Your oscillating multi-tool can help you take on a lot of DIY projects. The size and design of an oscillating multi-tool allows you to work in places where other tools would not be able to work, and with the right oscillating tool accessories, you can use this tool for a wide range of tasks.
Depending on the oscillating tool blades and accessories you have, you can use this tool to cut a wide range of materials as well as for tasks like sanding and scraping. While this versatility is one of the best features of the multi-tool, the vast array of accessories can make it difficult to find the right oscillating blade for a project.
In this post, we are going to look at blades for oscillating tools and some of the things you need to consider when trying to select oscillating multi-tool blades. Projects that may require different oscillating tool blades include cutting wood or metal, removing grout, sanding and scraping wood, as well as working with other materials.
Oscillating Tool Accessories for Cutting Wood
An oscillating tool won’t be able to replace your circular saw or jigsaw, but it can handle a lot of cuts that would not be possible with these other saws. An oscillating blade for wood will be designed to remove the sawdust as you cut. There are also different types of oscillating tool blades for cutting wood. The straight blades are usually good for making plunge cuts, while semi-circular blades tend to perform better when you need to make longer, straighter cuts.
Removing Grout with Oscillating Tool Blades
If you plan to work on a project like retiling your bathroom, an oscillating multi-tool can save you a lot of time. When used as a grout removal tool, it can save you hours on the project – you just need a blade that is suitable for removing grout.
For a small one-time project, a carbide grit blade should work fine for grout removal. If the project is large or you have more than one grout removal project, you might want to consider a diamond grit blade. It will cost a little more up front, but this oscillating tool accessory will also last longer.
Use Blades for an Oscillating Tool When Cutting Metal
A bi-metal blade is generally the best option for cutting metal. You can also use a bi-metal oscillating tool blade if you need to cut through a piece of wood that may have nails or screws in it. If you are planning to cut straight through a nail or a bolt, then you would want to look for a straight blade. If you have a longer cut, then you would be better off with a semi-circle bi-metal oscillating blade.
Handle Other Materials With an Oscillating Blade
Beyond metal and wood, you can also use your oscillating multi-tool and accessories to cut through materials like drywall, plastic, and concrete. For materials like drywall and plastic, you can use the same oscillating tool blades that you would for cutting wood. If you need to cut concrete or some type of stone, you would want to use a stronger oscillating multi-tool blade, like a carbide grit blade or a diamond grit blade.
Sanding and Scraping Oscillating Tool Accessories
With the right oscillating tool accessories, you can also use your multi-tool for sanding and scraping. The scraper blade can be good for tasks like removing old paint or for cleaning something like adhesive off a surface. The oscillating multi-tool can also be good for different sanding projects if you get the sanding pad.
An oscillating tool can be of the most useful items in your tool collection. With the right oscillating multi-tool blades and accessories, it can open up a lot of possibilities for DIY and home repair projects.
Shop WORX’s varied collection of oscillating tools today!
Summary
Article Name
Choosing an Oscillating Blade
Description
Projects that may require different oscillating tool blades include cutting wood or metal, removing grout, sanding and scraping wood, as well as working with other materials.
Author
Rae Steinbach
Publisher Name
WORX
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FAQs
What is the best oscillating blade to cut nails? ›
The DEWALT DWA4204 Titanium Nitride Coated Oscillating Blade is ideal for cutting wood with nails. This blade features a wide blade (1-3/4 in.) for fast material removal.
How do I choose an oscillating multi-tool? ›- Corded vs. Cordless. ...
- Power and Speed. Power could be a significant factor in choosing the best oscillating tool, depending on the intended use. ...
- Variable-Speed Control. ...
- Universal Accessories. ...
- Ergonomics. ...
- Noise and Vibration. ...
- Safety. ...
- Additional Features.
Oscillating multi tool blades come in a huge range of different sizes and styles. Simply check out our product descriptions on Toolstop to find out which material and applications they are best suited to.
What are best multi-tool blades? ›- 1st Place. QAB35WB Antler 35mm Wood Cutter Saw Blades fits Dewalt Stanley Oscillating Multi Tool. ...
- 2nd Place. Smart H8 mAK Trade 8 Piece Set Multi Tool Blade Set of 8. ...
- 3rd Place. 24 PC Multitool Blades LEILUO Oscillating Saw Blades for Wood Metal Plastics Quick. ...
- 4th Place. ...
- 5th Place.
