So, how do you separate the wheat from the chaff amidst your shopping? I recommend using a shopping assistant browser extension such as Honey or Camel Camel Camel. Some sellers employ devious practices to make their deals look better than they are, like raising the price of a product a few weeks before the event, then “slashing” it back to a small discount, making a 10-percent discount look like 30-percent off. Not every product on sale over Prime Big Deal Days is actually a good deal. Over the years, I’ve hand-tested and reviewed dozens of different tools, ranging from socket sets to cordless drills to angle grinders, from various top tool brands. News and World Report, Switchful, and Futurism. Out of the oscillating tools here, one is sure to serve you well.The Expert: I’m a freelance writer who has written about landscaping, home improvement, gardening, and home security for publications like Popular Mechanics, Bob Vila, Popular Science, U.S.

To gauge ease of use, we took into account whether it was easy to mount and dismount blades and accessories, and how comfortable the tools are to use, particularly in tough deep cuts. We gathered a range, some corded and others cordless, and tested their power by cutting hardwood, softwood, and wood with nails embedded in it. We research the market, survey user reviews, speak with product managers and engineers, and use our own experience operating these tools to determine the best options. How We Test and SelectĮvery oscillating tool on this list has been thoroughly vetted and evaluated by our test editors. Run a battery down, then swap it for a fresh one. And if you’re already plugged into a power tool company’s platform, it makes sense to buy a bare cordless oscillating tool and use the batteries and charger from your other power tools. If all you need to do is make the occasional cut or do a little sanding, then a cordless model will work well a single battery will have more than sufficient charge for those jobs. Say you’re renovating an old house or tackling a big remodeling job, and you’re going to be constantly cutting, grinding and sanding, go with a corded power tool so you can work without worrying about time and battery charge. A variety of blades fit in its tool-free chuck: fine-tooth saw blades, triangular-shaped sanding or grinding pads, and putty knife blades. The motor’s output shaft leads to a gear box that re-orients the rotational force 90 degrees and converts it into a side-to-side sweeping motion. The oscillating tool’s unusual shape and configuration incorporates a sturdy horizontal motor.

Best for Small Projects: Porter-Cable PCE605K52.

Best for Milwaukee Tool Owners: Milwaukee M2626-20.Best Overall: Fein FMM 350QSL MultiMaster.Read on for quick info on the best oscillating tools from our testing, then scroll down for buying advice and in-depth reviews. (For more insight into this mighty power tool, read our story on its versatility.) Use it on a variety of materials: wood, metal, stone and mortar, tile, and grout. It does nearly anything you need to do, with the exception of drilling holes and works in places other powers tools can’t reach, such as undercutting wood door trim to clear thin-plank flooring. It saws, grinds, sands, scrapes, and polishes. What MacGyver was to action-adventure heroes, so the oscillating multitool is to home repair and remodeling.

If there is one power tool that can get you out of a tough spot, it’s the oscillating multitool.

Craftsman oscillating tool kit