Fein tools are acknowledged to be the best multi-purpose power tools in the market. Their multimaster tool used a special technology which enabled precise custom cutting and finishing of wood, drywall, as well as any other material you are likely to see in a house. Until their patents on this technology ran out a few years ago, they held a stranglehold on this segment of the home renovation tools market.

However, all good things end, and now there are rival manufacturers making and selling their own multimaster tools using this same technology. For the time being, the Fein Multimaster is still considered the best. However, its astronomical price tag of $270 for the basic tool or $400 for the basic tool plus a standard collection of blades and accessories puts it out of reach of many professionals and most DIY home remodelers. Fortunately for those who must have the best, it is possible to buy factory-reconditioned Fein tools for a 30% discount or secondhand on eBay and Amazon for even lower prices.

Even with a 30% discount, Fein power tools still remain out of the budget for many people. One strong contender trying to replace Fein tools as the king of the hill is the Bosch Multi-X. It costs about half as much as a Fein Multimaster, and cuts just as well. The only problem is that it is a cordless tool and has a short battery life. On the other hand, it IS cordless and can be used in places where Fein tools cannot reach.

Besides Bosch, there are only two other brands of multimaster tools which are reliable and work well in the US market - the Rockwell Sonicrafter and the Dremel Multi-Max. Both of them sell for a quarter of a Fein Multimaster's price and work well enough given their price. Neither one is as solidly built as the original and their quality control is nowhere nearly as good, but their low price makes them useful and affordable choices for most amateur home remodelers and craftsmen.

Two big problems with all four of these power tools - Fein Multimaster, Bosch Multi-X, Rockwell Sonicrafter and Dremel Multi-Max- is the short life of their blades and the high cost of replacing them. If you are a casual user rather than a professional, the replacement blades and accessories all practically cost the same, within 10% to 40% of each other depending on the blade and which retailer is currently offering a special discount.

Right now, Fein tools remains king of the hill for the premium market. However, once Bosch cleans up the mess with its batteries, many home renovation contractors will probably start using it for its increased portability and lower cost. Until they come up with better offerings, Dremel and Rockwell are only able to compete at the low-end of the market.