Diablo has come out with new… oscillating multi-tool blades?!
We know that Diablo (and Freud) are part of Bosch Tools, and so is Dremel. As I am sure most of you have seen, Bosch and Dremel both offer a wide range of oscillating multi-tools and accessories.
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Diablo also seems to be expanding their selection of power tool accessories (they also came out with step drill bits last year), and while oscillating multi-tool blades might be a new category for Diablo Tools, there’s plenty of know-how ingrained in their parent company.
We have also observed that Diablo offerings has started replacing select Bosch power tool accessories at Home Depot.
I find myself surprised to see new Diablo oscillating multi-tool blades, but given the history and offering of Diablo’s sibling companies, is this really all that surprising?
Diablo’s new universal-style interface looks a lot like Dremel’s older universal-style oscillating multi-tool blades, doesn’t it? The interfaces are hugely similar even nearly identical in appearance.
Dremel seems to have moved to a simpler tool interface style that is said to be compatible with Bosch, Makita, Milwaukee, and Rockwell oscillating multi-tools.
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Diablo says their universal-fit oscillating multi-tool blades are compatible with most tools, with no adapters needed. However, these Diablo universal oscillating multi-tool blades are NOT compatible with the more recent Starlock accessory interface co-designed and launched by Bosch and Fein in recent years.
So far, Diablo has released a number of individual blade packs and assortments, including a 5pc universal-fit general purpose oscillating blade set, DOU5S, that should be popular for users looking to try things out.
The 5pc set comes with:
- 2″ Bi-Metal Blade for Drywall (DOU200RBD)
- 1-1/4″ Bi-Metal Blade for Nail-Embedded Wood (DOU125BW)
- 1-1/4″ Carbide Blade for Metal (DOU125CF)
- 1-1/4″ Carbide Blade for General Purpose Cuts (DOU125CGP)
- 1-1/4″ Bi-Metal Blade for Clean Wood (DOU125JBW)
Price: $50
Buy Now via Amazon
Buy Now via Acme Tools
If you want Starlock-compatible Diablo oscillating multi-tool blades, well, they have that too – model DOS5S for this 5pc assortment.
That’s right, Diablo Tools will have two separate lines of oscillating multi-tool blades, one with a universal-style interface, and another with a Starlock interface.
Starlock blades are also somewhat universal-fit in nature, capable of fitting a wide range of oscillating multi-tools in addition to Starlock-compatible tools. But, many oscillating multi-tools have tool-free blade change interfaces that only work with open-slot oscillating multi-tool blades.
Price: $50
Buy Now via Amazon
Buy Now via Acme Tools
Price-wise, Diablo’s 5pc Starlock blade assortment is on-par with the $50 5pc Starlock-compatible blade assortment offered by Bosch.
See Also: Bosch 5pc Stalock Blade Set via Amazon
From what I can tell thus far, it looks like Diablo Tools, with these two separate oscillating multi-tool blade lineups, can probably fit any modern oscillating multi-tool interface.
Diablo has not sent out any press releases or announcements about this massive accessory launch, but we’ve asked for more information and will update this post if we learn anything new or if there are any notable incompatibilities.
And if you think that’s all, well, it’s not. This is a BIG launch.
Diablo looks to have gone all-in with their oscillating multi-tool accessories, offering both universal and Starlock-compatible accessories in a wide range of cutting, sanding, and scraping styles.
Here’s a look at the new Diablo oscillating multi-tool blade styles the lineups include at this time:
Diablo Oscillating Multi Tool Blades for Cutting Wood
There will be bi-metal blades for cutting clean wood and nail-embedded wood with 1-1/4″ and 2-1/2″ curved edges.
Diablo Oscillating Multi Tool Blades for General Purpose Cutting
Diablo’s general purpose OMT blades will be available with carbide and bi-metal teeth, depending on the style.
Carbide-edged OMT blades are vastly longer-lasting than bi-metal, especially when cutting metallic materials such as nails or screws.
Diablo Oscillating Multi Tool Blades for Cutting Metal
There will be metal-cutting blades in 1-1/4″ width, with bi-metal or carbide teeth.
At this time, it seems that the focus will be on carbide teeth, with bi-metal selection a little more limited. Diablo shows a universal interface blade available with carbide or bi-metal teeth, while the Starlock blade is only available with carbide teeth.
The selection could broaden in the future – remember, this is perhaps only the start of Diablo’s OMT offerings.
Diablo Oscillating Multi Tool Blades for Cutting Drywall
There will be a 2″ curved-edge bi-metal blade for cutting drywall.
Diablo Oscillating Multi Tool Sanding Accessories
Of course, what would be an OMT accessory lineup without a sanding pad?
