I'm thinking about buying a multi-tool like a Festool Domino or something similar for my home workshop. It's expensive, but they promise it'll replace a router, sander, and a couple other tools. Does it actually work or is it just marketing? Has anyone used one - is it worth the money?
It depends on what you're actually planning to do in your workshop and how often.
These universal systems do work, but they're not a cure-all. Festool and stuff like that are good for occasional jobs - sanding something, cutting a groove, fitting a part. If you're doing hobby work at your dacha, they handle it okay. The problem is they're compromises: none of the modes will work as efficiently as a specialized tool. Sanding is slower than on a proper machine, routing is less precise than on a full-size router. Plus switching between operations takes time.
Where it really pays off is when you're short on workshop space and your budget isn't endless. One thing weighs and takes up less room than five separate tools. But if you've got the space and you're planning to work with wood actively, better to build a set of individual machines: you save some money, and each one works at full capacity. I'd only recommend getting a multi-tool if your workshop is really tight on space or these are genuinely rare weekend jobs.
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