Oscillating multi-function power tool - My recent fascination

Blog DIY home tools DIY tools oscillating multifunction power tool power tools Tools tools and accessories Woodworking tools

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Disclaimer 1 : This is neither a tool review nor a sponsored post. I have not been contacted by anyone to write this post. This is part of the series where I write about the tools that I use for my home DIY projects. You can read about the other tools that I use by clicking this link here.

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Owning a tool or not having the skill to use one is probably one of the hurdles in DIY in India, and am sure many of you would agree. This is a reason why I invariably outsource the cutting wood activity to someone at the timber store.  It has always been easy that way. Give the dimensions and be done with it. But, with my side table, I was left with a challenge. I needed to have the plywood top cut to the exact dimensions as the frame inset measurement. The challenge though was that the frame was not fixed exactly at 90 degrees, which meant, giving the dimensions to have the plywood cut may not really work.

This is when I decided to take the task upon myself, and took out a tool gift that I received couple of years back – The oscillating multifunction power tool. I have used the tool earlier but I was not ready to write about it here until I was fully convinced that I could use it for a real project. Before I put it up here, I wanted to be sure that I am able to use the tool to suit my DIY needs at home. So, finally I braced myself and cut the plywood (12mm thick and 18 inches in length) in less than 5 minutes and the result is here for all to see.

Oscillating multi-function power tool

The concept behind the tool is quite simple. It comes with a spindle to which you can attach the required cutter / blade / other attachments. When powered on, the spindle oscillates back and forth at an astounding speed of 21k oscillations per minute (may vary from product to product). Imagine using a saw to cut wood and your one up and down manual motion of the saw as one oscillation. This tool can do 21,000 of those in just a minute. With the right angle, and the right pressure applied onto the wooden surface, getting your work done is a piece of cake. The plywood cut came out so perfect that I was kicking myself for not using the tool earlier.

Recommend reading : Some basic things to take care of before you start using a tool or even a kitchen accessory from the United States of America

Oscillating tool and the blade accessory

The accessories / blade attachments are sold separately and there are quite a few attachments available for various activities like cutting wood, pipes, removing grouts, sanding etc… (hence the name multi-function)  I only have an angled cutter that is now coming in handy for my DIY cutting needs. This now gives me the confidence to move from smaller projects to medium sized projects.  But the biggest advantage I see is that I can eliminate the dependence on timber stores for my home needs. I would have loved to do a video. Nonetheless, I am leaving you with a link to Youtube videos that talk about the tool’s versatility.

Trying the oscillating multi-function power tool

I would like to thank my cousin Raji for this gift and want to tell her that I have started fully using the tool. The official site claims that this is a tool suited for home DIY and hobbies and I fully agree. This is certainly a valuable addition to my tool kit which is mostly only hand tools, barring my electric drill and I highly recommend it for a budding home DIYer like me.

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Disclaimer 2 : I am merely posing for the photo. Please exercise caution and ensure you read the user manual for the correct way to hold and use the tool. Also ensure you take precautionary safety measures before you start working on a DIY project using the tool.

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C-Clamps for that elusive strong and steady grip

accessories Blog DIY tools Essential tools for woodworking Hobby tools Tools tools and accessories Woodworking tools

When we worked on our first ever center table (which is also our first ever project), we had to stick a 4 mm sheet of One Side Team onto a plywood using synthetic resin glue. Because we had no means to hold the OST sheet in place and the glue required some drying time, we literally had to sit on either side of the table for a good 15 minutes. And we did this for the next few projects too. When it was a smaller work, like a DIY photo frame, I had to hold the sticks tightly together for a while before I was convinced that the glue has dried.

That is when I thought I should get my hands on C-Clamps (also called G-Clamps), purely for my gluing needs.

C-Clamps / G-Clamps

Clamps are wonderful tools for holding things together steadily in place while you are trying to work on them.  Whether it is for gluing two surfaces together or to nail them, the clamps come in handy to provide that firm grip which might otherwise not come from even steady hands. The clamps come in different sizes and it is important that you choose those that fit your needs.

I went for the smallest of ones that can open as wide as 1 inch and not more. Highly suited for surfaces of lesser thickness. I have ever since used these clamps successfully for making a wall clock and for laminating wooden surfaces.

C Clamps for basic woodworking and DIY needs

I bought these clamps at Home Depot during my short visit to the US last year. I have also inquired here and these are available in hardware stores and tools shops. There are different types of clamps that are available and C-Clamps are just one of those. It has been an important accessory in my tool kit that has helped reduce the pressure on my fingers and deserved a special mention here.

Do you use clamps for your projects ? I believe they are extensively used even outside of woodworking. If you do use them for your crafting needs, share the details in the comments section. Will certainly love to hear about it.

- Somu

Cordless screwdriver - the latest addition to my tool kit

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A cordless screwdriver was a perfect gift from my brother-in-law who just returned from Indonesia and is the latest addition to my tool kit.  I thought I was fine with the set of screw drivers that I had, but I was completely wrong. I just realized how much more convenient a power tool like this can make my life. I have been playing with it for the last couple of days and the  tool is really handy. I tried using it in place of the allen key wrench and it works like a charm. What I love is that it has driver bits for all possible screw heads and that means I do not need to keep track of each of the wrenches and hand drivers. I still feel that pre-drilling a pilot hole is essential as I was not able to generate enough power to directly drill the screw in. Maybe I need a self-drilling screw for that.

Cordless screwdriver, with the drill bit set

That said, it certainly eases the effort required by at least a good 40-50% and now am eagerly looking forward to work on my next project.

Here are some facts about this cordless screwdriver :

• Rotates slower (180 RPMs) than the usual electric drill
• The tool is strictly for running screws and bolts. It is not a drill
• This one is single speed and rotates in both clockwise and anti-clockwise direction
• Completely a DIY tool and unsuitable for professional and everyday prolonged use
• It is not bulky. It is just as big as the size of my outstretched palm
• Very easy on the hands and is completely safe to use, considering its lower RPM
• It is battery operated and the power cord is for only charging the battery
• Operates at 240V eliminating the need for a voltage step down transformer
• Comes with 6 twist bits and 17 screwdriver bits 

Don't you think gifting something related to your hobby is a very thoughtful act ? I always ask for a tool when someone asks me what I need as a gift. What do you ask for ? Share your thoughts.

- Somu

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You may also be interested in

• Can you guess what was the first hobby related gift I received ?
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• Learn to understand your tool specifications and see if it can be directly used in India
• Many think woodworking in India is not for women. Do you agree ?

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