Ditched my oscillating tool for a simple multitool scraper on baseboards

I used to fight every baseboard removal with my oscillating tool, popping blades left and right and gouging the drywall behind the trim. Last week on a job near Nob Hill, I borrowed a plain $6 carbide scraper from my guy and just slid it behind the molding. That thing worked so much better for prying the nails loose without shredding the board edges. I mean, I kept all the old baseboard for reuse, which saved the client about $180 in material. The oscillating tool still gets used for cutting door jambs, sure, but for removal this scraper is the first thing I grab now. Has anyone else switched to a cheaper tool for one specific step and never looked back?

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oliver_fisher23d ago

Wait, you're really telling me a $6 scraper does the job better than a tool that's meant for this kind of work? I get that it worked on that one job, but most baseboards are painted shut or have been nailed in for decades. A scraper might slide behind the trim, sure, but it won't break the seal like a vibrating blade will, and you'll end up pulling half the drywall tape with it anyway. Plus, the whole point of an oscillating tool is you can switch blades for different spots without swapping tools, so you're not carrying a whole separate scraper for one step. I've seen guys try the cheap route and they end up with split boards and more patching, which costs more than the $180 you saved. If it works for you on that one trim, fine, but I would not bet a whole job on it.