Imperial Blades has come out with a new 4-in-1 drywall-cutting blade for oscillating multi-tools.
Drywall-cutting multi-tool blades have existed for a while (we posted about Dremel’s back in 2012), buy what makes this one stand out is its 4-in-1 design.
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The new Imperial Blades drywall multi-tool blade has 4 features and functions:
Dagger Blade: The slim hook-shaped blade is designed for detailed cuts, especially tight circles.
Depth Gauges: Marked increments show the drywall thickness, and are designed to help users monitor the depth of their cuts.
Piercing Tips: Similar to how jab saws are used, the piercing tips are designed to penetrate drywall for clean starts, and also have push/pull out capabilities.
Shaver Notches: Small notches help to remove excess drywall, for better fit.
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Imperial Blades says that this blade allows for easier cuts in drywall to create cutouts for electrical boxes, recessed light cans, and PVC pipes.
The front blade is designed to plunge-cut lines exactly the same width as standard American outlet boxes.
The blades have Imperial Blades’ One-Fit interface, and are said to fit the following brands of oscillating multi-tools, and others.
Compatibility
- Milwaukee
- Ridgid
- Ryobi
- Bosch
- Dewalt
- Dremel
- Fein (2016 and prior)
- Makita
- Rockwell
- AEG
- Chicago Electric
- Hyper Tough
- Mastercraft
- Masterforce
Some of these tools might require an adapter. It will NOT fit oscillating multi-tools with a Starlock interface.
Images of the product packaging says that Imperial Tools is making these in the USA with global components.
Price: $18
Buy Now(via Amazon)
If you’re wondering why Imperial Tools’ compatibility list includes Milwaukee, Ridgid, and Ryobi first, and why the new blade is shown in product photos with a Milwaukee oscillating multi-tool, allow me to remind you that they were acquired by Milwaukee Tool back in October 2018.
Jared
Cool. The depth gauge cutout markings is a good idea. I don’t think this would become my main blade, but I can see the utility it offers. It’s not like changing blades is hard (at least on my Dewalt) so I could definitely see buying this next time I do some drywall work to augment the regular blades for certain precision tasks.
ktash
If you only want to do small jobs, this would mean you only have to get one blade. Handy. I’ll be curious to see what users of it say.
Adam
Well if this blade doesn’t have Starlock, I definitely don’t see Milwaukee releasing a Fuel multi-tool with that as an interface option.
…and only less than a month to confirm that suspicion.
Adam
OT, but no Ryobi front page news. I also have been surmising a Fuel Fan (18″, one-key, no-whining noise, maybe oscillating, and tripod mountable if not packout mountable). Well 3 days ago I saw a Ryobi 18″ Air Cannon arrive at my local HD. Of course I picked one up to test out, with thought team red will have an alternative next month.
It’s almost perfect, aside from the battery platform (but i have adapters), though can be used with an AC cord too. My thoughts of mounting on a tripod were lessened, as it would be way to top heavy & very hard to balance (maybe save for a refresh of the current M18 fan size). It does have a hang hook hole though, which is probably enough, and is easy to adjust it’s angle.
runtime w/ 4ah battery on high/3 setting: 1:40min, medium/2: 2:40+ (still running that test)
It is an excellent solution to getting lots of air circulation in an area without power.
Nathan
I’d have to see it used more than once to justify if that makes much sense.
I’d rather have 2 blades. give me one plunger with the depth thing I can dig that. Then give me a arched thin dagger – I do like that.
but I can’t see having it all on one piece helping much.
Jim Felt
Hmmm. Why hasn’t everyone moved to Starlock? At least with anything new that’s remotely inventive?
Nathan
A large number of people don’t have starlock. and starlock is trademarked, might even be patented by FEIN. and is only on Fein and Bosch devices – I don’t even think festool uses them right now.
TTI certainly doesn’t and won’t have starlock for a long time.
Gleen
“Images of the product packaging says that Imperial Tools is making these in the USA with global components.”
When TTI Industries bought out Imperial, I knew that there would still be USA made products made under this brand, but globalism would occur. People called me a conspiracy theorist, extremist and laughed at me. Now I am not any of these, but I understand businesses pretty well.
Well looks as if I was right…Once again. This isn’t a laughing matter at all though. While made in USA of global materials is better than completely made overseas, because of the nebulous language, who knows how much domestic components are used.
Before TTI bought Imperial, ALL and I mean ALL of their products were 100% made in the USA.
Don’t get enraged with me, I am merely the messenger. In this case, Americans may not have lost their jobs per say, but they certainly lost the opportunity to reap the full benefits of 100% domestic manufacturing.
There is only two domestic options for oscillating blades; TTI Industries and Black and Decker Stanley.
Don’t say nobody didn’t warn others when I said this was a bad news when TTI bought Imperial.
