With the different oscillating tool blades and attachments, you'll be able to use a single oscillating multi tool for a wide range of jobs. The multi-tool blade and attachment system is thus the scaffolding upon which the whole idea of the oscillating tool is built.
Oscillating tools are designed to make the work of a tradesman easier by performing several tasks without being specifically designed for them. This makes them suitable for a wide range of applications. All that changes is the blade or attachment installed into the tool.
In this guide, we’ll take you through eight of the most common oscillating multi-tool blades and attachments.
Oscillating multi tool blades and attachments
An oscillating tool, also known as a multitool, is a versatile power tool that can be used for sanding, grinding, cutting, and more. The oscillating motion of the tool allows it to quickly and easily remove material from a variety of surfaces. There are a variety of blades and attachments available for oscillating tools, each designed for a specific task.
Semi-Circular Blade
Oscillating multi tool blades come in many varieties, but one of the most common types is circular in shape and thus takes on a shape similar to half of a circle. Semi-circular blades also sometimes come with teeth that allow them to work as metal saws. These blades can be used to cut through tougher materials like wood or metal.
They’re some of the best oscillating tool blades because of their ubiquity and reliability. Because of the way these blades are designed, they're best for making long, straight, and shallow cuts. If you have to get through thicker materials, this might not be the blade you're looking for. If you have to cut a rectangular hole in drywall, for example, a semi-circular blade can help you.
Gang Box Saw
Cutting a hole in drywall for electrical sockets, light switches, and the like can be difficult if you don’t have the right tools. You might end up with rough, inaccurate cuts and end up with a cutout that won’t fit your electrical outlet box.
There are a few blades that you can use with your oscillating multi tool to cut an accurate and useable hole in drywall. However, a gang box saw is a great choice as well. It’s already shaped like a box, which allows it to cut a box-shaped hole in the wall. Thus, you won’t have to cut four lines separetly, which can help save you time. All you’ll have to do is position the blade exactly where you want the gang box to go.
Of course, one drawback with the gang box saw is that it has set dimensions. If your gang box doesn’t fit in the hole, you’ll have to either modify it or use entirely different oscillating tool attachments.
Flush Cut Blade
As the name suggests, this blade is designed for making flush cuts. It’s thus a highly versatile attachment that you can use for a wide variety of applications. You can use it when you’re installing new flooring, cutting into drywall and brick, trimming nails and dowels, and more. Depending on what the blade is made of, it can cut wood, drywall, plastic, metal, siding, and more.
The flush cut blade is a multipurpose attachment, something that every oscillating multi-tool owner should have. If you need to make clean, straight, and precise cuts, the flush cut blade is one of the blades that are worth considering. It’s designed to work in tight spaces and challenging angles, allowing you to make cuts in hard-to-reach areas.
Grout Blade
Grout-removing multi tool blades are a must-have, if only because they're some of the strongest oscillating tool blades. They're made to turn grout into powder without much effort, which makes kitchen and bathroom renovations easy. Additionally, these blades can also work with other soft and porous materials, including sealant, porous concrete, tile adhesive, and the like.
A good grout blade is a great addition to your toolbox because of how reliable and useful it is. You can also choose carbide- or diamond-tipped grout blades, which can work more efficiently and with more types of materials. You’ll be able to work with wood, plastic, and metal, though a regular yet high-quality grout blade will also work just fine.
Caulking Blade
Is removing caulk with an oscillating tool really necessary? Technically, the answer is no. Hand scraper tools can suffice, but using an oscillating tool can make things much easier. If you already have an oscillating tool, however, getting a caulking attachment is a small expense that can help you in different projects. You’ll be able to remove caulking in a fraction of the time you might otherwise need.
It’s important to note that a caulking blade isn’t very sharp, especially compared to other oscillating tool blades. In fact, it’s really more of a scraper than a blade. It’s thus no match for hard materials. However, it's shaped to be highly efficient at what it's meant to do, which removes caulk easily and quickly.
Rasping Pad
If you’re retiling a bathroom or kitchen, a rasping pad is a great attachment to have. It can quickly and easily remove old tile adhesive, allowing you to lay your new tiles with ease. A rasping pad can also be used to remove grout from between tiles. This is particularly useful if you’re planning on changing the color of your grout, or if you'd just like to lay new grout. By removing the old grout, you’ll create a clean surface for the new grout to adhere to.
Rasping pads are also great for sanding down rough surfaces, not just removing adhesives. They're best suited for tile, concrete, stone, and wood. As long as you're working with suitable materials and surfaces, a rasping pad can quickly remove any rough edges, creating a smooth surface that’s ready for new adhesives, paint, sealant, and more.
Sanding Pad
If you're looking for a tool to help you sand down rough edges and surfaces, you may want to consider an oscillating tool with a sanding pad attachment. Oscillating tools are versatile and can be used for a variety of tasks, including sanding. Sanding pads for oscillating tools come in a variety of sizes and grits, so you can find the right one for your project.
Your collection of oscillating tool attachments isn’t complete without good sanding pads of varying grits. These sanding pads work by vibrating back and forth at high speeds. This action helps to loosen and remove material from the surface you're working on. Typically, sanding pads can be used on a variety of materials, including wood, metal, and plastics. An oscillating tool with a sanding attachment won't replace an actual sander, but you'll be able to use it on smaller spots.
Polishing Pad
If you're looking to get the best finish possible on your next project, you'll need a good set of polishing pads for your oscillating tool. Polishing pads are designed to create a smooth, even finish on your workpiece. They work by vibrating at high speeds, which helps to remove any imperfections on the surface of your workpiece.
There are a few different types of polishing pads available on the market, so it's important to choose the right one for your project. For example, if you're working with a delicate material, you'll need to use a softer polishing pad to avoid damaging the surface.
Once you've chosen the right polishing pad for your project, it's important to use it correctly. Start by applying a small amount of pressure to the pad and then gradually increase it until you're satisfied with the results. If you're not happy with the results, you can always try again with a different polishing pad.
What are oscillating multi tool blades made of?
Carbide
Carbide-tipped blades are commonly used in woodworking and metalworking, and they work well for various oscillating tool applications. Typically, the body of the blade is made of steel, but the sharp tips are made of carbide. Carbide is a hard, wear-resistant material, which makes carbide-tipped blades ideal for cutting through tough materials with ease. You can also use carbide pads to make quick work of removing adhesives or smoothening rough surfaces.
In general, carbide-tipped blades make smooth and clean cuts through various materials. They're also more heat-resistant, making them more likely to withstand the heat typically generated by oscillating tools.
Bi-metal
Bi-metal blades are made of two types of steel: the body is made of spring steel, while the cutting edge is made of high-speed steel. It's important to keep in mind that a bi-metal blade is worth the investment. These blades are tougher and sturdier, giving them more power and edge retention than regular steel blades. Tougher blades last longer, which means that you won't have to replace your blades any time soon.
These blades are specially designed for cutting metal with ease. They can cut through thick sheets of steel and other metals with ease. The major advantage of these blades is that they do not wear out easily and can thus be used continuously without any need for regular sharpening.
Diamond
Diamond oscillating tool blades are long-lasting and provide a cleaner, smoother finish compared to other kinds of blades. Their cutting edges are embedded with bits of diamond, giving them the ability to cut through different materials, ranging from soft to hard. A diamond-tipped blade will rip through wood and plastic, and work efficiently with concrete, ceramic, marble, brick, and the like.
If you work regularly with these materials, investing in a diamond oscillating tool blade is worth it. They're highly suitable for contractors and construction professionals.
