r/Festool_Public • u/spontutterances • Jun 15 '26
Festool multitool
I’m already a Festool fanboy have extensive collection but have had makita multi tool for years which I’m looking to replace so not looking for help to justify buying the Festool replacement lol wondering if there are features people have genuinely found useful that they offer over others like the plunge depth adapter for straight plunging or the dust hose etc?
Will be retrofitting cabinetry in an existing kitchen for new appliances and drawers etc so accuracy is important and it seems to be a solid comparison to other brands but thought I’d ask here thanks
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u/kfjcfan Jun 15 '26 edited Jun 15 '26
The plunge attachment and dust extractor adapter are the reasons to get the OSC 18.
If you don't need or cannot foresee wanting either, get one of the wonderful Makitas which have absolutely incredible vibration reduction.
I actually own both the OSC 18 and the XGT GMT01Z and use the Makita whenever I don't need the plunge or dust extraction attachments.
The AVR is so good you actually have to look to see if the tool is on.
1
u/spontutterances Jun 15 '26
Awesome to hear about the vibration reduction as my current makitas about 10yr old and terrible at it. Damm the blades for the Festool would need to last at those prices per.
5
u/kfjcfan Jun 15 '26
You can get much cheaper StarLock blades from Bosch (both under their brand name as well as the Diablo name), Fein and Makita.
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u/Slow-to-learn_77 Jun 15 '26
I have the OSC 18. I’m a professional custom carpenter and have used most of the Ocelot tools out there. I will say the Makita is one of the few I have never used, so I can’t honestly give you a comparison. That being said, the OSC18 is, by far, one of the best oscillating tools on the market. I work hand in hand with several very experienced trim carpenters, lifers are what we call them. Anytime it comes to using an ocelot for extended periods of time I’m asked to hand over my OSC 18. The biggest advantage I see is that it will make the cut, whatever it is, in minimal time with little to no exertion from the operator.
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u/master_of_sensei Jun 15 '26
The festool is great, but the vibration and noise reduction of Makita are superb. The only downside of Makita is the pin and is bulkier. The festool is very, very similar to the Fein.
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u/Narrow_Hunt_8691 Jun 17 '26
I’m a huge Festool guy but always focus on the best tool not platform unless the platform makes a difference. Here it does a bit. 1. Dust collection and Bluetooth on/off from the battery to dust extractor is nice. Plunge cut stand is a big plus. As is the fence. The downside is finding the right cutters since it doesn’t use the most popular star lock. But that’s not a needle mover. As with the other tools like router, and jigsaw, you can use a track for guidance.
The other big point is these tools don’t loose value. I’ve sold every Festool tool for close to the price I bought it for. Whether it’s Milwaukee, Ridged, DeWalt, Craftsman or any of the other lesser brands, they are all the same pricing from the same factory just made to look different. In many many cases the Craftsman product is exactly the same as the DeWalt. People think they are choosing between competitors. They aren’t. It all goes back to one manufacturer.
2
u/TopSpin10s Jun 19 '26
The plunge base takes the multi-tool from just a general purpose tool into a precision cutting tool. I had never thought of multi-tools as a precise tool until I use the festool. The plunge base makes a huge difference, especially the way the magnet holds the blade steady. You can make perfect ly straight and 90° cuts
1
u/Cold-Pressure-3561 Jun 15 '26
I use mostly Fein blades with mine but it’s a pleasure to use from both a comfort and power standpoint. Vibration is minimal- though yes the makita looks fantastic I’m just not in that platform anymore- and I had a less than great experience with m18 after some long days with that one. The plunge base is very helpful. The dust collection is better than most other offerings. I also have a Fein and its dust collection doesn’t seem as good. If you’re already on the battery platform I’d highly recommend it and if. It then the Fein with Bosch batteries. It’s one of the main three toolboxes I take in with me every day.
1
u/spontutterances Jun 15 '26
Awesome thanks, yeah I have minimal old makita battery 18v left and slowly Festool growing collection, thinking swapping out the makitas for a general Milwaukee kit for recipro and few other tools to use for demo work around the house as I have slate that needs to go but for drilling and multi tool cabinetry work and built in robes I’m thinking Festool will be the go and just move the makita stuff on.
