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The beauty of Multiple tools You get good value for money. It can tackle a whole host of DIY jobs with a single tool, so there’s no need to splash out on multiple power tools. It’s a smart and sensible choice for any DIYer, but even more so for those just starting out.
But it’s not just novice DIYers who can benefit from the right multi-tool. Even experienced do-it-yourselfers will find it useful. All you need is the right blade or attachment to tackle the task at hand.
Here, I test the Einhell TP-MG 18 Li BLCordless Multifunctional Tool to see how well it performs and whether it’s worth your hard-earned money.
where to buy
Einhell
Einhell Professional Cordless Multi Tool with Accessories 18v Power Exchange, Brushless Power Tool for Wood, Plastic and Metal, Tp-Mg 18 Li Oscillating Multi-Tool without Battery
This version comes with accessories, but no battery or charger
Specifications and features
- Motor: Brushless motor
- Weight: 0.8 kg
- Size of sandpaper: 93 x 93 x 93 mm.
- Oscillation angle: 3.2 degrees
- No load speed: 11000 – 22000/min
- Oscillating speed: 22000 – 40000/min
- Warranty: 10 years
- Features: 1 x sanding shoe with hook-and-loop fastening, 1 x diamond segment saw blade for tile grouting, 1 x segment saw blade (HSS) for wood, plastic, soft metal, 1 x plunge saw blade (BIM) for metal, 1 x plunge saw blade (HCS), 1 x plunge saw blade (HCS), 1 x for plastic (3 x P60, 3 x P80, 3 x P120).
First impression
I say the same thing almost every time, but the excitement of unboxing a power tool for the first time never leaves me. It’s been a while since I’ve had a new multi tool, which has sparked excitement, and my interactions with Einhell power tools have always been positive… until now.
First impressions were good; The packaging was recyclable, and there wasn’t much of it. Just enough to protect the tool, with a simple cardboard box for storing accessories. The QR code on the box redirects to the Einhell website for more information, pricing and available accessories. Simple, but effective.
First out of the box were the accessories. Includes blades for wood and metal, scraper blades, segment (circular) saw blades Removing tile grouting and sanding pads for cutting wood, plastic and soft metal and three separate 9-sandpaper pads grade Everything you need to start using the multi tool right away.
What I noticed before picking the multi tool out of the box was the lack of a carry bag or case. I would have been happy with either. Box will take that mantle for now. More importantly, there are no batteries or chargers, so there will be additional costs for those who don’t already have one. The Einhell Power X-Change collection, many of which you can find on Amazon.
The unit itself was solid, light and well balanced. The well-placed rubber grips gave the impression that the Einhell would be secure and comfortable to use. Subtly on the grip were the words ‘anti-vibration’. This raised my anticipation and hope that it will perform well.
Another feature neatly placed on top of the tool was the speed dial. This ranged from 1 to 6. I set it to one to ease myself into using the tool. Keeping it company was a well-placed and measurable on/off button. Finally, there was a quick-release handle on the front of the tool. I had a quick game with it, and it wasn’t the easiest to use; You have to put in some effort to make it work. It is worth noting that other brands use different attachment methods, I would say simpler than Einhell. However, once I got used to it, it wasn’t a problem.
Set up
There are only two steps to setting up the cordless multi tool. Add a battery then the blade or attachment of your choice and you are ready to go.
If you are new to using a cordless multi tool, be sure to add the blade or attachment first. You don’t want the tool to explode into life when your hand or any other body part is nearby. It will be painful, I promise you. There’s a quick-release handle to enable toolless attachment, but not the easiest option I’ve seen for attaching a blade. You need to give the handle some muscle power to get it into the unlocked position.
Once you have it, adding the blade to the 12-pin tool adapter is easy and allows you to choose the position you want. Ideal when tackling hard-to-reach areas. When in position, simply close the quick-release handle to secure it. There is some snap on the handle, so be careful. However, once I got used to it, it was easy to use.
A small metal disc is provided to help hold the open back blade and attachments in place. This gives more compatibility and the option to buy other brands. The only problem I had was that I was sure I was going to lose it. Fortunately, I haven’t yet.
It’s worth noting that the Einhell is incompatible with the Starlock system you find on other instruments. But don’t panic, this won’t be a problem for DIYers. And it’s easy enough to buy compatible blades and attachments, viz Original Einhell XL-Plus-CASE 35-Piece Multi-Tool Set from Amazon.
