The Bottom Line
The Porter-Cable PC250MT 2.5 Amp Oscillating Multi-Tool is Porter-Cable's entry into the growing multi-tool market. While they were far from the first company to introduce such a tool, I think they were wise to hold back and work on ways to improve the tool rather than jump in with an entry similar to the tools already on the market. As a result, they came up with a couple of innovations that I really like. One, the tool-free accessory change is brilliant. You can adjust or change accessories quickly and easily. Plus, the slotted kitbox is great for organizing accessories. Simply put, I really like this multi-tool.
Pros
- Quick-release (tool-free) accessory change
- Slotted kitbox for storage of multi-tool and organization of accessories
- Three-year limited warranty
Cons
- A bit noisy, but that's not uncommon with multi-tools
- Spring-release on tool-free accessory change is a bit stiff
Description
- Includes 4 blades, 2 scrapers, grout removal tool, sanding platen and various sanding pads.
- Equipped with a long 10-foot power cord.
- Variable speed motor with settings from 10,000 to 20,000 oscillations per minute.
Guide Review - Porter-Cable PC250MT 2.5 Amp Oscillating Multi-Tool Review
When it comes to fine woodworking projects, multi-tools aren't all that useful, except for detail sanding with the triangular sanding pads. However, for other tasks around the shop, house or garage, they can be invaluable. The cutting tools can often handle small tasks that previously would've been the domain of a hacksaw, doing the job in far less time than by hand. For construction projects (like grout removal), a multi-tool can be a big time saver as well.
Overall, I was quite impressed with the Porter-Cable PC250MT 2.5 Amp Oscillating Multi-Tool, as compared to some of the other multi-tools I've tested. The quick-action tool-less accessory change mechanism has a stout spring, so it takes some muscle to open and insert or remove a tool, but it was far easier and much, much faster than using an Allen wrench to change the accessory (as most multi-tools require). That one feature alone set this unit above many of the other multi-tools I've used.
However, I really liked the hard-sided case with the slotted accessory storage as well. It made accessing the various tips quick and easy, and kept them in place rather than having them float around in a large tool bag (like some manufacturers provide with their multi-tools).
All in all, if I were choosing a multi-tool for a project, those two features would be enough to have me reaching for the PC250MT over other similar tools. Kudos to Porter-Cable for putting the effort into devising some pretty innovative improvements to the standard multi-tool.
Overall, I was quite impressed with the Porter-Cable PC250MT 2.5 Amp Oscillating Multi-Tool, as compared to some of the other multi-tools I've tested. The quick-action tool-less accessory change mechanism has a stout spring, so it takes some muscle to open and insert or remove a tool, but it was far easier and much, much faster than using an Allen wrench to change the accessory (as most multi-tools require). That one feature alone set this unit above many of the other multi-tools I've used.
However, I really liked the hard-sided case with the slotted accessory storage as well. It made accessing the various tips quick and easy, and kept them in place rather than having them float around in a large tool bag (like some manufacturers provide with their multi-tools).
All in all, if I were choosing a multi-tool for a project, those two features would be enough to have me reaching for the PC250MT over other similar tools. Kudos to Porter-Cable for putting the effort into devising some pretty innovative improvements to the standard multi-tool.
Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.
