Blade change is made simple and quick with the Quick In system.
High-capacity motor for working results that are up to 350 percent faster.
Systems that are comprehensive for a wide range of profession.
Oscillating power tools have been in my possession for 40 years.
The ideal tool for professionals who require a dependable tool for making precise cuts and reaching difficult-to-reach areas.
Size.
From the Manufacturer, this is the most basic set.
With the new Fein SuperCut, you can save both time and money. High-performance motor, high-quality components, and excellent ergonomics are all combined in this package. The Fein SuperCut is a one-of-a-kind, high-performance system for the construction and renovation industries. The fast, strong, versatile, and durable hexapod not only speeds up your work by 350 percent, but it also meets the toughest tool requirements. Exceptional know-how, which translates into significant benefits for the construction industry and other industries. This is the tool for the professional who wants to complete their work more quickly and with greater accuracy. A high-quality, long-lasting power tool that will assist you in increasing your profits.
(Updated on January 20, 2013 to correct a few minor errata.
(Updated on 1/22/13 to include information about the FSC1.6Q and FSC1.6X systems..
(Edited on 1/23/13 to include a few additional comments.
What a pleasure it has been.
Steve in Gainesville made a few grammatical errors in his rundown, which I’ll correct here for the sake of completeness.
There are essentially seven different Fein Oscillating tools to choose from. For example, there are several models of the MultiMaster FMM250, the MultiMaster FMM250Q in both corded and cordless versions, the SuperCut FSC2.0Q, and the SuperCut cordless (of which I am unsure of the exact number). Besides the 2.0, there are two other Supercuts: the FSC1.6Q and FSC1.6X, both of which have been superseded by the 2.0.
It’s possible that there was a short-lived version of the MultiMaster that I didn’t know about, or that there was some obscure niche market Fein oscillating tool that I didn’t know about. The ones I just mentioned are the most “mainstream,” and they are the ones about which you can find out more information.
The SuperCut is a 400-watt tool that is available in both corded and cordless versions. To the best of my knowledge, all of them were Q’s, which stands for Quick Change blades, with the exception of the FSC1.6x, which uses a screw similar to the FMM250. The Supercut tools are designed to work with blades that have larger apertures than the MultiMaster tools.
The 1.6 has a cutter arc of 1.6 degrees, while the 2.0 has a cutter arc of 2.0 degrees. There is no quick disconnect on the blade of the FSC1.6x tool, whereas the blade of the FSC1.6Q and all FSC2.0 tools (corded and cordless) is equipped with a quick disconnect. The 400w motor in both the 1.6 and 2.0 versions is the same, as are the oscillation speed ranges in both versions.
The MultiMaster is a 250-watt tool that is available in both Q and non-Q versions. For the time being, they only offer the Q version of the product. It is available in both corded and cordless versions. The non-Q has not been manufactured for several years, but it was available on closeout until around the end of 2010. There are no cordless Multimasters that are not Q Multimasters. The MultiMaster blades have a smaller aperture than the SuperCut blade, which makes them more efficient.
You can use either blade on either tool with adapter disks, though there are some exceptions and limitations to the power levels that you can use with each blade. With the use of adapters, it is possible to use blades from Bosch, Dremel, Ridgid, Rockwell, and other manufacturers on either of the Fein oscillating tools. You can find them on the internet, and they range in price from less than five dollars to more than forty dollars. The FSC2.0 set includes an adapter for blades of the MM250 type, as well as the blades themselves. There’s no need to purchase another unless you misplace the one that came with the package.
If you buy a tool “new,” it will almost certainly be a Q type, unless you can find leftover stock of the old MM250 or FSC1.6X. (both are non-Q).
This review is for the SuperCut 2.0 corded tool, which is a hulking workhorse of a piece of equipment. You turn it on and pretty much leave it running at full throttle while whacking away at nails, boards, trim, chain, pipe, and bolts up to about 1/2 inch in diameter.. this thing is like a Light Sabre for construction projects, very controllable and capable of being extremely precise..
The tool, as well as the kit, come with a slew of additional accessories. The kit includes the following items: a circular blade with guard, ten rigid blades, a sanding foot and an assortment of sandpaper, a depth gauge with two types of “feet,” a tool and screws for attaching the depth gauge, the MM250 “star” adapter (which is very handy! ), and a blade guard that will help protect your hand from hot or sharp blades when manipulating the blade release lever, which can be a little tight due t. Despite the fact that it is significantly larger than necessary, the case has a characteristically over-engineered German feel to it. There are rigid interior boxes for storing accessories, which is a thoughtful addition. The foam in the case appears to be durable.
I’m going to start with the “negative” aspects of the product.
First and foremost, the bag in which you store the instructions within the case is extremely flimsy. My copy was ripped right out of the box when it arrived. Yes, I was able to tape it up and keep the instructions in tact while doing so. What is the big deal about this. OSHA. They will visit a job site on an as-needed basis. When they do, you’d better have the instruction book on hand so that anyone who will be using the tool will be aware of the safety precautions. It’s not a big deal for “Joe Homeowner,” a one-man or small shop that doesn’t do jobsite work, or for anyone else. If you take a jobsite project and it is inspected, you will be fined if you do not have a book. This is the primary reason that all newer tools come with cases that have pockets for storing the books inside of them. That, as well as its lawyer, are deterrents (to a degree).
