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).
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.