How to Use an Oscillating Tool and Knock Out Home Projects Faster

Oscillating tools have quickly become a toolbox staple due to their undeniable usefulness for a number of tasks. Learning how to use an oscillating multitool and familiarizing yourself with the many different oscillating multitool blades and attachments is the best way to unlock this powerful tool's potential. Below, we've laid out how to use an oscillating multitool 16 useful ways.

What Is an Oscillating Multitool?

An oscillating multitool is a handheld power tool with a rapidly oscillating head that can fit numerous attachments. While oscillating multitools are most often used for cutting wood and drywall, they can be used for scraping, sanding, and several other tasks.

Precisely Cut Trim

One of the most common uses for an oscillating multitool is cutting already-installed trim pieces like baseboards and shoe mold. Whether you're removing trim to make space for new built-in cabinetry or simply performing a wall repair job, no other tools allow you to precisely cut straight lines in trim like an oscillating multitool does.

Cut Curves in Drywall

An oscillating multitool is a powerful tool for hanging drywall. Not only is a standard oscillating multitool blade helpful for cutting drywall, but curved drywall jab saw blades are available for oscillating multitools, which can make quick work of making custom curved cuts for electrical rough-ins and more.

Cut Receptacle Holes in Drywall

A special rectangular blade is available for oscillating multitools, which allows the user to cut a perfectly sized hole for an electrical box in drywall. This design saves a lot of time by eliminating the need to cut four separate lines to create a rectangle. Instead, you simply place the rectangular blade on the drywall, hold the tool steady, and pull the trigger. The tool does all the work.

Sand Corners

Before oscillating multitools arrived on the scene, sanding corners was difficult and time consuming. Now, an oscillating multitool fitted with a triangular sanding head can make quick work of removing old wood finishes or simply smoothing rough wood in preparation of paint or stain.

Sand Curves and Contours

Oscillating multitools are a must for those who refinish furniture. With a contour sanding kit for an oscillating multitool, you can sand spots that have forever been reserved for hand sanding, such as detailed furniture legs and drawer fronts.

Cut Door Jambs

An oscillating multitool is the quickest and easiest way to cut a door jamb in preparation for new flooring.

Remove Grout

A curved carbide blade on an oscillating multitool is quick and efficient for removing old grout to repair tile or replace grout.

Remove Tile Mortar

If you've ever attempted to replace a tile, you know how difficult it can be to remove the old thinset mortar to make room for new mortar to hold the new tile. However, this job is easy with an oscillating multitool.

Remove Caulk

Caulk, especially silicone, can be difficult to cleanly remove. The thin, sharp blade of an oscillating multitool is ideal the job, as it can reach tight spaces that even a utility knife can't.

Scrape Adhesive

The rapid oscillation of an oscillating multitool's head makes it an effective scraping tool once fitted with a scraper attachment. This makes removing stubborn adhesives easy, even in the tightest spaces.

Polish Metal

Did you know that soft polishing heads are available for an oscillating multitool? That's right—with them, you can polish metal surfaces and reach tight spaces where larger polishing tools simply can't fit.

Cut Square Holes

Cutting a small hole in wood is easy with a drill bit, but what about cutting a small square hole? Narrow oscillating multitool blades allow you to cut straight lines as small as 3/8 inch directly into a wood surface.

Cut and Smooth Concrete

Carbide blades for oscillating multitools are great for a number of tasks, one being cutting and smoothing concrete. While you won't use an oscillating multitool for large concrete cuts, they're great for cutting off imperfections and smoothing small areas for further installations.

Remove Old Paint

Nobody likes removing paint, but an oscillating multitool can make paint removal a painless process. With a variety of helpful attachments like sanding heads, scouring pads, and scrapers, an oscillating multitool is sure to come in handy for all sorts of paint removal projects.

Flush Cut Objects

The offset blade of an oscillating multitool is unlike any other power saw. This makes flush cuts quick and easy, even on a variety of materials. From copper pipes to PVC to steel nails, you can cut several different types of wood, plastic, metal and more using an oscillating multitool.

Tip

Not all oscillating multitool blades are alike. When shopping for blades, be sure to match the blade to the material you wish to cut. A blade rated for wood and plastic will likely quickly be damaged if used for cutting metal.

Remove Rust

Scouring pad attachments for oscillating multitools make quick work of rust removal. Additionally, they can be used to clean up grit and grime on a variety of different surfaces.

Warning

Be careful when cleaning different surfaces with scouring pads. While some surfaces will be fine, others can easily be scratched by scouring pads.

Getting Started With Your Oscillating Multitool

An oscillating multitool is extremely useful for a wide array of home improvement and DIY tasks. If you've decided to purchase an oscillating multitool, we recommend you start with a multipack of blades for different materials, then expand your collection with specialty attachments as the needs arise. Pretty soon, you'll be using an oscillating multitool for everything.

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Read the original article on The Spruce.