Fein MSX-636-2START MultiMaster Start Single Speed Tool

by Fein

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

We all have tools that do "one thing, but really well." And there are the tools that do many tasks pretty well. But this one’s in a class by itself: It does a huge variety of jobs, and it does them really well.

Fein’s Multimaster Start is an innovative variable-speed oscillating do-everything tool by Fein of Germany, which started making power tools in 1895. Instead of orbiting or rotating, the tool head vibrates at a range of 12,000 to 21,000 rpm, along a minimal arc of 3.2 angular degrees. And with an endless variety of attachments, it can accomplish nearly anything. Woodworkers will reach for it to make precise plunge cuts, cut mortises and fine-tune tenons, flush-cut dowels and plugs, rasp, shape and shave. The Multimaster makes life easier for furniture restorers, too, by making fast work of old finish removal, sanding in hard-to-reach spots, cleanly cutting broken or damaged elements and even creating popular distressed finishes.

Construction professionals will love it for its unparalleled ability to flush-cut existing doorframes and trim for new floor installation -- without removing the existing woodwork. The Multimaster also easily cuts drywall, cement board, aluminum and plastic gutters and downspouts, conduit, copper pipe, even vinyl siding, and the list doesn't end there.

This tool is a favorite among hobbyists and home do-it-yourselfers because its applications are practically without limit: It can polish metals, strip paint and wallpaper, remove old window glazing and caulk, remove rust from tools and furniture, scrape dried adhesives, cut branches, help create model railroads, dollhouses, airplanes and cars, even clean up graffiti.

We think it would do a fabulous job on cars, boats and planes as well, for everything from cleaning and detailing to mechanical repairs and refurbishing.

This set comes with a sanding pad; five sanding sheets each of grit sizes 60, 80, 120 and 180; a fixed spatula; high-speed steel segment saw blade; E-Cut saw blade (35 mm); and a segment saw blade.

The sanding pad is easy to attach, and we love hook-and-loop sandpaper for fast changes and long sandpaper life. The triangular head fits neatly into tight spaces like between slats and into louvers, yet it also makes quick work of larger open surfaces. What surprised us most is that there’s no pressure needed on the tool – the speed of the head does the work for you.

Attach the rigid scraper blade and old paint practically walks off the surface, and your exertion is minimal. It’s perfect for removing old putty from windows and does everything you can do with a putty knife, only a lot faster and with a lot less effort: scraping up old adhesive, pulling up linoleum, removing layers and layers of decades-old paint.

The E-cut saw blade cuts with amazing speed and precision, even in angles and corners and places you simply can’t get another saw into. And because the tool head oscillates instead of revolving, there’s no kickback – ever.

The segmentation blades let you make perfect right-angle cuts without overcutting. Sheet metal cuts are clean, smooth as glass and free of burrs. The blades will also easily take on harder wood, carbon fiber, fiberglass and nails.

There are literally hundreds of uses for this little tool, and the attachments are plentiful, if spendy. Whether you’re a professional, a home do-it-yourselfer, boater, hobbyist or all of the above, you’ll be reaching for this Multimaster over and over.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste

The Story of Fein

world's first power tool.

FEIN was founded in 1867 by 25-year-old Wilhelm Emil Fein and his brother Carl. Following a series of acclaimed inventions, such as the electro-medical inductor, in 1895 Wilhelm Emil Fein constructed the world's first electric power tool: an electric hand drill. FEIN has been at the forefront of technical development in these fields ever since.

Today FEIN is a company of world-wide renown which has carefully guarded its close links with the original founding family. FEIN develops and produces electric power tools for professional users in industry and trades. The current FEIN product programme includes over 200 tailored professional tools for the widest possible range of applications.

All research, development and production of FEIN's innovative, high-value products are manufactured in Germany at our facilities in Stuttgart, Schwäbisch Gmünd/Bargau and Sonnenbühl-Genkingen.

