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Oscillating tool , sometimes call multi - tools ( because they accomplish a motley of tasks ) , are relatively young to the ability tool market . They ’ve only been in production for a couple of decades but they already have a cult follow in the building and remodeling industry . Several well - known tool manufacturers create their own interlingual rendition , so along with my husband , who is a licensed contractile organ , I quiz some of thebest oscillating toolsto see how they perform .
TheBosch StarlockPlus oscillating tooltook top purity in our hand - on examination , and I mat up it deserved a more extensive look . out front , chance the answers to the most common interrogative about the StarlockPlus to help you reckon out whether it ’s the right pick for your accumulation .
Photo: Glenda Taylor
The Bosch StarlockPlus Oscillating Multi-Tool Kit: At a Glance
Rating : 8.5/10
PROS
CONS
Photo: Glenda Taylor
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What is the Bosch oscillating tool?
It ’s a saw . It ’s a sander . Wait , it ’s a scraper , too . The oscillating tool consume its name from the crusade of its blade . The blade on theBosch oscillating toolis prepare at one end , and the other end moves rapidly from side to side in a bantam arcing - character motion that mimic the swing of a pendulum . This oscillating motion is part vibration and part saw natural action , a combining that works well for dilute Mrs. Henry Wood , some types of metal , and wallboard .
When fitted with sand pads , an oscillating tool also makes a great king drum sander , and because it ’s longsighted and narrow , the design makes it well suited for extend to tight spots . hover tools were used ab initio for undercutting door case and trim during the replacement of existing flooring with thicker flooring , but with a miscellany of blade and accessory , they ’re now more various than ever . The Bosch multi - creature is a top performer in the earth of oscillating tools .
Is the Bosch StarlockPlus easy to use?
The Bosch oscillating tool is among the most straightforward magnate tools — nothing complex here . It ’s comparatively lightweight at 2.7 pounds and can be hold with one or two hands ( if necessary ) when rationalise or sanding . It come with an adjustable speed telephone dial ( browse from 8,000 to 20,000 vibration per minute ) so users can pick out the vibrate speed well fit to their specific labor .
One of our favorite feature on the Bosch StarlockPlus is its toolless blade - modification organisation . Earlier oscillating tools required a curse key or a twist to replace brand , but this model comes with a blade - change lever . All I had to do was pull the lever out to release the current blade , put another in its place , and fold the lever tumbler to ensure the new blade .
What can the Bosch oscillating tool be used for?
The original intent of the oscillating putz was for undercutting door case along the freighter during remodeling to adapt thick floor cloth . For instance , if the home had 6 - millimeter - thick lino ( less than ⅓-inch duncical ) and the homeowner need to install hardwood flooring , which averages ¾-inch thick , the room access casings would have to be dilute for the thicker floor to fit underneath . The oscillating tool made it possible to cut the board in place — no need to remove and reinstall them .
The Bosch multi - tool excelled in our undercutting test , but it does more than that . We also used it to thin out outlet loge in drywall , cut sheet alloy , and even cut through nails that held wall studs to floor plate . However , we did n’t like using the include grout - remotion sword to grind out former grout between tiles . We try it , but the strong vibrations of the blade snick the roofing tile glazing and leave behind chips on the surface .
How does the Bosch StarlockPlus compare to other oscillating tools?
While all the pecker that made our lineup of the best oscillating tools are good choices for various cutting and sanding project , the StarlockPlus ticked all the boxes . It offered toolless blade modification and a varying fastness - adjustment telephone dial , and it surpass in our Sir Henry Wood and sheet metallic element cutting tests . We also found it well-heeled to use over an extended run period . It did n’t stir up up or vibrate as sharply as some of the other fashion model , so our hands did n’t get fatigued .
Still , a far-famed downside is an unfitness to apply cosmopolitan oscillating sword with the Bosch StarlockPlus . Some of the other models we tested came with universal attachment that appropriate us to swap steel between models . That articulate , Bosch blades and accessories are widely usable at lumberyards , do - it - yourself center , and home improvement stores .
Is the Bosch StarlockPlus worth the money?
TheBosch StarlockPlus oscillating toolcurrently sells for anywhere from $ 140 and $ 150 . That ’s more than the price of some of the other model we try . That ’s more than double the price of some of the other mannikin we tested , but it ’s in the same kitchen stove as another top performer from our batting order — theDeWalt 20V MAX XR oscillating prick . Both models had starring performance in our tests , and both offer interchangeable focal ratio adjustments . The most significant remainder is that the StarlockPlus is cord , while the DeWalt is cordless .
In many guinea pig , cordless big businessman putz cost more , but they propose portability , which get to them more versatile . The decision is at last up to the buyer , but in our legal opinion , the StarlockPlus is worth the terms . We liked the musical theme of not having to remember to charge batteries , and we make out the StarlockPlus is a muscular tool .
Where to Buy the Bosch StarlockPlus Oscillating Tool
Glenda Taylor is a mathematical product examiner and writer specializing in construction , remodeling , and material estate of the realm . She and her hubby own a general contracting company , and she is experienced in both residential and commercial-grade building lotion . She test a full range of power tools as well as other home improvement , household , and lawn - and - garden product .
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Photo: Glenda Taylor
Photo: Glenda Taylor
Photo: Glenda Taylor
