Oscillating Multi Tool?

[kmmcrafts]

This is way off topic for scroll saw work but many folks here have expressed how much they like and use one of these multi tool things.. I'm sort of remodeling a 5th wheel travel trailer and needing to cut a line through the paneling so I don't destroy the whole inside of this since I'm hoping to just open up the wall and repair a small water damaged area and then put up a couple sheets of paneling. As some may know, or maybe not.. these things are glued and stapled together and the cupboards etc are screwed and glued from the outside of the trailer underneath the siding.. I'm hoping to be able to cut the paneling out and not have to destroy the cupboards etc. so was hoping to cut the panel up to near the edge of the cupboard.. 

Anyway, you guys think the multi tool would be good for cutting that paneling and if so what blade configuration would you recommend? 

I gotta say I bought this flex shaft tool from HF thinking it'd be a one time use tool on a project I was doing last winter in the house.. It has been used so much already in several projects including this camper rebuild job.. I only bought it as a cheapy one time use.. Being from HF I would think it should be broke by now..

Here is the flex shaft tool and I've worked the crap out of it.. should have broke by now but it keeps on going like the energizer bunny..LOL

https://www.harborfreight.com/20v-cordless-variable-speed-rotary-tool-kit-with-flexible-shaft-36-piece-tool-only-58672.html

 

Was thinking I'd get this multi tool.. anyone experience with this one? It's another one of those tools I don't have any use for it other than the job I'm currently working on.. however like the rotary tool, I'll probably use the crap out of it once i have one.. 

 https://www.harborfreight.com/20v-brushless-cordless-variable-speed-oscillating-multi-tool-tool-only-58379.html 

[Wichman]

Kevin, you can get small circular saw blade for the rotatory tool from HF:

https://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/rotary-oscillating-tools/rotary-tool-accessories/6-piece-hss-saw-blade-with-mandrel-set-67224.html

If these are not to your liking and you want the oscillating tool, then I would recomend the half moon saw blade, it is very adjustable sod you can adjust the depth of the cut:

https://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/rotary-oscillating-tools/multi-tool-accessories/round-half-moon-blades/3-12-in-bimetal-steel-half-moon-blade-for-oscillating-multi-tools-63131.html

[kmmcrafts]

34 minutes ago, Wichman said:

Kevin, you can get small circular saw blade for the rotatory tool from HF:

https://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/rotary-oscillating-tools/rotary-tool-accessories/6-piece-hss-saw-blade-with-mandrel-set-67224.html

If these are not to your liking and you want the oscillating tool, then I would recomend the half moon saw blade, it is very adjustable sod you can adjust the depth of the cut:

https://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/rotary-oscillating-tools/multi-tool-accessories/round-half-moon-blades/3-12-in-bimetal-steel-half-moon-blade-for-oscillating-multi-tools-63131.html

Thank you, I have the saw kit for the rotary tool but the tool really lacks in power with these saw blades.. It's what I've been using but I feel like the multi tool would have more power and cut a larger area at a time as opposed to the small circle blade. 

Thank you very much for your input. I'll check out the half moon blade.. I think it's probably the one I was looking at and thinking it'd be the best one I've seen so far.. not having any experience with the tool I thought I'd ask those that have used them. 

[OCtoolguy]

I bought mine, a Dremel, about 13 years ago to install a medicine chest in one of the cherry cabinets in our bathroom. I used the 1/2 moon blade. It worked great. I use the sander part with triangle paper all the time on my small odd-shaped projects. I'd be lost without it. If you already have some Bauer battery driven tools then all you need is the basic tool. You'll love it.

[Bill WIlson]

I would get an assortment of wood cutting blades.  You may well find that your remodeling project isn't a one blade fits all endeavor, much like scrolling.  If you do much of this type of work, you will end up using this thing more than you might imagine, so having a few different blades will benefit you in the long run.

At the least, I would add some sort of plunge/flush cut style blade.  It could be easier than a half moon blade at getting into any tight corners you may encounter.

BTW, the sander attachment sometimes comes in pretty handy as well.

