There have been a number of oscillating multi-tool and accessory developments in recent years – check ’em out here – with brands kicking things up a notch to remain competitive.
The latest innovation comes from Rockwell, which has come out with the F80 Duotech Sonicrafter multi-tool (RK5151K).
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The Rockwell F80 Duotech is the first oscillating multi-tool on the market to offer 2 oscillation angles: 3.4° for better control, and 5.0° for quicker and more aggressive work.
Additional features include a Hyperlock tool-free blade change mechanism, and Universal Fit fitment, which accepts other brands’ accessories without requiring an adapter.
Rockwell also says that their new F80 oscillating tool can be pushed harder than other brands’s tools. They say that the tool feature’s the industry’s-best maximum cutting load of 35 lbs of force, before the tool begins to stall.
It’s powered by a 4.2A motor and operates at 10,000-19,000 OPM.
This is said to be the most fully-featured, powerful, and fastest cutting Sonicrafter Rockwell has ever come out with.
- 3.4 ° and 5.0° user-selectable oscillating angles
- 10,000 to 19,000 OPM
- 4.2A motor
- LED worklight
- Weighs 3.3 lbs
- 10 ft power cord
The tool comes with (1) Universal Fit accessories, including (3) 1-3/8″ end-cut blades metal, precision, and standard), (1) 3-1/8″ HSS semicircle saw blade, (1) plunge & saw blade, (1) flex scraper blade, (1) sanding pad, (3) sanding sheets, and a hard case.
Price: $159
You can’t buy the new Rockwell F80 just yet, but it’ll be in stock at Lowes and other retailers later this month (June 2016).
Compare(Rockwell F50 via Amazon)
First Thoughts
Rockwell’s Sonicrafter oscillating multi-tools are pretty decent, although not quite my favorites. Their new Duotech F80 looks to make a lot of sense – it’s a powerful oscillating tool with user-selectable oscillation angles, for when you want greater control or less aggressive cutting, sanding, or scraping performance.
They say the lower angle is for continuous control, but it seems to me it would also work well for higher precision work when you don’t need a more aggressive cutting action.
In other recent oscillating multi-tool news, professional brands Bosch and Fein are trying out new Starlock blade interfaces, and Dremel’s new Velocity tool has a high powered motor and control foot.
Jerry says
2 oscillation angles to choose from? Sounds interesting.
fred says
This is what competition does best. When AT&T was the only game in town – your phones were built by their subsidiary (Western Electric) – and they were very good quality – but you had a limited choice of styles and the color choice was black or black (until they introduced the Princess Phone). Same with Oscillating tools. When Fein controlled the market with its patents – the tool was great but there was not much choice and little innovation in models. Now that its off-patent – we have lots of choices in oscillating tools (even from Fein) and folks coming out with new ideas to better position their product.
Tyler says
Stuart, you mention the Sonicrafters aren’t quite your favorites. Which ones are?
I have an old corded Sonicrafter that still requires an allen wrench to change accessories. I use it, but I think I would use a cordless version more often because of the convenience.
David g says
Nope. The vc60 by dremel is better. Mainly cause of the power difference.
Mark says
I bought one of these last week from Lowes. Working on remodeling my kitchen seemed like a good excuse to buy a new tool. I have to say i’m very happy with this. Tons of power. The 2 oscillation angles make things very nice…i can cut 2×6’s fast and them switch and make precision cuts in drywall and cabinets. This tool runs much cooler and cuts better than by brothers Dremel…i don’t remember what model he has but, it’s only about a year old.
Joe says
The universal fit piece up in the tool flattened out on the first tool change. And no longer holds blades at right angle. However if I crank on the hyperlock handle it is usable. Unable to find parts breakdown for this new of a tool