Rockwell RK5100K, Rockwell Quality [yes..
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Rockwell Quality [yes variable speeds]
OMG, the Rockewell SoniCrafter is great. I was looking for a corded oscillating tool and looked at the Fein Multitasker and blades, but it is just way too expensive to purchase for my needs. So I bought the Dremel and the Rockwell to compare side by side…
The $100 Dremel is lighter and a bit smaller but the buzz the motor makes compared to the Rockwell motor [a little bit heavier and slightly bigger] which humms smoothly is like comparing a Vespa scooter to a Victory street bike.
Since the basic Rockwell is only $20 more than the Dremel and the extra blades are about the same price, there was no question about going for the quality/durability of a Rockwell.
The only convenience problem that I can foresee is getting replacement blades:
Dremel is carried by big box hardware stores; hobbyists who do crafts on the spur of the moment and do not need to rip open walls, will appreciate the around-the-corner convenience.
Rockwell is carried by speciality woodworking stores or the internet; the Home Proj. kind of guys have to plan ahead before ripping into a wall for remodeling. So ordering parts in advance should be a no brainer.
I also really liked the Rockwell case, it is created with niches and screw-downs to hold lots of blades/attachments in place.
I looked at the Bosch 12v battery operated version, and that would have been a good choice but I do not want to have numerous 18v tool systems and chargers for the various power hand tools that I use. I read that the Bosch delivers 20 min of battery power and I might need more time than that between charges.
All four tools mentioned above have variable speeds pretty much the same: 10,000 - 21,000 opm. The Bosch details that I read boasted of 5,000 - 20,000 opm, but I do not know if I need to go that slow. If I did I would have researched more into the rare Praxon version of oscillating tool, which is reportedly underpowered and equivalent to size and weight of the Dremel.
Update (2/6/2012): I also found some auctions for this item here.
The featured review for this product, Rockwell RK5100K SoniCrafter 20-Piece Kit Tools & Hardware, was written by Mr. Geweke.
The average rating for this item is out of 5 stars, according to 3 reviews.
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Tags: bosch, detail sanders, dremel, e-blade, fein, fein multimaster, fein sander or saw, fein tool 250q top, flush cut, grout, multi-max, multimaster, multimaster takeoff, oscilating sander, oscillating saw, praxon, sander, sonicrafter, sonicrafter 21 piece kit, works well
Posted on: July 14, 2010
Filed under: Reviews
Reviews (3)
Richard Lasalle
May 30th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
rinthesun
I bought this unit two weeks ago. Please note, this version, $ 119.95, not variable speed. Fein patent has failed, so we are now seeing some competition. Dremel version does not have a blade that will cut the nails, which is also true for Multitool ($ 59.95) Harbor frieght. The Rockwell claims that it has a blade that will cut the nail a useful feature if you are removing something with nails or screws as a counter. All of the competition uses a bolt to secure the blades to be tightened properly to the blades do not fall. Fein The new units have a new attachment system patented blade is a fool proof. Thus, for home use, I recommend the Rockwell on the Dremel Dremel until reveals a nail cutting blade. If money is no object buy the Fein Multimaster.
Mr. Geweke
July 4th, 2010 at 9:41 am
Rockwell Quality [yes variable speeds]
Rated 5 stars.
Stormrider
July 13th, 2010 at 9:34 am
Poor Customer Service, mediocre long-term quality
I wish I had, had the opportunity to actually use one of these that had seen extended service before I actually bought one.
For the first few months the Sonicrafter worked OK. Then the mediocre workmanship started to show up. I sent numerous emails, and made several phone calls to Rockwell. They never answered or returned any of them. In desperation I called the sales number on the infomercial. The sales rep took all my information and said I would get a call the next day. Needless to say I did not.
In brief my problems have been as follows:
1. The Allen Screw that secures the blades now vibrates loose, as a consequence I had to stop to re-tighten the blades every few minutes.
2. The front end gets VERY hot. I mean hot enough you can’t hold it! It will deform thin plastic sheeting such as the vapor barrier on wall insulation.
3. The blades are very poorly made. They dulled quickly. I don’t know what kind of blades they use for the demonstration videos, but it certainly is not the same as what they sent me. Certainly the nails they show the unit cutting must all be cheap non-ferrous metals.
4. The owners manual that came with the unit must have been written by someone for whom English is a second language.
Supposedly there is a two year warranty on the product. Good luck getting Rockwell to honor that. They essentially have no customer support to whom you can talk to get a RMA number or arrange a replacement.
As a result, my unit is now an expensive paperweight. It does have one useful purpose. I show it to my friends and associates to let them use it if they are thinking of buying one. After using it no one I know wants anything to do with this product.
I ended up buying a Fein Multimaster. More expensive? Certainly. But I only had to buy it once, and it works as advertised. You do in fact get what you pay for.
In summary. Initially the Sonicrafter worked as advertised, but it did not hold up to long term use over a 3 month period. My personal feeling is that the high heat generated by this tool coupled with the high frequency oscillations were more than the cheap materials used in building it could stand when used over time. This may work for a hobbyist making wooden models. but for serious work, it just did not stand up. Customer service was oriented at making sure the customer has no way to actually exercise his right to use the Warrenty.
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