[Badgerboy]

Kevin,  here is a video of a down to earth guy I follow on Youtube.  You will see he uses a multitool to do the very thing you are considering.  https://youtu.be/vLkRlbAmyQw?feature=shared

I just bought a Milwaukee multitool based upon recommendations from carpenter friends.  Milwaukee has a deal if you buy 2 batteries and a charger you get a free tool of which the multitool is one of the options.  May want to check it out, the math works to take the deal.  

 

[kmmcrafts]

3 hours ago, Bill WIlson said:

I would get an assortment of wood cutting blades.  You may well find that your remodeling project isn't a one blade fits all endeavor, much like scrolling.  If you do much of this type of work, you will end up using this thing more than you might imagine, so having a few different blades will benefit you in the long run.

At the least, I would add some sort of plunge/flush cut style blade.  It could be easier than a half moon blade at getting into any tight corners you may encounter.

BTW, the sander attachment sometimes comes in pretty handy as well.

Assortment of blades is a great idea.. I hadn't thought about some smaller sized for tight areas so I'll have to see what is available.

Thank you for the advice given

[kmmcrafts]

2 hours ago, Badgerboy said:

Kevin,  here is a video of a down to earth guy I follow on Youtube.  You will see he uses a multitool to do the very thing you are considering.  https://youtu.be/vLkRlbAmyQw?feature=shared

I just bought a Milwaukee multitool based upon recommendations from carpenter friends.  Milwaukee has a deal if you buy 2 batteries and a charger you get a free tool of which the multitool is one of the options.  May want to check it out, the math works to take the deal.  

 

Milwaukee is probably the top brand when it comes to cordless.. and I use their cordless impacts and ratchets.. I'll look into the deal. 

For some reason when i click on the link you gave it just comes back to this topic, LOL.. not sure if it's a glitch or? 

[OCtoolguy]

2 hours ago, kmmcrafts said:

Milwaukee is probably the top brand when it comes to cordless.. and I use their cordless impacts and ratchets.. I'll look into the deal. 

For some reason when i click on the link you gave it just comes back to this topic, LOL.. not sure if it's a glitch or? 

I had the same problem.

 

[Badgerboy]

Try this link.  

 

[kmmcrafts]

I bought the Bauer from HF tonight.. I bought a couple different styles and sizes of blades too. Just went out and did a test cut a very small area and i think this is going to work perfectly for what I need it for on this job.. just what little I did use it I now can see that this might be another tool that now that I have I'll maybe be using it way more than I originally thought. I never really even looked closely at them before and had no idea how they worked.. Looking at all the different attachments that can be used with this thing really was amazing.. 

Thanks to all that have given their opinions on this topic. 

[OCtoolguy]

55 minutes ago, kmmcrafts said:

I bought the Bauer from HF tonight.. I bought a couple different styles and sizes of blades too. Just went out and did a test cut a very small area and i think this is going to work perfectly for what I need it for on this job.. just what little I did use it I now can see that this might be another tool that now that I have I'll maybe be using it way more than I originally thought. I never really even looked closely at them before and had no idea how they worked.. Looking at all the different attachments that can be used with this thing really was amazing.. 

Thanks to all that have given their opinions on this topic. 

You won't be sorry.

 

[rash_powder]

An oscillating tool would be perfect for this.  I have cut sheet rock with mine, and the cut out will nearly press back into its hole.  Perfect for making spot repairs and such.  

[kmmcrafts]

I've been using the crap out of this tool.. these campers are built with at least 10,000,000,000 staples and apparently they assemble the cupboards and things before putting the siding on as they are screwed in with screws from the outside underneath the siding. Not only staples and screws but also glued with something like liquid nail.. so basically this tool has been used non stop in this project. 

That all said we are looking at maybe just getting another camper... But I'm still going to sort of refurbish this either back into another camper or I'm going to make it a small workshop for my lasers and maybe the CNC as well. Who knows but I'm having fun ripping it apart anyway.. 

[OCtoolguy]

No two RVs were ever made the same. Ever!