To create a straight cut, a round or half-moon saw blade works best. You want to lightly press down on your tool creating a cut no more than 1/4 inch deep. Run your blade across the length of the cut multiple times with each pass making it a little deeper until you cut through your material.
Which saw blade makes the smoothest cut? ›A crosscut blade, on the other hand, is designed to produce a smooth cut across the grain of the wood, without splintering or tearing. This type of blade will usually have 60 to 80 teeth, and the higher tooth count means that each tooth has to remove less material.
What should I look for when buying an oscillating tool? ›- Oscillations per minute – the more oscillations per minute the faster the cutting speed.
- Wattage – a higher wattage will aid particularly tough jobs.
- Angle of oscillation – the greater the oscillating angle the quicker the cut.
Round Blades or Straight? A straight blade is best for plunge cuts, where you stab the blade into the surface. For long, linear cuts, use a round oscillating saw blade. You'll get cleaner cuts with the round blade if you make a shallow scoring cut first, then gradually deepen it with an oscillating saw.
Are Starlock blades better? ›The major advantage of the Starlock fitting is 100% power transfer of the machine through to the blade or sanding pad – resulting in faster cutting and reduced vibration.
Can you sharpen oscillating tool blades? ›The cost of OMT blades can add up so making them last longer and being able to re-sharpen them yourself can mean saving money. All that is required to re-sharpen is a saw file and a vise. I've found that the Imperial blades made of high-carbon steel are the easiest to re-sharpen and make for a very good value.
What are the four types of blades? ›
- Straight edge/bladed Knife. One of the more commonly used knives in the kitchen is also sometimes referred to as a flat ground edge. ...
- Serrated edge. Another of the more commonly used knives in the kitchen. ...
- Scalloped edge. ...
- Hollow ground edge.
The main reasons a shop would switch to carbide band saw blades are longer life and faster cutting. The reason these blades can deliver such results is the carbide itself, a popular material for cutting tools because of its high durability and high heat resistance.
What is a Starlock blade? ›Starlock, a joint venture between Bosch and Fein, is a patented blade mounting system that provides a very fast 'snap in' blade fitting. In recent years, the Starlock system has set the new standard for multi-tools and accessories.
What speed should an oscillating tool be? ›Oscillation Rate and Angle
The higher the top speed, the faster the tool will cut. Look for at least 18,000 OPM. The higher the oscillation angle, the more aggressively it will cut. This means more speed but also more vibration and noise.
The oscillating multi-tool is one of the handiest tools you can have around the jobsite or workshop. Its versatility lets you accomplish numerous tasks that would be impossible with other tools. You can sand; saw metal, wood, and drywall; make large holes; plunge cut into hardwood; or undercut a doorway.
Will oscillating tool cut plywood? ›HCS Japanese Tooth Oscillating Blade
This blade can make the smoothest and most accurate cuts out of all oscillating tool blades. It uses its extremely sharp teeth to aggressively cut through wood, plywood, particle board, plastic, sheetrock, drywall, fiberglass and other non-metallic materials.
TPI is the number of teeth the blade has per inch. If you're looking to cut wood or other soft materials, you'll need a blade with a TPI of 6 up to 20. For harder materials like metal, a TPI between 14 up to 36 is more suitable.
How do I know what saw blade to use? ›Typically you'll be using a saw to cut lumber both across the grain and with the grain. This requires a general-purpose, or combination saw blade. If you're just cutting with the grain, you'll want to use a rip saw blade. For cutting across the grain only, you'll want a crosscut saw blade.
Should I get a 40 or 60 tooth saw blade? ›A 40-tooth blade works fine for most cuts through plywood. Blades with 60 or 80 teeth should be used on veneered plywood and melamine, where the thin veneers are likely to blow out on the underside of the cut, a characteristic known as tearout. MDF requires even more teeth (90 to 120) to get the cleanest cut.
What is the difference between a rotary tool and an oscillating tool? ›A rotary tool spins a small wheel, bit or drum at a high rate of speed. Rotary tools can handle tasks that require a high level of precision, but you need good control of the tool for accuracy. An oscillating tool moves a blade, rasp or pad rapidly in a back-and-forth motion.
What does the angle mean on an oscillating tool? ›
The “oscillating angle” tells you how far the accessory travels from side to side. The tools we tested ranged from 2.8 to 3.2 degrees. More travel generally means a more aggressive tool.
