Oscillating Tool Uses in the Woodwork Shop

Watch my newest Oscillating Tool Tricks video here: https://youtu.be/vd7qx0BBDFQ

I remember when this guy coached Maximus Decimus Meridius before the games.

My Harbor freight multi tool has paid for itself many times. I originally bought it to cut some braces inside some kitchen cabinets where a chisel or jig saw would have meant destroying the joints and having to rebuild them. It was excellent for close spaces. Later, I had to put down 1,500 square feet of laminate vinyl plank flooring over a cement slab with 23 door openings. I used a scrap piece of the flooring to let the blade rest on, and cut the 46 door casings exactly the right height to allow the flooring to fit under them (I used up 4 blades, but it was well worth it). The tool was also very good at notching around corners, pipes, etc. Another use of the tool is using the scraper attachment to remove asphalt glue off a floor - it is MUCH easier than a floor scraper or a chisel. I still have the original tool I bought over eight years ago. Not all Harbor Freight tools are junk!

Thank you Colin for explaining the different situations that a multi oscillating tool can be used for. Might want to mention that those tools also offer grouting blades for tile grout and solid edge scraper blades for carefully removing tiles that you may need to save to reapply or keep for future projects. The smaller scraper blade is also very useful for removing caulking material from around window seals. The carbide one works great for copper lines that are difficult to get a saw blade in. Tip on getting a straight cut on those is to line up electrical tape at your cutoff point and wrap it carefully about 9 to 10 revolutions around the pipe. That gives a lip for the blade to ride as it cuts. Always fun to see what tips and tricks you offer. Thank you Colin. Sincerely, Beginner Wood Worker.

This is an unbelievably useful tool in home renovation and construction in general. You'll never run out of uses for it. I have a Fein Corded and a Makita battery powered. Well worth the investment.

I got an oscillating tool last summer when I was sheetrocking a new bedroom addition. I'm a totally novice DIY-er, and it really helped me clean up my cutouts for electrical outlets and switches! Thanks for suggesting we "think outside the box" with this handy little tool!

I learn something new every time I watch you. Thank you Sir. Stay Safe and God Bless.

Thanks again Colin for sharing your experience and tips and tricks with us. My wife and I watched another maker on YouTube who put a regular hooked utility knife blade into the Oscillating tool and it cut carpet like a hot knife through butter. We were building a huge cat scratching post/house and it made easy work of cutting smooth curves and other shapes that we needed. You can buy a hooked blade that is made for oscillating tools which I will use in the future as the our blades sometimes fell out of the oscillating tool which was a pain. Note that with some tools with the adapters, the small holes in the utility knife blades actually fit some of the pins on the tool which help to secure it in.

You said electric chisel and it really made it click in my head as to what this could be used for beyond removing nails and the common tasks. Great name for a band too lol

I own the DeWalt dcs335 use it at work at least a couple times a week. Recently I've discovered it cuts lexan or plexiglass really well. With Covid-19 really had figure out ways to keep staff safe.

Two points not mentioned, and possibly the most useful features, firstly, you can get a very good flush cut, and secondly, you can plunge cut without pilot holes. Love the channel Colin!

Great ideas as usual, Colin. Also, thank you for not deafening us with the motor noise which happens on many of these types of video.

There are many knowledgeable people who are not blessed with the ability to teach. You have that gift and we’re lucky to have you! You explain in easy to follow words and do not ramble on. I own one of these tools but have never used it. Thanks to you, I will keep it near my bench. Thank you! ...Louis in NJ

"Electric chisel." This was my exact thought when I read that newer brushless models have trivial handling vibration. Been meaning to test out positions for optimal control, but now I don't have to spend time, blades, and wood 🙂. Also great idea with the hard plastic! Solves my other question of how to easily protect surfaces when making flush cuts.

Used mine last weekend to cut and old 1.5" copper pipe buried in between the studs under the kitchen sink. Used the sanding pad to clean it up before applying rubber coupling. Thanks for the video to expand our use.

OMG! I have owned, and used, my oscillating tool for years on construction and demolition tasks, and NEVER thought to use it for some of the things you demo'ed today. Using it to cut down dowels gave me the thought of how much easier it would for cutting off the plugs for pocket screw holes compared to the flush cut Japanese style pull saw I have been using! I also liked the idea of using the thin blister-pack plastic as a surface protector; I usually just use gaffers tape (strong, thin, and residue free adhesives).

I'm a boat builder and use mine every day for various functions. I've now got a few more to try. Thanks from the UK.

I thought that was great! I have Parkinson’s and using a chisel is… Challenging. I wondered if I could substitute an oscillating tool and you answered my exact question. Once again, thanks for making my woodworking easier and hopefully… Better.

I use mine all the time and love it, but I've never thought about pointing the blade the way you did, great idea!

I am just a diyer from England and a pretty basic one. I have over time learnt an enormous amount from you about how not do it. I have now become quite competent with power tools and my wife is very pleased with the results. Many thanks for simply explaining the basics.