Product Description

The Multimaster Start is the single speed version of the original multimaster. It uses same broad assortment of accessory blades to handle hundreds of previously manual tasks. The secret is in the oscillation. The Multimaster Start doesn't rotate or orbit like other power tools. It oscillates. Oscillation permits you to do extremely fine and delicate work or be more aggressive depending on the accessory blade and material. Kit includes Msx 636-2 Start single speed, H&L pad, 30 pack of assorted sandpaper, rigid scraper blade, flush-cut saw blade, and screws and washers for sanding pad and blades. (Amazon)

See all Product Description

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3.6 x 9.4 x 3.6 inches ; 2.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005Q7BX
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: MSX 636-2 START
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #157,816 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #23 in Home Improvement > Power & Hand Tools > Power Tools > Sanders > Detail Sanders
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

123 of 124 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fein MultiMaster wins 5 Stars Plus, June 21, 2003

By 

Bob Feeser "MillCrafters.com" (Springfield, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fein MSX-636-2START MultiMaster Start Single Speed Tool (Tools & Home Improvement)

I prefer the variable speed model. Gives you a lot more control, especially in delicate situations. Here is my review of the variable speed model.
I installed French Doors off of the living room, with a landing, and handrails, and trimmed out the new opening. The Fein Multimaster was with me all the way. I started off needing a detail sander, that would get into tight places, that the usual sander with a larger motor, hanging out over the triangular sanding head would not reach. The motor head would get in the way. So a long body sander is what I needed. I went to Home Depot and bought a Ryobi, thinking it would suffice for as often as I needed to do corners. Wrong! No matter what grade of paper I put on it, it dug a hole, made a lot of noise, and refused to sand an even plane. I returned it. In disgust, I popped for the Fein Multimaster Kit. Wow, what a difference. The sanding function was smooth, but not so aggressive as to eat holes in the wood. It starts off with such a light touch, that you can even hold one of their jagged teeth cutting blade attachments against your skin without any harm, but when you apply it against the wood, and exert a little pressure, it slices right through it effortlessly, and evenly. So the more resistance, the greater the cutting or sanding action. The variable speed model is perferred. It is vibration, rather than a stroke, especially at the lower settings. Once you speed up the tool it goes all the way to a mini-stroke. Gives you a lot more control when working up against the edge of something. Truly a masterful tool.
You have the option of buying the sanding head with the holes in it, and the vacuum attachment, giving you relatively dust free sanding. Great if you are working in a clean environment, and don't want to blanket the room.
The cutting blade that comes with it, that is a half moon shape, does a nice job, but is designed as a freebie to go with the system, and is not as durable as their e-cut blades, which aren't cheap. The e-cut blades also are rectangular so they reach into tighter corners. Makes a perfect job, when removing the wood spacer-shims from the door surround, and cutting fine lines in most any application, where precision is the key.
When instaling the trim of the door opening, I had to make a cut at the base, that would meet flush with the tile, for the floor. The flush cutting blade, with its offset design, made me look like Michelangelo. :-) Well OK it is not the Sistine Chapel, but the mating of the wood to the surface of the tile was perfect. No effort, and easy to control. I laid the tile up against the wood, pencil scribed a line, then removed the tile, and cut the wood with the flush bit, just using the pencil line as my guide. Effortless. The fit was so nice, I had to snug the tile in under the line.

Bosch makes a flush cutter also, and the advantage to that, is that the blades are available locally. The problem is that the Bosch is not also a sander, and scraper etc. Cost almost the same, and is a one use tool.
I noticed that the paper for the Fein has a good backer on it. Saves you from a curling end, which leads to a buggered up backing on the sanding pad. Very exacting, and very well made.
You will notice in the Amazon sales rank, that the Fein outsells the Bosch. I love Bosch equipment, so I am not knocking the tool.
The optional mini e-cut blades kit is smaller than you would imagine. Combined with the precision vibration of the tool, enables you to work on smaller scale fine work as well.
When sanding with the coarser grits, and some pressure, you can remove a good deal of material in short order. By using a finer grit, and a softer push, you can polish the surface to a smooth finish.
I have the Fein RT-1800 Router, which is more of an industrial quality piece of equipment, and this Multi-Master will give me many years of reliable service, the same as the router. Fein makes first class stuff.
This is one of those tools, that you don't use as often as a cordless drill, but when you need to do something that it does, it's done effortlessly, and beautifully. Strong, yet gentle, durable yet light. It's the perfect mix. Definitely a five star piece of equipment, and worth every penny of it's hefty price tag. Buy it, you won't be sorry.

