Rockwell RK5102K SoniCrafter Deluxe 72-Piece Kit
by Rockwell
|
List Price: Our Price: $159.00 You Save: $40.99 (20%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $79.99 (click here) Category: Tools See more product details |
|---|
Tools and Hardware Reviews of Rockwell RK5102K SoniCrafter Deluxe 72-Piece Kit
Customer Review: Awesome tool
Summary: 5 Stars
I have needed one of these for quite a while, but never bought one due to the high price of the better units (ie: Fein). I am in the midst of making hand-made wainscot for my son's room, and I needed a powerful detail sander and a tool that could make accurate plunge cuts and do detailed touch-up work. After reading the reviews of the Rockwell, the only con I could see was that the accessories weren't readily available at my local store -- for the price, I figured I could live with that. I used it last weekend for the first time, and let me tell you, this is a tool that no DIYer should be without. Because the heads motion isn't rotary, there is hardly any dust kicked up -- it just drops below where you're working. I was sanding 1/2" MDF without a mask! The tool appears nicely made with a magnesium head casing, the switch had a positive feel, and the speed dial stays where you set it. Changing heads only requires loosening 1 hex head bolt. It has a good weight and balance, and fits well in the hand. I purchased the deluxe 72 piece kit, and I can definitely see myself using this thing quite a bit. I'm starting to feel like I should have bought it a long time ago. Highly recommended, and you can't beat the price.
Update (8/2010): I have been using this tool for over a year, and it's one of the best tools that I own. In my opinion, there are 4 basic tools that every home shop should have (at a minimum): 1) a high-quality circular saw, 2) a high-quality drill, 3) a reciprocating saw, and 4) an oscillating tool like this one. With these basic tools, there isn't much that the average weekend warrior can't do. This tool is now one of the first things that I find myself reaching for, regardless of the type of job that I'm doing.
Customer Review: great tool
Summary: 5 Stars
I've looked at most of the multi tools on the market and read so many reviews it would make your head swim. The Fein multi tool is the best and most expensive on the market but who can afford that much money for just one tool in these times. I looked and was able to try the dremel,craftsman and bosch tools, two of which are battery operated and worked well but the battery life sucks, only get a few minutes of working time but does have the power to do most jobs ok. the dremel is cord powered but seems underpowered for some of the heavier jobs. They all have great uses for what they were designed for. That being said it really takes time, practice and some skill to use a multi-tool to get the most out of it. It is not like a saw which cuts through most things with force, you have to let the tool find its way through the material. I learned this through trial and error using the tool. Now on to the review of the rockwell sonic crafter. Great tool but a little heavy because of powerful motor. Love the fact it plugs into the wall for power and has a fairly long cord. Love the fact that it comes with an adaptor to use everyones blades, sure makes it easy to just run to the home improvement store and get a replacement blade if your need one. Have used this tool doing a kitchen renovation and used it so many ways that has saved me much time and money. I would highly recommend this tool to all the DIY's for various project. Cann't beat the price which is twice the craftsman, bosch, and dremel, but half the price of the Fein. It just depends on where you shop and how much of a hurry you need the tool. Best place for me was Amazon.com. Cost me more for the two day shipping but was in a bind and needed tool ASAP.Customer Review: Numerous Problems
Summary: 1 Stars
Rockwell RK5102K Sonicrafter Deluxe 72-pc Kit Ordered on Jan.5,2009. Received on Jan. 17,2009.
The only reason I gave this tool a 1 star rating was because I couldn't find a way to give a 1/4 star rating.
The first thing I noticed was that the hard case shown in the Amazon product page was incorrect. The tool now comes in a canvas bag. I first used the product on Jan. 21,2009 to cut a couple of standard 3/8" wall tiles and scrape some construction cement from a wall. Worked as expected. Next used today, 2-4-1009 to sand some patches on drywall for refinishing. Ran tool for 5-10 minutes and turned tool off. When I turned on 1 min. later, tool would not run. Seems like something in switch. Called Sonic Crafter to see if this was a common problem. Course they said no. They also told me that they couldn't do anything about the tool since I bought from Amazon. They said that I could get it replaced or my money refunded at Amazon for the first 30 days, but even though the tool has a 2 year warranty, after the 30 day guarentee from Amazon if anything goes wrong with the tool I can't send it to them directly. I first have to send it back to Amazon to get it repaired, even if it's still under the 2 year warranty. They said when I bought it from Amazon, my warranty came from Amazon. So I am sending it back for a refund. Something is screwd up here. I didn't appreciate being mislead by Amazon or SoniCrafter to begin with. Now this whole warranty thing seems to be a "Let's pass the buck" scenario, with the customer(owner) probably getting screwed out of a warranty in the end.
Customer Review: Weak Product - Dont believe the commercials!
Summary: 1 Stars
Save yourself time and money, dont buy this product. This product is not meant to do the heavy duty stuff you see it do on TV. I got all excited because I am doing a remodel and figured an all in one tool like this would help. WRONG. I promise you, if you buy this product you will feel robbed. Here is something to consider.
1) The blades dont last that long, I cut through two nails with the univeral blade and it was done. A new blade costs $10 bucks and guess what, they are not available in local stores. So you have to wait to get them in the mail. Cutting in wood is fun because unless it is ultra thin or there is already a gap it, i can cut the wood with a handsaw faster.
2) This is intended more for crafts, the sanding unit on this is for softwoods at best. It feels as if I used countless of those sandpaper grits and barely made a dent on touching up sections in my hardwoods.
3) The carbide blade works at the pace of a snail for it to be effective. I was trying to remove some tile floor, well guess what it took forever to remove a line of grout next to the tile.
4) The scrapper, ok this product works as good as a butter knife, if you want to test this, try them side by side, you will have a good laugh.
5) Nobody wants to buy this at half the value. Nobody and I wonder why...
I can go on and on and I hope you read this before you buy, I read these things nowadays cause you can save yourself a lot of time and money. I am going to prove these things with a video. So stand by.
Invest the money in individual tools and you will save both money and time.
Customer Review: Sonicrafter...Hm--m-m-m?
Summary: 5 Stars
Ordered this tool because of the reviews I had read. Not the TV commercials! Sonicrafter seems well made, hefty,solid feel in the hand, easy to control once you get on to it. It is not the "use it for everything" you see on TV. But it's very useful for certain jobs. Especially those where you must bring the tool to the work piece. I have tried the End Cut blade, works very well undercutting door frames,window sills,or notching or plunge cutting flooring. You have to move tool a little to & fro to keep the cut going. The Semi-circle is great for cutting close to a wall. Easier to use on softer woods but will cut oak or particle board, may take a little longer. heats up some on extended cuts , but usually at the low speed, which you will rarely use. I've cut thin sheet metal with it , you can make some tiny cuts for close fits. The reg. size sanding pad holds well to velcro sanding attachment. Coarse grit good for removing material or rough shaping.
I opted for the 72-piece kit, since the cost of buying the individual blades & tool heads make it a good deal.
The much higher price Fenn Multimaster tool is too pricey..so are accessories. The specs between the 2 tools are close. So unless you're a full time contractor who needs to use 52 weeks are year , go for the Rockwell!
ps: the remarks about the blade going loose are wrong. the 6 pointed mount is secure as long as you keep blade flat against mounting, hex bolt tight,,,very secure. Also you are able to attach blades at different angle for easier access to cuts.
( plus you get extra hex bolt incase you strip it out.