When you need to go for a difficult cut in the tightest of corners of wood or metal structures, very few tools would appear as handy and effective as an oscillating tool. Apart from aiding you in undercutting door jambs or a removal cutting in baseboard trim, an oscillating tool comes quite useful in removing grouts between tiles, as well.
But as they say, the perfect shot doesn’t only depend on the bow and arrow, but also on the archer. To make the best use of an oscillating tool, you need to operate it as efficiently as you can.
Today, we will be sharing some tips and tricks on how to use an oscillating tool in an efficient way.
How Does An Oscillating Tool Work?
Before you know how to use it, you must have a sound understanding of how exactly this device works. It’s a simple backyard tool with a rather simple technique applied. It comes with a rotating head similar to any rotating tool. The head oscillates from right to left at a 3-degree angle.
While it oscillates, it delivers around 20000 strokes per minute. This is so fast that you can hardly see the movement white it strikes.
As with other regular power-tools, this device also works on both AC and DC power, meaning you can go for a cabled connection or a battery-powered like Best Cordless Oscillating Multi-Tools
Why Do You Need An Oscillating Tool?
There are many things you can do with an oscillating tool. From getting a straight slice in the middle of a wooden object to having an undercut beneath the door jamb, you can have at least 10 different jobs done with this device.
It comes with an adjustable head option that can be used with different types of heads to get a variety of results.
You can even do unusual things like paint preparation or sanding works for your wooden surfaces. That shows how you can use this tool in a diverse manner.
Tips for the Best Application of an Oscillating Tool
There are many ways you can achieve better output from an oscillating tool. Here are some tips we gathered that can help you with getting a proper result from using such a tool.
Choose The Proper Blade
If you’re planning on using blades on this device, this means you’re probably going to get some grout removal job done or planning on removing caulk. To make sure you’re getting a nice and smooth cut, consider using the blades that match the application.
Measuring the grout on the floor, you need to determine the thickness of the blade you’re going to attach to the oscillating device. The denser the grout, the thicker blade you should use.
Again, when you’re using the device for cutting plastic or metal pipes, you can’t just rely on regular blades in this case. Go for a stainless and treated blade for this purpose. On the other hand, if you’re simply using it for wooden objects, a thin and regular blade will do good.
Choosing The Shape Of The Pads
Now, if you’re going to use the device for paint removal or even sanding, that means you need to use pads on the head. It will allow you to trim the upper layer of the material and prepare it for a paint job.
So whenever you are doing this, make sure you’re using the perfect shape when it comes to using the pads. For example, if you’re sanding a wooden structure, it will surely have some corners that may not be covered by a rectangular pad.
Attaching a triangular one will take you ahead of the time and make it extremely easy for you to get the job done in a better way.
Similarly, depending on the surface and corners, you may choose the shape of the pads accordingly.
Carefully Select The Sandpaper
Before repainting a wall or wooden surface, you need to use sandpaper to remove the upper layer. So when you’re going to remove the layer from a wall, carefully use the sandpaper with small grit one. It will not go rough on the wall and protect it from damage.
On the other hand, if you’re using it on a wooden surface that is rougher than a wall, you may need to use sandpaper with moderate grit.
Safety First
Before you use such a device, it’s imperative that you need to wear protective gear whatsoever. Use heavy-duty protective hand gloves, wear protective goggles, and over-ear buds if the machine is going to make a terrible sound when you’re using it.
Final Words
Modern machines have come a long way to ease up our daily chores. But only if we could use these tools properly, we may rip the benefit of these advanced technologies. We hope our guide will help you in understanding how an oscillating tool works and how exactly to use it. Make sure you take proper safety measures and keep your eyes on the manual that comes with the tool to have a safe crafting session.
A Content Writer and A Reviewer at The Strategy Watch