DeWalt Oscillating General Purpose Assortment (5 Pc)

Why this blade set ended up in my job bag

I lean on an oscillating multi-tool for all the awkward cuts no other saw wants—plunge cutting an outlet in shiplap, trimming casing for new flooring, or freeing up a nail-bound board. After running the DeWalt 5‑piece oscillating blade assortment through several repair and remodel tasks, I have a good sense of where it shines, where it doesn’t, and who will get the most from it.

What’s in the set

This kit is simple and useful without fluff:
- Two 1-1/4 in PlungePoint blades (DWA4258)
- Two 1-1/4 in general-purpose blades (DWA4206)
- One 4 in (102 mm) semi‑circle wood cutting blade

All five are bi‑metal with a high‑speed steel cutting edge. DeWalt applies a “high‑performance” coating and claims up to seven times the life in nail‑embedded wood versus their previous generation. Claims aside, the materials and tooth geometry put these squarely in the “workhorse” category rather than specialty or demolition-only pieces.

Fit and setup

The Universal Fitment connection is the quiet hero here. I swapped these on and off a DeWalt XR, a Milwaukee M18, and a Makita XMT without an adapter or drama. Tool‑free changes stayed quick—the blades seat positively and don’t creep under load. That matters when you’re halfway through a plunge cut and don’t want the blade shifting a degree off your layout line.

Cutting performance

• Plunge cuts (the PlungePoint blades): These are precise starters. The tapered, sharp nose lets me sink into 3/4 in poplar casing with minimal chatter, and they’re steady enough to “steer” small corrections mid-cut. In softer pine and MDF, starts are clean with little surface blowout when I keep the oscillations mid‑range and let the teeth do the work.

• Straight and longer cuts (the semi‑circle): The 4 in semi‑circle blade is the set’s sleeper hit. It tracks straight across plywood and T&G subfloor, and the wide arc spreads the load so it doesn’t gouge when you’re flush cutting jambs or baseboard. It’s also easier to keep on your scribe line because the radius acts like a fence.

• Nail‑embedded wood: This is the defining test for a “general purpose” kit. Through old baseboard and sill plates with the usual brads and the occasional stubborn ring‑shank, these blades kept cutting. When I met nails squarely, progress slowed and the edge rounded as you’d expect, but I wasn’t left with a dead blade after one surprise. The bi‑metal edge survives a few honest mistakes; it’s not carbide-tough, but it’s far better than bargain high‑carbon steel.

• Speed and control: On denser stock (oak thresholds, LVL flanges), bumping down the oscillation speed reduced heat and gave a smoother finish. The tooth pattern favors a fast cut in softwood and a controlled pace in hardwood. With drywall and trim, keeping the shoe flat and rocking slightly avoids dive‑bombing beyond your depth.

Durability and life

I can’t quantify “7× life,” and I won’t pretend to. What I can say: compared with older bi‑metal blades I’ve used, these held an edge longer on pine framing with hidden fasteners. After several encounters with finish nails and a couple unavoidable brads, the PlungePoint blades still cut cleanly in wood, albeit a touch slower. The coating seems to help with resin buildup; pitch still accumulates in sappy framing, but it didn’t cake as quickly and cleaned off with a routine blade cleaner.

Where life falls off is exactly where you’d expect:
- Repeatedly grinding across larger or hardened screws dulls them quickly.
- Aggressive speed settings in dense hardwood generates heat and shortens life.
- Twisting during a deep plunge is a fast route to a rounded tip.

In other words, use them like bi‑metal blades, not carbide demolition blades, and they reward you with good longevity for the class.

Precision and cut quality

Cut surfaces were tidy enough to leave exposed before paint in primed MDF and pine trim. The semi‑circle blade, in particular, leaves a clean shoulder on laminate and hardwood flooring undercuts when I score first with a knife. Tear‑out on veneered plywood is minimal if I run painter’s tape over the line and start with a shallow score pass before going full depth.

What the assortment gets right

• Coverage for common tasks: Between two plunge blades, two general‑purpose blades, and the semi‑circle, I didn’t feel under‑equipped on a typical punch list. Outlets, notches, flush cuts, undercuts—it’s all covered.
• Universal compatibility: No adapters, no fiddling, and the interface held tight across brands.
• Nail tolerance: These are built to survive occasional nail hits without turning into butter knives.
• Practical balance: Two each of the most used 1‑1/4 in profiles is the right call. I burn through those far faster than specialty shapes.

Where it comes up short

• No specialty teeth: If you’re routinely cutting through screws, stainless fasteners, or dense cementboard, this kit lacks carbide tooth options. It’s not the right set for heavy demo or masonry‑adjacent work.
• Wood‑only semi‑circle: The 4 in blade excels in wood, but it’s not intended for metal. Don’t expect it to chew through lath-and-plaster with embedded keys and nails; you’ll want a dedicated metal or carbide blade.
• Consumable reality: There’s no limited warranty (typical for blades), so all value is in the cut time you get. Treat them right to stretch that time.

Tips to get the most from the set

• Let the tip work: For plunge cuts, start with the PlungePoint tip, ease in, and then widen the kerf—don’t drive the full width in one go.
• Watch your speed: Mid-range oscillation preserves edges in hardwood and when you suspect fasteners.
• Score first: A knife score or light first pass with the semi‑circle blade reduces chip‑out on veneered surfaces.
• Clean the teeth: A quick pitch remover bath keeps cutting speed up and heat down.
• Mark nails: A magnet sweep or a quick pass with a stud finder in metal mode saves blades from hidden surprises.

Value and who it’s for

As a small assortment, this kit hits a sweet spot for remodelers, handypeople, and homeowners who keep an oscillating tool at the ready. You’re getting five genuinely useful blades rather than padding the count with scrapers or sanding pads you may never touch. If your workload is mostly wood with occasional nails—the classic “oops, there was a brad behind that trim” scenario—this is a practical, cost‑sensible way to stock up without jumping to pricier carbide assortments.

Pros who tear into fastener‑heavy demo day after day will still want a parallel stash of carbide blades for those abuse‑heavy cuts. But even on that crew, these bi‑metal blades earn their keep for cleaner, more controlled cuts where finish matters.

The bottom line

The DeWalt 5‑piece oscillating blade assortment is a smart, no‑nonsense pack that covers the majority of everyday multi‑tool cuts. The Universal Fitment makes it a hassle‑free match for most major brands, the PlungePoint blades start cleanly and track well, and the semi‑circle blade is excellent for straight, flush, and undercut work. Durability is solid for bi‑metal—especially around the odd nail—provided you manage heat and avoid mistaking them for carbide demolition blades.

Recommendation: I recommend this set for anyone who needs a reliable, general‑purpose blade lineup for wood and the occasional nail. It’s a practical, compatible, and well‑balanced kit that trades peak demolition toughness for better control and cut quality—exactly what I want for most remodeling and finish work. If your day revolves around cutting screws and grinding through embedded metal, step up to carbide; otherwise, this assortment is a dependable go‑to.