Considering an oscillating sander for Penny and me ("multi-tool" some makers call them)

[kmmcrafts]

4 hours ago, OCtoolguy said:

So pull the air line out at the bellows. 

Well I would still need a blower or vacuum to clear off the sawdust from my workpiece to see where my lines are, My Hegner doesn't have a line-loc line on it to aim it off to the side. This was a big complaint on my first "old Hawk" saw I had as it just had that clear air hose that aimed toward the front of the saw, was the first upgrade I did on that saw was to buy the line-loc upgrade kit from bushton, LOL.  I probably can buy the stuff to update it for the Hegner too but I want to toy around with a homemade collector set up instead of having the blower.. May still need a blower but I just wanted to tinker around with it.. not like I don't have another saw to use until I get time to mess around with the Hegner and dust collection and find what will work best for me.  I haven't been working a whole lot in the shop because I'm working on a new website store build.. I have 600 items to list on the new site and approximately 5-7 photos to edit for each listing item.. doing this in this damp, wet snowy, rainy cold, kinda blah weather that we are having transitioning from winter to spring. Maybe by the time I get the new store ready to launch it'll be sunny and warm though the shop has heat.. my issue is I'm a outside kind of person if it's nice out.. and I've wanted to build this new site for a few years but holiday time is too busy to build a site and after that it's bookkeeping / taxes and summer is playing around / building up inventory.. so this time of year is perfect to get things set up for the new store.  LOL.. 

[Tallbald]

5 hours ago, OCtoolguy said:

Once you have one you won't be without it. Just being able to cut a molding flush with the floor, nothing else works. As I mentioned above, we wanted a medicine cabinet in our master bath and the only place for it was the side of a cabinet that had an inner wall. I laid out the lines on the cab and used the fine-tooth blade that vibrates. Once it was through the wall it was just a matter of following the line. Noisy but effective. I used a shop vac at the same time to suck up the dust. I've used the triangular sanding pad on just about everything I've made. I bought one of the first Dremel models about 12 years ago. Since then they've changed them but I don't know if they improved them. My only complaint is the placement of the air vents. They are where you would naturally want to hold the tool for the best balance. I just take breaks to let it cool. 

So OCtoolguy you do use an oscillating sander along the lines of this for sanding scrolled items with good effect then? The price point is good on some models. And I like the mop ideas put forth by many. I know my faithful 1/4 pad deWalt sander is getting heavier these years for any fine manipulation. Stinks to get old and sore but the alternative is less attractive. Looking for similar performance and versatility in a smaller and lighter package. The flush cutting possibility sure would have been nice back in the day for me. So many choices... Don

BLACK+DECKER Oscillating Multi-Tool, Variable Speed, 2.5-Amp (BD200MTB) - Power Oscillating Tools - Amazon.com

Edited March 11, 2023 by Tallbald

[Sycamore67]

Take this as just my opinion.  I do Intarsia, puzzles and things using typically 3/4" hardwoods.  I do not do fretwork.

I would not consider using a multi tool at all.  I find them heavy and awkward for sanding smaller stuff.

I use all kinds of sanding stuff but use my drill press with sanding drums, mac mop, sanding stars and other things.  A drill press with various attachments is very flexible.  I also have a series of sanding blocks I made with different grits on them for flat surfaces.  

[BadBob]

2 minutes ago, Sycamore67 said:

I would not consider using a multi tool at all.

I agree. I've had one for more than ten years, and I have never even been tempted to sand anything with it.

[kmmcrafts]

I kind of agree with Larry and Bob,  Although I've never had my hands on a multi-tool the tool body looks like it's long and would be awkward to hold onto.. I think I mentioned previously that I find ways to hold the piece being sanded rather than the tool.. If you got a bench vice pinch the 1/4 sheet sander in that then hold the piece being sanded.. fine sanding can also be done with finger nail board sanders etc.. too.. 

Again, I've not used a multi tool but I find way better sanding control by having the sander be stationary.. Sanding mops and mac mops do an awesome job.. Before I had some of these tools I just used my drill press as Larry mentioned.. No Drill Press? got a bench vise? clamp a hand drill in that.. Glue sandpaper to old dull scroll saw blades and use the scroll saw to sand tight areas.. and if you have a 1/4 sheet sander then cut up the used clamped 1/4 sheet paper from the ends where it's unused. The saw only has ( depending on saw ) 3/4 inch blade stroke so you don't need to cover the whole blade in sandpaper.. 

[OCtoolguy]

Reading all the above just strengthens my belief that Baskin-Robbins got it right. A flavor for every taste.

[BadBob]

2 hours ago, OCtoolguy said:

Reading all the above just strengthens my belief that Baskin-Robbins got it right. A flavor for every taste.

With a scroll saw, you can do so many things that your project determines the sanding tool you need.

[barb.j.enders]

On 3/8/2023 at 6:54 AM, ChelCass said:

Just got one for my birthday.  Looking forward to using it.  Do you have & use any of the accessories?

[ChelCass]

2 hours ago, barb.j.enders said:

Justot one for my birthday.  Looking forward to using it.  Do you have & use any of the accessories?

No accessories came with mine.  I already have a oscillating sander that I gave to my husband as I never used it and it took up too much counter space in my small shop.