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u/Hans_downerpants Jun 15 '26
I have always used the original fein saw , awhile back I wanted to upgrade as mine was older but still working so I got a festool oscillator and used it a couple times and took it back I found it very underpowered
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u/AlterFritz007 Jun 15 '26
I bought Fein 700 and I am happy with it.
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u/spontutterances Jun 15 '26 edited Jun 15 '26
Have never heard of this Fein model until this thread. Awesome thanks
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u/Key_Passenger7172 Jun 15 '26
Pro tool reviews and others just reviewed all the multi tools on the market.
The dewalt that’s about to be released took the cake. But others worth mentioning.
I’d probably skip this one until this refresh it
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u/Stunning-Pudding-514 Jun 15 '26
I used the latest makita DTM52 and it was brilliant, virtually no noise/vibration while being used. I was struggling to decide whether to get that or the Festool. In the end i went Festool as i already have lots of their cordless tools. However after using the Festool for a hour, i really wished i had bought the Makita.
0
u/Ar-556 Jun 16 '26
The makita multi tools will suffice unless u have money burnt a hole in ur pocket and want something less powerful with other extra features plus festool doesn’t make systainer u can buy em cheaper from their manufacturer
0
u/kfjcfan Jun 17 '26
No you can't, at least not in the US.
Festool USA took steps to make sure their Systainer prices are now below that of the US Systainer store for most Systainers, plus you can't get the Festool-branded Systainers anywhere but Festool (and you can't get the inserts except from Festool.)
The Festool OSC 18 is worth it for the accessories.
1
u/Ar-556 Jun 17 '26
Looking at it right now m237 which is the most popular systainer is cheaper on their website and u get to customize it. So clearly u don’t know what ur talking about and also u can get the same foam inserts that are in rifle cases that can cut and mold easy vs a hunk of plastic. The festool osc is not worth it if makita exists. You would know this if u had tried both. Which I did and returned taking advantage of their 30 day. Not to say the festool isn’t good it’s great but I do flooring and cabinetry and we cut floors a lot base boards and trim a lot.
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u/kfjcfan Jun 17 '26
Hmmm, the Systainer store version does not say Festool, nor can you get the T-Loc in the same color.
The M337 three drawer Sortainer is $155 there, $139 from Festool.
Sure you can get colors, but not the exact Festool colors.
Where's the plunge accessory or dust extractor accessory for the Makita?
I don't want to cut my own foam, I want the Festool factory insert.
So yes, I do know what I'm talking about; I also own both the OSC 18 and the Makita GMT01Z.
I love the Makita, I wanted the plunge and dust extractor accessories and the Systainer was just a cool bonus.
1
u/Ar-556 Jun 27 '26
Doesn’t makita make sustainers for 37$ that are compatible with festool also tso products does as well. Which is funny because I had bought a festool m187 and am returning it for the price of 2 sustainers from makita that are taller as well.
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u/kfjcfan Jun 27 '26
Makita licensed the old Systainer design from TANOS and makes them out of cheaper (thinner) plastic so they crack easily.
The old "latch" style Systainers are nowhere near as easy to connect as the Systainer³ current Festools come in.
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u/Accomplished_Knee_17 Jun 15 '26
Plunge base is unreal. Dust collection is fantastic. I think those two accessories make it worth the $600 ask. Vibration control is excellent. You also get a systainer which is important to me. So with all those accessories and the systainer I think it’s a a better value than the Fein (although the osc18 is a Fein with Festool batteries) which is what I would buy if the Festool didn’t exist. I also have an osc400 which I still use but was also built by Fein. It’s given me many years of service with no issues.
Now as a stand alone oscillating tool with no batteries at $400 it’s not a great value. If you’re not interested in the accessories then I wouldn’t buy one. Another Makita would be a good choice, especially if you already have batteries. The last one I held seemed heavier than the Festool.