In Germany in 1867, Wilhelm Fein founded his ‘workshop for electrical and mechanical apparatus,’ when electrical engineering was a new technology. As both a talented inventor and entrepreneur, Fein came to be recognized as a pioneer of electrical engineering in his own lifetime – and even beyond. His richly inventive spirit provided the momentum for over 150 years of company success and product innovation.
Less than 30 years later, in 1895, Fein and his employees invented the forerunner of power tools: the first electric hand drill. The resourceful inventors combined a hand drill with small, electric motors and the concept of a tool with its own power source was born. Recognizing the potential of the handheld power tool, FEIN transformed into a 'specialized factory for power tools' in 1908, rapidly advancing drills and introducing the portable sanding machine.
Exactly 100 years after its founding, in 1967, FEIN introduced a plaster cast saw – a circular saw with an angular oscillating saw blade. The saw was equipped with a more powerful gearbox to upgrade it to a chassis saw and the crescent pattern of the oscillating rotation was used to cut through hard, plaster casts without damaging the patient’s skin. This plaster cast saw would be the basis of FEIN’s future range of oscillating power tools and the MULTIMASTER legacy.
It was in 1985 that FEIN worked in close partnership with the automotive industry to develop the chassis saw into an application solution for vehicles. At the time, there was no electric tool that could remove panes of glass bonded in place with silicone – until the problem was solved by the oscillating cutting tool, now fitted with specially shaped blades. The tool was continually developed and improved and is now known as the FEIN 700 1.7 Series; its main task is removing windshields.
FEIN’s oscillating cutting tool transitioned from automotive applications to the construction and trades market in 2007, with the launch of the FEIN MULTIMASTER. This new generation of oscillating multitools featured the QuickIN tool clamping system, which reduced the time required to change accessories – a particular benefit in applications and renovation jobs where frequent tool changes are needed.
In 2016, FEIN partnered with Bosch to create Starlock, an improved, standardized accessory-fitting system for multitools. The Starlock blade mounting system has a 3-dimensional “bottle cap” attachment system that ensures that the accessories lock onto the tool securely. With Starlock, accessories fit “into” the tool holder instead of “onto” it, resulting in better contact between the tool and blade - thus transferring 100% of the motor power to the accessory. Plus, it doesn’t rely on an extra pinning mechanism to drive the blade.
The MULTIMASTER received its most recent upgrade in 2022, when the cordless MULTIMASTER switched from FEIN’s lithium-ion battery technology to being powered by AMPShare – Powered by
Bosch 18V Batteries. This revolutionary upgrade not only amplifies the MULTIMASTER’s power and efficiency, but also signifies FEIN's commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements.
As we trace the evolution of the MULTIMASTER, it becomes clear that this is not just a history lesson - but a testament to FEIN's legacy of continuous improvement and pioneering spirit. Wilhelm Fein laid the foundations of innovation when he founded the FEIN company in 1867. FEIN continues to focus on the development of high-quality power tools and accessories designed with the user in mind.