If you’re anything like me, you probably saw the Parkside PMFW 310 H5 (IBAN 465512_2024) sitting in the “Middle of Lidl” and wondered this. Is a £45 multi-tool actually a lifesaver, or just more plastic for the landfill?
I’ve been using this corded oscillating tool for over 18 months in my own small workshop. I don’t have a professional setup, and I don’t have a massive budget.
Here is the “no-fluff” truth about what this tool can do, what it can’t, and, most importantly, which blades you actually need to buy to make it useful.
How I Tested This Parkside Multi-Tool
- Time in Use: I’ve used this tool for over 18 months in my own garage.
- Project Reality: Tested while cutting the bottom of a door to allow for a small telephone cable, and other smaller jobs.
- Why Trust My Choice: I don’t receive free tools from manufacturers. I bought this with my own money at Lidl to see if it actually holds up to my 50-year veteran’s standards.
Parkside Multi -Tool – What’s in the Box?
From the image above, this is my multi-tool and it comes in a hard plastic case, which is useful for storage and for keeping the tool in good condition. Once you take it out of the case, it isn’t that easy to get everything back in again. You can though if you have enough patience.
Inside you will find:
- The actual multi-tool
- A sanding attachment with some sanding sheets (10)
- A semi circular cutting blade known as a segmented blade and ideal for creating plunge cuts in wood, and leaves a neat and smooth finish.
- 2 horizontal blades of different sizes (20mm and 30mm) – these are plunge cut blades and are perfect for creating cut outs in plasterboard, laminate, skirting boards, and more, as well as making rough cuts in wood.
- And a scraper attachment which is ideal for removing old wallpaper, caulk, or linoleum. Speeds up the process a lot.
- Dust outlet and angle adaptor
This is what’s inside the box of my Parkside Multi-Tool
Pros & Cons
Like any tool, they will have their good and bad features, so I have listed those just below.
Pros
- I liked the power and it feels really solid when using
- All of the cutting blades do a very good job and do it quickly
- The single lever means it is very easy to change attachments so you don’t need any tools to do that
- The cord length is around 2 metres which is fine, but I mainly used it with an extension lead.
- The sander is extremely good and really useful. I used it to remove paint from a table top and it worked really well
Cons
- No variable speed trigger but there is an oscillating speed selector from 1-6 settings
- It vibrates quite a lot
My Detailed Review
Setup
If you haven’t used one of these before, whenever you open the case, there appears to be a lot of parts. Truth is, there isn’t really. If you lift all the attachments out you are left with the actual multi-tool and the electrical lead.
It’s a heavy solid well made tool. It’s not too heavy, around the weight of a bag of sugar which is 1Kg (around 2 lbs) I used it a lot, and didn’t suffer from any type of arm fatigue.
The lead is a pretty standard length at around 2 metres. If that is long enough to the socket you are using happy days. Otherwise you will need an extension lead. The electric cord doesn’t bother me, but I am sure it will annoy some people. If that’s the case, then you should probably look for a cordless option.
There are plenty of choice here from all the big tool brands ranging from around £45 and all the way up to £100+. Popular choices are DeWalt, Einhell and WORKPRO.
The Attachments
Extremely easy to change! Lift up the lever, slot the attachment in, click the lever back into place and you are good to go. I also like the choices they include in the kit, which most other brands don’t do.
Blades
The blades are good quality and certainly cut with considerable ease. There are three blades as mentioned above, and all of them cut really well.
The only drawback is the lack of variable speed. There is no trigger on this tool, just an on/off button, so when you turn it on, you have full power. That does make it a little bit difficult to make your starting cut.
Scraper Attachment
I used this to take flaky paint off the top of a table we use outside. That also worked well as long as you get your angle right. The wrong angle and it can gouge in, so need to get it relatively flat to the surface.
Sander
I am very impressed with the sander. The sanding sheets are the classic triangle shape and are simply attached to the sanding attachment with a velcro back.
First Impressions: Power vs. Vibration
The 310W motor is surprisingly punchy. It doesn’t bog down easily, even when I was plunging into my soft wood door jambs.
The Good:
- Variable Speed: The dial (1–6) is essential. I usually keep it at 4 for sanding so I don’t melt the plastic, and 6 for aggressive cutting. Speed isn’t controlled by any trigger, but set by the wheel.