The instruction book itself is the next “negative” aspect to mention. It’s perplexing in the typical technological way. There are instructions for corded and cordless tools, as well as the 1.6X and 1.6Q tools.. and the 2.0Q tools, all in one book, with split paragraphs about how to use each tool, some of which is highly repetitive. There are also instructions for the 1.6X and 1.6Q tools.. and the 2.0Q tools.. It is not an easy book to read. The safety section is located at the beginning of the document and is easier to read. That sort of thing. Don’t eat it, don’t use it underwater, that sort of thing. A section on hot and sharp blades as well as eye and vibration protection is included, but the book is generally difficult to follow and understand. Fortunately, aside from the common sense information about using the tool in a wet environment and the fact that the cord is in good condition, the tool is fairly self-explanatory. While running, avoid making contact with the blades. Some will cause serious injury, while others will not. When in use, the majority of them become extremely hot to the touch. Avoid taking any chances. This is a very safe tool, much safer than a jig saw, circular saw, router, or other similar tool, but you must work safely and intelligently with it. I have a problem with the DVD that came with the tool because it shows the tool being used freehand on workpieces that are also being held in one’s hand while being used. That is something I personally would not do with any of the razor-sharp precision wood blades. Those are very sharp and will cut you very easily. That point is not brought up in the DVD at all. This is a matter of common sense.
And the final negative aspect has to do with a significant positive aspect. The length of the power cord is a significant plus for me, as I work with this tool on a daily basis. It measures sixteen – yes, SIXTEEN – feet in length. The amount of material is almost enough to stretch from here to the moon. Well, maybe not, but when you’re working in a house, you won’t have to lug around an extra extension cord, and it’s long enough to allow access to just about any wall outlet if you’re doing any type of renovation work without the need for an additional extension cord to reach the outlet. The negative aspect is that you have to figure out where and how to store the cord when the tool is in the case. It is brand new, with the cord carefully positioned and re-usable plastic cable wraps holding it all together in its original packaging. They are a pain to use, and they are not connected to the cord in any way. It’s a little inconvenient. When it comes to the lid of the case, it would have been really nice if they had integrated a cord storage rack. Even a few Velcro ties would have made storage a lot more convenient. To be picky, but from my perspective, a hard case is preferable, but as nice as this one is, it’s the minor details that make me unhappy. The cord is wrapped in Velcro, and it fits nicely in the case without causing too much trouble when it’s time to pack it away.
That brings us to the conclusion of all the unpleasantness, and none of it will detract from the perfect 5-Star rating.
Molding undercuts is a breeze, and the MM250 is equally adept at performing these tasks. Where the FSC2.0 rises above the rest is in the areas where you must put the tool through its paces. It simply does not sluggish down at all.
Consider the following scenario: you need to cut a sink opening into a composite counter top. There are none. Consider the following: you must pass through a metal plate, a cabinet bottom, a cabinet top, a 3/4-inch plywood spacer, ceiling drywall, and then through a plywood roof covered with two layers of 90# paper and asphalt shingles (which is exactly what I did). There are none. I was working on installing a microwave duct.
Consider the following scenario: you’ve constructed a wooden swing set, and some of the framing nails are poking through a little. Clip ’em flush and you won’t have any problems.
Let’s say you took a little too long with the molding nails around the frame of a pocket door. No problem – good reach, and clip ’em flush with the wall.
Take, for example, a nasty old shower valve in a wall – I attempted to remove it with an oscillating tool from the Dremel, but ended up borrowing a Fein to complete the job. Pipe is cut like “a hot knife through buttah,” as the New Yorkers would say. They did an excellent job on the plaster and grouting of the shower tile, as well.
Consider the following scenario: you need to cut an access hole in the firewall of your Ford F250.. lordy.. ZERO PROBLEM.
Consider the following scenario: you need to cut the bolts that hold the rear suspension parts of your Ford F250 together, but you don’t have enough air hose to get your cutoff wheel out to the truck.. grab the FSC2.0.. no problems. Keep an eye on it because the cut-off parts will be extremely hot.
I’m completely taken aback. The tool has some serious shoulders, and they are brutish in nature.
Say you have to carefully remove a piece of Pergo flooring that has been messed up. To cut out the old piece, you simply weight down an edge guide (I used a framing square) and cut it out. Even though installing the new piece will necessitate removing some of the old Pergo and using a miter saw to get the length just right, it is a relatively simple repair if you are cautious and follow the instructions. If you do a lot of this type of repair work, there are jigs that you can use to affix to the damaged piece in order to get a nice square cut every time. Weights on the framing square worked well for me because time was not an issue in that particular situation.
Consider the following scenario: you’ve got a really, really nasty tub to remove.. and you can’t seem to get that drain undone for the life of you. Yes, if you use a metal cutting blade on this thing, it will cut through tubing. Remove that old drain and then reinstall it once the faulty tub has been removed from the scene of the crime.
The Fein blades are exceptional in their quality. Some materials will dull them, knock the teeth out of their sockets, and so on. There are aftermarket blades that are competitive with Fein blades and cost a fraction of the price of Fein blades. Think about it in terms of a third of the cost. There are also aftermarket blades available that Fein does not compete with..for example, diamond, carbide, and titanium coated blades for a variety of special applications. As an aftermarket accessory, I’ve seen at least one sanding accessory, as well as one or two dust collection accessories, all of which are available as aftermarket options.
Do I come across as awe-inspiring. I am, in fact, doing so. I’m confident that this tool will outlive me by many, many years. I’m not kidding.
