This video reviews the Fein Multimaster FMM350 QSL oscillating multitool. It features the Starlock mount. Oscillating multitools are one of those do it all tools that can cut, scrape, and sand. They are a jack of all trades tool but master of none. They excel at notch and plunge cutting on the spot. Although plenty of other standalone tools can do better what a multitool can, I highly value their ability to plunge cut and are highly effective during flooring installations when it comes to under-cutting door jambs for new flooring installations.
The new Starlock mount was co-developed by both Bosch and Fein and strikes a familiar resemblance to Boschs accessory mount for their own MX30E oscillating multitool. The new Starlock mount takes the main concept used on the MX30E mount and adds a three dimensional grip in the form of a recessed 12 pointed star shape that is said to offer greater torque transfer along with super quick blade changes. I found accessory changes to be extremely quick with the Fein Multimaster with Starlock mounting. To install a blade, or accessory, all you had to do was snap it into the starlock mounting. It was easy to remove blades. Simply open the latch and the blade is gone.
Along with the super quick blade changes, the new Starlock mount is said to offer increased speed compared to the previous model without starlock mount, up to 35%. To confirm these claims, I tested the new Starlock Mount Multimaster against the old model without starlock. I used it for metal cutting (slicing through nails) and wood cutting. After the results were done, I didnt see any improvement in cutting speed with the new Starlock mount. Cutting speed was about the same on both, although I did notice that the new starlock mount was more effective at transferring torque and lead to a smoother cutting experience. Both machines were pushed hard during the tests. The starlock mount multimaster did not feel as heavy as the non-starlock model on 24 cuts. It also made for slightly less vibration for a smoother more refined experience.
Starlock accessories have the advantage of being backwards compatible. This was demonstrated by me installing a starlock knife on my Fein multimaster that didn’t have a starlock mount. You no longer have to worry about using hex keys to install and remove accessories and dont have to worry about losing either a hex key or pin with latch and pin systems. You don’t even need to touch the accessories or blades to install or take out the starlock mount. Simply press the tool on the accessory and flip it open to release the blades. This means that you dont have to touch hot blades with your hands.
The downsides to the new starlock mount are not in the starlockaccessories, but the mount itself as the new mount is not backwards compatible with older accessories. The mount cannot accept other non-starlock accessories. Starlock accessories can be backwards compatible with the exception of new starlock max accessories. Starlock mount multitools, such as the multimasterfmm350 qsl, cannot accept older accessories. This may be a big deal forthose of you deciding to switch over to the new mount, but have a big collectionof old blades and accessories with the downside being you cannot use the old blades on the new mount. Perhaps one day, there will be an adapter that allows you to use older blades with the starlock mount.
Right now Bosch and Fein make a full line of Starlock accessories so you wont have a hard time finding blades and accessories for the new Starlock mount.
The new Fein Multimaster FMM 350 QSL with Starlock performs nearly identical to the previous Multimaster without the Starlock mount, this isnt exactly a bad thing since the previous FMM 350 Q multitool was a nice well rounded and refined multitool. You get the same strong performance of the previous model as well as the very low felt vibrations because of the suspended motor design. The tool itself operates quietly when under no load, but that all changes as soon as the accessories make contact with the material, then it the Fein multitool becomes just as loud as all others. You get very nice performance from either model although I did feel the new starlock model did transfer torque slightly more efficiently which lead to a slightly smoother experience. Although it has a lot of power for cutting, sanding and scraping, it is not as powerful as the Rockwell F50 multitool. The new Fein Multimaster with Starlock multitool is a great choice if you are looking for a multitool. I believe the Starlock mount, which is an oscillating multitool mount that is almost as fast as a blade change, is one of my favorite options. The new starlock mount will not accept accessories from older mounts, which may be a problem for multitool owners with many older accessories.
Specifications
- 4.9 m cord
- Mount Starlock Tool Free
- Oscillation angle 2x 1.7 degrees
- Oscillations 10,000-19,000 OPM
- 350 Watts; 3.6 Amp motor
- 15 kg weight
- Anti-vibration system
- 3-year warranty
- Made in Germany