Stuart
There’s no evidence that any part of the supply chain has changed. When Milwaukee acquired Empire, they kept the facility and poured money into it. I don’t see why they wouldn’t be doing the same with Imperial.
There are new Imperial Blades that are made in China, but those styles (more on them another day) are complementary to their existing offerings, and not replacing them (at least from what I’ve seen).
Additionally, Milwaukee’s self-branded oscillating multi-tool blades, of which there are a couple of styles, are marked “Made in USA with Global Materials.” It could be that Milwaukee is making this product for Imperial Blades, or simply that they’re standardized their labeling language.
Garrick
I once bought a can of sardines that said: Made in Canada (I’m Canadian), and was curious as to what ocean, lake or even bay in Canada they came from. It turned out they came from Malaysia, but the cost of the canning exceeded the cost of the sardines themselves, so since most of the “manufacturing” cost was in Canada, they were allowed to say “Made in Canada” on the label.
I no longer buy canned sardines.
Frank D
I’m thinking the 4-in-1 will make it awkward to use, because of the double hook.
Do they send out samples?
Garrick
It does look kind of awkward with 2 blades sticking out. Drywall not being too tough a material requires little effort, so a thin drywall knife works well, and doesn’t throw as many fine dust particles around. It might be faster for new construction, given all the different kinds of holes (and often lots of them) that need to be cut these days, but for retrofitting, I will stick to light weight and easy to handle manual tools.
MichaelHammer
The blades I use for drywall are numerous and free. I’m partial to Japan-style multi Saw blades. The down side is that if they look at metal sideways they go dull. That makes them perfect for drywall. Actually every blade that’s too dull for their original purpose works wonderfully in drywall. Incidentally they work well for removing caulking as well. Save those old blades. As a side note, Oshlun blades on Amazon are high quality at a cheap price. There, now you can save money at both ends.
Nathan
despite all the other bit about imperial blades (which conjures up the darth vader music when I read that) they do still at a minimum assemble them here or whatever.
I’m ok with that. So far I’m still using the dewalt blades I got with my OMT when I got it – they’ve lasted that long (OK so I’m down 3 metal/wood blades but meh). When I look for new ones I seem to keep looking at Dewalt’s and Imperials.
Far far more importantly – since they are a TTI company – I’m glad they still make a device compatible with SBD Quick Change OMT’s.
JoeM
I don’t do a lot with Drywall… but more and more I find myself being drawn toward Imperial Blades, as I like what they make. I know, at some point, I’ll need a Drywall tool for my OT, and it looks as if Imperial and Dremel are both in the running for which one I buy. So far anyways.
Yes, I HAVE a DeWALT DCS355, but there are things only Dremel, Bosch, or Imperial make for it. Yes I still HAVE a DeWALT Scraper and some sample blades, plus the Sanding Pad. But, frankly… if DeWALT doesn’t make the Oscillating device I WANT, then I’m going with another company that does, and I don’t care where it’s made, only that it does the job right.
Garrett
Heh, I used to have the same mentality. Not saying you said this or implied this, but I didn’t give a hoot about anyone but myself. All about me and to heck with anyone else. Wasn’t my problem.
Until this was MY job that was offshored and how this negatively impacted me. All my so called “buddies”, neighbors didn’t give a darn, as long as this wasn’t them. Me, me, me is probably the worst mindset to have next to being completely nihilistic.
While I agree I care if a product does the job right, why in the Sam Hill should any country, not just America, fund other countries before they help their own citizens?
Only losing my house, ability to have reliable source of income did I come to appreciate when I did find new work. Unlike what they show on television, living on the streets and wondering when your next meal isn’t fun and smiles. This can be completely dehumanizing.
Let me tell you and I know this first hand, this isn’t the Jeff Bezos of the world buying Imperial, Dewalt or other tool brands. Those bozos think they are better than everyone else and anyone that isn’t as rich, famous or thinks the precise way they do is beneath them.
Ultimately this is the contractors and actual working class making these products that are hurt the most when companies out source. Most of these people aren’t out to hurt anyone, let alone do anything to impede on anyone’s freedoms, as the elitist yuppies screech about. Most just want to live a quiet life and provide for their families.
Louie Orama
I originally thought that this was a cool looking blade when I first saw it and would love to try it, but not @ $18.00 a blade. Not just a particular brand, but any and I mean ANY of the blades that you buy off of Amazon for about $1.00-$1.50 a blade work great. And when you chip a tooth (or teeth), it doesn’t hurt the pocket. I use my Oscillating Tool constantly and never had an issue with inexpensive blades.
John
Cool blade.
Just a reminder: If you’re not using a Fein, you just haven’t tried it yet.
Altan
I just noticed this blades do not have two parts point welded to each other.
https://www.rockwelltools.com/accessories/oscillating-accessories/universal-fit-carbide-oscillating-saw-blade-rw8946.html