I debated a couple of years about purchasing a tool like this.At first, Fein was the only option and just for home use it was too much money for me to justify purchasing.Now that there are reasonably priced choices, I purchased the 37 piece Rockwell kit and added some accessories.Honestly, I felt like it was a gamble.Many reviews say the blades don't last and they come loose all the time.I rolled the dice.I WON!!!
This is a solid tool.I love working with tools and I own a lot of professional quality tools. I put this in the same class as my Bosch, Dewalt, Porter Cable, Rigid, and Makita tools.
For $208 I bought the 37 piece kit and a diamond segment saw, a carbide triangle saw, and a blade cleaner.(the 37 piece kit is the cheapest with variable speed; the least expensive kit is not variable speed).The harder the material you work on, the higher the speed needs to be set.According to the manufacturer, it is running the tool on too low a speed that causes overheating and excessive blade wear. The tool and add on accessories cost me less than half as much as the equivalent from Fein would have.
I immediately went to work taking out thinset from an old tile job, probably 1/4 inch trowelled.I had tried hammer and chisel and hated that.I bought an angle grinder which worked but threw dust everywhere.That lasted about one minute before I had to quit because of the dust.Then I threw a rug over it.That was a couple of years ago.
This Sonicrafter with the diamond segment saw is the right tool for the job.It is powerful enough.I used it for an hour, it did not overheat or bog down.The blade shows no signs of wear. The blade never came loose.It did not throw dust everywhere.After an hour my hand was tired.Operating this tool feels very much like operating a random orbital sander.The gentle vibration over time is fatiguing.
Be careful when you mount the blade.Blades mount like a twelve point socket fits on a nut; but these blades and mount are thin like a hacksaw blade.Make sure the blade is seated on the nut before you tighten the mounting screw.If the blade is mounted correctly, it will not work loose.I have used three different types of blades and have never had a blade work loose.Just get it on there right to begin with.
I am more than satisfied with my choice of Sonicrafter over Multimaster.I used some of the money I saved to buy myself a new Stetson hat.
Update:I was digging a post hole in my back yard and ran into a one inch root about 18 inches deep into the hole.All progress stopped.I smiled a lot as I qucikly cut the root out with my Sonicrafter.
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Rockwell RK5102K SoniCrafter Deluxe 72-Piece KitProduct Description: Giving you the ability to sand, polish, scrape, and cut a wide variety of materials, the Rockwell RK5102K Sonicrafter Deluxe 72-piece Kit is your all-in-one tool kit for carpentry work. Enhanced by 71 accessories, the variable-speed tool operates with microsonic high-frequency oscillation to produce smooth, safe movements without kickback. Ideal on the job site or around the house, this efficient tool boasts a slim body that makes it ideal for working in confined spaces.
The Rockwell RK5102K Sonicrafter Deluxe 72-Piece Kit includes:
Variable Speed Sonicrafter tool
2 cutting blades
1 carbide grit blade
1 broad spectrum scraping blade
1 triangular carbide rasp
2 polishing pads
1 finger sanding pad
30 finger sanding sheets
1 triangular sanding pad
30 triangular sanding sheets
1 hex key
1 dust extraction adapter
Carry bag
Microsonic™ high-frequency oscillation provides smooth, safe movement without kickback. View larger. A Complete Workshop in One Versatile ToolWhether you're a professional woodworker or an avid do-it-yourselfer, the RK5102K is an effective way to streamline your work. Easily carried in its compact, lightweight bag, the kit can be kept at your fingertips for all your remodeling, installation, and repair projects.
Starting with the basics, the 72-piece multipurpose kit comes with a variable speed tool and includes two cutting blades, a carbide grit blade, a finger-sanding pad, 30 finger sanding sheets, a triangular sanding pad, 30 triangular sanding sheets, two polishing pads that help you cut, remove grout, and sand, with professional-grade results. It also includes a tough, broad-spectrum scraper, a triangular carbide grit rasp, a vacuum adaptor, and a hex key.
Sprucing up the garage? Utilize the scraper attachment to remove paint, old caulking, and rust. Remodeling the bathroom? Remove grout with the kit's carbide grit blade and score ceramic tiling for shaping with the optional diamond grit blade. Exposing hardwood? Remove carpeting using the broad spectrum scraping blade then let the sanding system take over to polish those hard-to-reach spaces.
High-Frequency Oscillation for Smooth, Safe PrecisionFor the safest and most accurate work, the RK5102K features super high-frequency oscillation technology. This means that instead of rotating, it makes up to 20,000 back-and-forth oscillations per minute for ultra smooth, efficient results. Because there are no fast-spinning parts or alternating blades, there are no threats of kickback.
Thanks to its advanced design, the RK5102K cuts only hard materials when fitted with a blade attachment. This way, the tool easily cuts heavy-duty materials, while keeping the user's hands and fingers safe.
The RK5102K can cut wood, thin metals, fiberglass, masonry, plastic, carpet and flooring, cement board, and even vinyl siding.
High Sanding Capacity with Low Dust LevelsFor sanding jobs, this tool requires very little downward pressure and delivers great accuracy. And its slim body enhances your sanding capabilities, allowing you to work on edging and corners that are often not possible to reach with other tools. Plus, it affords you quick and easy clean-up, throwing a very low level of dust whether you're sanding, cutting, or scraping.
Easy Handling with Lightweight Frame and Soft GripThe RK5102K has magnesium alloy gear housing, making it lightweight enough for extended use and rugged enough for long-term durability. The soft, ergonomic grip offers you optimum comfort and control while you tackle the job at hand.
What's in the BoxRockwell RK5102K variable speed Sonicrafter tool, 2 cutting blades (universal end cut blade and HSS semicircle saw blade), 1 carbide grit blade, 1 broad spectrum scraping blade, 1 triangular carbide rasp, 2 polishing pads, 1 finger sanding pad, 30 finger sanding sheets, 1 triangular sanding pad, 30 triangular sanding sheets, 1 hex key, 1 dust extraction adapter and a convenient carry bag.
Ideal for use with a wide range of materials, this all-in-one tool makes sanding, cutting, and scraping simple tasks. Buy cheap Rockwell RK5102K SoniCrafter Deluxe 72-Piece Kit now Get 10% OFF
I bought this sander 5 months ago so I have put it through various sanding jobs from finish sanding to surfacing material off with 40 grit.First off, changing the belt is a snap. Pull up on a trigger and it releases nicely.The balance is great and allows a gouge free surface.(all belt sanders will go gouge crazy if you let them)The cord exits off the top of the machine and over your shoulder for a "snag free sanding experience".I allways had gouges from my last sander when the cord would pull back on the unit and cause a wheelie across the work!Only had dust blowing in my face once, and that was because the dust bag was full to the brim.Emptied the bag and problem was solved.Other than that the amount of dust depends on what you are sanding and the grit of the paper. Belt sanding is dusty work no matter what.Noise is not nearly as loud as most sanders I have heard either. The three wheel design really gets the center of gravity low so it handles great! I bought the kit version that comes with the blow moulded case that has plenty of room for extra belts and misc. hardware you want to store. Overall rating.......solid tool!!!!!!