How do I choose the right tool? ›- Consider the Cost of Tools and Equipment. Budget is always an important consideration, no matter what you're doing. ...
- Consider Your Skill Level and Experience. ...
- Choose the Right Brand. ...
- Get the Right Accessories and Attachments.
Dremel currently offers a wide variety of oscillating accessories, including cutting, scraping and grout removal blades, as well as sanding and grinding pads.
Can you cut stone with oscillating multi-tool? ›Cut Through Concrete with Oscillating Tool Accessories
Most people know that an oscillating tool like the Rockwell Sonicrafter F50 is great for jobs like cutting wood and metal, but you may not realize that it can also work for cutting materials like concrete and stone.
When it comes to choosing a top-tier, high-quality rotary tool, the Dremel 4300 is certainly near the top of the list. This powerful corded rotary tool features a 1.8-amp motor with a speed range between 5,000 and 35,000 RPMs.
What is the number 1 power tool brand? ›Rank | Power Tool Brand | Revenue (USD billions) |
---|---|---|
1 | Bosch | 91.66 |
2 | DeWalt | 5.37 |
3 | Makita | 2.19 |
4 | Milwaukee | 3.7 |
- Dewalt.
- Craftsman.
- Black+Decker.
- Bosch.
- Stanley.
- Ryobi.
- Kobalt.
- Milwaukee.
- Bosch Tools. ...
- Craftsman Tools/Black & Decker. ...
- Kobalt Tools. ...
- Ryobi Tools. ...
- Metabo HPT Hitachi. ...
- Hilti Tools. ...
- Porter-Cable/Black & Decker. ...
- Skil. We round out our list with Skil, a brand that has also seen its fair share of change ownership.
Segmented saw blades provide the most abrasive finish possible. As a result, they are well suited for cutting granite, marble, and other construction materials such as concrete. Segmented saw blades may be used with various saw machines because of their variable sizes and diameters.
Can you cut metal with Dewalt oscillating tool? ›The DEWALT DWA4209 Oscillating Tool blade is ideal for metal cutting. Universal fitment for use on all major brands (no adapter required).
What's the difference between Starlock and Starlock plus? ›
Each Starlock category is designed to match the power output of its compatible oscillating tools. Starlock blades can be used with ANY multi-cutter. StarlockPlus and StarlockMax blades require more power and are therefore limited to use with certain multi-tools.
What is the best oscillating multi-tool Bosch? ›Best Bosch Oscillating Multi-Tool GOP18V-28N
With both 12V and 18V models available, it's the higher performance of the 18V system that we're drawn to in this case.
The purpose of these scalloped-edge blades is to prevent food from tearing and produce intact slices of food. The scallops allow the blade to slide past the food without catching or bending it. This helps moist or clingy food to fall away from the blade.
Can an oscillating tool cut metal screws? ›Oscillating Tool
Their versatility makes them popular with DIYers and with trade users such as plumbers and electricians. Multipurpose oscillating tool blades will cut wood, plastic, and metal, and they are angled to allow protruding screws and other fixings to be cut off flush with the surface.
An oscillating saw and its blade used for cutting cast will not harm your skin due to an oscillating tool oscillates only back and forth, up to a elastic something it does not work. it will work good to hard rigid material but not up to elastic something.
Are oscillating blades a universal fit? ›When it comes to getting the job done, few tools are as versatile as those in the Rockwell family of oscillating tools. The oscillating tool blades in this pack are universal fit accessories. That means they'll be a perfect fit for any oscillating saw or tool, no matter the brand.
What is the most versatile blade shape? ›DROP POINT KNIFE
The drop point blade is used on many hunting and EDC knives, and performs well in most situations. It's the "Goldilocks" blade shape that's just right for most tasks. The strong tip and wide belly excel in meat processing, slicing tasks, and opening boxes from your latest knife purchase.
A sheepsfoot blade has a straight cutting edge and an unsharpened curved back spine that curves down to meet the straight edge and make a false point. The main purpose of a sheepsfoot is for cutting and slicing where a point is not wanted or needed. Examples of this include a number of kitchen/chef's knives.
How do you select different blades for different materials? ›Typically, thicker metals, plastics or wood sections require saws with bigger blades, while hard materials require saws with larger teeth. The actual number of teeth on the work is crucial, with at least three on each section of material being worked.
What is the negative side of using carbide-tipped blades? ›Carbide saw blades are optimal tools, but they are not cheap. Carbide is an extremely hard material, and it cuts through softer material with ease. But the downside to carbide is that it is very brittle and easy to damage.