- Tool-Free Change: The quick-release lever is a huge upgrade over the older hex key models.
The Not-So-Good:
- The “Bzzz”: After 20 minutes of use, your hand will feel like it’s still vibrating an hour later. It’s not as dampened as a Bosch or Makita.
- The Cord: It’s 4 meters long, which is decent, but in a small area, it always seems to get tangled under my feet.
Price & Value for Money
A cordless option costs on average around £50, and unless you own a compatible battery and charger, then that will be an additional cost of around £60-£100. This Parkside model is corded and cost me around £45.
I think this is good value for money as you get enough accessories to get you started. I also prefer constant power without the annoyance of batteries and charging.
If you are a professional contractor using a multi-tool 8 hours a day, buy a cordless Milwaukee.
But if you are a one person DIYer working in a garage or spare room, the Parkside PMFW 310 H5 is arguably the best value tool Lidl sells. It isn’t pretty, and it’s loud, but it gets the job done for a fraction of the price.
Things You Should Know
Which Blades Should You Actually Buy?
I quickly discovered that not all “universal” blades are created equal. I’ve found the three types of blades you’ll find on Amazon UK so you can choose based on your project (and your budget).
Blade Material | Best For | Durability | Price Range | Advice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
High Carbon Steel (HCS) | Soft wood, plastic, drywall. | Low (Dulls fast on nails) | £ (Budget) | Buy a 20-pack for general “messy” DIY work. |
Bi-Metal (BIM) | Hardwood, PVC, soft nails/screws. | Medium (Heat resistant) | ££ (Mid) | The “Daily Driver.” Keeps its teeth much longer than HCS. |
Titanium / Carbide | Stainless steel, bolts, masonry, grout. | High (Extreme life) | £££ (Premium) | Get a 3-pack for emergencies when you must cut metal. |
“In my own garage, I mostly use the Bi-Metal blades because I’m always worried about hitting a hidden nail in old wood. However, I keep a cheap HCS 20-pack specifically for cutting drywall/plasterboard because the dust ruins expensive blades anyway.”
The “Big Question”: Which Blades Fit?
This is, in my opinion, where most Parkside owners get frustrated. The PMFW 310 H5 uses a Universal OIS (Oscillating Interface System).
Blade Type | Does It Fit? | My Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
Standard OIS (Pin-hole) | Yes | Best for general wood and PVC. |
Starlock | No | Avoid these; the “bottle cap” shape won’t seat. |
Starlock Plus/Max | No | Definitely won’t fit. |
Open-Back / U-Shape | Mostly | Some work, but they can slip under high torque |
My Pro Tip: If you are buying blades on Amazon, look for “Universal Oscillating Saw Blades.” Brands like Vtopmart or EZARC usually provide the best value for money for this specific machine.
1. The “Daily Driver” (Bulk Wood Blades)
The Parkside is classed as a budget tool, so I would recommend a bulk purchase of blades as that is just better value.
Search for: Vtopmart 50-Pack Universal Oscillating Saw Blades
Why: These are “Fast Fit” (open back) or standard OIS. They provide massive value compared to buying single blades at a hardware store. 50 blades for around £20.
Check Amazon UK for Vtopmart 50-Pack Universal Oscillating Saw Blades
Parkside tools are sold in physical Lidl supermarkets in Europe and online on Lidl’s national websites. They are actually owned by the German brand Einhell.
They have a website (https://parkside-diy.com/gb/workshop) and no customer service that we can find. They always refer you to their trading partner who is LIDL. (https://www.lidl.co.uk/c/parkside/s10027318)
The good news is, for accessories, you can buy other brands, as long as they have the universal “Standard OIS (pin-hole)” method of attaching.
According to the instruction book inside it comes with a 3 year warranty valid from the date of purchase. You do need to keep your receipt. This is needed to show proof or purchase.
For Service:
GB Service Great Britain
Tel: 0800 051 897 0 or contact form on parkside-diy.com
Service Northern Ireland
08081 103435 or contact form on parkside-diy.com
Service Ireland
Tel 1800 851251 or contact form on parkside-diy.com
This tool may not be for everyone. I find it really useful and have no complaints about its power, or variety of uses.
You might also be interested in reading our oscillating multi-tool guide for beginners in the UK.
If you have any questions about this tool, please ask them in the comments section below and I will do my best to answer them. If you happen to own this tool, any comments would be welcome.