Digging out Material
Whether you are removing grout from between tiles, or removing caulking between two deck boards, usually boat deck boards, the oscillating tool has special blades for each task.
The grout removal tool has carbide grit on three sides and the blades come in various thicknesses, both full round and segmented for running all the way up to a 90deg wall/floor grout joint.
The sealant (caulking) removal tool has a hook on the end that actually cuts the sealant on all three sides – only possible because the tool doesn’t spin but oscillates back and forth. Using this is as simple as pulling a zipper on your jacket.
Fein used to make different hooks for different size gaps, but in 2022 the last difficult to find sealant removal hook knife blade is only made by Bosch in the StarLock format and only one size for 5/32” gaps. The special cup shaped mounting of StarLock fits both Bosch and Fein StarLock tools and with an OIS adaptor, will fit on most other MultiTools except DeWalt, because DeWalt’s open slot mounting will not accept any “drop over the shaft” blades of other manufacturers. I must give a thumbs up for Atlas Tools & Machinery in Toronto for stocking them, when everyone says "out of stock".
The unique movement of the oscillating tool throws less dust and disturbs the sides of the slots less than any other tool. In addition, you can run right up to obstructions by using flush cut techniques with segmented round blades.
Related Topics
Learning Curve 90
Add A Comment
Your Comments
Showing 2 comments
We are planning one on window caulking removial and until we get there let me mention that this one task is what destroys the most oscillating tools. That stuff is either rock hard, or tough gummy. Fein makes a special blade for this task, but only in their professional SuperCut series of tools -- precicely because without a lot of power and durability the caulking wins over the oscillating tool. Today you probably can't find a crew that removes caulked windows for a living that doesn't have a Fein SuperCut tool.
A segment on window cauling removal wud be cool.