Genesis GMT15A 1.6 Amp Multi-Purpose Oscillating Tool and 19-Piece Universal Hook-And-Loop Accessory Kit with Storage Box

Just finished repairing my deck and this tool was indispensable. It had no trouble cutting through 2x6 deck boards and was also useful as a sander. If it proves to be reliable, I will regard it as a very smart buy.

So far, I've only used the saw blade and scraper blade.With a saw blade, this tool is very good for making precise cuts and for blind cutting. While it doesn't cut as fast as a circular or reciprocating saw, it is far more controllable. It can fit in tight spaces and is unlikely to cut anything you don't want cut. Unlike a reciprocating saw, it can cut without a starter hole and without starting at an edge.The scraper blade works well for cutting various materials, including carpet and carpet foam. I haven't yet used it as intended.I purchased this tool in late October 2011, and it came with an accessory adapter, which isn't mentioned in the product description. According to the manual, this adapter "allows the tool to be used with accessories for Fein, Bosch, Rockwell, and Dremel" tools. I also purchased "Versa-Tool MB3B" blades, Versa-Tool MB3B 1-3/8-Inch Bi-Metal Universal Oscillating Saw Blade, 3 Pack They fit without the adapter (note, they look like txmom1's picture, rather than like the amazon pic).Before I bought this tool, I carefully looked through the reviews for this and for the replacement saw blades. It seems that people who leave poor reviews complain about one of two things: blade life, and the power switch. The switch doesn't feel as sturdy as I'd like it to, but I have not had trouble with it in the two months I've had it.On to blade life. The vast majority of saw blades are *not* intended for cutting steel, even if they say they can cut metal. Also, "bi-metal" describes the blade composition, not what the blade can cut! The nature of this type of saw means that the blades heat a lot and aren't exposed to air to cool them down. If you want your blades to last, frequently pull them out of the cut and allow them to cool off, especially if they start smoking.I've hit several nails, and have yet to ruin a blade. If you hit a nail or if the blade stops cutting easily, it can be sharpened in the same way that a hand saw can be - using a triangular file at two angles. Continuing to use a dull blade will heat it to the point that it loses its temper, and sharpening can't help that.Things I dislike: the switch, and the noise. The switch works fine for me, but I'd prefer a trigger-style switch like on a circular saw. As for noise, I'm pretty sure any other oscillating saw will be just as noisy - the noise comes from the cutting action, not the motor or gears. I think the only way to fix that would be to make the saw operate at a frequency above the range of human hearing. If you use this type of saw occupationally, you'll definitely need ear protection.

An oscillating tool with the proper attachments can be a huge time saver. Obviously, the high point of this model is the price: the unit and attachments come at a steep discount compared to the major brands, and the included adapter allows you to use just about any attachment on the market.I have a couple of minor gripes and one slightly larger gripe that prevent this from being a 5 star product:Minor: It is a bit louder than the nicer units, and doesn't dampen vibration quite as well. You will notice, as with any vibrating tool, that you instinctively grip it harder and harder as you use it. This isn't a huge problem, but you'll want to take frequent breaks and to be mindful of your instinct to tighten your grip so that you don't overdo it. The unit also heats up, but just to the point of being uncomfortable without being dangerous. Again: take frequent breaks.Larger gripe: The pins that hold the attachments in place are very, very shallow. I used the sanding head for an extended job, and just about soiled myself when, after about 25-30 minutes of total use, the head had loosened just enough to partially pop off of the pins holding it in place, causing a horrific noise and some permanent damage to the slots in the attachment (fortunately, there are several such slots and this attachment can still be used). This is not a case of the head being improperly installed (it was checked thoroughly, and torqued down _very_ tight). As a result, whenever I'm using the tool heavily, I torque the attachment screw down a bit every time I stop for a break. I have not had this problem since I've adopted this practice, and would not let this issue stop me from recommending this model to a friend.This is a great tool, and you'll find some of the above issues with more expensive tools too (thought to a much lesser degree with the high-end models). If you aren't going to be using this on a very regular basis (such as a handyman or tradesman might), I would definitely save your money and pick up this model. One other general piece of advice is to explore the types of attachments offered by other manufacturers. The insert you get with the tool will list several types of attachments offered by this manufacturer, but there are *many* more out there that may fit your particular job better if you look at what other manufacturers are offering (also make sure the brand is one that is compatible with the included adapter).