Oscillating Tool Tips and Tricks

An oscillating tool is a multi-functional tool. This power is useful in a wide range of works.

Whether a home builder, woodworker, or electric worker, this excellent tool can make your work smooth and easy. But the effectiveness of this tool largely depends on the proper technique.

And you may be very new to using it and getting stumble to use it properly.

Then what to do? You have to know the proper technique for using the oscillating tool.

And how? well. You will get all the oscillating tool tips and tricks here.
Just grab the tips and tricks mentioned in this article and be an expert oscillating tool user.

How does an Oscillating Tool work?

Oscillating tools work with the principle of side-to-side movement. It gives a very slight oscillation of about 3 degrees. But its oscillation is about 350 strokes per second which is very fast. For this reason, you will feel more like it is vibrating. You can use scrapers and sanding pads with the oscillating tool for your work.

Tips and Tricks for Oscillating Tool

Here are a few tips and tricks to use an Oscillating tool easily.

• Which Blade Should You Use: Round or Straight?

For a plunge cut, a straight blade is better than a round blade. Here you have to stab the blade into the cutting surface. Round Oscillating saw blades are better for having a long linear cut.
First, make a shallow cut over the line with the round blade for better results. Then use the round oscillating blade gradually to deepen the cut.

Besides, remember that you must take out the blade in time to clear off the dust. And remember not to press the oscillating too hard on the surface.

• For Straight Cuts, Use a Straightedge

Sometimes you have to shave a small piece off a piece of trim or a cabinet because of misreading measurement. You can use an oscillating tool to perform a precise and clean cut. For this, you should use a straightedge as a guide for the saw blade of the oscillating tool. Keep an eye on the blade, so it doesn’t gouge the straightedge.

• How to Prep Faster for Flooring?

When you install a new floor, you have to slice through the doorjambs. Here you can use a flush-cutting blade with the oscillating saw tool. Such blades can smoothly cut through the doorjambs. For a guide, you can use a scrap of flooring. Using such a guide, you will find that the oscillating tool makes clean and straight cuts for the flooring to slip into the slot easily.

• Using Oscillating Tool for Removing Trim without Damage

You can use the oscillating tool to easily remove the trim from the walls. Here’s how you can do it. First of all, you have to gently pry away the trim from the wall so that you can slip in your oscillating tool’s blade. Then you have to probe for the nails.

After that, slice through the nails with the help of a metal-cutting blade. This is a very easy and faster way to remove trim without splits. To protect the wall, you should use sheet metal.

• Cutting Rusty Faucet Nuts

Rusty nuts are sometimes impossible to pull off, even if you use the best basin wrench. In this case, you can think of using a reciprocating saw. But what happens when you don’t get enough room to use the saw?

For such occasions, you need the oscillating saw tool. If you equip the tool with a bimetal cutting blade of high quality, you can pull off the rusty nut easily. Here are the steps to do it.

Firstly, you have to angle the oscillating tool against the nut. You must start it slowly and keep the pace until a groove is cut. Then you have to increase the speed. After increasing, keep cutting until you cut about ¾ of the nut. Finally, use a plier to break off the rest of the nut.

• Scraping Away Gunk

You can get rid of stubborn dried joint compounds, adhesive construction patches, and other gunk with the help of an oscillating tool. Just equip the tool with a scrapper blade and start removing the gunk. It is easier to use than an ordinary knife, which will take more time and energy.

• Having Extra Wide Blades for Cylindrical Objects

For cutting pipes or other round or cylindrical objects, having an extra-wide blade benefits you. Wider blades don’t slip off a curved surface easily. On the other hand, narrow blades will easily slip off. Though thin blades are a better choice for other works, I recommend using wide blades for pipes and cylindrical objects.

• Cutting Metal with Oscillating Tool

A mounted ordinary blade on an oscillating tool is unsuitable for cutting metal. If you use an ordinary rounded or straight blade, you will find your blade damaged within a few uses. When you purchase a blade make sure it is labelled as bimetal to cut any metal with an oscillating tool.

• Removing a Soap Dish or a Towel Bar

It is effortless to remove an outdated or broken soap dish or a towel bar that is surface-mounted with oscillating tools. To do so, jam the tool’s blade in any corner of the bar with a depth of about 1 inch.

Then take the blade all around the soap dish or towel bar. After that, Shove it even deeper and continue to pass around for the second time. This will eventually cut through all the caulk and adhesive.

Conclusion

I have shared all the oscillating tool tips and tricks you should know to ease up your DIY tasks. There are endless possibilities for you to use an oscillating tool.

I have just shown some examples to show you how and where you can use the tool efficiently. So, I hope you can use your oscillating tool more efficiently.