Tag Archives: woodworking

Handy Tools!

I recently started a renovation on our upstairs bathroom, replacing the old shower, and converting an un-used sauna into a laundry room.  Removing the old shower tiles (2 layers of tiles!) was a big job, and there were also some floor tiles leading into the shower I needed to remove.
I did a bunch of online research, and decided to try out a Dremel Oscillating tool, that I purchased from Home Depot.  The kit came with a grout removal tool, and it worked great!  There was some subfloor that I needed to remove, and using the saw blades that were also included with the kit, I was able to make a perfectly flush cut, so the new subfloor would fit perfect!
The Dremel tool had a nice quick release/locking mechanism to make blade changes easy.  At the back of the handle, there’s a dial to adjust the speed.
Unfortunately, after having the tool for maybe 2 weeks, the on/off switch became extremely hard to switch on, and when I was finally able to move the switch, nothing.  It was dead.
Home Depot refunded my money with zero hassle, and unfortunately again, they had no stock of my second choice tool, a Dewalt.

I ordered the DEWALT Oscillating Multi-Tool Kit from Amazon, and I’m really impressed!
The Dewalt tool doesn’t use a sliding switch, instead it has large a variable speed trigger along the bottom of the handle. There’s a button lock to lock the trigger as well.
The quick release blade change system is even easier to use than the Dremel tool, and the Dewalt kit also included a universal adapter to allow other blades to be used. Only downside is that a hex wrench is needed to lock blades in place when using the adapter, but the wrench is included.
There’s an LED light to see into darker spots (would have been nice to have when doing some of the cuts I had made with the Dremel).
I large carrying bag, and a plastic accessory case is also included, along with a bunch of sanding pads and a quick release sanding pad holder.
I had been skeptical about these tools in the past, but after having one, I regret not getting one sooner. The ability to make very precise cuts, flush trimming, and being able to cut a variety of materials, really makes it an indispensable addition to your tool collection!