Diablo Oscillating Multi Tool Blades for Grout
There will be carbide and diamond grit accessories for grout removal.
Diablo Oscillating Multi Tool Blades for Scraping
There will be flexible and rigid scraping blades.
Diablo Oscillating Multi Tool Blade Sets
As shown earlier in the post, there will be 5pc accessory sets, and also a 3pc set for both interface styles.
Pricing?
The 5pc sets are currently priced at $50, but let’s look at individual blade pricing.
I think the 1-1/4″ general purpose blades might be a good benchmark.
- Universal (DOU125CGP) 1-1/4″ Carbide-Toothed: $23 via Amazon
- 3-pack (DOU125CGP3 ): $38 via Amazon
- Starlock (DOS125CGP3) 1-1/4″ Carbide-Toothed 3-pack: $38 via Amazon
Price Comparison with Bosch Starlock Blades
You can buy a 3-pack of Bosch blades (OSL114C) for $33.11 via Amazon, plus there’s a current “save 20% on 2 select items” promo.
This might not be the fairest comparison, Since Diablo’s blades have a curved contact edge. Diablo doesn’t seem to be launching a straight-edged carbide-toothed OMT blade at this time.
From left to right: Diablo general purpose carbide-toothed blade with curved contact edge, Bosch general purpose carbide-toothed blade, and Bosch “Curved-Tec” carbide-toothed blade.
The Bosch curved contact edge blade, OSL114CC, is ~$24 for one via Amazon, or $28 for two via Amazon.
Diablo’s pricing comes in slightly under, at $39 for three.
Acme Tools has better individual pricing on the Bosch – $16 for one blade – but worse on the Diablo – $45 for three blades.
Discussion
At this time, until we learn more from Diablo Tools, it would be fair to presume that the new Diablo Starlock-compatible blades might be comparable to Bosch’s. The Diablo accessories have a “Black Ice Coating,” and similar blades have cutting depth markings with greater resolution and with both inch and metric lines.
This isn’t just a “lick and stick” relabeling, where Bosch blades are simply Diablo-branded, with the Diablo blades looking to offer at least some differences even if minor ones.
Are the Diablo universal-style and Starlock-compatible blades of the same quality? Despite Diablo universal OMT blades looking to have an older Dremel-style interface, subtle differences suggest they’re made with different tooling.
Plus, from a brand reputation standpoint, I would assume for the Diablo Tools accessories to be a higher quality grade than Dremel’s.
Diablo has surprised us in multiple ways. First, why launch an oscillating multi-tool accessory lineup now? Does this have something to do with Milwaukee Tool acquiring Imperial Tool, an oscillating multi-tool blade maker?
Milwaukee Tool has recently launched new oscillating multi-tool blades, and it seems more than coincidental for Diablo to get in the game. Is Diablo seen as a stronger competitor against new Milwaukee Tool oscillating multi-tool accessories than Bosch?
But also, don’t forget that Diablo accessories have been replacing Bosch power tool accessories at Home Depot.
These new lines of Diablo oscillating multi-tool accessories seems to be big news, but also a piece of the larger picture. Diablo is breaking out of their comfort zone.
I’m sure these new blades will offer the performance and quality we have come to expect from Diablo Tools accessories, but would hope to see more aggressive pricing compared to Bosch’s offerings.
It seems likely that identical or very similar Diablo and Bosch accessories are made at the same factory, and perhaps even on the same equipment. Users who share in this assumption would be wise to shop according to price and availability.
This is a big launch for Diablo Tools, and gives rise to one big question – what comes next? If this is part of a larger strategy, we’re surely in for more surprises.
Thank you to Cody for the heads-up!
Addison
I am interested, I love the Diablo circular, chopsaw, tablesaw, and sawsall blades. I almost only buy carbide tipped oscillator blades, Bosch is mostly at the top of that list.
Gregg
I have found that I am increasingly buying this brand for all my different type blade needs. They seem to be well-built and last quite a while if used properly
Lee Hopkins
For longer life Carbide is the way to go vs bi-metal???
Stuart
Yes. The difference can be quite dramatic.
Bi-metal: more affordable
Carbide: longer lasting
Dave Wittmann
Lower price does not always equate to “more affordable”. I use my oscilator a lot on the job. Blade durability has been a real problem. One small job could cost $100 in blades. It really eats into profits.
Jack
Nice. That space is getting competitive which is good for deals. Another planned purchase come Black Friday (hopefully).
JoeM
Ugh… You’ve just reminded me I wanted to expand my blades for my Oscillating Tool.
I’d like some more confirmation on whether or not these fit the DeWALT OT’s. I won’t invest in the quality blades if they won’t fit my Oscillating Tool.
