can be a big help on the job. Because there are so many specific accessories available for your multitool and so many different jobs you’ll want to do with it, adapters help ensure you can use the right accessory at the right time. – It can also be useful to buy accessories online. You’ll usually find a much larger selection of accessories online than in stores. Although you may not be able to do this every time, having more options at your disposal ensures that you have the right accessory every time you turn on your tool.

Let your multitool work for you
While it’s true that your multitool can’t do everything for you, and it’s equally true that a multitool isn’t designed to replace every tool in your arsenal, these tools are incredibly versatile. That versatility coupled with its streamlined and compact design is a great recipe for a really useful tool. Use them where your other tools won’t fit or aren’t portable enough to reach. Use them at home and in the workplace; use them for that list of grinding, sanding, scraping, and cutting projects that never seems to get short. Use them for everything you can and be more efficient for it.