Finally, before I added my 4.0Ah battery, I gave it a full charge to get the most out of the tool. Adding batteries is as easy as it gets. Slide in and it clicks into place. You are ready to go.
performance
The Einhell TP-MG 18 Li BL comes with a collection of multi tool blades and attachments, for every DIY job you’ll need a multi tool.
To start, I used a wood/plastic blade to cut architrave At ground level, ready for new flooring. I started with speed dial set one (the lowest level). The Einhell works effectively, if not efficiently, so I turned the speed dial up to three. This is easily cut through the architrave. Increased speed to six (highest level) made it faster. But assuming this would use more battery power, I was keen to keep it at mid-range levels. It’s worth noting that the Einhell isn’t overly loud for a multi-tool, but it’s not quiet either.
Next, he was cutting a few shapes to get two lengths of wood to fit around my side door lock and to secure me. Garden fence fit well. Again, this was a breeze. Next, I tried it on some plastic plumbing pipe, no problem. Switching to a metal blade can easily cut some thin metal sheets. Thicker metal required more effort, but in reality, when cutting a lot of metal, you’ll be using a more specialized tool.
For the large-segment wood saw blade, I cut a plank of hardwood to fit around some of the pipework. This one had to work harder, even with the dial set to six, and made quite a bit of smoke. However, this would be the same for any multi tool.
This got me a grout removal blade, scraper and sander. The grout removal blade did its job without fuss, quickly and neatly removing narrow grout lines. To give the blade a more thorough test, I tried removing the finished mortar Point again. This was a slow process, but again, another tool is better suited for heavy-duty work. In this case I usually my Of the angle grinder.
The scraper and sander worked exactly as I expected. I tried to help him remove the self-adhesive vinyl planks and paint through the door frame and door, then Sand the floor and frames. Again, this was effective and efficient. What I noticed when tackling the job, no matter the blade or attachment, was how well the anti-vibration feature worked. It was more prominent at lower levels, but at the top end, it was barely noticeable, allowing for long periods of work without feeling the effects.
The last thing to mention is the neat slim LED lights on the front. It illuminates the blade or attachment well, but there is no option to turn it off. Which means it’s always on, even when there’s no need. It’s a minor point, but I would have liked the option.
battery lfe
As with any cordless power tool, battery life is important. No DIYer wants a battery that takes forever to charge, can’t hold a charge, or has low power. As I already mentioned, this Einhell multi tool does not come with a battery or charger. So, for clarity and context, I’m using Einhell PXC 4.0Ah Sealed Battery (Available on Amazon)But it will significantly increase the cost of the multi tool.
There are other options, viz Einhell 18V 4.0Ah Plus Lithium-Ion Battery and Charger Set from Amazon. However, if you already have a compatible Einhell power tool, you can ignore this price.
The official runtime (according to their website) for the 4.0Ah battery is around 68 minutes. So how did this compare to my experience? I’m not sure if the battery died at 68 minutes, but it wasn’t far, so plenty of runtime. I always recommend charging another battery so you can swap when needed. Which, if you have the same, you’ll have a runtime of over three hours, plenty for any DIY tasks you might be undertaking.
Once I removed the battery, it was time to recharge. I used the Einhell Power X-Charger 3A, which has a charging time overview chart on the back. This suggests 75 minutes for a 4.0Ah battery. It took about 70 minutes for my battery to fully charge. A good time to watch. Same charger – the Power X-Fastcharger 4A – available from the Einhell site for £30. The charger is easy to use with red and green LEDs that indicate whether the battery is charging or fully charged. A trio of blue lights – activated by a quick push of a button – lets you know what’s going on.
final judgment
A multi tool is a great addition to a DIYer’s toolkit and I have no hesitation in recommending the Einhell TP-MG 18 Li BL Cordless Multitool. Admittedly, it doesn’t come with a battery or charger, so this will add about 50% to the overall cost. Obviously, if you already own another Einhell tool in the Power X-Change family there is no problem. But I would not recommend one battery for more than one tool. I would invest in at least a second, which would again increase the cost. However, it is ideal if you own other Einhell tools like this one Einhell TP-CD 18/50 Cordless Drill That I also tested and found to be a great addition to my tool box.
The tool itself is straightforward to use; However, while the quick-release system works, I’ve seen easier-to-use options on some other great multi tools. But don’t let this put you off what a good all-round multi tool it is.
The anti-vibration setup worked a treat, especially at higher speeds, and the inclusion of a blade and attachment meant you could tackle the tasks the tool was intended for. There’s little to dislike, although a carry case/bag would have been a handy addition, and aside from a few minor flaws, you’re getting a great multi tool.
