This is the Bosch PMF 220 CE Corded Oscillating Multi Tool. This model is one of Bosch’s best multi tools in the “green” line of its DIY level tools. The DeWalt DCS355M2 is a multifunctional tool best used as a cordless multi-cutter and oscillating tool. This combination tool has dust extraction and a telescopic stand, and it can be used for polishing, grinding and cutting. The power of the tool is 300 Watts and is supplied by a rechargeable battery. The battery voltage is 18 V. The capacity of the battery is 4 Ah and the rechargeable battery uses Li-Ion technology. Brushless Motor and Cutting Speed The brushless motor of the DCS355 runs with less friction making it more efficient than a motor with brushes. According to DeWalt, this tool has 57% more run time compared to a brushed motor, allowing you to use it for a longer time before having to recharge the battery. While not the fastest-cutting multi-tool, at a top speed of 20,000 OPM and an oscillating angle of 1.6° (3.2° L/R combined), the DeWalt Cordless Oscillating Tool runs properly. Battery Indicator and LED Light Like with the cutting blades, there are plenty of different types of sanding pads to choose from in a range of sizes to suit your DIY project. You can get large sanding pads that are suitable for sanding and levelling larger areas, “delta” shaped pads for getting into corners and up against edges and different profile sanding pads for specific jobs. Quality Accessories

The DCS355B is also available without the battery, charger or accessories. Multifunction Tools: Price UK Oscillating multi tools should have a minimum oscillation rate of 20,000 opm (oscillations per minute) controlled by a speed dial or variable speed trigger. This control lets you perform precision cutting, grinding and sanding tasks. DeWalt’s batteries have indicator lights to show how much charge is left in the battery. By pressing the button, all three green lights mean full charge. Two lights signal between 50 and 75%, and one light means less than 50%. The DCS355 is equipped with a LED light, which allows illuminating the work area, making it easier to see what you are cutting. What's Included? Firstly, this is a well-built piece of kit for the price. The slimline rubber grip handle is pleasant to hold and should keep some of the vibration down during use. With the battery installed the oscillating tool feels well-balanced and this goes a long way to making it comfortable to use over long periods.The truth is oscillating tools haven’t been around that long in the UK, maybe 10 years or so. They in fact derive from a power tool designed and developed by the Fein manufacturing company in the US to remove plaster casts from hospital patients! The oscillating multi tool’s unique selling point is in its name – its ability to oscillate. When you hold the body of the tool and switch it on, the head of the tool moves from side to side in a narrow arc at a very rapid rate. The oscillation rate (which can be over 20,000 opm), is usually controlled using a speed dial or a variable speed trigger. I think this is the best oscillating multi tool for professionals because you can change speeds on the fly without fiddling with a speed selection wheel. And the LED light means you can use this cordless multi tool in the tightest gaps without searching for a torch. Next up are cutting blades – there are tons of different types of cutting blades available but the one that changed the way I work the most is the straight cutting blade. It lets you plunge cuts directly into the workpiece like a chisel, but without using much effort at all, and they’re available in a whole host of widths.

If you’ve never used one before, you’re in for a treat. The oscillating tool is one of those bits of kit that will make you wonder how you ever got by without one. Being able to cut by pushing into a piece of wood, metal or plastic is almost impossible with a traditional saw. Other multi-cutters for specific DIY projects include grout removal, insulation cutters, rasps, and box cutters. Sanding Pads Weighing 1.1 kg, this oscillating tool is solidly built yet easy to handle and is at home cutting or grinding resilient materials.You’ll need at least one battery and a charger, but if you’ve already bought into Makita’s battery-powered tool range that won’t be a problem. And if you haven’t already, you have complete freedom to choose whatever battery, charger, and range of accessories you want. You’ll be ahead of the game price-wise, and you will have a quality oscillating multi tool. Really, it’s down to your own personal preference. Cordless models are great if you’re working up a ladder, but if you do most of your work indoors you just don’t need one. If you’ve already bought into a major brand of battery-powered tools, just get a “bare” multi tool and save a few quid. Types of Multi Cutters Battery-powered tools have changed the lives of tradespeople and DIYers. You can work wherever you want, and you don’t need to trail cables or even be near a power source. Cordless multi tools are ideal. Compared with heavy-duty power tools like circular saws, there’s not much difference in performance between corded and battery-powered multi tools.

DeWalt are one of those brands that professional builders and savvy DIYers like. They make robust and powerful tools that share the same family of batteries. It means you can power up your saw, drill and sander with just one set of XR batteries. The best cordless multi tools come with a brushless motor. Brushless versions reduce the friction between the motor’s components and thus increase the life of the motor.The build quality of this oscillating tool is plain to see and what you’d expect from a brand like Makita. Weighing 1.6 kg, it is a little heavier than some other corded oscillating multi tools, but it feels perfectly balanced. It’s easy to hold and control with its sturdy barrel grip. Sanding right into corners is a difficult task at the best of times and is extremely tiring when you have lots of them to do in one go. The hook and loop sanding pad you can attach to the front of the oscillating tool are ideal for these situations. You’re not going to use the tool to sand down a whole floor, but when you need to get into a tight spot, the multi tool is unbeatable. Believe me, when you’ve got an oscillating tool in your toolbox you start asking yourself if you can fix something with this tool first before using any of your other power tools, and usually “why on earth didn’t I get one of these “go-to tools” years ago?”

German tool manufacturer Einhell are well known for their honest, reliable power tools that are affordable for professionals and DIYers alike. In fact, you could buy two or three of these Einhell multi tools for the price of the best cordless multi tools on my list. Now that all the patents have run out, all major power tool brands offer a range of oscillating multi tools. They’ve developed into a very versatile, sophisticated and pretty much essential piece of equipment for both professionals and DIYers. How Oscillating Multi Tools Work This is a well-engineered versatile power tool with a 250 Watt motor and an aluminium gearbox, yet it weighs just 1.45 kg. This combination gives this oscillating tool a better power-to-weight ratio than many of its competitors. Alongside this is the dual grip soft handle that ergonomically enhances handling and control. If you compare two of the best multi tools I’ve tested out – the DeWalt DCS355N-XJ and DWE315KT – they’re almost identical. Both DeWalt multi tools put out the same excellent range of oscillations per minute (opm). They also have a similar weight and grip shape.The WORX WX686.1 Sonicrafter Corded Oscillating Multi Tool provides serious competition for the best oscillating multitools from Makita, DeWalt, Bosch and the like.