The Best Oscillating Tools: We Put 9 to the Test

If there's another device that does everything as well as an oscillating tool, I'd like to see it. These tools cut, plunge-cut, flush-cut against a surface, grind, sand, remove grout, scrape out caulk and crumbling window putty, and work in tight spots that are inaccessible to other power tools. They accomplish this with a fine, high-speed oscillating motion that gives you impressive control without kickback and with little vibration. A wide range of odd-looking saw blades, grinding discs, and sanding pads can be used with the tool. And the price of these attachments has fallen dramatically in the past couple of years, as has the cost of the tools themselves.

We gathered nine corded oscillating tools and went to work, sawing through door trim, grinding away thin-set mortar, slicing through grout, and sanding away paint, putting a stopwatch to our results when we could and just running flat out when we couldn't. We had a blast. But we always do when we're testing tools. Here's our report.

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