Jared
I’ve used Dremel blades that look the same in my Dewalt OMT.
JoeM
I never got around to getting any of the dual arbour blades. They’re not the kind I need. Or, rather, they were never the ones I needed at the time?
I need more excuses to use my DeWALT. It’s the original cordless, and I’ve only really SANDED with it. I got some Dremel blades with their “Universal” original lock, and found out the hard way that they aren’t universal at all. But they’re also the only ones of their kind on the market, and I wanted them for that purpose they held. The detail sander attachment from Dremel had that “Universal Blade” and yet… Didn’t fit my DeWALT, so I have to use it on that bolt-on universal at the bottom.
I’ve got the original sample blades from the DeWALT pack, but I really don’t use them. I’ve used the scraper, and obviously the sanding pad, but that’s it. I just know, at some point, I want the BLADES from the Bosch family on most of my saws. There’s a handful of DeWALT blades that only DeWALT makes for their saws, yeah, and I love those… but I’ve lived my life long enough knowing that Bosch family blades can, and will, kick my DeWALT-made blades’ asses any day of the week, and twice on the Sabbath for good measure.
Driver Bits… I don’t care, I like my DeWALT bits fine, they work. Drill Bits? I… Haven’t worn through my House-Brand sample kit I bought a decade ago yet, so I don’t know which ones I’ll need to buy or replace next. Drilling and Driving, I don’t care about the quality anywhere near as much as I do with the blades. And THOSE I want from Bosch. For the quality.
Frank D
Why are oscillating tool blades still so expensive?
Relative to reciprocating blades, jigsaw blades, … they cost a fortune.
JoeM
No offense to whatever you believe… but I believe this deserves an “Amen”…
Mopar
What Frank said!
fred
I’m not sure if they are harder to make – or its just what the market will bear. The good ones from Bosch and Fein are mostly made in Switzerland (some in Germany, some in Liechtenstein) – not low cost manufacturing locales. I looked at the Acme site for these Diablos and they list the COO as “CHE” – or Switzerland (Confoederatio Helvetica)
BobM
What is the difference between a “wood with nails” blade and a “general purpose” blade? By the looks of the pics, the tooth size appears the same.
Stuart
My understanding is that “wood with nails” are bi-metal blades, and the “general purpose” have carbide teeth. Based on that, I would presume that the general purpose blades should last longer in tougher tasks, but wood with nails should be more economical while still being able to cut through occasional nails.
Looking at Acme Tools:
Diablo Starlock Blades for Cutting Wood with Nails 3-Pack is $35
Diablo Starlock Blades for General Purpose Cutting 3-Pack is $45
For completion:
Diablo Starlock Blades for Clean Cutting Wood 3-Pack is also $35
Koko The Talking Ape
Maybe a dumb question: Why are some blades straight? In a rotating, oscillating motion, it seems like some teeth would not stay in contact with the workpiece. They would be plunging in and out, creating vibration but not cutting effectively.
Stuart
Good question.
Straight blades are more common and seem to be the standard.
Curved blades can… I don’t know. In theory, the curved shape might better match up with oscillation angles, in a similar way that a curved computer monitor is better for very wide displays for a less exaggerated eye-screen distance from center-to-end.
This is all Bosch says about it:
The Curved-Tec design features a rounded edge for precise control during plunge cuts.
If you’re cutting something small, it’s not going to matter, but you might get a little greater precision when making wider cuts.
Thinking about this more, curved blades could allow you to follow lines a bit better and to better control initial plunge-cutting actions. With the curve, you have less engagement with the material, whereas with a straight blade you can only achieve that by working at an angle.
I’ve seen users burn wood with multi-tool blades too dull to actually cut any more, and so the curved cutting edge isn’t going to be universally needed, especially if there’s a premium.
You could always buy a new style or two when on sale and see how they compare for you.
Koko The Talking Ape
Thanks, Stuart.
I realize I assumed that the curve in curved blades is centered on the pivot point of the blade, the way circular saw blades are. If that were the case, then the teeth in these OMT blades would stay engaged with the material, the same way circular saw teeth do.
But I guess that doesn’t have to be the case. If the radius of the blade is smaller than the radius of the swing (so the center point is forward of the actual pivot point), then only the teeth in the center portion of the blade stay engaged. The ones at either side don’t do much (they just slide in the kerf created by the center teeth.)
But even then, that would be better than a straight blade.
I know those old two-person log saws tended to be slightly convex. You never saw a concave profile. And when used in that arc motion, a straight blade is equivalent to a concave saw.
Stuart
The curve on short-length blades is usually very short.
I really think the main benefit would in how wider cuts are started or lengthened.