[rash_powder]

On 7/23/2024 at 5:50 PM, kmmcrafts said:

I've been using the crap out of this tool.. these campers are built with at least 10,000,000,000 staples and apparently they assemble the cupboards and things before putting the siding on as they are screwed in with screws from the outside underneath the siding. Not only staples and screws but also glued with something like liquid nail.. so basically this tool has been used non stop in this project. 

That all said we are looking at maybe just getting another camper... But I'm still going to sort of refurbish this either back into another camper or I'm going to make it a small workshop for my lasers and maybe the CNC as well. Who knows but I'm having fun ripping it apart anyway.. 

After reading your post I was concerned about rebuilding the dinette seat in our camper.  It *HAD* been screwed to the wall; but was no longer and I paniced a bit about having to cut screws.  Fortunately it pulled out of the wall and I found them to be screwed from inside the seat to the wall.  

Is your slide-out sagging?  Our camper is a 2016 and the slide must have at least 1/2" sag in the middle of the slide out ceiling.  I'm going to put a 2x4 with an adjustable end in to brace it and push it back straight.  I'm not sure the exact span, its at least 10', but that is way too much to be unsupported given the construction methods used.  

I'm kinda looking for a bombed out camper to turn into a mobile shop.  It may take a while to find a $500ish wreck with good walls, floor, and roof to flip.  I've got time though.

[kmmcrafts]

41 minutes ago, rash_powder said:

After reading your post I was concerned about rebuilding the dinette seat in our camper.  It *HAD* been screwed to the wall; but was no longer and I paniced a bit about having to cut screws.  Fortunately it pulled out of the wall and I found them to be screwed from inside the seat to the wall.  

Is your slide-out sagging?  Our camper is a 2016 and the slide must have at least 1/2" sag in the middle of the slide out ceiling.  I'm going to put a 2x4 with an adjustable end in to brace it and push it back straight.  I'm not sure the exact span, its at least 10', but that is way too much to be unsupported given the construction methods used.  

I'm kinda looking for a bombed out camper to turn into a mobile shop.  It may take a while to find a $500ish wreck with good walls, floor, and roof to flip.  I've got time though.

My camper doesn't have a slide out and I've never really been around one enough to know if that would be normal or not. 

So far I have taken the dinette seats and a portion of a cabinet out. I then took the stove, sink, and refrigerator out as I found the wall on the other side was soft and I have another what appears to be active leak.. I kinda stopped working after that as I'm trying to decide if it's worth trying to fix.. We plan to go looking at some new and used ones and have looked at a couple older used ones that we spotted what looked like maybe the start of some leak damage so nope.. not going that route since I have one that I could rebuild and make it however we want since it looks like I'll have to basically gutt the whole thing if I continue with repairing the one I have. 

All of the stuff I've removed so far had been screwed from both outside and inside into the wall studs. more screws on the inside but there are some that come in from the outside. It makes for a really tough job to remove things without destroying them.. so I may turn this into something else like a makeshift mobile shop or turn into a flatbed trailer, LOL.. Making a shop out of it would allow me to use the furnace and the A/C.. I don't care if I have to rebuild some of the walls or even reroof it again.. but gutting it out I won't care if i destroy the cabinets or anything because I'll just be gutting it.. If I try saving the thing as a camper then I want to try to carefully remove the cabinets etc.. and that is a lot of work.. was doable with just the one small portion of the wall on one side but now that I discovered the other side too..  This thing is old and served us well through the years of my kids growing up.. I neglected it for several years now as life happen with the kids going to college and everything we hadn't camped in close to 8 - 10 years now.. Used to spend most of a summer camping.. 

[rash_powder]

Ahhhh……. I see.  
 

Best of luck with your hunt for a new camper.  
 

from what I have found the slides do tend to sag due to the unsupported span.  Something to watch for if you look used.  We also just swapped all our light bulbs for LED and the current dropped from 37.5 amps to 6 amps on the DC inverter.  The fans don’t start immediately with the lights anymore.