Do carbide blades need to be sharpened? ›
For optimal performance carbide teeth need to be sharpened on all four sides. Each tooth should be ground on the top, face and sides and each tooth has multiple angles that must match and be ground precisely the same. If even one or two teeth are off by as little as 1/1,000“ the blade with not cut properly, if at all.
How long should a carbide blade last? ›These blades are typically used for cutting through wood, but specially designed carbide blades can also cut through light-gauge metal. Carbide-tipped blades usually cost between $20 and $100 and can last from six months to a couple of years.
What are the three types of saw blades? ›Blade Types:
They are: Rip Blades, Crosscut, Combination and Specialty blades. Ripping saw blades are designed primarily to achieve a smooth, clean and safe cut when ripping wood or cutting in the same direction as the wood grain.
The Turbo rim cuts similar materials as the Segmented rim, but is able to do so faster due to the difference in its cut-outs. You'll typically get a better finish as well, but the Turbo rim won't cut through the hardest of materials that a Segmented rim will.
What is a diamond edge blade? ›A Diamond Blade is a circular steel disc with a diamond-bearing edge. The edge of the blade may be smooth or textured, continuous rim, or a segmented rim with smaller, individual sections. The blade core is a precision-made steel disc and may have a continuous or slotted rim.
Can an oscillating tool cut through nails? ›The bi-metal oscillating tool blades can be good for cutting nails and screws, and are especially good for jobs that involve cutting both wood and metal. If you are looking to make a straight cut into a piece of high quality metal, then you may want to go with semi-circular metal cutting blades.
Can an oscillating multi tool cut nails? ›These Imperial Blades oscillating multi tool blades are designed to cut through nails, wood, hard material, drywall, and almost anything around the job site. The TiN STORM multi tool blade offers excellent performance and a long-lasting cutting life.
What tool is best used to cut nails? ›Use a nail clipper or nail scissors for your fingernails and a toenail clipper for your toenails.
What are the different oscillating blades used for? ›An oscillating blade for wood will be designed to remove the sawdust as you cut. There are also different types of oscillating tool blades for cutting wood. The straight blades are usually good for making plunge cuts, while semi-circular blades tend to perform better when you need to make longer, straighter cuts.
Why doesn't an oscillating saw cut skin? ›It's loud but don't let that scare you. This saw has a special blade that won't cut you. The blade moves from side to side. It's vibrations break the cast apart, so there's nothing to hurt your skin.
Can oscillating tool cut hardwood? ›
The oscillating multi-tool is one of the handiest tools you can have around the jobsite or workshop. Its versatility lets you accomplish numerous tasks that would be impossible with other tools. You can sand; saw metal, wood, and drywall; make large holes; plunge cut into hardwood; or undercut a doorway.
Is multitool same as oscillating tool? ›A multitool or oscillating tool is a power tool that oscillates (rather than rotating or reciprocating), powered by battery or mains. The name "multi-tool" is a reference to the many functions that this tool can perform with the range of attachments available.
How do I stop my toenails from curling under? ›change your socks regularly. cut your toenails straight across to stop them digging into the surrounding skin. gently push the skin away from the nail using a cotton bud (this may be easier after using a small amount of olive oil to soften the skin) wear comfortable shoes that fit properly.
What is the best tool to cut thick toenails? ›Nail nippers work best. They're lightweight, easy to grip and control, and can be purchased at most drugstores.
Will Vaseline soften toenails? ›Vaseline pure petroleum jelly has more skin care and beauty uses than the majority of products on the market. Most people grew up with it when they were a baby. Vaseline was used for diaper rash and to sooth chapped lips. However, the cure-all salve can reduce dry and brittle nails plus relieve dry cuticles.
Can I cut screw with oscillating tool? ›Oscillating Tool
Their versatility makes them popular with DIYers and with trade users such as plumbers and electricians. Multipurpose oscillating tool blades will cut wood, plastic, and metal, and they are angled to allow protruding screws and other fixings to be cut off flush with the surface.
Fitted with the right oscillating multi-tool blades, your multi-tool can soon become a plumber or labourer's best friend. Set up as a multi-cutting tool, it can slice through plastic, copper or even galvanised metal piping with ease. Yes – multi-tools such as the Milwaukee M12FCOT-0 Cut Off Tool can cut through metal.