59 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fein Multi Master Wins 5 Stars Plus *****+++++, March 4, 2003

By 

Bob Feeser "MillCrafters.com" (Springfield, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

I installed French Doors off of the living room, with a landing, and handrails, and trimmed out the new opening. The Fein Multimaster was with me all the way. I started off needing a detail sander, that would get into tight places, that the usual sander with a larger motor, hanging out over the triangular sanding head would not reach. The motor head would get in the way. So a long body sander is what I needed. I went to Home Depot and bought a Ryobi, thinking it would suffice for as often as I needed to do corners. Wrong! No matter what grade of paper I put on it, it dug a hole, made a lot of noise, and refused to sand an even plane. I returned it. In disgust, I popped for the Fein Multimaster Kit. Wow, what a difference. The sanding function was smooth, but not so aggressive as to eat holes in the wood. It starts off with such a light touch, that you can even hold one of their jagged teeth cutting blade attachments against your skin without any harm, but when you apply it against the wood, and exert a little pressure, it slices right through it effortlessly, and evenly. So the more resistance, the greater the cutting or sanding action. It is vibration, rather than a stroke. Gives you a lot more control when working up against the edge of something. Truly a masterful tool.
You have the option of buying the sanding head with the holes in it, and the vacuum attachment, giving you relatively dust free sanding. Great if you are working in a clean environment, and don't want to blanket the room.
The cutting blade that comes with it, that is a half moon shape, does a nice job, but is designed as a freebie to go with the system, and is not as durable as their e-cut blades, which aren't cheap. The e-cut blades also are rectangular so they reach into tighter corners. Makes a perfect job, when removing the wood spacer-shims from the door surround, and cutting fine lines in most any application, where precision is the key.
When instaling the trim of the door opening, I had to make a cut at the base, that would meet flush with the tile, for the floor. The flush cutting blade, with its offset design, made me look like Michelangelo. :-) Well OK it is not the Sistine Chapel, but the mating of the wood to the surface of the tile was perfect. No effort, and easy to control. I laid the tile up against the wood, pencil scribed a line, then removed the tile, and cut the wood with the flush bit, just using the pencil line as my guide. Effortless. The fit was so nice, I had to snug the tile in under the line.

Bosch makes a flush cutter also, and the advantage to that, is that the blades are available locally. The problem is that the Bosch is not also a sander, and scraper etc. Cost almost the same, and is a one use tool.
I noticed that the paper for the Fein has a good backer on it. Saves you from a curling end, which leads to a buggered up backing on the sanding pad. Very exacting, and very well made.
You will notice in the Amazon sales rank, that the Fein outsells the Bosch. I love Bosch equipment, so I am not knocking the tool.
The optional mini e-cut blades kit is smaller than you would imagine. Combined with the precision vibration of the tool, enables you to work on smaller scale fine work as well.
When sanding with the coarser grits, and some pressure, you can remove a good deal of material in short order. By using a finer grit, and a softer push, you can polish the surface to a smooth finish.
I have the Fein RT-1800 Router, which is more of an industrial quality piece of equipment, and this Multi-Master will give me many years of reliable service, the same as the router. Fein makes first class stuff.
This is one of those tools, that you don't use as often as a cordless drill, but when you need to do something that it does, it's done effortlessly, and beautifully. Strong, yet gentle, durable yet light. It's the perfect mix. Definitely a five star piece of equipment, and worth every penny of it's hefty price tag. Buy it, you won't be sorry.

97 of 101 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fabulous versatile tool, November 18, 1999

By 

P. Saffo (CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

I bought one of these three years ago, and use it constantly. As a fine sander, it is without equal. But my favorite are the saw blades -- unbelievable control and precision. I have used it for everything from fine work on veneer, to opening fiddly holes in sheetrock around electrical outlets. Possibly with the exception of my cordless drill, this is the most useful hand tool in my cabinet full of 20-plus power tools!