Making Sense of Multi Tool Accessories
Oscillating Multi Tools: What Works with What?
If you’re not all that familiar with oscillating multi tools, the broad range of accessory fitments available for them might seem slightly confusing. You’ll probably have seen terms like Starlock, Starlock Plus, and Starlock Max, you may have seen terms like OIS, and you’ve also probably seen a lot of accessories that don’t mention any kind of system whatsoever. So, how do you know what works with any particular tool?
The good news is it’s not quite as confusing as it looks on first inspection. As with most power tools, a standard of sorts has been forged over time, and manufacturers generally prefer to comply with this existing standard rather than try to come up with a completely different one. If you were to go back a few generations of oscillating multi tool there have been a small variety of different designs but over time the OIS template used by Bosch gained the most popularity. Based around a simple pattern of holes which was easy to replicate, most manufacturers began developing their own tools and accessories which were fully cross-compatible with the Bosch OIS interface (even if they weren’t labelled as such) – and this has continued through to the present day.
The OIS System
The OIS derived hole spacing is now the de facto standard for oscillating multi tools, and is widely used – for example oscillating multi tools from manufacturers such as Black + Decker, DeWalt, Draper, Einhell, Sealey and Stanley all fit within this ecosystem. Some manufacturers, including Makita and Milwaukee, currently make two types of oscillating multi tools- those which use the OIS style interface, and those which have a Starlock interface (which we’ll come onto shortly).
If you go into a store today, you should find that most generic “oscillating multi tool accessories”, even the budget supermarket specials, are going to be compatible with the OIS system in one way or another. It may not be immediately obvious as they don’t all look exactly the same, but crucially they will almost certainly be designed to perfectly align with the original OIS fitting.
That’s not to say everything will simply click into place straight away with a minimum of fuss: there is still a degree of variation between different designs, but to allow for this you should find that many oscillating multi tools can be fitted with suitable adaptors for different types or will allow you to partially disassemble the tool holder in order to install accessories that might otherwise seem to be incompatible. For example, StanleyBlack&Decker multi tools typically have a design like the one pictured below and on first glance you might assume that you can only fit accessories that have a cutout in them. However, the tool holder can be completely detached from the machine and this allows you to also install the fully enclosed types before replacing it.
Most of the DIY grade oscillating tools, as well as a few professional models, still adhere to the OIS format, and therefore you should find that a wide variety of commonly available accessories will actually work with these no matter how different they look to the ones that came in the box. However, Bosch themselves weren’t completely satisfied with the original OIS design and it wasn’t long before they got to work developing a new more advanced fitting which was introduced as the Starlock system in 2016.
Starlock Tools and Accessories
Starlock was designed in conjunction with Fein (who held the patent for the original oscillating multi tools) and the aim was to create a more stable and robust connection between the tool and accessory – something which would enable greater power transfer and improved precision for more critical applications in the professional field. This was achieved by way of a moulded star shaped interface which also required a new type of Starlock multi tool. The new Starlock system wasn’t a complete departure from OIS as standard Starlock accessories are designed to be backwards compatible with OIS tools – that is, a Starlock accessory will fit onto an OIS multi tool. However, the new generation of Starlock tools weren’t compatible with existing OIS accessories. So a Starlock multi tool will only accept Starlock accessories.
Much like the SDS system for rotary hammer drills, which Bosch also had a hand in developing, the Starlock range has two further tiers: Starlock Plus, and Starlock Max. The differences between these three groups can be seen below.
Starlock
The standard Starlock fitting is intended to be the least heavy duty of the three and it also features the necessary pattern of holes for fitting these onto OIS multi tools as well as Starlock multi tools – so as far as compatibility goes, they take pole position. You’re never going to find them being sold as cheaply as the multitudes of generic oscillating tool accessories that are out there, and for that reason they might not be the first choice for many people who do have OIS multi tools – however, its worth bearing in mind that they also also tend to have a much longer lifespan since all Starlock accessories are intended for professional use and are made to a much higher specification than many cheap and disposable alternatives.
Starlock Plus
Starlock Plus is a step up from the standard Starlock fitting and requires a purpose built Starlock Plus multi tool. These multi tools are intended to cope with more heavy duty applications, and the Starlock Plus interface is likewise designed specifically for more demanding work. Standard Starlock accessories will also fit onto these tools, so a Starlock Plus multi tool is Starlock and Starlock Plus compatible. It won’t work with OIS style accessories. Note that Starlock Plus accessories are also not compatible with OIS multi tools.
Starlock Max
Starlock Max accessories are designed for especially heavy duty applications, and these require a Starlock Max multi tool. Starlock Max multi tools are the only type that will work with the complete Starlock range, and they can therefore be used for a whole spectrum of tasks. As with the Starlock Plus fitting, the Starlock Max range is not compatible with tools that have an OIS style interface.
Who Uses Starlock?
Although Bosch and Fein developed the Starlock system it isn’t exclusively used by these two brands. Other Professional power tool brands have since licensed the technology from them, and you’ll find Starlock multi tools from manufacturers like Makita and Milwaukee, who also have their own ranges of Starlock accessories too. It’s also crossed over into the DIY market since the Bosch Home & Garden (Green) range of oscillating multi tools is now all Starlock-based as well.
What Works with What? Quick Reference Guide
So, to summarise, here is a brief rundown of most of the oscillating multi tools available today, and what they can be used with.
- OIS Oscillating Multi Tools – Compatible with: OIS, Starlock
- Starlock Oscillating Multi Tools – Compatible with: Starlock
- Starlock Plus Oscillating Multi Tools – Compatible with: Starlock Plus, Starlock
- Starlock Max Oscillating Multi Tools – Compatible with: Starlock Max, Starlock Plus, Starlock
Categories mentioned in this article:
Oscillating Multi Tool Accessories